A Nose For Murder: Pearls Before Swine (A Phantomstein Mystery)

Chapter 4

Erik looked at Sage from behind him as Sage turned this way and that, "I had no idea you had these kind of clothes." Sage said, "This is cool."

Sage was fitted with a mahogany jacket, a dark gray shirt that faded into white at the bottom, jeans that had small rips in the knees, and converse shoes. Erik put his hand over his chin, thinking, "I feel like you're missing something..."

"I think this looks great." Sage said, "How long have you had these?"

"I've always had them." Erik said, "I have more fashions than just formal, Sage." He walked to his closet, "Just one more thing." He took out a pair of blue aviator sunglasses and handed them to Sage, "These."

Sage gaped at him, "Do you even wear this stuff?"

"Occasionally." Erik admitted.

"You and me need to go to a bar dressed like this sometime." Sage said, "We'd get girls drooling over us."

"No thanks." Erik replied, "Though a bar sounds inviting."

"What about my sedan?" Sage asked, "It looks like a cop car. I can't use that."

"Oh I have that problem solved too." Erik said with a smile, "Nothing up my sleeve." He beckoned Sage, "Being rich has its advantages."

Sage gaped again as Erik opened the garage door to reveal a black Stang 92, "No.. Freaking.. WAY! You have TWO?"

"Yes." Erik chuckled.

"Oh my gosh..." Sage whispered, "This is the most beautiful car I have ever seen in my life!"

"Cost me almost nine-thousand dollars." Erik said, "And it's newly refurbished with a new radio, new seats, new steering wheel, new wheels, and I had the engine serviced so that it would run like new."

"Erik," Sage breathed, "if I wasn't heterosexual, I would kiss you."

Erik laughed, "Just thank me later. You can drive it to the shop and I'll meet you there. I need to get dressed too."

"Oh you bet I'm gonna drive it there!" Sage laughed, "I'm in LOVE with this car!"

"Best muscle car I've ever had." Erik said, "I could never get rid of it."

"I guess you're not just a dull old-fashioned guy." Sage teased.

"I have a wild side," Erik admitted, "even if it's a small one."

Sage drove away, turning his radio on to the rock station. Erik chuckled and went inside to pick his own clothing. Today, he too would dress in casual clothes, but he'd make sure they made a good statement. He was good at choosing the right combinations of clothes, so he didn't take long to pick out his outfit...

..........

Erik sighed as he drove to the house where the murder had occurred. He wasn't sure he wanted to smell the scent of blood again, but he was pretty sure he didn't have a choice anyway. He walked to the mailbox after he parked across the street and flicked up the flag. The mailman would be by here soon, and Erik would have to be ready to catch him.

Erik went into the house and started inspecting everything, from the tops of the walls to the bottoms of the sideboards. He left nothing uninspected. He glanced toward a desk, and gently shifted a few papers. He narrowed his eyes slightly, then turned away and walked to the fireplace, taking the flame-poker and sifting the ashes a little. He narrowed his eyes again and took a deep breath, sighing thoughtfully. He trotted back over to the desk and opened a drawer...