Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 12 - Sex Stories

Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 12

... don't have time when Trudy exclaims, "I'd love a cup of coffee. Do you have real cream?" She opens her door and gets out. Mike gets out as well. He doesn't know what else to do. "Fresh cream for the lady. I sure do. Follow me." As they cross the walk and the grass to the front door Tony says to Mike, "You didn't answer my question. What are you up to today?" "We're doing the investigation of Flo's murder. Checking alibis and questioning suspects and possible witnesses." "There are witnesses?" "No direct witnesses but people around suspects who can shed light on their characters, actions or motives. Everyone leaves a trail. Our killer has left a trail of people who know him... or her." "Her? She was raped, I heard. Wasn't that the case?" "Still not impossible for a female." "How gruesome. Well, my alibi is simple." He pours coffee. "We were playing cards with another couple almost all night; my girl friend and I. You can easily verify it by checking with the other couple and my girl." Mike pulls out his pad and says, "Who are they?" He poises his pen to write. "Friends of mine, Rita and Ron Harrison. They live on Larkin Ave. at 361, I think. You might know him; he sells real estate here in town. Aren't you going to write them down?" "Yes. I was just trying to think where I heard that name before. I know. They're on the suspects list as well. They apparently knew Flo. Did you know that?" "Of course. I took her there to their place once." Trudy speaks up, "Well, I guess that ...

... takes care of that. If we check with them they will just say they were over here with you guys playing cards. That makes our job so much easier. Now we can concentrate on the other suspects. Can I have some more of that delightful coffee. I think it's the fresh cream that makes it so good." "Of course, my dear. Trudy, wasn't it?" "Where did you ever get that painting? It’s a Foudou, isn't it? Kwan painted that while he was still in Vietnam. He's changed his style since immigrating. I like his earlier works better." "Yes, it is. I have to agree with you. His old works have a flavor of the peasant countryside that simply does not ring true in his newer paintings. I'm surprised you know of him. Few North Americans have discovered him yet." Trudy gets up to closer inspect the painting and Mike uses the time to look around. He can't see anything obvious to link Tony with the crime or with drugs. He notices the place is clean and well kept up. Perhaps that is due to his girl friend, or perhaps it's Tony's way of living. He does note a few objects that he would class as oriental ornaments. No crime in that, but it could indicate a connection with the Vietnamese drug rings. He especially likes a small ornamental box with intricate workings on it on a sideboard. As he studies it, Tony comes up to him and says, "That piece I bought for a bargain price of one hundred dollars. It's one of the famous puzzle boxes of ancient Vietnamese origin. The key to opening it has been lost over the ...