Dead Broke in Jarrett Creek: A Samuel Craddock Mystery (Samuel Craddock Mysteries) Read Online Free Page A

away, but…” He looks at me, eyebrows raised.
    “But what?” Reinhardt says.
    “You’ve got yourself a pretty good investigator right here.” He nods in my direction. “We’re swamped with that shoot-out that happened over in Burton last week. What’s the status with your chief of police? Last I heard he was out of commission.”
    Reinhardt nods. “We’ve got us a situation.” He explains about the town’s financial problems and the latest development with James Harley Krueger and two other deputies resigning. “Our police force is down to Odum here and one other old boy—both of them part-time. I already had in mind putting Craddock in charge, and what you’re telling me settles it.”
    “Good.” Schoppe crosses his arms across his chest and turns to me. “I’ll send over everything that comes back from the ME and the crime lab. Let me know if there’s any other help we can give you.”
    I nod, trying to digest their easy assumption that I’ll be taking over. Things are moving a lot faster than I thought they would, and with a lot more at stake.
    Schoppe looks at his watch. “I’m going to have to get moving.”
    Right after he leaves, the crime scene technicians signal to the EMTs that they can take charge of Dellmore’s body. We watch silently as they pack up their gear and the EMTs load the gurney into the ambulance.
    When the crew drives away, Reinhardt hooks his thumbs in his belt and turns to me. “It already seems like it’s been a long day, but I’m going to call the county sheriff now and find out what we have to do to make you temporary chief.”
    “That’s good,” Odum says, sounding relieved. The kid has been working part-time only since last fall, and my guess is that under the dynamic duo of Rodell Skinner and James Harley Krueger, he’s learned zip. He’d have done as well to study old episodes of Law & Order .
    “Odum and I are headed to the station right now,” I tell Reinhardt. “Let me know when you’ve talked to the sheriff.”
    After Jeanne died, I felt like I was of no further use to anyone. Helping out in a couple of investigations in the past year kicked me back into gear, and despite the feeling that things are moving a little too fast this morning, I’m ready to get started.
    Back at headquarters Odum and I sit down to talk over where to begin the investigation. “We’ll need to talk to Gary Dellmore’s wife again, this time with real questions. And Dellmore’s folks and the people he worked with at the bank.” I’m jotting down the names as I speak.
    Odum sighs. “I don’t see how even with both of us we’re going to be able to do all this. Not and take care of regular business, too. The problem is…” He looks shamefaced, as if he’s going to disappoint me.
    “What is it?”
    “I have another job. In fact, I ought to be getting out of here.”
    “How many hours a week do you put in here at the station?”
    “I only get paid for twenty hours, and Sissy and I can’t make it on that, so I’ve got to make an extra income. I was hoping to get on as a full-time officer, but now that’s not looking good.”
    “What’s your other job?”
    “I work for my daddy. He’s got a big cotton farm out between here and Bobtail. He’s okay with me not keeping regular hours, but he wants me to put in the time he pays me for.” He looks itchy, like he’s anxious to be on his way but doesn’t know exactly how to make his exit.
    “I guess you better get going then. When are you due back?”
    “I come in five days a week either morning or afternoon. I’ll come in tomorrow morning first thing.”
    “Tell you what: Why don’t I get started questioning people? Tomorrow we’ll work out a plan.”
    “Sounds good. I hate to leave you to do the whole thing, though.”
    “Don’t worry about it. We’re short-handed, and we may not be able to figure this out, but there’s a lot we can do. We’ll probably do all the legwork and then the hotshot Rangers