Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas, #1)

by Dean Koontz

He said, “Robertson moved into town five months ago. Paid in full for that house in Camp’s End, no mortgage.” “Where’s he get his money?” “Inherited. Bonnie Chan says he moved here from San Diego after his mother’s death. He was still living with his mother at thirty-four.” Bonnie Chan, a Realtor famous in Pico Mundo for her flamboyant hats, had evidently sold the residence to Robertson. “As far as I can see at this point,” the chief said, “he’s got a clean record. He’s never even had a speeding ticket.” “You might look into how the mother died.” “I’ve already put out some inquiries about that. But right now I don’t have any handle to pick him up.” “All those files on all those killers.” “Even if I had a legitimate way of knowing he keeps them, it’s just a sick hobby or maybe book research. There’s nothing illegal about it.” “Suspicious, though.” He shrugged. “If being suspicious was enough, we’d all be in jail. You first.” “But you’re gonna keep a watch on him?” I asked. “Only because you’ve never been wrong. I’ll park somebody over there this evening, pin a tail on this Mr. Robertson.”