Рита Браун - Pay Dirt

"No, not yet."

"Cynthia, you can't possibly believe that Kerry would kill anyone."

"I'm a police officer. I can't afford emotions."

"Bullshit," came Harrys swift retort.

"Thanks, Harry. We're not close friends, and here you are— thanks." Kerry flopped back on the pillows, then winced because she felt the throb in her head. "I never bought a gun. I've never been to Hassett's. On July tenth I worked all day as usual, handling new accounts."

Cynthia firmly said, "According to records, you showed your driver's license."

"I never set foot in that gun shop."

"What if Kerry is the one who masterminded the bank theft? Maybe Hogan is starting to figure out her m.o." Cynthia used the police shorthand for modus operandi. "She's getting nervous. She knew he was working late in that bank that night. Millions of dollars are at stake. She kills Hogan."

"And hits herself on the head hard enough to knock herself out—yet still keep the gun in her hand?" Harry was incredulous.

"That presents a problem." Cynthia nodded. "But Kerry could have an accomplice. He or she hits her on the head so she looks innocent."

"And I could fly to the moon." Harry sharply inhaled. "This summer is sure turning to crap."

"How elegantly put." Cynthia half smiled.

"Forget being an officer and be one of the girls just for a minute, Coop. Do you really think Kerry killed Hogan?"

Cynthia waited a long time. "I don't know, but I do know that the .357 is the same gun that killed Mike Huckstep."

"What?" