Mountain Ice (David Dean Mysteries)

"Why? You haven't done anything wrong. Besides, you don't report to Corday or those guys-he's State, you're County."

"It's all political bullshit. I have to sit back and look like I'm the grateful little kid getting help from the benevolent teacher. What's happening is they don't trust me. Shipton's told them I'm in bed with you against him and if they haven't bought what he said in total, they've sure banked the down payment."

"So Shipton is alive?"

"Yeah. Mums the word on his condition, but he definitely hasn't croaked."

Dean stamped the snow from his boots. "And he's pointing his finger at me."

"And maybe the missus, his wife. He's gone ahead and drawn court papers for the first steps to have her declared a looney and I guess he's hinting at the possibility the two of you are banging each other."

"Corday asked me that directly," Dean said. "I couldn't believe it! The idea is as crazy as the rest of this business!"

"Not if you look at it through Corday's eyes. Corday doesn't know any of the players. Given what he's hearing and seeing now, it makes a heap of sense. Especially if he buys the garbage Shipton is selling. Lord knows what Edith Shipton might say."

"Why the lack of candor on Shipton's condition? They didn't even tell his wife if he's alive or dead. That's pretty unbelievable."

"My source tells me they've snuggled Shipton someplace cozy because he's afraid you'll try to kill him again. You and his wife, maybe. Besides, if they buy the fact Edith Shipton is nuts, maybe they don't feel they owe her the normal concern they'd give a sane spouse. Plus, she did leave him."

Dean mopped his brow with his arm, in spite of the cold of the evening. "Thanks for sticking your neck out. Talking to me like this can't be doing your career any good."

Weller just grunted. "What career? Besides, I'm not just doing this to be a real neat buddy, you know. Someone out there is a killer and if Corday has his head up his ass over your guilt, somebody needs to be taking a hard look at what really happened. This is still my county and if I'm the law, nobody is going to get away with murder on my watch."

"Thanks anyway, whatever the reason," Dean answered.

"It pisses me off being shut out. My source with the CBI isn't that privy to what's happening and it's damn tough acting on what I'm not supposed to know."

"Unless they arrest me, I'm still in Bird Song, and that's where all the action is right at the moment. I'll keep you posted on what I hear." Dean slapped his friend on the back. "Besides, you're not alone. Fred O'Connor is busy making a list and checking it twice as we stand here. It's only a matter of time until justice is served."