Ed Lynskey - Isabel and Alma Trumbo 01 - Quiet Anchorage by Ed Lynskey Read Free Book Online

us.”
    Alma emptied the glass ashtray into the wastebasket, and Isabel nodded her thanks.
    “I’ve got a confession. Prisons are why I opted out of criminal law,” said Dwight. “They’re sleazy and disagreeable to me.”
    Rolling her eyes, Alma plunked her bulky purse on the tabletop. “Roust out our little girl.”
    “Show some restraint, Alma, and give Sheriff Fox a chance,” said Isabel.
    “That sounds more civil,” said Sheriff Fox. “Wait here and I’ll be right back.”
    His toe taps clacking on the buffed concrete floor faded. The shoe clacks returned a few minutes later, and the door swished air. Their eyes lifted to see Megan scuffle into the strong light, and sisters gasped together. Her face in a few brief hours had assumed a cadaverous mask, and her eyes had sunken into patchy cavities over a droopy chin.
    “Look how they’ve dressed you,” said Alma.
    “Orange garb is standard issue in both the male and female lockups,” said Sheriff Fox.
    “It’s perfectly hideous—” Isabel bit off her outburst, but the numb Megan hadn’t registered it.
    “Have a seat, dear.” Alma patted on the empty chair beside her. “Dwight, coming in I saw a soda machine. Be a sweetheart and go fetch Megan a cold ginger ale or root beer.”
    Dwight made to stand, but Sheriff Fox shook his head. “No visitor exits with an inmate present in the interview room.”
    “We understand the regulation,” said the obedient Dwight, sitting back down.
    “Can we get you anything?” Alma asked but her hard eyes skewering Sheriff Fox.
    “Can you get me out of here?” The lifelessness in Megan’s tone ripped jagged holes through the sisters.
    “That’s in the works,” said Alma. The skeptical Sheriff Fox grunted. “Doesn’t client-attorney confidentiality entail a little privacy in here?” she asked.
    “I’m uncertain if it applies or not,” replied Dwight.
    “Even if it does, this is after-hours, and I’m required to remain with the inmate,” said Sheriff Fox.
    “I didn’t shoot Jake,” blurted out Megan. “We were in love and engaged to get married. Why would I murder him?” New tears in the old tracks trickled down her cheeks. “You believe me, right?”
    “Of course you didn’t.” Alma’s blue eyes sent twin lasers across the interview room at Sheriff Fox who still ignored her.
    “Dwight is now your legal representation,” said Isabel.
    “Can Mr. Holden get me out of here?” asked Megan.
    “Yes, in due course,” said Dwight. “You’ll soon face arraignment. I’ll know more in the morning after the court opens, and I’ve had an opportunity to brush up on my criminal law.”
    “When the judge sets bail, we’ll stand ready to post it,” said Alma. “You should know we’ve also brought in a private detective agency.”
    “You did?” Megan’s first smile, a meager one, stole across her lower face. “I didn’t know any private detectives work in Quiet Anchorage.”
    Sheriff Fox looked flustered. “What’s this all about?”
    “Alma and I are the detectives,” replied Isabel. “We’ll assemble the facts and reconstruct what really occurred at Jake’s shop this afternoon.”
    “We brought our lawyer to ask our questions,” said Isabel.
    “First the prisoner returns to her lock up,” said Sheriff Fox.
    “The prisoner’s name is Ms. Connors to you,” said Alma.

Chapter 9
     
    The phantom maid during the sisters’ absence hadn’t cleared away and washed up the dishes. So Isabel ran the kitchen faucet to fill the white enamel sink with hot water. She added a squirt of the emerald green detergent, and Alma slid a dishtowel from the refrigerator handle. They talked.
    “I wonder if Jake made any enemies,” said Alma, drying the rinsed plates. “He’s bound to have miffed a customer or two in his dealings.”
    “How do we find his enemies?” asked Isabel.
    “We ask around town and, if not lucky, we’ll cast our net wider.”
    “Her two old aunts meddling in public