Read The Archer [Book 13 of the Hawkman Series] for Free Online

waved.
    "Hey, Mr. Casey, I hoped to catch you sometime today."
    "Oh?"
    "Yeah, I wanted to ask if you were in your office yesterday from noon until about four."
    "No, I was with a client, and didn't get back until after five. Why?"
    "I heard this loud bang like something bouncing off metal. So I dashed to the back, thinking someone had hit my car."
    Hawkman's ears perked. “Did you find out what made the noise?"
    "No. My car didn't have a dent in it. That's why I thought it weird. It sure sounded like it came right from inside or behind the building.” He pointed toward the end of the alley. “The only thing I noticed was a black pickup turning the corner onto the street. It must have backfired. You don't hear that happening much anymore, but it's the only thing I could figure. Other than maybe your coffee urn blew up."
    Hawkman smiled. “No, it didn't. Did you recognize the make of the truck?"
    "No, just saw the tailgate and with my failing eyesight, I couldn't read the indented letters."
    "Sounds have a way of eluding us from where they originate. It appears everything is okay in our building, so I wouldn't worry about it."
    Clyde walked with Hawkman to the corner of the stairwell. “Have a good day. I'm a little late in getting the ovens going. Please be tempted this afternoon."
    Hawkman laughed. “You have nothing to fear. The aroma never fails,” he said, walking up the stairs.
    Immediately, he went to the desk and opened the briefcase, pulled out his pad of notes and added a black pickup to the small list. He realized he'd never gotten a school schedule from Laura, so he had no idea when she'd be home. Maybe her mother would know. He didn't want to call Laura's cell, as he might catch her in class and a professor might just look sourly on a ringing phone.
    He fished through his case until he found the paper where Laura had written down the phone numbers. Picking up the receiver, he pushed the speaker button, then punched in the digits. Pencil in hand, he waited as it rang several times, then a breathless female voice picked up.
    "Hello."
    "Mrs. King?"
    "Yes, who's this?"
    "Tom Casey."
    "Is Laura all right?” she said, in a panicked voice.
    "Yes, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to alarm you."
    "Since you've never called here before, it did scare me a bit."
    "I hope I haven't caught you at a bad time."
    "No, I just came in from gathering eggs at the chicken house, and heard the ringing outside the back door. I'm a little out of breath from hurrying."
    "I need to know when Laura gets out of class today. I neglected to get a schedule from her and hoped you'd know. I didn't want to call her cell for fear I might catch her in the classroom, and professors don't like the interruption."
    "Laura always told me not to call her during the day for that very reason. Wednesday is her longest day. She won't be home until after four. Do you want me to have her call you?"
    "Yes, please."
    "Does she have your number?"
    "Yes, but let me give it to you in case she lost it. Have a pen available?"
    "I sure do."
    Hawkman recited it slowly.
    "Got it,” she said.
    "Are your hens laying good?"
    "They don't like cold or hot weather, but I get enough eggs to take care of our needs, so I'm happy. They'll do much better in the spring."
    "I've never raised chickens, but I've heard that. Thank you, Mrs. King. Have a good day."
    "You, too."
    He hung up and jotted a note that Laura wouldn't be home until after four, and a reminder to get her school schedule. Taking the phone directory from the drawer, he flipped through the yellow pages to the sports stores. There were several in town and he knew them all, but decided to make a few calls and find out which ones had archery classes or instructors. It would save him time and leg work.
    Close to an hour passed before he finished going through the list and making notations on four stores who supplied these services. He still had plenty of time before Laura got out of school to pay them a visit, as he always