《A Dangerous Woman (A Fay Cunningham Mystery-Book 1)》Chapter Ten
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Chapter Ten
Just because I botched my plan to get inside Joe's house and have a look around, did not have to mean the end to my snooping. That is why I drove into town to the police station.
Before I parked on one of the vacant spots outside the borough building, I made a quick survey sweep to make sure Mitch's pickup wasn't around. His truck wasn't in sight, so I parked my car.
I was hobbling to the door of the brick structure that was formerly used as a train station, when I heard a familiar voice calling my name from somewhere behind me.
"Thought that was you," Bill Miller said, and smiled over at me as he pulled the door open for me.
"Doug give you the day off, huh?"
"I'm working. Besides, Doug doesn't give us hard-working reporters a much needed day off like you did, Mrs. Cunningham."
Bill wasn't being sincere. He was being his usual suck-up-to-the-boss self.
My own words gave me a sudden shake. That was the way the old Fay Cunningham's mind worked. Always thinking people were complimentary to me because they wanted something in return. There always had to be an ulterior motive for their kindness. People didn't say what naturally came to mind anymore.
"So you're here on a story then?" I questioned.
"The new printer one of the local clubs donated. Supposed to simplify work around here for the boys."
It took a deep, deep breath, and a silent order to myself to remain calm when I really wanted to chew him out good. To demand to know what he was wasting his time on such trivial material for, when he should be hounding every officer on the force for an inside scoop on the murder case. The story about the donated printer could wait. Or I should say, would wait if I were still running the paper.
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But you're not, that irritating inner voice reminded.
If nothing else, the voice did make me see I was also wasting precious time myself. There would be other days to chew the fat with Bill. I had important business to tend to.
"Can't wait to see the picture you get," I said, making reference to the camera he was swinging at his side.
I managed to put some distance between us when I spotted Francie. Francie might only be the meter reader, but she knows everything that goes on inside the walls of this building.
"Hey, how's it going, Francie?"
"Goin' just fine on this end."
After giving my foot a glance, she parked a hand on a wide hip and gave a roll of her dark eyes.
"Looks like things ain't so fine for you," she said.
"Just a sprain. Think I can survive it."
"Lean on me," she said, pointing her elbow my way.
I did, and was being guided around and back in the direction of the door again.
"Where we going?"
Her usual, deep voice softened when she finally answered. "I need a smoke."
We were outside, standing beneath the brilliant rays of noon sunshine. Francie pulled a pack of cigarettes from her shirt pocket, offered me one, and went ahead and lit one for herself, after I hesitantly and very reluctantly refused the offer. She took a long drag on the cigarette before she told me the real reason for our departure of the building. "Too many ears in there for you to be askin' me about the murder."
"How'd you know that's what I came here for?"
We exchanged looks and I had my answer. Francie knew me as well as she did the boys in uniform she worked around.
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"So, what's the story?"
"Don't know. The state boys got this one. Ethel was found outside the borough limits."
Stupid. Stupid. Sometimes you should try using that mass of mush between your ears, old gal, that inner voice badgered. If I had, I would have known Ethel's case was in the hands of the state police.
But wait a minute, Mitch never told me the exact location of the refrigerator, in which Ethel's body was found. The only thing he mentioned was the woods and someone's dump site. When I remembered that, I felt a little better about myself. So just maybe I was smarter than I gave myself credit for.
"Did hear, though," Francie said with another deep inhale that I took with her. Only, I didn't taste or feel the smoke drifting down to my lungs.
And, oh, how I wanted to.
"The boys have them a lead in crackin' the case," she finally finished with her exhale.
My eyes widened. I didn't need a hit of nicotine to the system. The adrenaline was beginning to pump through me. And I was too impatient to wait for Francie to enjoy another deep drag to hear the details.
"So what is it?"
"That I don't know."
I felt like someone stuck me with a pin, bursting the bubble of anticipation. The sensation was worse than not experiencing a hit from her cigarette. When I saw Mitch's pickup turn into the parking lot, the pin hole was sealed before I could blink.
"Look, Francie, I gotta go, but if you hear any-"
"Yeah, I'll keep you posted."
I had the door to my car opened, thinking I was going to make it inside and off the lot without any kind of exchange with Mitch. I thought wrong.
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Villain Lady
“Future will only set in stone when it becomes the present.”
