Dead Broke in Jarrett Creek: A Samuel Craddock Mystery (Samuel Craddock Mysteries) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Samuel Craddock to become temporary chief of police on a one-dollar-a-year salary until such time as we have the money to pay a police chief.” He glances over at McClusky. “If the city council goes along with it, of course.”
    McClusky claps his hands, beaming. “That’s the best idea I ever heard.”
    Krueger glares at Reinhardt. “Looks like you two have this plot all worked out.”
    “Now, Jim, I wouldn’t call it a plot,” Reinhardt says. “It makes it sound like we were going behind everybody’s back. I did ask Samuel if he’d be willing to help us out and he said he would, but that’s all the plotting that went into it.”
    “Must be nice that he can afford to step in when my son is out,” Krueger says.
    “I’d say that’s a reason to rejoice.” Marietta’s voice has an edge to it. “Especially if Samuel agrees to do it.”
    “Do you all want me to leave the room while you discuss it?” I half rise from my chair.
    “Samuel, sit down!” Reinhardt says. “You don’t need to go anywhere.” His eyes are flashing. “Any of you have any better suggestions? Like Marietta says, we’re damn lucky to have Craddock.”
    Everyone perks up. Reinhardt is not usually one for cursing.
    “I don’t believe she put it exactly like that,” I say. Everyone chuckles and the tension is broken.
    “Seems to me Craddock is making a sacrifice for the town,” McClusky says. He opens his hands wide. “I know personally that when money gets tight, it’s up to those of us who are well-off to step in.” By far the wealthiest man in our community, McClusky probably gets hit up for money every time there’s a fundraiser for the football team or the senior center or the charity rodeo.
    “If we do okay this, how is it going to work?” Krueger asks. “Don’t you have to pass it by the powers-that-be in Bobtail?”
    “I talked to the sheriff only an hour ago,” Reinhardt says. “He said as long as a citizen’s committee gives the okay, he’ll rubber-stamp it. The county has an emergency provision that he can use.”
    Oscar Grant nods over at me. “I say we’re lucky to have Craddock. And I move that we take up Rusty’s suggestion.”
    “Any discussion?” At last night’s meeting Reinhardt was hesitant and unsure of himself. He seems to have suddenly found the gumption to be mayor.
    No one says a word.
    “All right. Let’s take a vote, asking Samuel Craddock to take over as chief of police until the town can start paying somebody again. Everybody in favor?”
    It’s unanimous, although it takes Jim Krueger a few extra seconds to raise his hand.
    People start to shuffle in their seats as if they’re ready to rush out of here. “Hold it,” I say. “Before you go, I want to ask a couple of questions. Did anybody see Dellmore leave last night?”
    People dart glances at each other. A couple of them say he was here when they walked out.
    “Anybody notice his car in the lot?”
    “I saw his car when I left,” Jim Krueger says. “He was parked a little too close to me.” Krueger has a nervous habit of slicking back his thinning hair. “Why is that important?”
    “Dellmore’s car is missing,” I say. “It wasn’t parked here when Carter found him this morning.”
    “Whoever killed him must’ve taken the car,” Oscar says.
    “Could be. But I’d appreciate it if you all would talk it up around town that if anyone sees Dellmore’s car, they should give me a call. One more thing. I want you all to think back if you heard or saw anything unusual last night. I know we were all in a hurry to get out of here, but give it some thought and let me know if something didn’t seem right to you.”
    “You’re thinking somebody was hiding out there, waiting for Dellmore?” Oscar says.
    “It’s as good a theory as any at the moment.” I don’t say what I expect most everybody is thinking—that it could also have been somebody in this room who killed Dellmore.
    I walk out into the crisp winter