NIL-100 Body Embezzlers (no illustrations)

Excerpt

In a fit of agitation, Harlow slapped his open palm on the desk top. “In heaven’s name, man, who in the hell gives a damn if that lying thief got himself killed? I don’t, and my investors don’t. He took the money, and that’s that. Let the cops worry about who killed the bastard. I just want my money back.”

Lew sighed and shifted in his chair. It was times like this when he hated his job. People seemed to think insurance companies should never quibble about paying off a claim, that they should hand over the money blindly, without a question asked.

“Mister Harlow, there’s more to it than that. Why should a man steal that much money, then place himself in a position to be murdered? And where is the money? Wade wasn’t the kind to dig a hole and bury it.”

“I’m not making myself clear,” Harlow said coldly, leaning forward. His face was blotched red with anger. “I don’t give a good shit about Wade, or what he did, or what happened to him. All I want is to be reimbursed for my loss, our loss, and whether or not you ever find the money he stole is your problem. We’ve paid your company damn high premiums for years, Patton, and I don’t want any fucking song and dance now that we make a claim. Do you understand me?”

“I think so.” Lew locked his fingers together and tried to remain calm. Getting mad wouldn’t help. “Do you know any of the details of the murder?”

“No, and I don’t care to. The prick got what he deserved.”

“It was very unusual. He was hit on the head with a fireplace poker, but not hard enough to kill him. Then his… penis and testicles were cut off and the poker was thrust up his rectum. He bled to death.”

The older man was plainly shocked, but maintained his gruff countenance. “So? I admit it’s a lousy way to go, but what the hell does that have to do with my money? You’re not honoring my claim won’t make it any better, nor bring him back.”

“True, but it does complicate things. He may have had an accomplice who killed him and took the money. If there was another party, he or she could be working for you and have the loot stashed safely away. If that premise is true, you might well have another thief on your payroll.”