Death in Her Eyes (A Mac Everett Mystery Book 1) by Nick Vellis Read Free Book Online Page B

Stephanie was drop dead gorgeous and popular too, but not in a good way. I got the vibe she slept around, maybe a lot, but I couldn’t get any straight dope. I heard she sat on a lot of laps. A loose wife was always a ripe target for blackmail.
    When I completed an observation or an interview, I jotted down a few notes. At the end of the day, I typed the information up and reported to the general by phone early the next morning. He never asked me how or where I got the information. I reported in every day. He kept me on a tight leash. On the seventh day, the general told me he’d decided to drop the whole thing even though his son was still out of town. He asked me to drive out to Live Oak House the next morning to give him a ‘briefing’. I was about to lose the goose and the golden egg.
    I tossed and turned all night fretting. Had I’d missed something? I was sure I hadn’t. I got up early, showered, shaved, and got dressed. I wore new Dockers, a clean polo shirt and new shoes.
    It took me no time to get to the general’s place. I rang the buzzer and the butler opened the gate. I parked in the entrance court.
    “Nice to see you again Captain Everett,” Norris said as he opened the door before I even rang the bell. He might be overly formal, but he treated me with respect. I appreciated that.
    “Hello Norris,” I said as I came through the door.
    “The general is by the pool, if you will follow me please.”
    “Thank you,” I said. “Ah, is he all right?”
    “All right?”
    “You know, upset or anything.”
    “I wouldn’t know, sir.”
    Norris led me out to the pool were the old man was indeed doing laps. The guy exercised like an old Olympic athlete looking to make a comeback.
    “Would you like something to drink Captain? The general will want iced tea when he’s through,” Norris said.
    “Thanks Norris. I’ll take some iced tea too,” I replied.
    I sat down under a red umbrella shading a glass top patio table and waited. The morning was young, but the sun was blazing. Ah, Florida in the summer, I thought.
    Norris appeared moments later with two glasses of iced tea. A splash drew my attention back to the pool in time to see General Hunt finish his last lap. He swam to the side of the pool, and then he pressed himself out of the water in front of Norris who was there to hand him a thick beach towel.
    I stood as he approached.
    “Good morning Captain,” he said.
    The man wasn’t exactly smiling.
    “I see Norris has taken good care of you,” he said as he extended his hand in welcome. “Let’s get this business wrapped up.”
    “Yes sir. I realize …”
    He held up one of his hands to cut me off as Norris walked away. Then he said, “If you’re going to say you should continue, I disagree. The notes have stopped. I’ve spoken to my son on the phone and he thinks there’s nothing to it. He said he’d look into it when he gets home. I want to get on with my life.”
    “As you like General, but there is negative information out there. Your daughter-in-law…”
    “Innuendo only hurts politicians and I’ll never run for office,” he said firmly.
    What I’d reported was more than innuendo.
    “What about your son? Someone knows something, or thinks they do about you or your son. It could be the affair or it could be something else people are trying to squeeze you over. If I can find out about it, other people can too. You should…”
    He cut me off again saying, “It’s been a week and I’ve heard nothing more. You’ve done a good job. I’m impressed, but I’ll work things out with my son when he returns. I have nothing to worry about.”
    He’d made up his mind so there was no point in insisting. His attitude surprised me, but he was the boss. If he wanted to drop it, I’d drop it. The problem was something didn’t feel right. I could see it in his eyes. He wasn’t telling me the truth.
    “I think this should take care of your time and expenses,” he said taking an envelope