The Other Detective - Book 3 (Riverdale Season 3)

The Red Dahlia - Part 1

"Explain it to me one more time," FP said as he sat on the bed in the bunker.

"We drove him to the bus station and got him on a bus out of town," Jughead said from where he sat at the table, Aminity beside him, and Sweet Pea beside her, Fangs standing in the corner.

"He murdered Joaquin and you thought putting him on a bus was enough punishment? I don't buy it."

"Look, I made a decision. I'm sorry that you don't agree with that, but he's gone."

FP looked at them before standing. "I'm gonna pretend like I believe you idiots for now. I've got my hands full finishing Hiram's would be assassin. Next time you see me, have a better story." They watched him leave before looking back at the bed, thinking of the body hidden beneath it.

***

They sat in the Blue and Gold office, Jughead working on his book while Aminity caught up on some reading. They turned as there was a knock at the door, watching as Veronica walked in.

"Nice hat, Bacall."

"I've got a job for you, Jones'. I want you two to find out who shot my father." She dropped an envelope of cash onto the desk. "You'll get the other half when you give me their name."

Jughead whistled as he thumbed through the cash before handing it to Aminity. "It is a big job. I think half the people in this town want to see your old man kick the maple barrel, no offense."

"None taken. I'll give you your first suspect." Jughead and Aminity each grabbed a notebook and pen. "My mother. A few weeks ago, I overheard my parents arguing. It was right before the quarantine after I had my seizure. My mother was berating my father. Something about breaking a promise."

"What if you don't like what I find?" Jughead asked after a second.

"I'm a big girl. I can take it."

"Well then," he stood, "consider me your Phillip Marlow."

"I prefer Velma," Aminity stood and Veronica shook both of their hands before walking out the door.

***

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Hermione asked as she sat at her desk.

"I'll just get right to it, Madam Mayor," Jughead said as he clicked his pen and pulled out his notepad. "Did you shoot your husband."

"Excuse me? I love my husband."

"A-huh. But did you shoot him? From what I hear, not all is well over at the Pembroke."

"As record and witnesses will attest, I was on the phone with Hiram when he was shot. Picking up lunch at Pop's."

"So you may not have been the one to carry it out, but you still could have been involved," Aminity spoke up.

"What were you and Hiram arguing about when Veronica had her seizure?"

"Well, Mr. Jones, if you must know, we were fighting because I caught Hiram having an affair. I had been suspicious for a while so I had Sheriff Minetta follow him. This was before he got butchered of course. And he gave me these," she handed him a file. He opened it and picked up the pictures. "Now I don't know who she is, but he was meeting regularly at the Five Seasons."

"Hiram having another woman is a pretty good motive to shoot him."

"No. It isn't. I simply asked him to end it and he did. Now, I'm telling you this because I have nothing to hide." Aminity went to hand the folder back, but she stopped her. "Keep those. I mean, who knows? Maybe Hiram's mistress was angry he called it quits. You do know volatile blondes can he," she looked at Jughead.