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

Doctor Peyton and I are in the process of breaking off a romantic relationship. We made no commitments to one another, but were close, romantically, until I met Dick. Please don’t jump to conclusions about our relationship because, at this point, Dick and I are just respectful friends with a mutual interest. I really don’t believe Doctor Peyton is the kind of man to harm me or anyone.”

Hunt continued to look at Dick and Samantha. “I would say, Samantha, that’s about as mature an explanation for a ticklish situation as I’ve ever heard.” He smiled warmly.

Dick thought, this man is a shrewd professional with a level head. But don’t try to put one over on him.

Hunt said, “We’ll identify the two men who attacked you and, no doubt, gain a bit more information. One small thread sometimes leads to a basket full of new and important leads to investigate. There could be many reasons for this attack on you. First, we have to find out exactly what’s going on. I suspect there’s more to this than either you or we, as investigators, know. As far as the man who killed your mother, that’s another story. We can’t rule out the possibility of some kind of connection.” He had her attention. “Would you like to know exactly what we know and think about the killing of your mother, so many years ago?”

Samantha jumped to her feet. “Do you mean you have information you’re willing to share with me?”

“I participated in the initial investigation. I must tell you, before we go any farther, I have always had my doubts about the guilt of the man convicted of killing your mother.”

She looked as if she would faint. Dick reached for her arm and eased her down on the chair again. “This can’t possibly be happening,” she said. “I’ve spent my entire life wanting to know everything about my mother. I know very little, have no memories at all, and wonder why. Please give me everything about her life that you can share, good, bad, or otherwise. I would be so grateful.”

Dick squeezed her hand. “Relax and breathe normally for a few minutes, Sam. This could be the blessing you’ve longed for.”

Hunt tilted his chair back with his hands clasped behind his head. “I know a few things about you, young lady, and I promise I’ll know more when this investigation is over. Because of my early involvement, I’ve followed your life from a distance as well as I could, and the life of the accused murderer, even closer. I ask that you be patient while we finish our investigation. Familiarity with your childhood is one of the reasons I brought you along on this case.”

Samantha leaned forward, green eyes full of suspicion. “Do you know something, Agent Hunt? I don’t even know my real name, my father’s name. My aunt discouraged my curiosity, afraid of my disappointment. Well, I will never be displeased about anything I learn about the woman who gave birth to me and, I might add, the man who made my life possible. I’m tired of hiding behind a cloak of blindness. I beg you to give me what you can and I’ll try to be patient for the rest of the story. Frankly, I’ve never had the courage to start peeling back the onion.”

“My investigation led me to believe you had been kept in the dark. I found that hard to believe, until now. Are you sure you’re ready for this?” He sat down across from Samantha. “Your mother was a very attractive young woman, a successful anchorwoman for KFX News in San Francisco. She lived life to the fullest measure, often running with the wrong crowd throughout her high school years. As a young adult from a good family, she used her beauty and the contacts in a world growing up too fast, for personal gain. Many in her crowd were without scruples. She continued to live fast, on the edge of society, one foot in each world. Her friends, a group of people only interested in getting ahead at any cost. Much like what we’re dealing with today. Because of her contacts, and desire for popularity, she became a secret investigative reporter for the news station. Your mother became too good at uncovering stories, where a few highly placed men felt threatened. San Francisco’s underworld of drugs and prostitution was under attack from law enforcement and the news media alike at the time of her death.”

Hunt stood and moved around some before stopping in front of Samantha. “During the sensational murder trial, the very same news media where your mother was so popular, turned on her and destroyed her reputation by digging up and exploiting every dark contact she had made in her short, fast life. Her wide range of so-called friends all swallowed the bait, and turned their heads whenever her name came up. Your mother’s name was Stephanie Brooks, the much younger sister of your aunt Clara, the last of a generation from the once well thought of Brooks family of San Francisco.”

Samantha covered her face with her hands and leaned forward toward her knees. No one spoke. Hunt cleared his raspy throat and continued. “We believe your father was J. A. Davis, a successful young businessman. He was known as Joe to his wide range of friends. I’ll give you more after we complete this investigation. Now, I expect you understand why I decided to bring you, and the commander, here, into our investigation. I started looking into your personal life more closely after your discovery of that young woman’s body on a Catalina beach.”

Dick pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in his arms. Hunt glanced back at Dick before continuing. “My policeman’s gut feeling leads me to believe this attack on Samantha is directly related to the murder of her mother. She needs your help, Dick. You