Fraidy Hole: A Sheriff Lester P. Morrison Novel Read Online Free Page A

forehead . The bill failed to hide the scowl on his leathery face. He positioned himself directly in front of the sheriff, no more than two feet away, his body language plainly confrontational, and folded his arms across his ample chest. Billy Ray took the cue and moved a step sideways placing himself on the sheriff’s left, ready to move in if needed.
    “You boys gonna go look for my little girl or stand out here and bullshit with my wife all day?” Albert turned his head and let go with a stream of brown tobacco juice, a drop or two landing on Lester’s alligator boots.
    Lester’s eyes got narrow and his mouth tight. “Why would you be trying to rile me , Mr. Parker? I’m here to help you.”
    Albert gave a slight shake of his head. “I’m not trying to rile anybody. I just want you to do your goddamned job.”
    Lester took a deep breath before he spoke. “What was your argument about last night Mr. Parker, the one between you and your daughter?”
    Albert turned and glared at his wife. Imogene, her head bowed and hands clasped tightly at her waist, said nothing. To the S heriff, “I don’t see how that’s any of your business. How’s that gonna solve anything?”
    “Just answer the question please , Mr. Parker.”
    “We argued about what we always argue about, the way she dresses. Goes to school looking like a whore , wearing those tight pants and such. Got that flashy jewelry hanging all over her, lipstick, eye shadow, all that street whore stuff. Got a mouth on her too. Sasses me she does. No respect for her parents, none.”
    Imogene raised her head as if to say something but didn’t , and went back to staring at the ground.
    “I’d had enough of her looking like a harlot, so last night I went into her closet. Cleaned it out I did, at least most of it, tossed all those short skirts, makeup, and sparkly crap in a trash bag, hauled it off, and dumped it. When I got back, she was gone. End of story. She’ll show up soon enough, come slinkin’ back here with her tail between her legs. You’ll see. Now unless you got some more foolish questions, I got work to do.”
    “One more thing , ” Lester said, his words crisp and close. “Where bouts’ did you dump the clothes?”
    The question seemed to take Albert by surprise. “Well, I started to throw them in the ditch… but that would be against the law wouldn’t it?” he said, a half sneer on his lips. “I took em’ to that bar up the road, the Pirates’ Den. They got a dumpster in the back. Anything else?”
    Lester let the question hang a moment. “Not right now. Just don’t take any European vacations for a while.”
    “You trying to be a funny man , Mr. Sheriff?” Albert said, dropping his hands. B illy Ray tensed. Lester smiled , “Maybe a little.” Albert held his ground , but only for a moment, then spun and stomped away in the direction of the tractor and never looked back.
    “Ma’am?” the sheriff said. Imogene raised her head showing hollow eyes and a mask of desperation on her face. “Let’s wait a little while longer for Melissa to show up. In the meantime, it would help if you could make us a list of her school friends, especially boyfriends and anyone else , or place s she might have gone. Even if you think it’s a long shot, jot it down. While you’re doing that, the deputy and I will talk to the neighbors and write up a report. Try not to worry too much, Mrs. Parker. I know you’re upset , any mama would be, but ninety-nine times out of a hundred, these things have a happy ending . Okay?”
    Imogene slowly nodded and turned for the house, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue from the pocket of her dress. Then she turned and said, “I would have gone looking for her right away, I wanted to, but Albert told me to come to bed…you know.” Her eyes went back to the ground. “I was so tired and before I knew it, I’d fallen asleep. When I woke up, it was daylight. That’s when I called.” She stood a moment, watching