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got jealous. Girl got caught in the middle. Simple as that. Don’t go getting any of your weird ideas about a closed case. It was cut and dry.”
    So, the portly police chief had heard the rumors surrounding his methods. Nick ignored the barb.
    “And what did Chief Fox think about all this?”
    The chief shifted his feet. “Well, that’s the strangest part about it all. He was always under the opinion they’d convicted the wrong men. In fact, when he and his boy Lane started Fox Investigative Services, Jeremy said that one of the things he wanted to do was delve deeper into the Peebles’ murder.
    Apparently, both Luke and Deke had contacted him swearing their innocence, but nothing came of it after Fox and his boy were murdered. For the best, really. Those guys were guilty as sin. Deke had her blood all over him.” It was obvious Chief Rollins didn’t agree with his ex-chief’s doubts about the two men’s innocence.
    “Do you still have the file regarding the case?”
    “Of course. Figured the likes of you would still want to dredge up that murder, so be my guest. You’ll find everything pertaining to the case in the Monroe County records at the back of the courthouse. But I’m telling ya, it’s probably just a random coincidence. I’ll walk you over. And, Thayne . . .” He paused on the hot sidewalk. “I want you to be clear. When Roger is fit enough, he’ll take back the case. You’re to relay everything you learn or suspect to me and him. Your pay is $400 a day. No expenses, and it’s a one-time deal. My budget is ten grand. You’re done when the case is solved or the budget runs out. And . . . none of your weird, front page methods, okay? You got that?”
    His barely disguised animosity was real, and Nick pondered the reasons. The man was clearly a traditionalist, and new or shaky methods made men of his type highly uncomfortable. Nick strolled along the long wide sidewalk next to Richard, lost in thought. It should have been only a three-minute walk to the County Records Office, but took closer to six with all the Chief’s huffing and puffing.
    Richard paused in front of the building and pointed. “Take the stairs at the rear. They lead down to the records section. Priscilla Smith is in charge. She might be a bit grumpy, since I asked her to stay late  a Friday afternoon. I have to return to the station to phone Mrs. Fisher, who’s going to be devastated by her husband’s death.”
    Nick found the records room without any trouble, but Priscilla Smith proved no pushover.
    “So, you work for the Monroe County Police Department. Then why don’t I know you?”
    “I’m taking over for Roger Chung, who’s in the hospital with appendicitis. We were friends in detective school, and I’m helping him out on a case until he recovers.”
    The sixtyish woman softened somewhat. “I didn’t realize he was ill.”
    “Just happened this afternoon. It’s obvious you don’t know me from Adam, but feel free to call Chief Rollins to verify my identity. I can clearly see you are a woman who is very conscientious about her job. I wish our records clerk in Girard was as dedicated as you.”
    Miss Smith did something no one had ever seen her do before and blushed. Nick smiled his most charmingly, and the lady led him to the stacks like an eager virgin enticing her first lover.
    “Well, it’s after hours , but let me help you. Hmm, the Ashley Peebles’ murder. Quite a sensational case, one of the best we’ve ever had. Of course, the best mystery around here was the Fox murders. Never was really solved you know. Now, that was a tragedy.”
    Miss Smith talked non-stop for the next 30 minutes. At the end of the torturous search, both Nick Thayne and Miss Smith were in equal states of consternation. Nick felt frustrated and highly suspicious while Miss Smith was just plain livid. Ashley Peebles’ records had disappeared, and Nick suspected they couldn’t fault Priscilla’s filing system for the truant