Read Online Surest Poison, The by Chester D. Campbell - Free Book Online

company was
formed in 1992. It went inactive in 1995. Then she began to dig deeper. What
she could add to Sid’s arsenal of investigative techniques was
hacker-strength computer savvy and contacts with people who had resources
not available to most investigators. And, if need be, she also had a pretty
face and a set of curves she knew how to use to her advantage.
    After completing her search with the
return call from Memphis, Jaz phoned Sid at his office. She told him about
Tony Decker’s record.
    “I’m surprised he got a position like
that so soon out of prison,” Sid said. “I wonder if the Rehabbers shut down
because he absconded with the funds? ”
    “Maybe. It’s also possible he worked on a degree while doing time. Some do that, you
know. It gives them a better shot at a decent job.”
    “What else do you have on him?”
    “My Memphis contact says Decker lived
there with his mother until he finished high school. His dad abandoned them
when Tony was a baby. Apparently he was a good kid until he took up with an
older boy who got him involved in armed robberies. His mother died a few
years ago, and Tony hasn’t been seen around the neighborhood since he got
out of prison.”
    “I’m impressed,” Sid said. “You did a
great job on Tony. What about the company?”
    She checked her notes. “Auto Parts
Rehabbers was an LLC, a Limited Liability Company, organized as a
partnership. The registered agent was a lawyer in Lewisville. I thought that
might pique your interest.”
    “What’s his name?”
    “Bronson Fradkin.”
    “Figures. I remember that shyster well.”
    “Somebody you ran into in court?”
    “There, among other places.”
    “What other places?”
    “He’s big in county politics, one of the
sheriff’s main supporters.”
    “Would that be the sheriff who accused
you of taking a bribe?”
    “It would. Sheriff Zachary set up the
deal, but somebody else had to have been behind it. He’s only capable of
shooting at targets of opportunity. I never figured out who masterminded it. Could have been Fradkin, although he wouldn’t have had
much reason to. I seldom managed to get the best of him.”
    “Was he a criminal lawyer?”
    “He was whatever kind of lawyer you had
the money to pay for. Bronson Fradkin was an expert at sniffing out
technicalities. Whenever I found out he was on a case, I cautioned my
officers to re-read the procedures manual and work like Candid Camera was
watching every move.”
    “I don’t suppose he’d be a good candidate
to ask for information about Auto Parts Rehabbers?”
    “I doubt he’d give me the correct time of
day. If it becomes necessary, though, I might consider sending you to put on
the squeeze.”
    Jaz caught a flicker of movement and
looked around to find Marie Wallace standing in the office doorway, a white
apron tied at her waist. She was a small woman with abundant white hair and
fine lines down her face. Large round glasses gave her an owlish look, but
the expression in her eyes at the moment spelled trouble.
    “Hold on a sec, Sid,” Jaz said into the
phone. “Let me see what Marie wants.”
    Jaz put her hand over the mouthpiece and
turned to Marie. “What’s wrong?”
    “I didn’t want to bother you, Miss
Jasmine, but it’s Bobby. Connie called about him.
She’s real worried. One of the boys he works with told her he was quiet as a
dead man today. He acted like he was just watching for somebody to come into
the store looking for him.”
    “It must have something to do with his
disappearance night before last,” Jaz said.
    Marie nodded as she smoothed the apron
with nervous hands. “I want to talk to him. Could you take me out there
after supper? I’ll have it ready in a few minutes.”
    It was already dusk. Jaz knew Marie
didn’t like her husband to drive after dark. “Sure. I’ll be wrapped up here
by the time you get things on the table. What are we eating tonight?”
    “Salmon