In Case of Death (The Adventures of Gabriel Celtic Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

someone from around here.”
    “But we’ve gone about as far as we can on our own,” May admitted, “That’s why we called you Gabe.”
    “We both know that if anyone can get to the bottom of this, it’s you,” Raven continued, “we both thought of you simultaneously.”
    I was intrigued, I had to admit. They had done some good legwork, and had come up with a workable theory on their own. I was impressed, and told them so.
    Both women beamed at that.
    “But listen, I don’t care how much money you have, if I think it’s a dead end, I’m going to stop. I will give it my best shot, but if it’s over, I need you to trust me that it’s over.”
    Both women nodded in unison as Raven grabbed my cup and poured me some more coffee.
    “Now Gabriel Celtic,” May said excitedly, “Tell us about this new daughter of yours!”
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
    September 15, 1999
     
    “Just sign on the dotted line JJ,” Bill stated as he slid the document across the desk.
    A few pen strokes later, and it was done.
    “Thanks JJ, I think you’ve made a wise and practical decision.”
    “Thanks Bill, I think so too. Would you like a drink?”
    Bill shook his head, “I’d better not…I have an hour and a half drive ahead of me.”
    “A responsible citizen,” Justin James intoned with a tipsy smile. “I’m not driving tonight, so I’ll be having another.”
    “Nothing wrong with that,” Bill stated as he pulled out the beautiful leather binder from his attaché case.
    “Here’s your copy JJ, all filled out and ready to go.”
    Justin looked over with a “humph.”
    “Pretty nice for the price,” he said with a smile, obviously pleased.
    “Nothing but the best for my customers JJ.”
    The business at hand done, Bill rose to take his leave, offering his hand to the other man.
    “Been a pleasure JJ! But I had better get out of here, there are storms coming in.”
    A roll of thunder seemed to sound on cue, seeming to reiterate Bill’s words.
    They shook hands and Bill left the house in a run, water pouring out of the sky. Jumping quickly into his car, he immediately turned on the heater to rid himself of the chill that seemed to come upon him at the end of every transaction.
    Not that he minded…it was a good chill.
     
     
     
    Chapter 9
    September 15, 1999
     
    I left Raven’s house an hour later, having filled in my old friends on a little of my life of the last thirty years. I had learned much about theirs also, although we had really only scratched the surface. As I finally made my way down the narrow lane and onto the main road, I noticed an old Road Runner parked down the road to my left.
    I probably made note of it because it had been one of my favorite cars back in the day, and the red one I had glanced appeared to be gleaming and fully restored. I had at various times in the past thought about finding an old car and restoring it, but there always seemed to be something else to do.
    I was pretty sure at this point in my life that I had finally left any thoughts of such a hobby behind. And yet…
    Shaking off the car nonsense finally, I let my mind get back to the case at hand. It was certainly an interesting case. But I had to think about where to even start.
    We didn’t know what motive anyone would have to kill these guys, or what might connect them. Before I had left Raven’s house, I thought to ask if their husbands had ever had any business dealings with each other, or any other interactions. May replied that she thought they had met a couple of times at a reunion or two, but that was it.
    Raven added that she had also thought of that, and found out that Calvin did indeed own stock in the company that Tom had worked for. It was a very small holding for him however, and she couldn’t find where he had ever had any direct contact with anyone in the company.
    I would have to get Abby to sneak into the police database again to look for clues. She still had access…sort of. She still held the position