Personal Justice by Rayven T. Hill Read Free Book Online Page A

Hank joined her. “Do you know where your husband is?” he asked.
    Mrs. Norton shook her head. “He didn’t come home last night. He went to work in the morning and that’s the last I saw of him.” She paused. “What’s this all about? What’s he done?”
    “Do you know where he might be?”
    Lines of worry showed on Tammy Norton’s face. “I … I don’t know. Can’t you tell me what’s going on?”
    “He’s wanted for questioning in a murder case, ma’am.”
    Mrs. Norton’s mouth dropped open and she sank into a chair and leaned forward. “Murder?” She rested her head in her hands and sat still a moment. Finally, she looked up, confusion and pleading on her face. “There must be some mistake?”
    “What is your, or your husband’s, relationship with Werner Shaft?” Hank asked.
    She sat back and frowned. “I hardly know him. He and my husband were in prison together a few years ago, and as far as I know, they haven’t seen each other since.”
    Hank sat on the edge of the couch and pulled out his notepad and pen. “Do either you or your husband own a gun?”
    “No, I sure don’t. And I don’t think my husband does anymore. After his time in prison, he settled down and works hard. He hasn’t been in any kind of trouble since.” She tilted her head slightly. “Are you sure you have the right man?”
    Hank disregarded her question and looked at his notes. “Does your husband drive a white Honda Accord?”
    She nodded.
    King came into the room. “There’s no car in the garage.” He looked at Mrs. Norton. “Does your husband own a plaid shirt?”
    She looked at King. “Yes, he’s fond of plaid. He owns several.”
    “The closet is full of them,” King said to Hank. “According to the witness, the killer wore a plaid shirt.”
    “A lot of people own plaid shirts,” Hank said. He made a note in his pad.
    King held up a small, green plastic box placed inside an evidence bag. “I found this in the basement. A box of .38-caliber cartridges. It’s empty.”
    Hank looked at the box. “No weapon?”
    “Can’t find a gun anywhere.”
    “Not surprising. If he didn’t come home, he still has it with him.”
    Mrs. Norton’s eyes moved back and forth between the box and the two detectives, her face clouded with confusion.
    “Keep looking,” Hank said to King, and then turned back to Mrs. Norton. “Do you have any idea where your husband might be?”
    She shook her head. “He always comes home after work. I can’t understand it. Something must’ve happened to him.”
    “King,” Hank called. He went out to the hallway where the detective stopped and turned around. “Get a BOLO out on Norton right away. And also on his car. If this guy’s on the run, he might be using his own vehicle.”
    “Done.”
    Hank went back to the front room and sat on the couch.
    “Detective,” Mrs. Norton said. “Michael has some family in Toronto. Perhaps he went there.”
    “We’ll check,” Hank said. “I’ll need their names and addresses as well as a list of all his acquaintances.”
    “I can do that right away. I hope you find him and he can clear this up.” She fidgeted with her hands as she spoke. “My husband didn’t murder anyone. I’m sure of that.”
    “The sooner we find him, the quicker we can sort this out, Mrs. Norton. Whatever you can do to help will make things go faster.”
    She leaned forward and looked intently at Hank. “I’ll help any way I can. I’m worried about my husband. He might be in danger.”
    Hank stood. “We’ll do our best to find him. Thank you, Mrs. Norton.” He tucked his notepad away and turned to leave. “An officer will stay here until you have the list ready.”
    Hank found King looking through the kitchen cupboards. “Anything interesting?” Hank asked.
    “Nothing.” King closed the cupboard door and turned to Hank. “I guess we’re done here for now.”
    Hank instructed an officer to stay and wait for the list. On the way out he gave