Hour Game

CHAPTER 56

KING AND MICHELLE DROVE OVER to see Remmy the next morning.

King filled in Michelle on his conversation with Sylvia. "I spoke with Todd earlier this morning. He's going to pick Kyle up today."

"Any idea who the mystery woman is?"

"I guess the easiest thing to do is go to the club and ask. If she's a regular there, or works there, someone has to know about it."

In turn, Michelle filled in King on the reenactment. "It was amazing, hundreds of people with so much going on all the time. I mean, it was utter chaos, like watching a real battle. Eddie thinks they may show some of the film they took on the local PBS station," she said.

"I've actually been to a couple of those. A woman I used to date when I was in the Service had a brother who was big into them. Had a whole museum of memorabilia and stuff from the Civil War. Muskets, uniforms, swords, even an amputation kit."

"Eddie did a great job. The man has amazing skills and yet his self-esteem is rock-bottom."

"Well, his father's a hard act to follow."

"Yeah, but it's not like he hasn't accomplished anything in his life. And as physical as he is, you should have seen him when he was talking about his twin brother. In fact in some ways he may very well be the most exceptional Battle of them all."

King stared at her with a questioning expression. "And you said he drove you home? Just the two of you?"

"Will you stop with the insinuations? Nothing happened, and nothing is going to happen, between us."

"That's good to hear because the last thing we need is Dorothea or, God forbid, Remmy Battle gu

Eddie met them at the front door of the mansion.

"I've spent the last hour trying to get her to tell me what was in that secret drawer, and getting absolutely nowhere," he reported.

"Well, if she won't tell you, I don't think we're going to crack her," said King.

"Maybe I softened her up some. She's on the rear terrace and expecting you. The coffee's hot; Mason just brought it out along with some ham biscuits."

Eddie walked out to the terrace with them. Remmy closed what looked like a diary that she was writing in. It was an old-fashioned kind with a clasp and lock across it. Remmy placed the journal inside the pocket of her jacket.

As King was greeting Remmy, Eddie motioned Michelle toward him and whispered, "When you're done here, come on by my studio; it's right behind the carriage house. I've got something to show you."

He walked off, and Michelle turned to see Remmy's keen gaze on her.

"I understand you watched Eddie playing soldier," she said slowly.

Michelle joined them at the table. King poured out coffees.

"He's certainly good at it," remarked Michelle. "I had no idea it was so involved."

"Eddie got into it because his father was interested in it. I don't think he really cares for it all that much."

"Well, he certainly looked like he loved it to me."

"Well, looks certainly can be deceiving, can't they?"

The two women gazed at each other for an uncomfortably long time.

King finally broke in. "You're a miracle worker, Remmy."

"Meaning what exactly?"

"Meaning the conversion of Lulu from enemy to friend."

Remmy waved her hand dismissively. "I was wrong and I acknowledged it. Don't make it out to be some grand gesture of benevolence."

"So what made you conclude you were wrong?" asked Michelle as she reached for a biscuit and coffee.

Remmy raised her cup and took a drink before answering. "I made Junior an offer he couldn't refuse. But he did refuse it. And then he got murdered. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure there's a lot more to it than I thought."

"But Junior might still have been involved. He might have been killed because of it, in fact," said King.

Remmy settled her stern gaze on him. "Didn't you try your best to convince me he was i

"Just playing devil's advocate."

"I forgot, you're a lawyer. Reminds me why I can't stand the breed."

"I'm glad I took down my shingle, then. I wouldn't want you for an enemy."

"No, you wouldn't," she said bluntly.

"I understand you're quite anxious to get back some property other than your jewelry and cash."

"Eddie's already been here trying, Sean," Remmy said. "And if I won't tell him, I sure as hell am not telling you."

"Is it that bad?" asked King in a very serious tone. "So bad you'd risk more people being murdered?"

"I have my reasons."

"I hope they're damn good ones, but I think you're not only being selfish but shortsighted."

"I'm unaccustomed to being spoken to that way," she snapped.

"I tend to lose my ma

"What was in my closet can have nothing to do with anybody getting killed."

"Your husband and Junior may have been killed by the same person. If so, the only co

"It can't be, it can't," said Remmy stubbornly.

"And you won't let us be the judge of that?"

"No, I won't," she said steadfastly.

"All right, let's get back to why we're here. Eddie says that people are talking about you maybe having Bobby and Junior killed. He says it's ruining your life."

"Eddie talks too much. I thought I taught him that reserve and stoicism are two of the greatest attributes a person can have."

"But not greater than love," said Michelle. "And he does love you."

"I know that!" snapped Remmy.

"If he's worried about you, there must be a reason," Michelle persisted.

"Eddie worries too much about the wrong things."

"Remmy, we can't help you if you won't confide in us," said King.

"I never said I needed your help."

"Okay, fine. By the way, where were you when Junior was killed?"

"No one has yet told me exactly when he was killed."

After King told her the time parameters, she thought for a bit. "I was here actually, in my room reading."

"Anybody here to verify that?"

"I can."

Mason was standing in the doorway. "I was in the house until ten o'clock that night. Mrs. Battle never came out of her room during that time."

King looked at him for a long moment. "Thanks, Mason." He looked back at Remmy as Mason walked off. "It's nice to have such good, loyal help, isn't it? Last question: why was your wedding ring in the drawer and not on your finger?"

Remmy didn't answer right away. King stared at her, waiting for a response. Finally, she said, "A ring is a symbol of love and commitment."

"Yes," said King expectantly.

"You said that was your last question. I'm sure you can find your way out."

Outside, Michelle said, "Sean, you know it wasn't Remmy who killed Junior."

"That's right. I saw Mason coming out onto the patio. I wanted him to tell us where he was at that time."

"That was pretty clever."

"Even cleverer because he said Remmy never came out of her room."

"Meaning what?"

"Meaning that Mason doesn't have an alibi for the time Junior was killed."

"You really think he's a possible suspect?"

"Of course he is, Michelle. He's older but still big and strong enough to have taken on Junior. And you noticed that the killer never spoke to us. He only used his laser aimer to convey his instructions."

"Because if he'd spoken, we would have recognized his voice?"

"Exactly. And he lied about the reason Remmy wasn't wearing her ring."

"Speaking of which, the stoic Mrs. Battle was pretty candid with her answer. No love, no commitment, no ring. Yet she stayed married to the man."

"Lots of marriages work that way, unfortunately. Well, at least she's free of him now."