In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

of young addicts like this in California lately. The arms looked pretty tracked up.” Both indicated a lack of recognition. He looked at Samantha. “I’m told that you’re a nurse here on the island. Does the doctor here treat many young people with addiction symptoms?”

“No! I’m surprised, actually. Doctor Peyton rages about the addiction problem constantly, yet I don’t see signs of the problem at our clinic.”

Dick said, “One ear of the young woman seemed to be full of dried blood. I’m not a trained professional but I remember a case in Florida where a young male addict died from an icepick through the ear, into the brain. Could that be something you’re familiar with here?”

Agent Hunt looked at Dick for several moments before answering. “You’re very observant, Commander. Usually, only a professional would pick that up so fast. How did you notice it in the dark?”

“The sheriff’s Maglite. He lit up the body immediately after arriving on scene. I suspect Samantha, as well as I, saw the needle tracks and what looked like blood.”

“Is that true, Miss Brooks?”

“Yes, things like that usually catch my attention. Some places I’ve worked in the past required a detailed report be written on that sort of thing. It would be hard to miss under bright lights.”

“I’m going to ask you both to refrain from talking about what you’ve seen here. Some of this information has to be held back, the ear puncture, for instance. We’ve not been releasing that information to the public.”

He concentrated on Dick. “Will that be a problem for you, Commander?”

“Not at all, sir,” Dick said.

Hunt said, “I believe you will be judicious about where you discuss this problem. I want both of you to listen carefully to what I’m going to say. We are involved with a violent group of people here who’ll kill you without giving it a second thought. You are now conspicuously involved, so keep your own safety in mind.” He waved dismissively. “In answer to your earlier point of interest, yes. I’m familiar with death caused by an icepick into the brain, penetrating through the ear. We’ve investigated nine overdose cases in the last three months, with three of those where death was caused by an icepick into the brain. We believe the whole story of these horrible killings, very brutal killings, are connected to one organization pushing massive amounts of narcotics through and around this area. The problem here has become a priority at DEA. There’s a lot more to this story but I’m not at liberty to elaborate at this time.”

“If you have all you need from Dick and I, we’d like to go for dinner,” Samantha said. “I believe you have our phone numbers and my address here on the island. Feel free to call me. Leave a message, if necessary, and I’ll get back to you as fast as possible.”

Dick said, “Look at that crowd. They’re lined up all along the seawall. Probably attracted by the flood lights.”

“Most are tourists. Some live along the beach here,” she said. “I really don’t feel like talking to people right now. What can we do?”

Jonathan said, “I’ll escort you back to your place, at least through the crowd, Sam.”

Dick opened the cottage door. “Your phone’s going crazy, must be multiple texts.”

She’d left her cell on the table. “I’m afraid I know who’s calling. Steven probably caught something on the local news about the body. The local radio and TV station have an in with the sheriff.” She turned to Dick and grabbed his forearm. “Our names may have been mentioned. Steven could want to come over.”

“Shit! Just what we need tonight,” he said. “Wait a sec before you answer him. I can leave and check into the local hotel or stay and help you with the inevitable.”

“Stay, Dick, please!” She sat down and looked at him before continuing. “You don’t have to do this for my benefit only. I can take care of myself.”

“No, Sam. We’re in the infancy of something wonderful. Let’s give it a chance to play out, one way or the other.”

“Thank you.” She said, “I’m going to start making a salad. There’s steak to go with it. We can offer to share with Steven, though he’s probably had dinner with his children.”

Dick chuckled. “So, you did expect me for dinner, after all. I believe our guest has arrived. Let me get the door.”

“No, he’ll come around to the beach-side door. He knows the front door is always locked and the beach door is hardly ever locked. He’ll walk right in.”

Dick walked toward the man coming through the door, and extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Lieutenant Commander Dick McGowin.”

“I know who you are. What are you doing here, Commander?”

Dick dropped his arm without shaking hands. “You don’t have to be rude, Doctor. I’m stopping off to thank this gracious lady for her efforts on my behalf, while under duress. She doesn’t seem to have an objection to that, why should you?” This guy’s a real prick. It’s going to be hard for me to give him benefit of the doubt.

“We’re engaged to be married. Isn’t that enough?”

Samantha raised her voice. “That’s not true, and you know better! We’re seeing each other, romantically, and I’m also your employee, but that doesn’t entitle you to insult my guest.” She approached Steven, face to face, nearly as tall as he. “You know damn well I haven’t agreed to marry you.” She spun around to Dick. “Do you see a ring on this hand?”

He shook his head, side to side.

“I think you’d better leave now, Steven. I’ll see you in the clinic on Monday, if I still have a job there. Your rudeness is inexcusable.”

Steven spun around, toward the door. “I knew something was wrong after this guy’s first visit. You’re acting like a school