Read Online Genesis of Evil by Nile J. Limbaugh - Free Book Online

over onto his back she stuck that crutch on his neck and said, ‘Keep still, uhm, A-hole, or I’ll poke a hole in your neck and spit in it.’” She looked around at the crowd that had stopped to hear more. “Right?”
    “Right!” they thundered with one voice.
    Gerhart burst out laughing. “Okay,” he said when he caught his breath. “Thanks a lot, ma’am.”
    Delbert Rollins, the mall guard, grinned at Gerhart. “What did I tell you, Chief? I’ll bet you’re glad you took this call.”
    “Matter of fact, I am. Thanks, Delbert.” He shook hands with the guard once more then turned and led the would-be purse-snatcher toward the entry. The victim went with them. Gerhart watched her move as they made their way through the shoppers. She swung along with a supple shuffle, swinging first the crutches forward, then both legs together. It looked awkward, but she moved with surprising grace and speed for one with such an obvious handicap.
    “What’s your name?” he asked.
    “Roberta Valentine. What’s yours?”
    “Gerhart Kable. Do you live in Trinidad? I don’t believe I’ve seen you before.”
    “I’ve been here about a year. Moved down from Indiana.”
    “What do you do?”
    “I’m a headhunter. I run my own agency.”
    “Chief,” the boy interrupted with a whine, “I’ve really got to pee.”
    “Shut up,” Gerhart said. He pushed open the mall door and held it for Roberta. “You know where the Police Station is?”
    “Yes. I’ll meet you there, if that’s all right.”
    Gerhart nodded. She smiled, flipped a hand in the air and swung across to a remarkably clean ‘59 Plymouth convertible. Gerhart noted with surprise that it wasn’t parked in a handicap space. She opened the door and reached down to do something to the seat. It swung around to face her. She dropped into the bucket seat, lifted her legs into the car, swung the seat back under the steering wheel and pulled the door closed.
    “Damn,” the kid said. “She’s sure got nice legs, even if she can’t use ‘em very good.”
    “Get in the car, shithead,” Gerhart said. He opened the back door of the Ford and shoved the kid inside. Then he straightened up and watched Roberta Valentine drive off across the lot.
    He had to admit the kid was right. And the rest of her looked as good as her legs.
     
    Gerhart let the kid go to the bathroom when they arrived at the station. Then he took the young perp to the interrogation room. Roberta Valentine arrived a few minutes later and they all sat around a long table. Gerhart told the kid to empty his pockets.
    He produced a brown leather wallet, a stainless steel pocketknife with a three-inch blade, eighty-seven cents in change, a dirty handkerchief, a ring of keys, a pack of Winston Lights and a disposable lighter.
    Gerhart reached across the table, retrieved the wallet and opened it. He flipped clear plastic panels until he found a driver’s license, stared at it for a moment and raised his eyebrows.
    “You’re Wesley Richards?” he asked.
    The kid rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “Yeah.”
    “Don’t tell me your father is Manning Richards.”
    “Okay, I won’t.”
    Gerhart tossed the wallet back into the pile. “Don’t get smart. Is Manning Richards your father?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Why does that name ring a bell?” Roberta asked.
    “He’s the mayor,” Gerhart said.
    It was Roberta’s turn to raise her eyebrows. “The mayor’s kid tried to rip off my purse? Oh, boy. I suppose you’re going to turn him loose.”
    Gerhart looked at her with amazement. “Why the hell would I do that?”
    “It’s a small town.” She shrugged. “You work for the mayor.”
    “I don’t operate that way,” he said. “If this was hizzonor, himself, sitting here, I’d bust him anyway.”
    “Shit,” the kid said. “I ain’t got a chance.”
    “No, you don’t,” Gerhart said. “Suppose you tell me what possessed you to grab this lady’s purse in the first place. I know you