Hour Game

"I don't know if there is a real co

"But you have your suspicions?"

"Yes, I do. Strong ones."

"Care to share them?"

"My hunch is that Steve Ca

"I'm surprised he waited until she died in the car accident before he started blackmailing Battle," she said.

King stared at his partner. "Car accident?" he said slowly.

"Yes, she was drinking and crashed her car. Don't you remember?"

"I remember very well, thank you."

She noted the faraway look in her partner's eyes. "You're on to something. Care to share?"

He glanced at her. "What if Ca

"But she did. They found her in her car at the bottom of a ravine. I told you I checked with Todd on that."

"Right. She died in a car crash. But that doesn't necessarily make it an accident, does it?"

CHAPTER 65

KING EVENTUALLY GOT IN TOUCH with Harry and told him what had happened.

"I'll head straight to the Battles'," he said. "Why don't you and Michelle meet me there?"

It was di

Remmy met the three at the door. "Mason is out right now," she explained.

"You've heard?" asked King.

"Yes. I hardly think she'll pull herself out of this one."

King looked at the older woman with surprise. "Remmy, I know the two of you aren't the best of friends, but she's still married to your son."

"Which is the only reason I have any concern at all."

"Where's Eddie?"

"In town talking with the lawyers. Dorothea hasn't been formally charged yet?"

"They don't even have a firm cause of death yet," Michelle put in. "Until that happens, they can't charge her."

"You don't think she killed the man, do you?" Harry asked Remmy.

She placed her gaze squarely on him. "No, but I didn't think she was buying stolen drugs either."

"There's quite a bit of difference between that and murdering someone," rejoined Harry.

She motioned them in. "Why don't we continue this fascinating discussion over di

Sava

It took King a moment to realize what he was seeing. Then it struck him: daughter was dressed just like mother. He looked over at Michelle. From her startled expression it was clear she was thinking the very same thing.

Harry sat next to Sava

"Dorothea got virtually nothing by Bobby's death," said King. "So there was no motive there."

"Motives needn't be simply financial," replied Remmy as she buttered her roll.

Like your motive for killing your husband? thought King.

"You have something in mind?" asked Michelle.

"No, I'm just stating what I thought was an obvious fact."

"You had no idea Dorothea was taking one of Bobby's cars and renting a place at the Aphrodisiac? Or that she had a drug problem?"

Remmy shook her head. "But then, I'm not my daughter-in-law's keeper, am I?"

"I knew she had a drug problem." All eyes turned to Sava

"Did she mention it to you?" asked King.

"No, but I saw her once, I guess she was coming back from that place. It was early in the morning, and I'd gotten up to go for a walk. She was coming up from the direction of the car barn. She was a mess. I was surprised she could even drive home."

"You didn't just assume she was drunk?" asked Michelle.

"After four years of college I know the difference between drunk and high."

"I'm so glad our money bought you such an invaluable education," snapped Remmy.

"Did you confront her about it, Sava

"No, it was none of my business."

"But didn't you tell anyone, like Eddie?"

"Again, it was none of my business. Dorothea and I aren't close, in case you hadn't noticed."

After di

Harry said, "I didn't meant to ignore you, Michelle, but I'm worried about Sava

"Did you notice she's dressing like her mother now?" King said.

"That was one indication something was amiss," said Harry diplomatically. "Remmy is a very intimidating woman, and I guess not even an independent soul like Sava

"And Remmy writes lots of letters, keeps a journal and presumably gets a lot of letters from friends," commented King.

Harry looked at him quizzically. "I suppose she does. As do I. Is that important?"

"While I was using the bathroom, I happened to pass by the study. Remmy was in there writing out some letters like she said she was going to."

"So?" asked Michelle.

"The one thing that's been bothering me is that we still don't know what was taken from her and Bobby's closets. What if it were letters, or a diary, something like that?"

Harry said, "That would make sense. Women like Remmy often desire a secure place for their confidential letters."

"Letters that could be incriminating somehow," said King. "Not necessarily in a criminal sense, but in a personal one. At least it's something to keep in mind."

They left the house. Michelle had driven over separately. She said good-bye to Harry and King and drove off. Harry climbed into his convertible and waved as he pulled out.

King was getting into his car when he saw the note on his front seat.

It was short and to the point. "I want to talk. I'll meet you at your place at ten tonight." It was signed "Sally."

King looked around but saw no one. He checked his watch. It was nine o'clock. He debated whether to call Michelle and tell her to meet him at his houseboat. Then he thought better of it. That might scare Sally away. He drove off. In one hour part of this mystery might be cleared up, or at least be less muddled. Right now he'd take that.

CHAPTER 66

AN HOUR LATER KING MET SALLY at the end of his driveway, led her past all the construction on his new home and down the steps to his houseboat.

The young woman was obviously very nervous. To put her at ease, King said, "It's the right thing to do, Sally. It really is. And once you get it off your chest, you'll feel better."

They sat at his small kitchen table as the lake water slowly lapped at the boat's hull. He'd fixed her a cup of hot tea and was now staring at the woman expectantly.

"Junior," he finally said. "You came to tell me about Junior?"

Sally let out a huge breath and plunged in. "I was with him when the burglary happened."

King was startled. "You helped him break in?"

"No! Not at the Battle house. At Junior's house, the new one he's building."

"So he didn't commit the burglary?"

"He couldn't have. We were there from eight at night until almost four in the morning. And it's a good hour's drive from the Battles'."

"Why were you with Junior at his new house?"

Sally took a drink of the tea and sat back, her face flushed, her cheeks stamped with fresh tears. "Oh, God, I can't believe I'm telling you this."