Orchid Beach (Holly Barker 1)

“All right, now you all know as much as anybody about what’s happened. I want each of you to talk to every snitch, every source, everybody you can think of, and pick up as much information as you can. This is going to be a tough one to crack, and you just might be able to supply us with the break we need to make arrests.

“Chet Marley was a fine police chief. He has left us a well-organized and well-trained department to work with. Let’s use it to find his killers. That’s all.”

The meeting broke up, the shift changed, and John Westover came to Holly’s office, closed the door and sat down.

“Holly, you’re still acting chief for the time being, but we have to go through a formal process in order to replace Chet.”

“I’d imagined you would have to,” Holly said.

“The city charter requires us to advertise the position for a month and to receive and consider applications from qualified applicants. I expect you want the job.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I imagine Hurd Wallace will apply, too, and I’m sure we’ll have some out-of-town applicants, but you and Hurd, with your experience of the department, are probably going to be the front runners. Chet’s confidence in you will be taken into account, as well. I’ll send down an application form, and I’d like to get it back as soon as you can complete it.”

“Of course, John. There’s something I should tell you. Jackson Oxenhandler, who is Chet’s lawyer and the executor of his estate, told me yesterday about Chet’s will. He left some insurance money to Jane Grey and everything else to Hank Doherty. In the event of Hank’s predeceasing him, which of course happened, Hank’s share was to go to my father, Hamilton Barker, who was in the army with Chet and Hank. My father has just retired from the military, and he arrived in Orchid on Saturday night. He has, at Mr. Oxenhandler’s suggestion, moved into Chet’s house. I wanted you to hear about this from me.”

“Thank you for telling me, Holly. I’ll go see Hurd now and let you get on with your work.”

“I’ll see you later.”

Westover left, and Holly sat, thinking about the hiring process ahead. She knew it had to be done, but she wasn’t looking forward to having it hanging over her head.

Daisy came and put her head in Holly’s lap.

“Good girl,” Holly said. “Nice to have your support.”

CHAPTER

30

P almetto Gardens had only one listed phone number; apparently all calls went through a switchboard. Holly asked for security, then asked for Barney Noble.

“Who’s calling?” a young male voice asked.

“Chief Holly Barker, of the Orchid Beach PD.”

“I’ll patch you through to his house.”

There was a click and one ring.

“Barney Noble.”

“Hey, Barney, it’s Holly Barker. How you doing?”

“Good, Holly, and you?”

“Can’t complain.”

“When’s Ham coming down?”

“That’s why I called you. He’s here for the duration,

retired last week.”

“No kidding? About time. When’s he going to play some golf with me?”

“The sooner, the better, he says.”