Southern Justice, Part 64

I’m Fixin’ To present part 64 of Southern Justice:

After being advised of his step-mother’s demise by Sheriff Hillman, Rick Junior was stumped when the sheriff asked him if one of his partners was named Christopher Adams?

Rick Junior answered haltingly, “Why, yes, he is, Chris is one of the three partners here at the company, but why do you ask about him?”

The sheriff didn’t hesitate. “At first your stepmother’s death appeared to be accidental, probably alcohol related, however, after some investigation we have declared it a homicide.”

“What makes you think someone killed her?” Rick Junior asked.

“An eye witness has come forward,” the sheriff informed him

“I see,” Rick Junior replied, “but that still doesn’t answer the question of how it involves my partner Chris Adams.”

Once again, without hesitation the sheriff said, “The eye witness supplied us with a license plate number and a vehicle description, both matching with Mr. Adams. The vehicle was seen leaving the area shortly after the drowning. I have a murder, and now you have supplied me with a motive.”

“When did this alleged murder take place, sheriff?”

“Late last Tuesday evening, sometime close to sundown.”

Rick Junior thought back for a few moments before he informed the sheriff, “Sheriff, Chris Adams was in my office at that particular time last Tuesday, and at least 30 other people can confirm that!”

The professional tone of the sheriff’s voice didn’t vary when he replied, “I’m glad to hear that, Mr. Haselton, but we still need to follow up on the report. Would tomorrow morning be convenient for my visit?”

On the same Monday morning that the sheriff had scheduled his visit to Pic-Ric Products, Chris and Patty drove to work separately because she wanted to drive her Mini Cooper. Chris left first, backing out of the garage and merging into the traffic. He arrived at work first, parked in his space and decided to wait for Patty in the parking lot. He walked around to the rear of his Mustang, placed his foot on the rear bumper to tie his shoe, and was stunned to see that the missing license plate was back in place.

Patty arrived at that moment and Chris pointed out the startling information to her and said, “I wonder what the heck is going on with this?”

Patty stood staring at the plate and said, “I have no idea, unless someone borrowed it for some reason.”

“If that’s the case, then it had to be someone up to no good. You think I should report it to the cops?”

“That might not be a bad idea,” Patty advised.

When the two of them entered the front door into the reception area Jones was there waiting for them. When they said good morning in unison to him, Jones didn’t return the greeting. Instead he said in a toneless manner, “Chris, Rick Junior wants to see us right now. Come on.” Without another word he turned and began walking away.

“What’s with him?” Patty asked.

“I don’t know,” Chris answered. “He probably had a bad weekend. I’ll check back with you in a few minutes. If Hormel shows up before then, just buzz me.”

When Chris walked into Rick Junior’s office he and Jones were both seated and staring at him. He took a seat himself and said, “What’s up, fellow? I hope this won’t take long because I want to be near the front with Patty when Hormel shows up.”

“I don’t think he’ll be coming,” Rick Junior said in a grieved tone of voice.

“Huh?” Chris grunted in surprise. “Why’s that? Has something happened? Why isn’t he coming?”

Rick Junior took a deep breath and said, “He’s not coming because Jackie is dead. I’ve already briefed Jones on the situation, but we need to—-”

“What! Are you sure?” Chris interrupted.

“I’m very sure,” Rick Junior informed him. “ The sheriff of Ocmulgee County called to inform me last night. It seems that she drowned while she was a house guest at Hormel’s lake house, or rather that someone drowned her.”

“Who in the world would have done that?” Chris blurted out.

“Sadly, they seem to think it was you,” Rick Junior informed him.

(tmdunagan@aol.com)