8 4264*DISCONTINUED*
The "Ancient Ruler" who once stood at the peak of the "Realm of Gods" finally met his miserable end after he got betrayed by his comrades who were jealous of his supremacy. Some people were ecstatic about his death while others mourned over it... Years later the "Ancient Ruler" became more and more irrelevant after his death. Everyone eventually even forgot about the "Ancient Ruler"... but what they didn't know was that he actually reincarnated into the "Realm of Mortals". He who once stood at the peak was now reincarnated into the body of a youth deemed trash by all peers. In this lifetime he will rise to the peak once again. This is his story of rising to the top again while meeting old friends and making new dear comrades. "Now that I get a second chance, I will be sure to use it well... I shall reclaim my throne and become the ruler once again!" Will almost always release atleast one chapter per week! Unless dropped or on hiatus. Currently : dropped
8 121Stranded world (Naruto with crossovers)
Hotaru was a kid orphaned from the attack of bandits, which leads his village decimated with only him survives. the world still revolves though, saved by the ninjas from Konoha, his life started once again in that orphanage. cursing life, he wanders around lifelessly, giving up his will to stay alive and moping around while travelling within Konoha. there he met a kid smaller than him, scorned, bullied, even given scorn filled eyes towards him. he knows that the kid is hurt, but even so... he's still smiling and look at them in eyes. Seeing the struggle of Naruto, he silently clench his chest, feeling the pain which had no wound, and cries out loud while remembering his grandfather's words 'There's always a reason for something to happen' From then on, he started to look up, and get a better life. Being adopted, meeting his friends and teachers, also... an ability only he had... Never did he know that what lies in his future is a grim and dark... tragedy... Read it faster at Fortuneeternal.com **the pic all get from Pinterest! I only gather and edit them up! especially the character in the page I'm only changing his eyes and hair :D *any suggestion welcomed! please do so in the comment though...
8 152Deviant's Masquerade: The Huntsman's Quest (Old Version)
Camp Bet looks like a regular every day summer camp. Then you realize the owner is a witch, the quartermaster is probably a serial killer, and the whole place is surrounded by a mystical forest. All of that is just part of the reason why Jon Whitaker considers Camp Bet home. So, when things from both the city and the forest start to threaten his home... Well, he's going to do something about that. --- (A Quest set in the world of Deviant's Masquerade.) Please Note: This story has undergone a soft reboot and can now be found here.
8 97Lure O' War (The Old Realms)
Lure O' War starts where Touch O' Luck ends. It is a direct sequel and follows the story of Glen, the thief from Shroudcoast, now impersonating the grandson of the elderly Lord of Altarin and his colorfull companions. It tells of Lord Storm Nattas struggles, as he tries desperately to prevent the realm from falling into the pits of war, or failing that, make certain he escapes it unscathed. It will sing of gallant Sir Lucius Alden, 'Bloody tiger of the South' and his journey to the distant lands of Fetya, and the faraway 'true' North. A journey of hardships, danger, a desperate search for redemption and the road back to his beloved Regia. It will whisper of a Princess woes and triumphs, in the exotic continent of Eplas. It will speak of a 'demi-goddess' wanting what was promised and Dar Eherdir, the father of all assassins. [Royal Writathon April 2022 winner] [Royal Writathon October 2021 winner] The Old Realms series: Touch O' Luck (Finished) Hint O' Magic (Finished) Lure O' War (Finished) Wings O' Fate (Ongoing) There will be updates every 3 days. 3 chapters per week. or 2 chapters minimum at Fridays and Saturdays/Sundays 12:00 UK time + 1 chapter on Wednesday I) Chapter releases come twice a week, on weekends (Friday-Sunday). An extra chapter drop on Wednesdays/Thursday. I post around 10am normally, but for the summer when it may be a couple of hours later. So 3 chapters per week unless its a multi-part chapter II) multi-part chapters come usually within 48 hours for continuity (and because they are written as one chapter for the novel's original form), without being limited from the above schedule. Cover artwork by @IntheBlackveil Maps of the Old Realms are available here Greater Map of the Realms this is a very large image (thrice reduced in size from original, but still it might not load immediately) The Old Realms - Chapter specific maps The Old Realms All tags are relevant but most chapters are not too extreme. Fair warning dear reader, this is an 'unfiltered' story, sometimes sweet, others bitter, touching some heavy subjects or problems, like crime, war, betrayal, pride, politics, revenge etc set in a Epic Fantasy backdrop with shades of Grimdark. In its heart of hearts though, it is an adventure. The Old Realms saga is only published on RR for free. It is in the author's plans to publish it on Amazon and other platforms at some point. If you see it offered anywhere else, or someone tries to charge you for it, please report him. It is illegal to sell, or take advantage of intellectual work without the author's permission.
8 128Yandere Kouha Ren x Reader (Magi)
When your village was raided and you were sold off as a slave, you never imagined you would gain the love of a prince. However, this was a prince you wished you had never met.
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