The Hunt Chronicles: Volume 1 Read Online Free PDF Page B

sorry,” I
interrupted.  “You’re sure of what, Nona?”  She set her gaze on me.
    “That knife…” 
Her bottom lip started to tremble.  “It was ours, I mean Mr. McCune’s,
from my kitchen.”  Nona ventured from her corner towards the serving
window.  She pointed through it and our eyes followed her finger.  It
led us to a wooden knife block on the counter by the sink.  Among the
forest of knife handles was one empty slot.  It was most likely the home
of the blade that had been jammed into Wilson’s chest like a flagpole into the
earth.
    Thomas’ head
suddenly appeared in the window, scaring a gasp out of us all.  “Sorry,”
he said flatly.  “There is some lunchmeat, but I assume no one is in the
mood.”  Most of us ignored him.  Walters and his associate gave a
curt no, thank you.  It was almost eleven-thirty by the clock in the
dining room, but all we really needed was some nerve-calming coffee.
    “Where is the coffee
coming from? Columbia?”  I blurted out.  Thomas shrugged and
disappeared.  He entered the dining room through the adjoining doorway
carrying a large silver tray (much larger than Wilson’s medicine tray). 
Seven cups and seven saucers were dispersed.  Thomas actually made eight
people, but I assumed he didn’t have the guts to drink his own sludge. 
Thomas put down the tray and assumed his place next to Nona.  He gently
caressed her shoulder.  Her saucer and cup rattled in her hands.  She
looked like a scared little girl.
    “Mr. Hunt,” Walters
said sharply.  “What do you have to tell us about last night?”  Sills
sat quietly, pen poised over his pad.  “I want to hear everything; usual,
unusual, and otherwise.”  I said fine and began.  I started with
dinner and the argument between Donald and his father.  I mentioned the
tiff between Wilson and Cheryl, not going into its detail though.  I also
proclaimed that it was the last time I saw Wilson alive.
    I brought up the
meeting between Nona, Cheryl and myself the night before in the kitchen, as
well as the circumstances surrounding it.  I was sure to mention all of
the times I had noticed the events of the night, including when I woke up to
the sound of Donald’s homecoming.  Then my story was done.  I did not
mention the fact that my sister had disappeared from her bedroom, or that
Richard was walking towards Wilson’s part of the house at the same time. 
I still had some things I wanted to find out on my own before I incriminated
someone I cared about.  My name is Reevan Hunt.  It’s a pleasure
to meet you, Obstruction of Justice.
    “Is that it?”
    “Yes sir, at least
for now.  It’s been a very long night and an even longer morning.” 
Walters nodded and started around the table towards Cheryl and Richard. 
Then he turned and stared right into Maddie’s eyes.
    “How
‘bout you, ma’am?   Anything to add to what you said earlier?”   Maddie took a deep breath.
    “I wasn’t feeling
too well.  Went in early, took some pills and conked out around ten.”
    “Stay in bed all
night?”
    “Yes,” she
answered.  I turned to her.  Liar liar I
thought.  She looked at me, head cocked.
    “You slept through
all of last night’s shenanigans?  Through the clanging
in the kitchen and Donald McCune’s noisy arrival?”   Walters didn’t
believe it.
    “Strong pills,” Maddie answered and turned away.  Walters’ expression
was one of disbelief.
    “But Ms. Hunt, do
you really mean that you-”
    “She’s answered your
question, Detective,” A strong, protective tone uttered, and it didn’t come out
of me.  Thomas had stepped forward.  “Wilson’s window was open all
night.  He had me open it when I brought in his medication.  His room
was rummaged through like a box at a garage sale.  His watch is missing
from the top of his dresser, and some crystal pieces and figurines aren’t in
the study.  I think it’s obvious what happened.  The only question is
which one of