Read Online Chesapeake Summer by Jeanette Baker - Free Book Online Page B

snag.”
    Blake waited, conscious that Russ had stopped to hear their conversation.
    â€œWhat kind of snag?”
    â€œA human body. At least it was. Now it’s mostly bones, but it’s human all right.”
    Blake stiffened.
    The man continued. “It looks like whoever it was has been there for a while. I thought you might want to know.”
    Blake pulled out his cell phone and punched in his deputy’s number. The connection was immediate. “This is Charlie One to Charlie Two,” he said. “Come back in to the station and cover all calls for the next couple of hours. I’m taking a drive out to Highway 39.” He waited for an affirmative reply before flipping his phone shut. Noting Dave Yardley’s flushed skin and the sweat streaming down his forehead, he spoke. “The police station’s at the end of the street. I suggest you get something cool to drink and meet me there in ten minutes. I’ll follow you out to the location.”
    Russ waited until the door to Verna Lee’s shop closed behind the geologist. “Well, I’ll be damned. What do you think that’s all about?”
    â€œI haven’t a clue, but I intend to find out. Bailey’s sale could take longer than he’d planned.” Blake grinned at Russ. “How’s business?”
    â€œNot bad. I’m taking a break. Verna Lee’s brownies are worth it, but don’t tell Libba Jane. She worries about my cholesterol.”
    â€œNo problem.” Blake clapped him on the shoulder. “Say hello for me and get that dog out of the sun.”
    Russ picked up the dog and walked into the café. His sister-in-law handed the geologist an iced drink and stared pointedly at the dog, forcing her lips into a tight line.
    Russ waited until the man left the store. “I know what you’re thinking, Verna Lee.”
    She lost the battle with laughter. “No, you don’t. Bring that dog into the kitchen and I’ll give her a bowl of water. I can’t believe Libba lets you keep that mangy animal.”
    â€œShe doesn’t. I keep her with me at the office.” He stroked the dog’s head. “Trixie, here, prefers air-conditioning.”
    â€œWhat can I get you?” she asked after settling the beagle with a bowl of cool water.
    â€œA beer, if you’ve got it.”
    â€œHow about iced tea or lemonade?”
    He sighed. “Lemonade.”
    â€œSo,” she said, sitting down beside him. “How’s the fishing business?”
    â€œSame as usual.” He frowned. “Did you hear about Bailey Jones?”
    â€œI heard he might be selling his land.” Her eyes flashed. “I’m against it, Russ. I can’t believe Bailey would do that to his mother’s legacy. It’s not that he needs the money.”
    â€œYou don’t know that.”
    â€œI certainly do. He’s going to be a very wealthy young man if he keeps on the way he has. He doesn’t need to leave us with acres of pink condominiums. You should be worried, too. There’s a delicate web of life here in the Tidewater. Get your wife to explain it to you. We had a huge scare four years ago with all that nuclear waste in the water. What do you think draining the wetlands and bringing in foreign soil will do to the fisheries and oyster beds, not to mention produce, which directly affects me?”
    â€œWhat is it with the women in your family? You sound just like Libba.”
    â€œDamn right.”
    â€œIt may not come to that any time soon.”
    â€œLet’s hope it doesn’t.”
    â€œWell, if what I just heard outside has any truth to it, Bailey’s land will remain untouched awhile longer.”
    She looked at him. “What did you say?”
    â€œThat man who was just in here is one of Weber’s geologists. He claims he found a dead body in the swamp. He was telling Blake about it when I walked up. It’s probably just