The Scent of Murder by Barbara Block Page B

when they needed to detox.
    â€œMy family can afford it.” Charlie Richmond tugged on his collar to loosen it. “At least when she’s there, you know where she is. She’s not running around on the streets.”
    â€œOkay. Now what happened when Amy came out?”
    â€œGerri told me she and my stepfather had a big fight, and Amy stormed out of the house.”
    I interrupted. “According to the newspaper article I read, I thought Amy left after your father disappeared?”
    Charlie frowned. “Gerri said she came back the day before Dad disappeared. She and Dad had another fight at breakfast.”
    â€œWhat about?”
    â€œI don’t know. Gerri didn’t hear. Dennis told her they’d discuss it over dinner, but he never came home.”
    â€œAnd Amy took off the next day. I can see why the police would want to talk to her.” Charlie looked unhappy. “Did your stepmother report Amy’s other disappearances?”
    â€œNo. There was no point. She’s been doing this kind of stuff for the past year, year and a half. I think everyone has given up on her. It’s just easier. There are only so many times you can go driving through the streets at three o’clock in the morning.” He ran his hand through his hair absentmindedly. It was thinner than his father’s. “God, all of this has been so awful. I don’t know what to think anymore. All I know is that Amy needs help. Will you look for her?”
    I said yes. I’d been planning to do it anyway. Working for Charlie Richmond might make the task easier.
    â€œGood.” He smiled his tight little smile. “How much do you charge?”
    â€œNothing. I don’t have a license.” Even if I had, I wouldn’t have taken money from him. Despite what he’d said, I wasn’t sure enough of his motives to want to be beholden to him. “If things work out you can make a donation to the Humane Society.”
    â€œNo problem.”
    â€œI didn’t think it would be. But there is something else.”
    Charlie Richmond cocked his head and waited.
    â€œWhen I find Amy, I’m going to tell her that you want to meet with her. But if she doesn’t want to, I’m not going to force her, and I’m not going to tell you where she is.”
    Richmond’s face flushed. “Don’t you trust me?”
    â€œI don’t know you.”
    He smacked the counter with the flat of his hand. The ferret squeaked in alarm. “What the hell do you think I’m going to do?” he demanded.
    I gripped the edge of the counter and leaned forward. “Look, if you don’t like my conditions, go find someone else.”
    I watched Richmond make tiny opening and closing motions with his lips, while he decided what to do. “I guess I can live with them,” he finally conceded.
    â€œGood.” I reached for the notebook and pen sitting by the side of the register. “I want you to tell me everything you can about Amy.”
    â€œEverything?” He didn’t sound happy at the idea, but then I had the impression he wasn’t happy about most things.
    I shrugged. “It’s up to you. Only I think it’s fair to warn you that the more I know about her, the easier she’ll be to find.”
    Charlie Richmond talked for the next half an hour. Once he got started, he had a lot to say. Most of it had to do with drugs and alcohol. It seemed as if Amy had been keeping close company with both of them.

Chapter 7
    I was reading over my notes from my interview with Charles Richmond when Manuel walked in the door. He was wearing a black Raiders baseball hat, a faded black and red checked shirt, and black, baggy pants. Real baggy. As in the crotch of his pants hung down to just above his knees. He was not a thing of sartorial beauty. Except, perhaps, to himself.
    â€œYou got a minute?” he asked, as he pimp-rolled his way over to the