Read Online Hijack in Abstract (A Cherry Tucker Mystery) by Larissa Reinhart - Free Book Online

back in my chair and let my boots dangle. “I don’t think I told Mr. Max when I dropped by for a visit.”
    Will double blinked. “Did you sleep yet, hon’?”
    “About ten minutes before Todd woke me up to tell me you called. And I came straight here.”
    Will glanced at his watch. “All that today?”
    “I didn’t have much going on work wise.”
    “What exactly did you chat about?”
    “A lot of them kept their comments directed toward a certain set of paintings I did.” I probably turned three shades of brilliant pink. “If I talked about something else, I asked them if they had heard about the hijacking. You know, to see if they had any information that would help your investigation.”
    “I see. Did you mention Tyrone witnessing the hijack? Or you sketching the composite?”
    “I know I did to my family. To everyone else? I don’t rightly remember.” I stared at the ceiling and blinked my eyes, causing a pattern of dots to brighten and scatter in my vision. “I don’t think I did. I felt safe talking about the hijacking. Most folks would know about it quick enough.”
    I lowered my head and let my vision clear to study Will’s face. “Uncle Will, I’m sorry.”
    “Sugar, I know you can’t keep your mouth shut. It’s the risk I took when I brought you in to do the composite. You’re just like everyone else in the county, always running their mouths. While you were still at the Waffle House, I fielded calls from the local papers. Didn’t tell them about Coderre, of course.”
    I nodded and chewed a hangnail.
    “If word leaked about Tyrone’s composite and somehow got back to the hijackers, it would mean the hijackers had a connection to somebody in this county. It’s not impossible, but doesn’t make a lot of sense. We would see more hijackings than just this odd duck.”
    Will stood and strode around the desk to pat me on the head. “Don’t you worry, honey. You go on home. Leave me to my dinner and a mess of paperwork that needs doing.”
    “Either way, I need to pay my respects to Tyrone’s family. I owe them that.” I waited while Will opened his door and ushered me into the hall.
    “I’ll find out if there’s a funeral and call you with the details.”
    The door to the Junior Officer’s room swung open. Luke strode out and seeing us, stopped. “Good evening, Sheriff. What’s Cherry doing here?”
    “Just come to chat with me a minute,” said Will. “I thought you were off duty.”
    “Officially,” Luke cracked a thin smile. “Just checking on a thing or two.”
    “See that this one gets home safely.” Will gave me a small shove that sent me stumbling in Luke’s direction. “Casey and Cody can keep an eye on you, Cherry. Why don’t y’all stay home tonight. You need to catch up on sleep.”
    “What’s going on, sir?” Luke hooked his hands on his belt.
    “I told Cherry about Coderre. She’s a might upset,” said Will. “She wants to visit his family. I told her I’d call her when I knew the funeral arrangements.”
    Luke moved his gaze off Will to settle on me. “Visit the Coderres?”
    “Not tonight,” I said. “And I don’t need an escort home either. My truck is full of gas and working fine, all things considered. I’ve got a big appointment up in Atlanta tomorrow, so I’ll just scoot.”
    “What appointment?” said Luke.
    “Some hotshot lawyer bought my recent classical-styled paintings and wants me to come up to Buckhead to meet him for a possible portrait commission.”
    “Good for you, honey,” said Will.
    “Guess this is the start of something big for you,” said Luke.
    “Maybe. I’ll let y’all know how it works out.” I felt too distraught over Tyrone to accomplish any horn tooting. I trudged to the end of the hall and waited for Luke to unlock the door.
    In the parking lot, I climbed into my Datsun and cut on the motor. I heard the growl of another truck, a black Ford Raptor, one I had once snuggled in with the gray eyed deputy