Chapter 61 Chapter 61

While driving back through the town, Cole suddenly slowed down and pulled over to the side of the road.Puller followed her gaze. "Roger Trent is back in town," he said. A black Cadillac Escalade with gold trim was parked on the side of the road, the engine running.A man Puller had never seen sat behind the wheel. Puller looked at the man carefully, captured all the relevant details with his eyes, filtered all the observation data with his mind, and finally came to a definite conclusion—interesting. Next to the Cadillac stood Roger Trent in a suit.Puller noticed that his suit was baggy and wrinkled, as if he had slept in it at night.He had already opened the door and was about to step into the car.

"Looks like he just got off the plane," Puller said. "Let's talk to him." Cole pulled up next to the Cadillac.Puller rolled down the window. "Hey, Roger, do you have time for a coffee at the Bullpen?" Trent frowned at Pooler and glanced at Cole again. "I just finished my coffee there." "There's something I want to talk to you about. It won't take up any more time." "Is it about death threats?" "That's right." "I'll give you ten minutes." Roger turned around and walked into the restaurant.

A minute later Puller and Cole sat across from him and ordered their coffees.Two-thirds of the seats in the restaurant were full, and everyone looked at the three of them suspiciously. Seeing this, Puller said, "Do you come here often? I know you're the boss here." "I own almost everything Drake has, so what?" Puller looked up and down Roger's wrinkled suit. "You just came back to town?" "Yeah. It's the same sentence, so what?" He gave Cole a sharp look. "I thought you guys wanted to talk to me about the death threats." "We're investigating, Roger."

"Okay. Hey, maybe you'd like to check on the family more. Like last time." "I see. I don't think the two threats were made by the same person. I want you to understand that." "I'm not sure you're the most objective person to make that judgment." "We feel that Molly Pittner's murder had something to do with her employment at your company, Roger," Puller said. That statement drew a stern look from Cole, but Trent didn't notice.He just stared at Puller. "Why do you think so?" "Soil test report." "I don't know what that means. What soil test report?"

"Eric Trewell and Dickie Strauss are friends, you know that?" "No, I do not know." "They both have the same tattoo sleeves. Dickie said he picked them after Eric's sleeves." "Why do you have to ask me these things?" "I can't tell, Roger," Pooler said.He took a sip of coffee and continued to ponder the other person's expression. "How was the trip to New York?" Trent looked taken aback. "How do you know where I've been?" "Bill Strauss told us. He didn't say why you were there, but he did mention that your company is profitable and there are investment opportunities everywhere."

Trent looked away, and Pooler noticed a slight twitch in his left hand. "Everybody needs energy," Puller added. "That's right," Trent replied roughly. "Have we finished? I can see that you have nothing useful to tell me." Cole looked at Poole, then said, "I think you're right. You should probably go home and get some sleep. You look tired." "Thank you for your concern." Trent replied bluntly. Puller stood up with the other two.He leaned closer to Trent and whispered: "I would take death threats against you very seriously, Roger. But perhaps not for the reasons you think."

Trent turned pale, turned around and left.Moments later, the Cadillac drove away. As they walked out of the restaurant, Cole asked, "What the hell is going on with all this?" "This man is terrified. There are many reasons for his panic, personal, business. Do you know why? He owns everything in town. A big fish in a small pond." "I don't understand," Cole said. "A big fish in a small pond," Pooler repeated. Cole realized something. "Are there bigger fish in this town?" "possible." "a?" "Let's go find the bald boy."

"How? You said you had an idea." "Put it away. Let's go find Dickie Strauss." "You think that's the guy Docter saw running away from the house?" "Physical fit as they describe it. A scar on the arm? Just take the tattoo sleeve off. If it's not Dicky, it's probably one of his gang that wears the sleeve." "Drake's no gangster, Pooler." "It's just that there aren't gangs you've discovered," Puller corrected. "Why did Dickie Strauss get into that house? If he did, that would mean he killed Larry Wellman. Why would he do that?"

"It doesn't have to be him." "What do you mean? They were all in the same house and Larry died there. Someone must have killed him. He wouldn't put his neck in a noose himself." "agree." "Then what is your opinion?" "Let's not argue until we find Dickie. Any idea where he might be?" Cole steered the car forward. "I know." "Where is it?" "You can find him wherever you go. I have also learned to leave half a sentence on my lips."