Moonshine Murder [Hawkman Bk 14] by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

hair opened the door. “Yeah, whatcha want?” he asked.
    A medium sized brown dog stood at his side, growling.
    "Shut-up Mutt. Go lay down.” He pointed his cane toward the back of the room. The mongrel lowered his head, and with his tail between his legs, retreated.
    The old fellow looked up at Hawkman. “Well, who are ya and why ya here?"
    "I'm Tom Casey, private investigator, looking for Jacob Hutchinson."
    "The senior edition or the junior."
    Hawkman scratched his sideburn. “I'm not sure. Which one owns the property at Copco Lake?"
    "Is there a problem?"
    "Not sure. That's why I'm here."
    "You might as well come in. My legs won't allow me to stand too long."
    He opened the screen door and Hawkman stepped inside. The stench almost made him recoil, and flee back to the fresh air. He couldn't tell if it came from filth, spoiled food, or both.
    "Are you Jacob Hutchinson? The man who owns the property?"
    "Yeah, I'm the guy. My dear old father is in his room. He's eighty-five and not doing very good."
    "I'm sorry. So you own the property alone? No wife?"
    "She died many years ago. So you wanna buy the land?"
    "No, I just wanted to notify you there's someone living in the cabin on your property."
    He waved a hand. “I know, it's my no-good son and his redskin woman. He got out of jail about a year and a half ago and couldn't find a job. Since they were living in a tent under a bridge, I told them they could live out there. Figured it'd be better since they have kids.” The old fellow frowned. “Are they causing a ruckus?"
    "No, but it's very primitive. No running water or electricity."
    He pointed a finger in the air. “There's a beautiful well out there, all he's got to do is get off his lazy butt and get it working again."
    "Why was he in prison?"
    "Vehicular manslaughter. Driving while drunk as a skunk, ran over a man and killed him. The jury gave him five years, but he got out in three, due to good behavior."
    Hawkman headed for the door. “I won't worry about your relatives on the property. I just wanted to be sure you knew about it."
    "I appreciate your concern. If you talk to them, you tell them his old man said to behave or he'll have them kicked off. Also tell that lazy no-good Jeb, to get the well going."
    "I'll do that, sir."
    When Hawkman stepped outside, he gulped in fresh air, as he headed for his SUV. He kept the window down on his way home, as he felt his clothes reeked of the horrible odor. When he reached the house, he went in the side door and disrobed. He shoved all his clothes into the washer and placed his boots outside on the porch to air. Adding soap, he flipped on the machine, then peeked out to make sure the coast was clear. He streaked through the living room to the bedroom, and heard Jennifer howling with laughter as he stepped into the shower.
    He finally emerged from the stall, dried, dressed in clean clothes and strolled into the living room. Glancing at his wife, he muttered. “I had a bad day."
    "For heaven's sake, what happened? Did you get sprayed by a skunk?"
    "Not quite that bad, but almost. You will not believe this story."
    "Try me."
    He shooed Miss Marple from the chair next to Jennifer's computer, and sat down. “I met Mr. Jacob Hutchinson. A short, dirty man, greasy hair and a filthy cane. He invited me inside and I kid you not, I thought I'd puke at the smell. I didn't dare take a seat, as the couch was covered in stains, the chairs were loaded with dirty clothes, and the dog smelled of urine. I gathered the older Mr. Hutchinson was lying in a gross bed back in one of the bedrooms, probably dying. The stench still lingers in my nose, even though I scrubbed every inch of my body."
    Enthralled by the tale, Jennifer stared at her husband. “Did you meet his wife?"
    Hawkman shook his head. “Jacob said she'd died several years ago."
    "Did you learn anything about Jeb and Beth?"
    "Unfortunately, the old man doesn't give a hoot about either one of them. Jeb is an ex-con and he