Read Online Erica Spindler by In Silence - Free Book Online Page B

has gone into maintaining that.” Hesmiled. “Would you believe, tourism has become our number one industry? Lots of day-trippers, people on their way to and from St. Francisville. They come to see our pretty, old-time town.”
    She wondered if that was a hint of cynicism she heard in his voice.
    â€œWhat about the canning plant?”
    â€œBurned a couple years back. Old Dixie was in financial difficulty and didn’t rebuild. Without job opportunities, those without other ties to Cypress Springs moved. If you’re looking for an apartment, there’re plenty of vacancies.”
    Avery smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    â€œOld Dixie went belly-up last year. The burned-out hulk’s for sale. Myself, I can’t see anyone buying it. It’s a stinking eyesore on the countryside. And I mean that literally.”
    She arched an eyebrow in question and he laughed without humor. “Just wait. You haven’t been here long enough to know what I’m talking about. When conditions are just right—the humidity’s high, the temperature’s warm and the wind’s blowing briskly from the south, the sour smell of the plant inundates Cypress Springs. Folks close their windows and stay inside. Even so, it’s damn hard to ignore.”
    â€œMakes it hard to forget, too, I’ll bet.” Avery wrinkled her nose. “Does the town have any recourse?”
    â€œNope, company’s Chapter 7.” He leaned toward her. “Can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip. Waste of time to try.”
    Avery fell silent a moment, then looked at Buddy, returning to the original reason for her visit. “Why did Dad clip and save all these articles, all these years, Buddy?”
    â€œDon’t know, baby girl. I just don’t know.”
    â€œAm I interrupting?” Matt asked from behind her.
    Avery turned. Matt stood in the doorway, looking official in his sheriff’s department uniform.
    â€œWhat’re you doing here, son?”
    â€œDo I need a reason to pop in to see my old man?”
    â€œâ€™Course not.” Buddy glanced at his watch. “But it’s past lunch and the middle of a workday.”
    Matt shifted his gaze to hers. “You see why I chose the sheriff’s department over the CSPD? He’d have been all over me, all day.”
    Buddy snorted. “Right. Nobody needs to sit on top of you and you know it. You practically breathe that job.” He wagged a finger at his son. “Truth be told, I wouldn’t have had you work for me—I’d never have gotten a moment’s peace.”
    â€œSlacker.” Matt strode into the room, stopping behind Avery’s chair. “You have a woman call in a missing person last week?” he asked his dad.
    Buddy’s expression tensed. “Yeah. What about it?”
    â€œJust got off the phone with her. She thinks you’re not doing anything on the case, asked the sheriff’s department to check it out.”
    The older man leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know what she expects. I’ve done everything I can do.”
    â€œFigured as much. Had to ask anyway.”
    Avery moved her gaze between the two men. “Do I need to go?”
    â€œYou’re okay.” Matt laid a hand on her shoulder. “In fact, you’re an investigative reporter, you give us your take on this. Dad?”
    Buddy nodded and took over. “I got a call last week from a woman who said her boyfriend contacted her by cell phone from just outside Cypress Springs. He told her he broke down and was going to call a service station for a tow. She never heard from him again.”
    â€œWhere was he heading?” she asked.
    â€œTo St. Francisville. Coming from a meeting in Clinton.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œBusiness. Meeting with a client. He was in advertising.”
    â€œGo on.”
    â€œI spoke with every service station within twenty miles.