"They made the Sheriff to be an idiot that never noticed anything strange." Danny commented. "But Sheriff Oates is no dummy. He knew that there was more going on that people were telling. And that somehow Amos was involved… Of course, he also felt bad about dismissing John Lawson, and thus getting him killed. But Amos was an interrogation point in his notebook. Amos had come from England, he had said, and he wanted to check on it, but of course he did not have the resources, nor any reason to call the FBI for help. So, he did the next thing. He called in Flynn Eagleton."
-0-
"I know that you work for Romney and investigate odd occurrences. You were here when that business with Mrs. Benchley."
"I did not precisely distinguish myself there."
"I figure that you got your head handed to you. But now everything must be forgiven."
"What do you want from me?"
"That you share some information with me."
"I do not want to get in trouble with Romney again."
"I am not going to ask you what Romney is doing. What I want is for you to tell me what you know of Amos Benchley"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because I think that he is more involved in what went on. He was mixed up in the Midler business, and very conveniently found two of the women who were attacked when, according to Romney, we did not seal the altar properly."
"And you do not believe it?"
"I believe that there is more to him. That he is hiding something. He says he's from England. I could not find any information about him, on my own. Maybe you could trace it."
Flynn sighed and arranged his face. "I could track him down in England. But I think that if I do, I will run afoul of the Official Secrets Act."
"You mean that…"
"Former intelligence agent. One that had an experience that left him shaken, and made him go away to forget. I can tell."
"So… when he and Lawson got together.."
"He thought that he could help Lawson with his expertise…but forgot the cardinal rule: do not involve civilians, because civilians never do what they are told. They have ideas, they panic, they forget their lines, they give the show a way… He should have never involved Lawson."
"It was my fault. I should have listened to John. Should have paid attention."
Flynn sighed. "We all have regrets, things that we could have done better and didn't"
-0-
"And after that Flynn told Amos how he had diverted Oates' suspicions."
-0-
"So, I am supposed to be a former English spy?"
"Yes. You have soured on the whole espionage game, and only want to forget and live quietly. That's your cover. Keep at it."
"I should thank you. Specially since you do not like me that much."
"I do not like seeing fang marks on Beverly's throat."
"You realize that I must do it. And that I do not really harm her."
"I know. At least my mind knows it. But when I see them, I fee like beating you up."
"She is not the only one I feed from. And it is not only women."
"You feed from men, too?"
"Blood is blood. Yes, I make it pleasant, but it makes sense if they relax and don't struggle.
"What kind of men?"
"Albert Thatcher, the lawyer. That's how he pays me for my services."
"What services?"
"I make people tell him the truth. Too many people lie to their lawyers even if they are not supposed to. Also, when taking depositions. He could unravel the lies after some interrogation, but having me there saves him time and aggravation. So after I am done, he undoes the cuff of his shirt and offers me his wrist.'
Flynn laughed. "A lawyer and a vampire… I guess that professional courtesy works there."
-0-
Maurice kept listening for mention of the "patchwork man". Most people were repeating the same gossip, and embellishing it. He could tell when they only repeated what they had heard second or third hand.
Except the waitress, Wendy. She KNEW more about it that she let on.