When the Dead Speak

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Preston took a long swallow of his Bloody Mary. He leaned back in the throne-high chair in the living room, the evening paper spread out in front of him. He read the latest article on the body found in the overpass. The update wasn't detailed enough for him. He dialed Murphy's home phone.

"Any news yet?...Is your medical examiner done with the autopsy yet?...Keep me updated."

Preston hung up the phone. He scanned the pictures and plaques on the walls. Having served as state representative for twenty years, he was retiring and entertaining the idea of something more powerful, more prestigious. His name had been touted around as a possible running mate for Governor Avery Meacham, seeing as how Lieutenant Governor Arthur Ashburn was returning to private law practice, a decision prompted by his wife's ill health.

Juanita knocked on the door. "You have a guest."

Trailing behind her was a bulk of a man who looked put together by spare parts. His features seemed to have been rearranged on more than one occasion. His head and neck were the same width. A tree trunk with ears. And he walked with a rolling gait, as if his legs hadn't come off the same assembly line.

Cain Valenzio, a former boxer, had street smarts and connections. Two attributes in his favor. More than twenty years before, an unknown informant had passed him an envelope containing ten thousand dollars. All he had to do was follow Loren Stuble around for a week and take pictures. Loren Stuble had been Preston's opponent in the race for state representative. Stuble was the incumbent, very popular with the voters and far ahead in the polls. The pictures were of Stuble with a prostitute in a motel in Lansing, Illinois.

Somehow the newspapers received copies of the pictures. It cost Stuble the election. Preston had been more than satisfied with Cain's work over the years.

"Thank you for flying in so quickly." Preston ushered Cain to the sofa and offered him a drink.

"I read the newspaper in the airport." Cain's voice was thick and cottony.

"An unfortunate incident, but things do happen."

"Will you be all right?"

Preston handed Cain a scotch on the rocks. "I'm fine." Preston returned to his throne seat. "I have people on top of it who will let me know the developments. That's why I want you close by." Preston studied Cain's calm demeanor. "You are probably the only person I truly trust."

Cain's fingers started to twitch, just like before a big boxing match. He smiled slightly, revealing too many teeth even for his size mouth. And they were going in different directions.

"I'm here for as long as you need me."