Part 31 (1/2)

'Because if you help me, it might speed me on my way?'

'That's part of it,' said Soames. 'The other part is that I was there when the cleaning crew wiped the blood from the walls. I didn't like it.'

'Well,' said Parker, as he turned to go, 'there's not a lot about it to like.'

He stopped by the Boreas Police Department after leaving Soames, and was just in time to hear the tail end of an altercation between Sergeant Stynes, who was acting chief while Cory Bloom recovered from her injuries, and a gray-haired man who must have topped out at six-five or six-six, and was wearing a blue windbreaker with the words 'BOREAS PD' in white letters on the back over tan pants and black shoes. They were standing in the chief's gla.s.s-walled office, the door of which stood open. All activity had ceased around them as two officers in uniform one of them Mary Preston, the other a youngish man and a receptionist listened to what was unfolding.

'You don't tell my people how to do their job, Mr Foster,' said Stynes. 'Do I have to remind you that you're officially retired?'

So this was Carl Foster, thought Parker. He'd heard all about him from the locals. The former deputy chief looked like a hard man. Parker was glad that he had been able to deal with Cory Bloom instead of him.

'They should have brought me back!' shouted Foster. 'I know this town, d.a.m.n it. I know it better than you ever will!' He emphasized his point by slamming the palm of his right hand on Stynes's desk. 'And I can tell you that these people' he now waved the same hand behind him at the listening figures without even deigning to glance at them 'aren't worth a s.h.i.+t.'

'Get out of this office,' said Stynes.

Unlike Foster, she didn't shout, didn't swear. Her authority was enough to carry her voice. She was handling herself well.

'This isn't over,' said Foster.

'Yes,' said Stynes, 'it is. And I'd be grateful if you'd leave that windbreaker here when you leave. That's department property.'

'You want it, you'll have to take it off my f.u.c.king back yourself,' said Foster.

He stomped out of the office, pa.s.sed between a pair of desks, and exited through the door beside the reception desk, only coming up short when he almost ran into Parker. He took a step back when he realized who the newcomer was, glowered, and then used the basest of epithets to describe Stynes, pointing his thumb in her direction so that Parker could be under no illusion as to whom he was referring. He appeared to be seeking an ally, but Parker simply turned his head away.

'f.u.c.k you too,' said Foster.

He brushed past Parker with enough force to cause him to move his feet, but not to stumble. When he was gone, Parker went to the desk.

'Do I need to put my name down to shout at someone,' he asked the receptionist, 'or can I just go straight through?'

Preston appeared behind her before she could answer. She was one of those who had come to the hospital to hear Parker's statement after the deaths at Green Heron Bay, and their encounter had been civilized.

'I guess you can go right to the head of the line,' said Preston.

She opened the door and led him to the chief's office. Stynes invited him to sit, but he told her that he preferred to stand. His injured side was plaguing him. He was about done for the day.

'No offense meant,' he told her. 'It's more comfortable for me to stay on my feet, and if I sit down I may not be able to get up again.'

'How are you feeling?'

'Alive. How's Cory Bloom?'

'They're letting her out of the ICU tomorrow.'

'I'm glad.'

Stynes turned to look out the window, where Foster's Jeep was pulling out of the parking lot.

'I'm sorry you had to hear that.'

'I've heard worse.'

'Did he say something to you on the way out?'

'He might have used a rude word. I tried not to look offended.'

'He's a jerk.'

'Still, he hides it well.'

'I was wondering if you'd come back here,' said Stynes.

'I'm going to stay around for a few days.'

'To recuperate?'

'To ask some questions.'

'Bangor is handling the investigation.'

'Does that mean you object to my asking questions?'

'Would it make any difference if I did?'

'Yes.'

'I'm not sure I believe that.'

'It strikes me that you have enough people making life difficult for you. I'm not planning to add to your problems.'

'I'll hold you to that,' she said. 'I had an idea that you might be taking what happened up there personally.'

'Just as you are.'

'Cory's not only my superior, she's also my friend. Who were you planning on talking to?'

'Anyone I can. I've already spoken to Amanda Winter's mother. I also mentioned to Bobby Soames that I'd be hanging around for a while. I'm sure I can think of a few more.'

'Bobby Soames leaks like the t.i.tanic after the iceberg hit.'

'Really? A chatty Realtor. Who knew?'

She nibbled at her bottom lip.