Mikhailov was furious. The man had agreed to hand over the amulet and Mikhailov had gathered the money. After hours of waiting, no phone call had come through. Was this a joke? There had been no real evidence that the amulet worked as advertised, so Mikhailov had been taking a considerable risk on this man's word. On the other hand, how could it be a con if the money was still in Mikhailov's possession? Of course, the amulet did have a reputation for having a mind of its own. . .
The man had been cagy about his location, but still Mikhailov had a general idea from the pickup spot.
He made a quick phone call to a man at the county sheriff's department who had been on his payroll for the last six months.
"Ask around" Mikhailov said. "Any households that seem somewhat peculiar--where people go in and out at odd times, where there are two people you never see together, where there are animals that seem exceptionally intelligent, where someone has disappeared. Rumors, anything."
"Yes sir" responded the deputy.