Town in a Wild Moose Chase Read Online Free Page B

before.
    She gave him a weak smile. “I’m sure I can find something to put out. Come on in and I’ll warm up the coffee.”
    As they walked toward the house, Chief Durr indicated the tall, dark-haired officer who accompanied him. The young policeman wore a spotless, sharply creased uniform and brown utility coat. His shoes were shined to a high gloss, so they looked like black mirrors.
    “This young fellow here is Officer Jody McCroy,” the chief said. “He’s new with the force, fresh out of the Maine State Police Academy in Augusta. Graduated near the top of his class. Thought I’d bring him out here to meet you in person.”
    Candy gave the chief a curious look, wondering what he meant by that, but he had already turned away to talk to Doc. When she looked around, she saw Officer Jody McCroy holding the door open for her.
    “After you, ma’am,” he said in an official-sounding tone.
    She was surprised by how young he looked. She hesitated only for a moment, then gave him a nod and walked inside.
    After she’d cut slices of cake and Doc had poured the coffee, they sat around the kitchen table. She noticed Officer McCroy had a notepad and pen set out in front of him. His hands were folded on the table. The young man looked prepared.
    “So, could you tell us what happened?” he asked as Chief Durr sipped at his coffee, quietly watching her.
    “Sure,” and she told them, pointing out the window as she explained how she’d seen Solomon Hatch emerge from the woods behind the house, how he’d appeared injured, and how he’d told her about a body in the woods. After she’d finished her story, they all walked out to inspect the spot where the old hermit had fallen. Hands casually in hispockets, Chief Durr squinted back up at the trees at the edge of the field. “And you say you followed his footprints?”
    “Yes, but he must have erased them at some point. I lost track of him.”
    “And he didn’t say anything else about this body he thinks he found?”
    Candy said that he had not.
    Chief Durr turned slightly and nodded at Officer McCroy. Without a word, the young man headed back toward his car at a brisk trot.
    The chief turned back to Candy. “Okay, we’ll check it out. Officer McCroy’s going to search the woods and see what he can find. He’s just getting into his winter gear first. And I’ll also send someone around to visit Solomon’s camp. Most likely it’s nothing,” the chief said, looking Candy in the eye, “but one way or the other, we’ll get to the bottom of it. If you see or hear anything else from him, you get in contact with us right away, okay?”
    She nodded.
    “We’ll let you know if we find out anything. In the meantime—”
    “I know,” Candy said, interrupting him. “Whatever it is, stay out of it.”
    The chief smiled broadly. “You took the words right out of my mouth, Ms. Holliday. Thanks for the cake and coffee. Doc, good to see you again. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork sitting on my desk desperately awaiting my signature.”

THREE

    Doc looked worried. “Are you sure you’re okay, pumpkin?”
    Candy reached for her new tote bag, a stylish Kenneth Cole tan and brown number she’d picked up at a discount store in Bangor a few weeks ago, between Christmas and New Year’s. She’d taken along her best friend, Maggie Tremont, and they’d made the rounds, looking for bargains. As soon as she came across the bag, Candy knew it was meant for her. It was casual yet classy, and gave her professional image a positive tweak.
    Today, it also gave her something to do with her hands. She was grateful to see they weren’t shaking as she checked the bag to make sure she had everything she needed—notepads, pens, her date book, digital tape recorder, business cards, flashlight, and her trusty cell phone, which was starting to show its age but still served her well.
    “Dad, for the hundredth time, yes, I’m fine,” she said without exasperation. She knew