Death in the Secret Garden by Richard; Forrest Read Free Book Online Page A

knows I want a child,’ she said. ‘But I don’t know that I am strong enough to go through another loss like that.’
    â€˜As I said, we are only considering the possibility of considering it.’
    Bea nodded and wondered if this was to be a day marked by two postponed problems.
    At ten in the morning, Sarge Renfroe was usually his own best customer. The rules set by Rocco Herbert forbade his personal consumption of hard liquor before the sun was over the yardarm. Sarge understood, as legions of senior enlisted men before him had, that officers’ rules were meant to be discreetly disregarded. ‘Sun’s over the yardarm somewhere in the world,’ he mumbled aloud as he brought the first shot of the day toward his eager mouth.
    The second drink of bar whiskey was loaded and ready to fire when a large hand clamped down on Sarge’s wrist. The heavy shot glass clanked to the floor and rolled under the footrail. ‘Come on, Captain,’ he pleaded with Rocco. ‘I’m really hung this morning.’
    â€˜Winston Churchill once said that often the most important accomplishments are done by men who don’t feel well in the morning.’
    â€˜I don’t suppose you have any coffee?’ Lyon asked.
    Sarge shuddered while he pulled two steaming mugs of inky coffee from the machine at the rear of the bar. He slid them across the scarred bar and plunked a sugar bowl and small cream container by each mug. He sulked on a stool hidden behind the sports page.
    â€˜He is not a happy sergeant,’ Rocco said.
    â€˜Listen,’ Lyon said. ‘After I drink half this coffee I go back to work. I have a deadline on this book and you aren’t helping. Your case is wrapped up. Spook didn’t kill anyone. Eddy killed the girl and Lister killed Eddy. You have an eye witness to Lister’s shotgunning, and all you need is a little back and fill to tie Eddy to Boots’ murder. A nice double solution.’
    Rocco arched an eyebrow too high for it to be a natural movement. ‘Do you believe that?’
    â€˜Is that a rhetorical question?’
    â€˜I have a gut feeling about this case,’ Rocco said.
    â€˜That it’s not over yet?’
    â€˜We’re a small town,’ Rocco said. ‘A ripple in the water expands to the town line. Man gets girl preg, man kills girl. Man is killed by irate father. Everything over and all back to normal? Maybe. Or maybe we need to know what caused that first ripple.’ Rocco drummed his fingers on the bar before calling out, ‘Sarge!’
    The owner gave a start as the newspaper fell from his fingers. ‘Huh?’
    â€˜What in the hell was Lister Anderson doing in here yesterday? In my holding cell last night he spouted bible talk to Spook for ten hours straight.’
    â€˜I think Spook is a Buddhist or something,’ Renfroe responded.
    â€˜What’s a bible thumper like Lister doing in a dump like this?’
    â€˜Lister Anderson has been coming to this establishment every other day for the past two years. He comes in at noon with the other mechanics from the Chevy agency. The other guys have a beer and a burger. Lister has a Coke with his. He keeps his mouth shut about the religious stuff or he wouldn’t be welcome here.’ Sarge rocked back on his heels so pleased with himself that he poured a shot of bar whiskey and drained it in one fluid motion. ‘Right, Cap?’
    â€˜Right, Sarge,’ Rocco answered, ignoring the latest liquor transgression. ‘You know we have to go see Mrs. Anderson,’ he said to Lyon.
    â€˜We?’ Lyon said. ‘Why do you need me for a closed case? We’ve already decided, older man gets involved with younger woman. She gets a bun in the oven. They argue. She wants marriage or money for abortion. He wants out. More argument. He shoots her. Bible-thumping father decides on divine retribution. Daddy with shotgun blows away philandering