Stairway to the Bottom - a Mick Murphy Key West Mystery Read Online Free

with a laugh. “You know that’s not a question you ask someone down here. People tell you what they want you to know and that’s all you get.”
    “Yeah and I know the reason.” He smiled. “Do you think it’s got anything to do with drugs? Smuggling of any kind?”
    “Topic never came up.”
    “But?”
    “No buts,” I said. “I wouldn’t know if the guy went to church or if he ate here. I’m as lost for the reason he called, as you are. If everyone I talked to when having a beer called me, I would have to shut my phone off. They buy, I buy, it’s bar etiquette not bonding.”
    “By now Luis has run him through the NCIC computer and has his history,” he mumbled with the last taste of his café con leche .
    “Then our questions should be answered, at least about who he is. What about the victim’s prints? Will they run them too?” I grabbed the bill and left money on the table. “My treat.”
    “Hell, I should’ve had the prime rib benedict.” He laughed. “He might have both IDs when we get back. If they’re in the system, it takes no time.”
    “Just keep Luis off my ass.”
    “As if that’s possible.”

Chapter 6
    A s soon as Richard and I arrived at police headquarters Luis grabbed him and they went into the Emergency Operations Center, leaving me alone in the second-floor hallway by the copy machines. I could see them through the window. Luis handed Richard sheets of paper, they sat across from each other, and Richard turned to the desk computer while Luis pointed in my direction. They were talking, maybe arguing, but I couldn’t hear them. Something was wrong.
    The EOC is set up as a command center for disasters, but has only been used during hurricanes. The city does disaster-training drills with the Coast Guard, sheriffs and other federal agencies and they coordinate the training at the EOC because it has all the electronics and modern technology required.
    Billy Wardlow walked by and stopped, keeping away from the EOC’s window.
    “Mick, Luis had Donny run the ID check on Walsh and then all hell broke loose,” Billy whispered. “Your name wasn’t mentioned, if that means anything.”
    “Thanks, Billy,” I said as the door to the EOC opened.
    Billy turned into the copy room and quickly looked busy.
    “Come here,” Richard beckoned with his hand. He closed the door. “You know, I want to believe you but you make it so hard.”
    “I’m lost, Richard,” I said, confused about his change of perspective. “What are you talking about?”
    “Sit down.” He pointed at an empty desk. “Donny ran a check on Walsh. Do you know what came back?”
    “He’s the missing president of New Zealand?” I quipped. I had a feeling the question didn’t call for wit.
    “You think this is funny?” Luis said furiously.
    “Luis, I don’t know what the hell this is.” I banged my hand on the tin desk and shattered the stillness of the room. “And I am tired of your accusations. I called the police when I found the body and now, for some goddamn reason, I’m beginning to feel like a suspect and don’t know why. You wanna tell me?”
    “New Zealand you said?” He lowered his voice and Richard stood behind me.
    “Yeah, he told me he was from New Zealand.”
    “Did he have an accent?”
    “Not that I heard.”
    “Don’t you think New Zealanders would have an accent?” He paced in a small circle.
    “I didn’t care where he was from or how he talked,” I said. “I don’t care where you’re from or about your accent. You’re an asshole, but that doesn’t make all people with accents assholes.”
    “Hold on,” Richard said, calling timeout again. “This isn’t about you two and your feud. This is about a murdered woman and her killer. If you,” he pointed to Luis, “can’t separate your personal feelings from this, I’ll put someone else on the case.”
    Richard surprised me and I could tell from the look on Luis’ face he was caught off guard too. In the past, no