by Jude Pittman
"You don't wish that any more than I do." Jesse spoke through gritted teeth. "I'll take a dressing down from you any day if we just find Martine safe and sound and this turns into a wild goose chase."
"I suppose you know that this Guthrie is regarded as something of a 'pillar' of the community. Not to mention the fact that he's a lawyer. The son-of-a-bitch, and I'm going to look like a damn fool going in there and questioning him about some girl he has every right to claim he's never laid eyes on."
"I'll take the heat, if it comes to that." Jesse led the way up the steps of the small square house almost hidden behind the main Britannia buildings.
"I didn't even know there was a house back here." Hanson puffed his way up the steps.
"Apparently Guthrie had it built. His Clayoquot Sound Project has the right of use for five years and then it reverts to Britannia."
"Nice. Free land, free use, tax deduction and the bastard gets to be a hero on top of it all."
"Won't be so nice if he knows what's happened to those girls and hasn't come forward."
"I'll do the knocking." Hanson stepped in front of Jesse and rapped sharply on the door. The guard up front said he hadn't come out, so he's got to be in there." Hanson pounded his fists against the door. "This is the police. Open up or we'll have to bust the door down."
There were several moments of silence, then footsteps sounded against the hardwood floor.
"Open up in there, Hanson yelled again, and they heard a lock being turned and then a chain being removed.
"What is the meaning of this outrageous behavior." Guthrie poked his head around the door and glared at Jesse. Then he turned to Hanson.
"I presume you have some identification."
Mark pulled his badge out of his breast pocket and held it out for Guthrie to study.
"What can I do for you Detective?" Guthrie continued to stand in the doorway blocking their entrance.
"You can open the Goddam door and let us inside so we don't have to wonder what the hell you're hiding in there." Mark's loud bark appeared to shake Guthrie. He stepped back and pulled the door open, with what Jesse figured was a lot of reluctance, and let the two men inside.
"I understood you had a group of young people here," Mark scanned the large room. "I don't see anyone. Do you know where they've gone?"
"Home I expect, or wherever young people go when they finish work. Everyone left an hour ago. I was finishing some paperwork and then I'll be leaving myself."
"We're looking for one particular girl. She'd be new to your organization, about five feet five inches, slim build, long black hair, made up like what they call Goth."
"Hell, half the kids that come here are made up that way. There was a new girl here tonight. Can't say I paid much attention though. Guess she went with the rest."
While Guthrie and Hanson talked, Jesse paced the room. There was something bugging him – the energy was all wrong. He approached a closed door at the end of the room and tried the doorknob. It was locked.
"What's in this room?"
Guthrie's temper flared. "Now really detective, what business does this man have prowling around my quarters? I've been cooperative and answered your questions willingly, but that is my personal space, and I refuse to permit him to enter my private quarters. I'm sure I don't have to tell you the law."
"Hey, I was just curious." Just as Jesse stepped back from the door, his nose caught a whiff of Opium perfume.
Turning his head to see that Guthrie was busy with Hanson, Jesse crouched into a cannonball and catapulted his body straight through the bedroom door. Martine lay stretched out on the bed and Jesse reached into his boot for his knife.
Hanson and Guthrie raced across the room at the sound of splintering wood, and the instant Hanson spotted Martine, he pulled his gun and shoved Guthrie against the wall.
"I'll take care of this bastard," he said, slapping handcuffs on Guthrie wrists and goose-stepping him across the room.
Jesse used his knife on the tape holding Martine's arms and legs. Then he sat down beside her on the bed. "This is going to hurt," he said, reaching for the tape across her mouth. She nodded and he grabbed the end and gave it a quick yank.
"Thank God you came," Martine sobbed against Jesse's shoulder.
"It's going to be okay," he soothed, lifting her onto his lap and rocking her like a baby. "You're safe and that bastard isn't going to hurt any more girls."
Martine buried her face against Jesse's shoulder and sobbed.
"It's okay," Jesse said, rubbing his hand up and down her back. "As soon as you're ready you let me know and we'll get you away from here."
Martine lifted her head and gave him a weak smile. "I think I’m going to have to reconsider my stand on relationships with co-workers. Will you take me home, now – to your place."
The End
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jude’s Indian Creek Texas mysteries Deadly Secrets and Deadly Betrayal have been highly acclaimed by readers and reviewers alike.
Mystery Maven, Marilyn Miller gave Deadly Secrets a rating of 5 out of 5 Stars. “If you like an entertaining mystery that will confound you until the very end, Deadly Secrets is for you. I highly recommend it and look forward to more from this talented storyteller”
Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine, Christine Speakman gave Deadly Betrayal a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, Ms. Speakman said, “We first met Kelly McWinter in “Deadly Secrets” a quick quirky mystery that worked. In Deadly Betrayal, Kelly McWinter is still the loyal friend and easy-going guy and Ms. Pittman is still writing stories that work.
Note From The Publisher:
Thank you for purchasing and reading this Books We Love eBook. We hope you have enjoyed your reading experience. Books We Love and the author would very much appreciate you returning to the online retailer where you purchased this book and leaving a review for the author. Best Regards and Happy Reading, Jamie and Jude
Books We Love Ltd.
http://bookswelove.net
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