Dempster Road

Chapter 12

Barney read Stella's transcription of her shorthand code and felt a distinct tremor in his stomach. "This car that Stan says is the Curtis woman's is a two thousand and four Honda, dark blue?"

"That's what he said."

"Spataro said he saw a dark Japanese car speeding toward Hurston around ten or so . . . maybe the same one I saw."

"But that woman came from north of Hurston; from the diner."

"Still, she ate with Shafton and she took a room with him. She could well be the last person to see him alive."

"Besides the killer."

"Yeah . . ." Barney scratched his jaw. "I want you to call the Trooper offices and find out if they have anything going on that resembles the facts in our case. And ask them to run the license on the woman's Honda, see what you get."

He grabbed his mug and went to the coffee pot. "What the hell. Where's the coffee, Stel?"

"Doc had a healthy share and Liam took one too when they stopped by. He wanted to get the number for the Latham Police lab. I didn't get a chance to go out and get some. We ran out this morning and there was nobody to watch the office."

"Gimme some cash, I'll go and get some now. Jesus, how can a man be expected to function without his coffee."

The telephone rang as he waited, and Stella answered making him sigh heavily. "It's the Doc for you."

He took the phone and kept his hand out for the money. "Yeah, Doc." Barney listened, and his mouth dropped open. "Both of them? Edgar too?" Stella stopped counting and looked up. "No mistake, Doc? Okay, okay. Thanks." He dropped the phone on the cradle and stared at Stella.

"What?"

"Both Shafton and Edgar had sex shortly before they died."

"How could he know that?

"On the- the- and the clothes." Barney shrugged and Stella made a face. "He said, even though Edgar's were in the water, there was still uhm- still . . . anyway, he's sending to Latham for a DNA check."

"What good will that do?"

"Just to find out if it only belongs to both our victims."

"Oh Barney, what a revolting thought."

"Doesn't necessarily mean that, Stel."

"But when would Edgar have the opportunity . . . even if there was someone . . .?" She went quiet, considering where her thoughts were leading.

Barney nodded at her silent conclusion as she handed him the money. He took it and looked at it like he didn't know what it was for.

"Coffee."

"Right. Call the Troopers now and include that latest bit. When I get back I'll call Shafton's company and see if they will contact his next of kin."

****

It was hard to tell who was gasping the loudest. The tangle of sheets muffled some of the sounds but not all, and when Stanley finally rolled off the bed onto the floor with a mighty groan he raised a hand in surrender.

Belinda had eagerly joined in his challenge after sorting out their arrangement for her getting the story, taunting him mercilessly through a series of strenuous gymnastics.

She crawled to the edge and stared down at him. "Slacker." Her hair hung damply over one eye and her mouth looked swollen.

"I quit because I thought you were done," he mumbled. He rested a hand on his forehead and blew out a long slow breath.