Free Evelyn David - Sullivan Investigations 01 - Murder Off the Books by Evelyn David

believe I had a lot of laundry and no quarters?”
    Rachel shook her head. “Yes, but you also have enough underwear to last at least two more weeks, so try again.”
    “Uncle Dan’s in trouble,” Sam said hesitantly.
    “What do you know about it?”
    “He emailed me. He’s being set up for murder ….” Sam lifted his chin, adding, “And he didn’t do it.”
    “Even if that’s true, he had no right involving you two.” She ignored their protests and walked back into the hallway. She took hold of the garbage bag she’d tripped over earlier, dragging it into the den.
    “Mom,” Sam protested, jumping back as she dumped the dirty clothes onto the carpet next to his bare feet. “We’re his family. We have to help; that’s one of those laws of nature or something.”
    “A social contract,” Ray suggested, looking over the mound of clothes.
    Sam gave his friend a surprised look, then turned back to his mother. “Yeah, it’s what Ray said–a social contract. We have to help him.”
    “Fine. If he shows up, I’ll help him: I’ll feed him a meal; I’ll give him a bed; and I’ll even do his laundry.” Rachel held out her son’s once white t-shirt. The front was now covered with a dark red stain. “Is this blood?”
    “Barbeque sauce. There was a party at a fraternity house and–”
    “Stop. That’s enough information.” Rachel tossed the shirt in the pile that would need soaking. “About the other thing–I don’t want you involved. Your uncle needs to go to the police and tell them what he knows.”
    “He can’t go to the cops. They’ve got all kinds of evidence that makes him look guilty of stealing and murder.”
    Rachel calmly finished her sorting and picked up a pile of dirty jeans.
    Trying to help, Ray scooped up the pile of whites, wrinkled his nose, and hurriedly shoved the clothes in Sam’s direction.
    Rachel headed for the laundry room, calling over her shoulder, “Ray, how are you involved in all this?”
    “Sam called me from school after he heard from Uncle Dan.”
    Rachel nodded. “And?”
    Ray shrugged. “Sam told me to call Carrie and that we should meet him here around seven o’clock. After dinner we’re going to break into the college computer system and get some hidden files that Uncle Dan needs to prove his innocence.”
    Rachel whipped her head around and stared at the pair in disbelief. “What?”
    Sam gave her a weak smile. “If you don’t feel like cooking we can order take-out.”
     

Chapter 8
     
    Whiskey barked, getting to her feet as Mac approached down the tiled corridor of the funeral home basement.
    “Hey, girl. Did Jeff put you to work guarding the new arrivals?” Mac patted the dog’s head, laughing as she tilted her head so he’d scratch behind her ears.
    “Like most ladies, she was enjoying the pleasure of my company.” Jeff O’Herlihy stepped out of the cooler, shutting the door before Mac got a look at the contents. “Something wrong with the cab I loaned you?”
    “No. It’s fine. Well, the upholstery could use some work. And the suspension’s shot. Got anything better?”
    Jeff smirked. “Not at the moment. What’s the problem? Customers complaining?”
    “Not mine.” Mac grinned. “How about yours?” He sidestepped the aging redheaded imp and opened the walk-in cooler door. “What are you hiding in here? Or who are you hiding in here? Did you knock off the cockroach king?”
    “Hardly.” Jeff flipped on the cooler light. Instead of bodies, the shelves were stacked with about fifty cartons labeled “USDA Grade A Prime Rib” and a few cases of beer.
    Mac grimaced. “That’s disgusting.”
    Jeff smiled and grabbed two beers. “See, that’s why I didn’t want to show you. I knew you would freak out over the details instead of looking at the big picture.”
    “You’ve got meat stored in your mortuary cooler. That’s freaky by any normal person’s standards. I’m almost positive that it’s against some law.” Mac