Page 131 of Long Gone

“For all I know that is his last name,” I said.

“Can I ask what prompted this inquiry?”

“I’d rather not say at the moment.”

He was quiet for a couple of seconds. “I don’t know anything about a Pinky, but I can ask around and see if anyone else has heard of him.”

“Thanks. I’d really appreciate it.”

“So how’s the case going?” he said.

“I already told you it takes time,” I said good-naturedly, but the way he was pushing me felt off. Like he was too interested. Then again, maybe he was worried I’d find the ways he’d screwed up during his investigation. I decided to push back to see what he gave me. “I may have stumbled across something that more definitively suggests Hugo Burton was murdered.”

“And this has something to do with the mysterious Pinky?”

“I think it’s all related.”

“And you’re not going to tell me what you stumbled across?”

This was tricky. Technically, it was still an active investigation, so he was within his rights to haul me to the station and try to force me to answer, then charge me with impeding an investigation if I didn’t. But I suspected Detective Jones had a full plate and didn’t want to shove his cases to the side to work a five-year-old crime. Even if it was a murder. “Not yet. But I promise I’ll tell you what I’ve found when I have more concrete information.”

He was quiet again, then said, “Well, I guess that’s all I can ask.”

“Thanks for trusting me, Detective,” I said. “That means a lot.”

“Call me Matt, and we both want the same thing, right? Hopefully, you’ll be able to break this case.”

“Thanks.”

“And I’ll let you know what I find out about Pinky.”

“Thanks for that too.”

When we hung up, it struck me that he wasn’t the only source I had for nefarious people in this town. Malcolm might have information, but there was someone else who could dig even deeper.

“Harper Adams,” Carter said when he answered. “I hear you had a minor mishap last night.”

“I suppose you heard it from Malcolm.”

“Who do you think he called to fix your door?”

“He called his attorney for that?”

“I’m an all-around fix-it guy. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”

“If you have time,” I prefaced, realizing I didn’t have the right to order him to do anything, “could you look into a couple of thing for me?”

“I can certainly try.”

“First, can you see what you can find out about a guy named Pinky? He was one of thugs who broke into my house. The other guy’s name was Mike, so that’s less helpful. Pinky’s definitely more unusual.”

“Agreed. I’ll see what I can find.”

“Also, I just heard that Brett Colter has a temper and was pissed at Hugo Burton. Skip Martin was worried Colter might have done something to him.”

“You want me to check his criminal history?”

“Yeah.” I could have asked Detective Jones, but I hadn’t wanted to tip my hand. “Thank you.”

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