Victoria Houston - Loon Lake 14 - Dead Lil' Hustler by Victoria Houston Page A

wearing the helmet when he suffered the trauma that fractured his skull. He was shot.”
    “Rifle or shotgun?”
    “That I don’t know. Likely impossible to tell but interesting, huh?”

Chapter Eighteen
    Osborne got to the hospital early and headed straight for the reception desk to check in, a requirement because Cody was in isolation and only immediate family members were allowed to visit. To his chagrin, Bud was sitting in the waiting room. Up on his feet faster than Osborne had seen him move in years, he called Osborne over.
    “Say, Doc, how’s your grandson?”
    “Not sure yet, Bud, I just got here. Excuse me—I need to check with the receptionist.”
    “No, wait. Did you hear about Pete Corbin?” Before Osborne could answer, Bud said, “You know he worked in one of our banks. Nice, nice fella.”
    “Vaguely remember the family, Bud. Excuse me, my daughter and son-in-law are waiting.”
    “Word on the street is poor Pete had a few too many, took that sled out, and boom! Right through the ice. That’s what Chief Ferris must think, right?” Bud’s right knee kept up a steady jiggle as he spoke.
    “Bud, I don’t have time for this right now. Now if you will please excuse me.”
    “Sure, sure. I called over to the police department today for information. You know, corporate wants to do something for the family now that we know what happened to the poor guy.”
    Osborne turned to the receptionist, hoping to escape to Cody’s room as soon as possible.
    “Yeah, the woman from the dispatcher center over at the police station told me you and Chief Ferris were out in the Nicolet National Forest all day.” Bud raised his eyebrows, a nasty glint in his eye. “So, Doc, what the heck is going on? You two taking a little time off? Fishing of course?” He winked. “I wouldn’t blame you. She’s a nice-looking gal.”
    Osborne wasn’t sure what angered him more, the idiot’s nosiness or his unwholesome interest in the nature of Osborne’s relationship with Lewellyn Ferris.
    “No funny business if that’s what you mean,” said Osborne, his voice curt. “A missing person report and I was deputized should there be a need for a coroner’s report since Pecore is having surgery this week. If you want to know more, I’m sure you can hear all about it on Channel 12 tonight.”
    The receptionist handed Osborne a room pass to show the nurse. Before he could leave the waiting room, Bud blocked his way. “Really, a missing person? Where?”
    “Damn it, Bud, get out of my way. Told you I do not have time for this. Now move.”
    The look of hurt and surprise on Bud’s face caught Osborne off guard.
    “I am sorry,” said Bud, backing away. He threw his hands up in surrender. “I’m just an old man stuck here waiting to hear how my poor wife is doing. I have no business asking you all these questions. I am so very sorry, Paul. Please, I apologize.”
    The expression of apology seemed so sincere that Osborne felt guilty for his own rudeness. He relented. After all, wouldn’t it be just as easy to answer Bud’s questions and leave it at that? Take him a minute at most. Then he could be on his way and no one’s feelings would be hurt.
    “One of the public health nurses helped us locate a student who went missing while researching invasive plant species.”
    “You’re kidding. A public health nurse out in the national forest? Where in the forest?” Bud’s voice tightened. “What the hell would she be doing out there?”
    Now
that
was none of Bud’s business. Kathy Winter had been determined to protect the migrant family whose child she was treating. Osborne gave him a curious look. This questioning was a bit much even for a lonely man waiting to see his ailing wife.
    He was about to ask why Bud would care
where
in the forest when a familiar voice said, “Yo, Doc. Am I too late for visiting hours? Got a surprise for someone you know.” Ray loped into the visiting room.
    Osborne did a double take. Cocked