Sleepy Town USA

By Barbara Kitscher

a recent robbery at a drug store has set in motion a tidal wave of events that threatens the peace of the sleep little resort town of san gregorio leaving detective i.p. dailey baffled but determined to get some answers after some of his high school buddies start acting strange, or worse, end up dead.
beck, the new deputy in town, is too ambitious for his own good, always first at a crime scene, even on his days off, and eager to pin something on eric, the son of dave jenkins who went missing some six years earlier while on a fishing trip.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Kitscher
• Release date: Jul 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476406541

Barbara Kitscher

A retired educator who has a passion for reading and writing, and is a strong believer that everyone has a voice crying to be heard in some form; hers just happens to be writing.

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Sleepy Town USA

A Mystery told by many voices

by: S. W. North

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2012 S.W. North

License Notes: This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Like a progressive dinner party that moves from home to home, this story, the work of numerous writers, progresses from one talented writer to the next.

As the mystery deepens and the plot thickens, the reader is in for a treat for he/she will be able to choose from multiple, pick your own endings.

Writers aren't exactly people...

they're a whole bunch of people

trying to be one person.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Table of Contents

Sleepy Town USA

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ENDINGS:

The Impersonator

Who's your chicken?

A Girl on the Wrong Side of the Law

Mafia Connection

The Cover Up

Sleepy Town USA

A Mystery told by many voices

It was nearly 9:15 pm and Eric was almost finished sweeping up the aisles of Griff’s Drugstore. If he hurried, he could be out of there by 9:30 pm and catch the end of the free concert put on for the tourists. He thought he was lucky to live in San Gregorio, a small seaside resort town in northern Florida. Families tended to come in the summer, college kids for spring break and snowbirds, who were primarily retired people, who came in the winter. Therefore, the free entertainment provided by the town varied enormously from one season to another. This was his favorite — the end of summer with more kids his age.

Tom, the pharmacist, jolted him out of his reverie. Eric, let’s go, I want to get out of here.

Just then, there was an unusual noise coming from the rear of the store. It sounded like someone was coming in the back door — but that couldn’t be, because it was always locked long before the last customer left.

Tom went to investigate the noise while Eric finished sweeping the last aisle. On his way to put the broom away, Eric met Tom returning from the back room shrugging his shoulders and confessing to not finding anything out of place. And yes, the back door was locked as he had thought it was.

If you’re finished Eric, let’s lock up and call it a night.

Yes, I’m finished.

Good, I’ll see you Monday morning then.

No! Remember Monday is the day I come in at 1:00.

"Oh… that’s right. I’ll see you Monday afternoon then.

Have a good weekend.

As they parted company, Tom got in his car and headed home to catch the tail end of his son’s tenth birthday party, while Eric hurried up the street hoping to take in the last of the concert. More than the concert though, he was hoping to see Becky, a girl his age he had met recently. Other than the fact that she had moved to the area three weeks ago from Chicago, he knew nothing else, but was hoping to learn more. He sensed she liked him and that was encouragement enough for him to want to pursue a relationship.

When Tom opened the door to the store Monday morning, he was met by a scene that looked like a tornado had struck. From a quick glance, there appeared to be more merchandise on the floor than on the shelves. He wondered if the culprit or culprits were still on the premises.

Not wanting to confront such characters, he backed out of the door, leaving it open and returned to his car for his cell phone and dialed 911.

The police arrived in a matter of minutes and, after obtaining a key to the back door, surrounded the store and, simultaneously on the count of three, charged through the front and back doors with guns drawn. They found no one to arrest and were left scratching their heads as to just what had gone on there.

They asked all the usual questions. Was the front door locked? Who had keys to the building, etc? The answer to the question — Was anything missing? — would have to wait until after an inventory, which by the looks of things might take days.

The police did however have questions they wanted to direct Eric’s way when they found out he was Tom’s only employee. Tom explained that Eric wasn’t due in until later, but he had his address and would get it for them from the file.

After they left, Tom looked around wondering where to begin on the cleanup, but first he decided he’d best call the insurance company and wait for direction.

Eric was busy mowing his mother’s lawn when the police cars pulled up, one parked in the driveway behind his mother’s aged Cavalier and the other at the curb in front of Eric and the push lawnmower he was using. He looked up in surprise as the three policemen piled out, one facing him and the other two flanking him. He released the handle of the mower, glancing cautiously at the officers. The screen door banged behind him and a childish voice called excitedly, Eric, what’s up? Should I call mom?

It’s OK Jenna, he answered. Don’t call mom.

Turning to the uniformed officer in front of him, he asked mildly, Can I help you gentlemen?

One officer swaggered closer. You work at Griff’s Drugstore? he demanded.

Yes. Eric responded, and then waited.

You have keys? was the next question.

No. Again Eric waited.

A flash of movement caused him to turn his head toward the porch. Stay back Jenna, he ordered sternly. What time did you leave the drugstore last night?

About 9:30, with Tom, he added.

Where did you go after work? was the next question.

"I went to