Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 09 - Sex Stories

Murder on the Mainline: another Mike Claymore Mystery Chapter 09

CHAPTER NINE 3RD TUESDAY A thumping awakens him and he stretches before calling out that he's awake. He goes to the terminal for a quick shower then comes back to fuel up the truck. He backs under the train of loads and checks the bills as he connects airlines. First he makes a quick check of tires and brakes. All in order, he pulls on his airhorn and pulls the loads out of the yard. At one thirty precisely he pulls in front of Trudy's place and she tosses up her bag to him and climbs the ladder into the cab. "Oh man, you look beat. Didn't you get any sleep today?" "It hasn't been the best of days, my love." They turn onto the freeway and head east. "Where's Lenny? Asleep?" "Not coming this trip. It's all terminal-to-terminal. How you been?" "Actually I've had a pretty good day. Got some rest and took care of business. Got a lot of info for you. You owe me big time now." She grins widely. The lights of Hope disappear behind them and they begin the long haul to Calgary. Mike starts explaining what all has happened. He has to include almost all of what he; Nina, Jeff and Marlene have been up to so it all makes sense. When he gets done they are passed Manning Lodge and motoring for Princeton. "So you see, I didn't get much rest today. They're breathing down my neck at every turn. And now I have doubts about Ray, into the bargain." "I wish I could have seen that latest forensic report. It doesn't sound good." "But you don't know Ray. Dig out that old battered briefcase of mine. ...

... Yeah, my old one. There's a copy of my interview with him in there. Read it and tell me if you think he's a killer." She digs it out and reads the interview. They pass through Princeton and head on towards Keremeos down the winding highway. "He wanted to take her to "Cats". He is a sweetheart." She goes on reading. When she finishes she says, "Can I read the other one, Marie Mathers?" "Sure, but tell me first what you think of Ray?" "I have to let it sink in for a bit. Let me read the other one." She starts reading and Mike lets her go. In Keremeos he swings north up the Okanagan. She sits with the two interviews in her hands and stares off across the dark flats to the gray-lit cliffs pocked with mine shafts. "I think your right. Ray's not the murderer, but I think I know who is." "Well, tell me, for God's sake! Don't just sit there. Who did it?" "It would be better for your ego if you figured it out." "Forget my ego, who did it?" "It's only a hunch, you know, women's intuition. Maybe I'm wrong. If I tell you, it'll throw you off track. You do things methodically; you follow logic, step by step. When you have discovered the truth, you'll be able to prove it. It’s better your way. He won't kill anyone else right away so there's no hurry." "Are you going to tell me, or aren't you?" "Hmmmm, I don't think so." "TRUDY!! Dammit, tell me what's on your mind?" "That's simple. Sex! When are we stopping?" "Oh Lord." Mike sighs in resignation as she disappears into the sleeper. He pulls ...