Childless: A Novel by James Dobson, Kurt Bruner Read Free Book Online

difficult to continue feigning disinterest in a case infinitely more important than jilted lovers and forbidden sexcapades.
    “When we spoke over the phone,” he continued, “you seemed worried. Like a person fearful over something potentially…dangerous.”
    “I’m sure it isn’t. At least…” Jennifer took another deep breath. “I don’t know. The tone in the letters is—”
    “—disconcerting?”
    “Yes. As I said, in the past, the judge has received many letters on various cases. Some of them from wackos and religious diehards. He’s maintained a strict policy of ignoring those letters. So it falls to me to decide what to do about them, if anything. Nothing’s ever come of any of them in the past. But this one seems less nuts and more…calculating.”
    “I tend to agree with you,” Tyler said. “But the motive behind these letters isn’t clear. There’s no way we can come up with concrete conclusions without further investigation. As you indicated, it’s probably religiously motivated in some way, and perfectly harmless. But you never know.”
    Tyler felt himself leaning forward to again scan the mysterious content of the letters. He imagined himself tackling a case far more intriguing than anything he’d seen since leaving the force. For the first time in years he felt a hint of excitement over what tomorrow might bring. But he still couldn’t appear eager. He flashed a purposeful glance to the clock on the wall above the door. Jennifer gathered the letters.
    “So, do you think you can help?” she asked.
    Tyler shrugged, then slipped a Cain Investigations, LLC business card from his jacket pocket. He jotted a number on the back and slid it across the table. “I’d be willing to do some preliminary investigation. My usual daily rate applies, of course.”
    A daily rate he had just doubled.
    She took the card, glanced at it, then switched back into professional mode. “Fine. But once again I must insist that you keep this completely confidential. I don’t want the police involved. No publicity at all. It could completely undermine perception of Judge Santiago’s neutrality when rendering his opinion. I can’t let anything happen that might force him to recuse himself from the case.”
    “I understand. Now, I do have one request. I’d like to take a copy of each of these letters.”
    “Of course. I’ve already made copies. You can take these. But please don’t make any additional copies, electronic or otherwise. I wouldn’t want anyone to get wind of their content until we know what…or who…we’re dealing with.”
    *  *  *
    As Tyler made his way out, he paused again to admire the building’s classic architecture and the inscriptions that made him wish he knew more judicial history. Then he noticed the massive bronze plaque displaying names of the former postmasters general. This building must have served as a major post office in early years.
    Post office . A thought came to him. He pulled out the three letters and examined the postmarks. They seemed archaic in a day when nearly all communication took place through electronic tablets. Archaic, but in this case important. The postmark on all three letters indicated that they originated from southern Colorado. Which meant whoever sent the letters lived…here.

Chapter Six
    The ringtone blared through the car’s speakers. Tyler checked the time on the dash, cringing. Renee was probably worried sick. Any deviation from the normal schedule required a call, a daily reality when you mixed private detective work with a somewhat paranoid girlfriend.
    He ignored the melody as he eased his Mustang across the freeway and into the AutoDrive lane, north on Interstate 25. The vehicle accelerated quickly to cruising speed as he relinquished control. He had exactly seven minutes before his exit, just enough time to update his financial plan spreadsheet.
    Tyler slid out his tablet and pulled up the calculator. He figured the Santiago case