Read Online As Good as Dead by Patricia H. Rushford - Free Book Online Page A

Luke disappeared they hired a PI to find him, but as far as I know they never located him. I never told them anything.”
    Angel gripped the railing. “After the funeral, when you talked to Luke. Did he say where he was staying?”
    “I went to his motel room, but only for a few minutes while he got his stuff. We went to get something to eat, and he took off from the restaurant.”
    “Which motel?”
    “What are you doing, Ange? You need to stay out of this.”
    “I can’t. I’m a detective, remember? Please, Nick. I thought if I could find the place where he stayed, I might be able to get a license number. Most places want that when you check in.”
    He sighed. “Ask Callen.”
    “Did you notice the plates on Luke’s car?”
    “No, they were too dirty. He didn’t want anyone to see them, and he doesn’t want to be found. If I’d known there would be trouble, I would’ve arrested him. He asked me not to say anything about his being here, and like a dope I went along with him.”
    “Come on, Nick, tell me where he stayed. Maybe I can find something. I could stop at every motel between here and Newport, but that’ll take forever, and we need to find him.”
    “All right. He was at the Sea Captain. It’s almost to Lincoln City. I doubt it will help, though.”
    “Thanks. I owe you one.” Angel planted a kiss on his cheekand left. On her way out she made it a point to check out every person she passed, partly to keep her eyes open for anyone remotely resembling Luke. If Luke had come back to see Pop after the heart attack, he might come to see Nick now. She saw no one resembling her older brother. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t there.
    Angel headed north toward Lincoln City and pulled into the parking lot at the Sea Captain. Armed with the photo of Luke, she went into the office. A short, stout man came out to greet her. “Looking for a room?”
    “No, but I’m hoping you can give me some information on someone who stayed here. I’m a detective, and I’m looking for this guy.” She unfolded the photo.
    With wrinkled forehead, he studied the picture. “You’re the third one to come around here asking about him. There was another guy asking about him a few days ago, then a little while ago a detective came by.”
    “What did he look like?”
    “Skinny, dark hair. Said this guy had left something at his restaurant, and he wanted to return it. Wanted an address.”
    “Did you give it to him?”
    “I don’t have one. This guy you’re looking for. Is he a criminal or something?”
    “No, he’s my brother.”
    “Humph. Can’t tell you much. Signed in as Hal Perkins. He was here last Saturday. Seemed nice enough. Didn’t give us any trouble.”
    “Did you verify his name with a driver’s license or credit card?”
    “Nope. Seemed like he was in a hurry. Paid cash up front, so I figured it didn’t matter.”
    “Did he give you a license plate number?”
    “Yeah, I gave it to the detective who came by.” He read off the number, and Angel wrote it down. Oregon plates. She doubted Luke would be hiding out in Oregon. Probably a rental car.
    “Thanks. Can you remember anything about him? Anything at all?”
    He poked a finger in his ear and tipped his head to the side. “Nope.”
    An older woman wearing glasses and a muumuu-type dress came up to the desk and glanced at the photo. “What’s going on?” She looked from Angel to the photo and back again.
    “Do you recognize this man?” Angel asked.
    “She says he’s her brother,” the man said.
    “Sure. I talked to him once. He was going swimming and needed a towel. Nice man—seemed sad. Said he was here for a funeral.”
    Angel’s heart leaped to her throat. “Did he say anything else, like where he was from?”
    Her face wrinkled. “I don’t recall. Told me he missed his wife and his little girl.” She glanced at the picture again. “I can’t remember for sure, but I’m thinking he might have mentioned Idaho.”
    His little