For Old Crime's Sake (Chase Charley Mystery Book 1) by Rose Pressey Page A

too many other things to do and worry about.
    “Are you calling to invite me to dinner?” he asked.
    That question caught me off guard. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have bothered you at work.”
    “No, it’s fine. What’s wrong?”
    My next comment would make me sound nuts. “I’m worried about the owners of a home. A friend says they haven’t been seen or heard from for a few days. I am worried that something happened to them,” I said.
    “How do you know this?”
    I suppose I didn’t know for sure. It was just hearsay at this point. “Like I said, a friend told me. The thing is, the home is where I saw Phillip West that night.”
    Marc was silent for a long time. I thought maybe he’d hung up. Finally, he asked, “What do you think happened to them?”
    “To be honest, I think it has something to do with your partner.” I rushed my words.
    He paused and then said, “That is a big deal, you know.”
    “I realize that, and I am sorry for dragging you into this, but I felt it was something that you should know. It was something that I had to do,” I said.
    He released a deep breath and then said, “I know you are doing what you feel is best.”
    “I’m glad you understand.”
    “Family or friends would have to file a missing person’s report, but I will find out what I can and give you a call,” he said.
    At least that was a start. 
    “Thanks again for everything,” I said.
    “Call me when you’re ready for that dinner,” he said, and then hung up. 
    “What did he say?” Courtney asked when I hung up the phone.
    “He’s going to look into it for me,” I said.
    “Whew. That’s good to know. We have extra help.”
    I pushed the hair out of my eyes. “I need all the help I can get.”
    Courtney didn’t take her eyes off the road. “And it doesn’t hurt that he is good-looking.”
    “Yeah, you mentioned that once or twice.”

Chapter Fourteen
     
    Once on the road, I tried to calm down. I leaned my head back against the seat and tried not to worry about Russ and Doug. Of course I kept looking in the rear-view mirror to see if they had followed us.
    The drive to Courtney’s friend’s home wasn’t long. Finally we arrived and turned into the driveway. Courtney steered the car down the pebble driveway. Oak trees shaded the drive.
    “As far as I know this home has been in my friend’s family for quite some time. They weren’t the original owners, but bought it sometime in the forties,” Courtney said.
    She parked the car and we climbed out. I followed her up the porch stairs and to the front door.
    “What is your friend’s name?” I asked.
    “Melanie Gray. You’d better call her Ms. Gray though.” Courtney rang the doorbell.  
    “I’m coming. Don’t ring that damn bell one more time,” Ms. Gray called to us from inside the home. She opened the massive door. “Well, come on in. Don’t just stand there.”
    Courtney motioned and I followed her inside the dark space. I peered around as the woman led us deeper into the old house. It looked like it was in need of some repairs as the walls had quite a few cracks.
    Courtney must have noticed me looking around because she said, “Melanie insists that she is going to fix the place up but she won’t let anyone help. I’m going to do it soon whether she likes it or not.”
    “I heard that,” Ms. Gray said. “Over my dead body.”
    Courtney looked at me and shrugged. We stepped into the parlor to the right.
    “Please have a seat.” She pointed toward the old velvet wing-backed chair. “I am so glad you came all this way to see me.” She acted as if we had traveled all the way from California. Nevertheless, it was cute how excited she was to see Courtney. “Would you all like some iced tea?”
    It would be rude to turn it down. “Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you.”
    “I’ll be right back,” she said with a smile. Ms. Gray shuffled off toward the back of the house.
    After a few moments, she returned with the glasses of