“I thought I’d get better going through the school in San Diego. Turns out, with everything we had to do, I couldn’t keep up. The instructors cut me slack because I could do everything else. That’s how I made it until the end of the course. Ultimately, I had to give up that dream and make a new one. I wanted to help people. Contribute to society. That sort of nonsense.” I gave her a smile. “That’s why I became a PI. Paid or not.”

Lise said, “Not that I’m interested, but what’s your next move looking into Pete’s death?”

“I didn’t see Alton Beatty’s car at the Budstop on my way over here, so I think I’m going to go get some rest and track him down early tomorrow afternoon. Maybe scare a few answers out of him.”

“He’s not the simple redneck he pretends to be.”

“Neither am I.”

Lise said, “Be careful out there. Newburgh is a dangerous place.”

“You’re the second person today who’s told me that.”

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

WHEN I START to concentrate on a case like this, I often lose track of time. The only thing I remember to do is my paper route early in the morning. I got up before dawn, like I do every single day, and delivered my papers. I do it not only because I get a regular paycheck, but because I know that I’m the lifeline to a number of elderly residents around Marlboro. It makes me get up every morning. I like to say hello and chat for a few seconds if one of my customers happens to be outside. I needed a regular, uneventful morning like this.

By midday, I was back in Newburgh and looking for Alton Beatty. The condescending little turd needed to have some answers for me or this would be an unpleasant day. It didn’t take long to track down his Cadillac in the parking lot of the Budstop.

By now I had switched modes completely. I wasn’t only a private investigator, I was the brother of a guy falsely accused of murder. My mom was depending on me. That meant something. At least to me.

I stepped through the side door of the bar. I didn’t see the big bodyguard, but Blade’s head snapped up as soon as I came into view. Alton was sitting in a booth reading a New York Times. He hopped to his feet as soon as he saw me.

He said, “Don’t you know that it isn’t polite to drop by without calling first? You Yankees sure don’t have the manners of us folks from the Midwest. Why are you bothering me again? I told you everything I knew yesterday.”

I glanced around the room quickly and noted that Blade stepped around the bar, ready to take action. “Where’s your big bodyguard?”