Free Justice Overdue: A Private Investigator Mystery Series by Rayven T. Hill Page B

paper?”
    The guy shrugged. “Maybe tomorrow we’ll get it. Maybe not. Might come Sunday.”
    “What about at the grocery store?”
    “Nope. Same delivery guy. Same great service.”
    Jake went to the rack, picked up a paper, rolled it up, and tucked it under his arm. It would have to do.
    He returned to the counter. “You have cell service in this town?”
    “Most of the time. Not always.” The clerk cocked his head and studied Jake. “You staying at the park?”
    Jake nodded.
    “Catching any fish?”
    “A few.”
    “Don’t catch too many. The game warden’ll fine you.” The guy frowned. “You have a fishing license?”
    “Why’re you so interested?” Jake asked. “What’s with all the questions?”
    The storekeeper closed his magazine, tossed it on the counter, and stood. “The game warden is my uncle. I want to be a warden some day.” He grinned a crooked grin. “Just practicing on you.” He held out a skinny hand. “My name’s Bob. Bob Fletcher. My uncle’s name is Andy. Same last name.”
    Jake set the newspaper on the counter and shook the offered hand. “Haven’t seen him come around yet.”
    “He might not. You just never know when he’s gonna show. Depends on how long you stay.” He looked down at the paper. “That all you’re buying?”
    Jake pointed a thumb toward Matty and Kyle. “They’ll want something. Give us a few minutes.” He pulled out his cell phone and turned it on. “Not very good reception.”
    “Might be better outside,” the guy said.
    Matty and Kyle came over with a large bag of potato chips and four cans of Coke. Jake paid for the purchases and they stepped outside. A group of four teenagers—two boys and two girls—had arrived and lounged near a bench outside the front door. They carried backpacks and looked like they’d been hiking all day. One lay on the grass nearby; another one guzzled water from a glass bottle.
    “Don’t you guys go far,” Jake warned Matty. “I’m just going to call your mother.” He stepped to a quieter spot and checked his phone again. Four bars. Not bad.
    Annie answered on the first ring. Jake grinned when he heard her voice. “Having a good time. Wish you were here,” he said.
    “You sound like a postcard.”
    “It’s great up here. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
    “I’m doing all right,” Annie said. “Chrissy and I are catching up. It’s a little quiet without you guys around, though.”
    Jake laughed. “Yeah, I miss you too. We’ll be back soon. Anything new there? Any business come in?”
    “I’m not planning on checking my email or phone messages until Monday. I’m taking a holiday. Business can wait.”
    “Heard from Hank?”
    “He called once. Nothing doing for him either. He’s spending most of the weekend with Amelia. I bet he doesn’t even miss you guys.”
    Jake chuckled. “It’s just as well.”
    They talked for a few more minutes before Jake hung up and wandered over to where Matty chatted with the hikers. One of them, a girl of eighteen or so, was telling him how far they’d hiked. “We’re going to jump the fence and spend the weekend in the forest.”
    “You have a tent?” Matty asked.
    The girl nodded and smiled. “We have a couple of small tents. Just fits two people each.”
    “You do that often?” Jake asked.
    “First time. We met online on a backpacking web site that puts hikers together who are in the same area. We hooked up yesterday.” She giggled at Jake’s worried look. “We’ve chatted online awhile, so it’s not like I don’t know them.”
    Jake furrowed a brow. He knew how impulsive teenagers could be sometimes. He was one once. He glanced sideways at the two guys. They looked pretty normal. He was probably worried for nothing. “Just be careful,” he said, hoping he didn’t sound like an over-the-hill party pooper.
    She giggled again. “We will.”
    Jake said goodbye, packed the boys in the SUV, and then made the long ride back to their