Free Jason Deas - Benny James 03 - Brushed Away by Jason Deas

if the blood dripping over and around the finger matches the blood type inside the finger. I suspect it does, but if it doesn’t, we might have another new problem.”
    “So where’s our clue?” Vernon asked. “How does this lead us to a body?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Isn’t that what our killer wants? He wants us to find a body from this clue?”
    “I think so. So, let’s look at his pattern so far—even though it is only one murder, I always assume there’s a pattern. What’s the pattern?”
    “In the last murder he used numbers. He used the number four in the painting, and the body was found on site number four of the Talking Pines Campground.”
    “So, if we are going by that thesis, what number do we have here?”
    Vernon looked at the finger sticking into the air and it hit him. “Number one!”
    “I think so,” Benny agreed. “I don’t think he would use the campground again, but we might as well check there first.”
    “I believe site number one is actually visible from the check-in station, so I highly doubt the body will be there, but I’ll send a deputy by to check it out.”
    “What else has the number one attached to it around here?”
    “Well, none of the roads do besides the mile markers.”
    “Put that on the list for the deputies to check.”
    “Is there an address in town you can think of that has a one in it that might stand out?”
    “No. I think everything starts at one hundred and goes up from there. The slips at your marina are numbered, aren’t they?”
    Benny’s face fell. “I’m number one.”
    “I think you would have noticed a dead body when you left this morning.”
    “This nasty bastard could have moved it to my boat since then.”
    “I didn’t get the feeling that this was anything personal against you, did you?”
    “No, but I have put a lot of people in prison and somebody could be looking for revenge.”
    “Possible,” Vernon said. “I just don’t get that feeling. Why don’t you go check it out real quick while I take care of this crime scene.”
    “That would make me feel better.”
    “On your way back, will you swing by the One Stop and pick up a Dr. Pepper for me?”
    Benny was already headed for the door and jerked his head back.
    “That’s it!”
    “What?”
    “Think about what you just said.”
    Vernon thought. “The One Stop!”
    “It has to be. Think about the sign.”
    “You’re right. It has a hand with one finger pointing in the air next to the words.”
    As Benny ran out the door, Vernon called, “I still want a Dr. Pepper!”
     
    The One Stop was a fairly seedy establishment with a revolving door of employees. It had all your gas station essentials plus a few extras. Benny felt certain the slot machines in the back room were illegal. He also marveled at the wide selection of adult magazines offered behind the counter and the glass case displaying water bongs and pipes in plain view accompanied by a sign that read, “For Tobacco Use Only.” The inside of the station always smelled like cigarette smoke and incense.
    Unfortunately for Benny, it was the closest store to the Sleepy Cove Marina and sometimes out of necessity he had to stop in and buy something. The employees always gave him the creeps, and he oftentimes wondered where the owner found them. The average employee lasted about four months before they quit because of burnout and the long hours or were fired for stealing or some other impropriety.
    Benny entered the store to find a new face behind the counter, and he immediately sized him up as an alcoholic or drug user. The clerk was an older man with wispy gray hair and a beard which had not been cut or trimmed in quite some time. He had the look of someone who didn’t want to look completely disheveled, but still did. As Benny neared he smelled strong body odor mixed with stale cigarette smoke and cheap cologne. Benny gave him his best fake smile. When the clerk returned it with a fake one of his own he spotted a