Read Online See Also Murder by Larry D. Sweazy - Free Book Online Page B

don’t think you have it there. At least I didn’t come across it earlier. Could you see if you’ve ever had it? What the publishing history is?”
    â€œAll right. Hold on, Marjorie.”
    I heard her put the receiver down and walk away, so I closed my eyes and tried to gather my thoughts, tried to justify why I was questioning my cousin’s actions and words—other than it was normal, since I held him in such low esteem and didn’t trust him at all.
    The fact that Raymond had not allowed me to see the book he quoted did not surprise me. He just seemed especially guarded. I didn’t want to think that he was involved in any of this, but he knew more about the amulet than I did. He knew that it might have been stolen when I didn’t.
    â€œMarjorie?”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI can’t find anything on this title. It doesn’t look like there’s anything that’s ever been published by a Larrson concerning Norse symbols, at least with the records that I have access to. Are you sure you gave me the correct information? Maybe it was with a small publisher and not listed.”
    â€œYes, Calla, I’m absolutely sure the information is correct. Wait, Raymond said it was published in 1901. He was very proud that it was a first edition, a rare book.”
    â€œThat would explain it. My records only go back forty-one years. I’ll call over to the university library and see what I can find out. Do you ever call them?”
    â€œOnly as a last resort,” I said, more truthfully than I wanted to.
    â€œThey don’t all look down their nose at everybody who’s not like them, Marjorie. They appreciate curious people like yourself. The university is a vast resource that you shouldn’t avoid.”
    I took a deep breath. Not only had I been chastised by mother’s ghost and Raymond since I left home, now Calla had joined the fray. The day was going from bad to worse. “I’ll keep that in mind, Calla. Would you be a dear and call them for me? I have a few more stops to make before going home to Hank.”
    The line hissed and crackled, and Calla remained silent for a long breath. “Sure, Marjorie, I can do that.”
    â€œOkay, thanks, I appreciate it.” I was ready to hang up.
    â€œMarjorie?” Calla said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œDid you say something to Herbert to upset him?”
    â€œNo. No, of course not. Not that I know of. Why?”
    â€œI saw him talking to you, then went looking for him after you left, and I couldn’t find him. He never leaves during the day without telling me, Marjorie.”
    I took a deep breath. “He wanted to tell me about Lida’s cousin that he was in the war with. Herbert said he ‘was just like him.’ Do you know what that means?”
    â€œNo,” Calla said. “Affected maybe? Shell-shocked? I don’t know. All I know is that I’m a little worried about him. I always know where he is, and he always knows where I am.”
    â€œI’ll keep an eye out for him as I drive out of town. If something comes up, call me at home. I’ll be there in a little while.”
    â€œAll right.”
    â€œCalla?” I said. It was my turn to ask a question.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œYou don’t think Herbert has anything to do with the Knudsens’ murders do you?”
    Calla didn’t answer straight away, but when she did, her tone had lost all of its warmth. “No. Herbert Frakes wouldn’t hurt a fly. Good-bye, Marjorie.”
    With that, she hung up the phone. More like slammed it down and left the phone dead in my ear. All I could do was stare at the receiver with my mouth agape for the longest time.
    I finally hung it up, straightened my shoulders, and pushed out of the phone booth intent on stopping by the police station to see if Hilo was there. I wanted to ask him if the amulet I had in my possession really had been stolen, and if so why in