Seaweed on the Street Read Online Free PDF Page A

time.”
    Service’s mouth tightened. Before he said anything, I said, “Not that I mind. This will make a nice change from patrolling back alleys.”
    Service grunted. “It’s nothing to do with Jimmy Scow. It’s a missing person inquiry. Mr. Hunt wants you to look for somebody who went missing over 20 years ago.”
    He stared at me bleakly and slumped into a leather chair. Still staring at me, he put his palms together and touched his chin with his fingers.
    I sat opposite, wondering if I would hear any surprises. As a cop, I know plenty of dangerous secrets. Some involved the Hunt family.
    Service said, “Calvert Hunt is my boss. He needs help. But first you need to know how he operates.” Service stopped speaking and gave me a quick grin. “Calvert loves money. He spent his life making as much money as possible. Now he’s a billionaire. He ought to be the happiest man in the world, but he isn’t. He lives in self-inflicted misery.” An insubordinate ripple moved in the deep ocean of Service’s eyes as he added, in a cynical tone, “This is one of those deathbed repentance affairs. An aging parent, smitten with remorse.”
    I said bluntly, “Then I suppose he wants me to look for his daughter, Marcia.”
    A deep cleft formed between Service’s eyebrows. “Right,” he said, apparently astonished. “How did you guess?”
    â€œThere’s a file on Marcia Hunt down at headquarters. I’ve read it before. I read it again to refresh my memory before I came out here.”
    â€œBut why should there be a file on Marcia? She was never reported as missing. At least not officially.”
    â€œPolice keep files on everything. Calvert Hunt’s daughter is not exactly a nonentity.”
    Service’s facial expression went through a series of changes, beginning with outraged indignation but fading to cynical amusement as he said, “What else do you know?”
    â€œI know this isn’t the first time you’ve had detectives out searching for Marcia Hunt. You hired a private eye a long time ago. Patrick Coulton. A retired city cop from Vancouver.”
    â€œYou’re well informed. Yes, we did hire Coulton. But he got nowhere. After wasting thousands of dollars on fruitless inquiries we let him go. By the sounds of things he wasn’t even discreet.”
    â€œCoulton was a pro. He talked things over with a few city cops, but that’s all. He didn’t raise a stink, make waves.”
    â€œThat brings up an important point. We can’t afford any scandal. So far, Marcia’s name has never appeared in print. It’s imperative we keep it that way. As I explained to Mr. Hunt, we daren’t risk a full-scale police inquiry. Some glory-seeking cop would run to the newspapers at the first hint of anything juicy.”
    â€œToo much secrecy can hamper an inquiry.”
    â€œMaybe,” said Service. “But we insist on keeping things hushed up.”
    I said, “Every police matter creates waves. If this were an ordinary case I’d probably set the ball rolling with newspaper ads. Offer a reward.”
    â€œAdvertisements? Rewards? Are you nuts? Forget it, Silas.”
    We looked at each other in heavy silence. Service pulled back his cuff, glanced at his watch and said, “Mr. Hunt is probably asking for the impossible. Patrick Coulton couldn’t find Marcia when the trail was fresh.”
    â€œJust so I’m clear. Am I expected to make a serious effort, or is this a charade? Something to make your boss feel better?”
    â€œWe want a decent effort, but we must be realistic.” Service pushed himself out of his chair. “Is Patrick Coulton still alive?”
    â€œNo. He died years ago.”
    â€œDid you ever meet him?”
    â€œOnce or twice.”
    â€œWhat did you think of him?”
    â€œPaddy was not very creative. But if he got his teeth into something