Vineyard Stalker by Philip R. Craig Read Free Book Online Page B

into space, then at me. “If the prowler knew we have his photo that would make a difference. We’ll have to let him know before he does any more damage.”
    I was annoyed with her. “I don’t know how you’re going to tell him that, but I do know you should be talking with the police. This is vandalism at the very least, and it has the potential of being a lot more.”
    â€œNo,” she said vehemently. “No police. I don’t want to take a chance on having my brother arrested. I don’t want to hear anymore about the police!”
    â€œI made a mistake taking this job,” I said, getting up. “I never should have agreed to leave the police out of it, but I thought it would be just a simple matter. But it isn’t, and now if something happens to your brother the police will be involved whether you like it or not and you and I will both be at fault for not talking with them earlier!”
    She spoke in short, staccato sentences. “Please. Sit down. Don’t leave. Let me think. I need help. I need someone I can trust. I trust you.”
    I felt my teeth clenching, but then I looked at her desperate face and the tension eased. I sat down. “You have to take this to the police,” I said. “They don’t have any reason to look back thirty years, so they may never find out about his past. Besides, even if they do, it’ll be better than having him hurt or killed.”
    â€œI won’t tell them if I don’t have to, but I will tell them if I do. Will that make you happy?”
    â€œYou should tell them right away. It’s the best advice I can give you.”
    â€œNo,” she said, frowning into the air. “We can wait at least a day. Those prowlers will have to report back to their employer, won’t they? And they probably didn’t do so last night, so that means they can’t do it before today. And then they’ll have to agree on what to do next, and that means they won’t do anything before tomorrow at the earliest, so we have at least today to work before we have to tell the police.” She brought her eyes down to mine. “I think that if the man you photographed knows about the photos, he’ll want out of this business. I think that if he can be identified he may want to spill the beans rather than take the full responsibility for what he’s done. Does that sound right to you?”
    â€œFall guys rat out their friends pretty often, but how are you going to let him know he’s on film?”
    Her eyes grew bright. “I’m not going to let him know. I’m going to let his boss know. If his boss knows we’ve got his picture, he won’t want him hanging around where he can be found and might talk. I think he’d rather send him away and drop this whole business. What do you think?”
    â€œIt could work like that. But how are you going to find his boss?”
    â€œIf I’m right, there’s a chance the boss is my cousin or one of Roland’s abutters. You can start with them.”
    â€œI thought my job was over.”
    â€œYou took the pictures. That’s about all you’ll have to say.” She looked at her watch. “You can see all three of them today. You have plenty of time. I think you should start with my cousin Sally. She’s right here in town. Will you do it?”
    I thought she was right about having one more day before the cops had to be called in.
    â€œIt might be good to have the photos developed first, so we know what we have,” I said.
    â€œActually, it may not make any difference,” said Carole. “What’s important is that they believe we have the photos.”
    She was probably right, especially since the prowler might be unidentifiable. “If we have a face to show them, we’ll have a stronger argument,” I said, feeling stubborn.
    â€œYou can drop the film off downtown right now,” she said.