The Definitive Albert J. Sterne by Julie Bozza

Author:Julie Bozza
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: Manifold Press
Published: 2010-10-30T15:37:26+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

COLORADO

MARCH 1985

By rights, he should be exhausted, what with a lack of sleep and an abundance of sex. Instead, Fletcher was all euphoric energy as he rushed around his apartment, showering, shaving and dressing. Beyond this brief reflection, he didn’t even bother worrying about fatigue catching up with him. He just wanted to get ready and out on the case again. He just wanted to see Xavier, in any context, and talk to him and make it clear he’d enjoy more than the one night together.

But first he should check in with Caroline. He scooped up the phone from where he’d last left it, hunched his shoulder to hold the receiver, then tried to dial Caroline’s number while walking over to the kitchen and simultaneously untangling the phone cord. Sure, it was convenient to have the cord so long he could use the phone anywhere in the apartment - he’d often pace restlessly when talking to Albert, or sprawl on the sofa, or make endless cups of coffee, or lie on his bed - but it was damned inconvenient when the thing tied up his few pieces of furniture. “Caroline, it’s Fletcher. I’m probably not going to get to the office today.”

“Lucky you. How’s it going?”

“Fine.” Having reached his goal without mishap, Fletch poured himself a cup of coffee. “The fire could go either way: arson or accident. Hogan’s in charge of the police investigation and cooperating under token protest. Lachance has some theories about who might have done it, which aren’t as crazy as I was expecting but I’m going to step very carefully there. Frankly, if the fire turns out to be accidental, it won’t do anyone any good to make loud accusations and Xavier sees that as well as anyone. It’s his political career, after all. I’ll probably be running around all day doing follow-up interviews and checking alibis, and Hogan’s initial reports should be ready.”

“Fletcher,” Caroline said slowly, as she always did when thinking out loud or considering ramifications, “you sound like you’re having fun.”

An alarmed pause, then he quickly replied, “Actually, it seems like a pretty fruitless exercise.”

“So why do you sound a lot happier than you did yesterday morning?”

Damn. He’d assumed the inundation of information would mask any evidence of the inane grin he knew he was wearing. “Change of scene, I guess,” Fletch offered.

“Well, stay happy, and stay in touch, okay?”

“Sure. Look -” How to word this? “You might find it hard to get hold of me. Xavier and his people keep long hours, so I’m fitting in interviews whenever I can. You could call his office number, that’s the same as before the fire, or his home number, or call Hogan, and if none of them know where I am, just leave a message with one of them. All right?”

“All right. As long as you stick to the usual routine.”

“Nice of you to care, Caroline.” The rules demanded that he phone in or physically check in at least once a day, and advise his location at any time if there were even the slightest chance of danger.

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