Page 88 of Backwater Justice
“I’ve been around enough people who used coke back in the day. But from what I understand, it’s back, especially among young men who are upwardly mobile. Plus, he’s been acting erratic. Big mood swings.”
“Where do you think he’s getting it from?” Myra asked.
“I’m sure it wouldn’t be very hard. The interstate is a cocaine and heroin highway that stretches from Mexico to Alaska.”
“This is a lot to digest,” Annie offered. “How can we help?”
“I’m not sure. How do you find out if someone is sucking money up their nose?”
“I have an idea.” Annie leaned in. “What if we get Kat to nose around? No pun intended. She could say she’s tired. Needs a boost.”
“That might work, but I don’t think Oliver would be so stupid as to incriminate himself.” Milton sighed again.
“What if we get a saliva sample?” Annie offered. “Or get hold of his handkerchief.”
“And do what?” Milton asked.
“Get it to a lab,” Myra replied.
“I’m not going to ask,” Milton said. “I’ll leave it up to you.”
“I told Oliver I’d be in touch today. I can fake a sneeze, ask for his pocket square, and there you have it.”
Milton fanned the words away. “I don’t want to know any of the details. As I said, I will leave it up to you.”
Annie excused herself and walked into the house. She called Oliver. “Good afternoon, Oliver. I was thinking about what we discussed yesterday.”
“Ah. And?” Oliver sounded antsy.
“And can we meet for a cocktail at my hotel later?”
“I am sure that can be arranged. What time did you have in mind?”
She checked her watch. She had to be at the airport by three-thirty, then the half hour flight to the cabin and another half hour back. “Say six-thirty?” She wanted to give herself some breathing room in case of traffic or some other detour.
“Perfect. I’ll call you from the lobby.” Oliver sounded elated.
* * *
Eileen followed Dickie to the office complex. He parked in his usual spot. Eileen moved her vehicle to the end of the lot. Several cars separated hers and Dickie’s. Once Dickie was inside the building, Eileen moved closer to his vehicle. She spotted a black ski mask on the floor of the passenger seat. That must have been the black cloth Dickie had carried from his van to the cabin. She took a quick photo and sent it to Avery.
Avery forwarded the shot to Charles, who notified Annie and Myra.
Ski mask.
* * *
Dickie walked into his office looking as if he had been to hell and back. He felt worse than any hangover he’d ever experienced.So this is what stress and sleep deprivation do to you.He opened his desk drawer and spotted a bottle of acetaminophen. It was the same bottle that contained several of their manufactured pills. It was also the same bottle he’d had one day when Patricia Spangler complained of a headache in the office. He meant to give her aspirin, but she took the bottle from his hand. There was no way he could stop her. A few days later, she was back in his office asking for two more of “those pills.” He hesitated. She gave him a cold stare. He had no choice. If he didn’t give them to her, she would blow the whistle on him.
It became a regular thing with Patricia, who started looking for a weekly supply.How many corners could one man get backed into?And now they had to halt manufacturing the tablets until all the problems had been resolved. His life was a train wreck in slow motion. He could see the cars flying off the tracks and smashing to pieces. He buried his face in his hands.
* * *
Yoko peered at the photos Myra had sent her. The privet was lovely, but she wondered why Myra would want foxglove, as well. Granted, they looked good together, but foxglove was highly toxic. She needed clarification and sent Myra a text explaining that the smaller plants in front of the privet were dangerous.
* * *
When the DNA on the glass proved to be a bit of a mystery, Fergus asked for further tests. Milton’s DNA did not match the other familial DNA. Fergus snapped his fingers. “Charles, take a gander at this.”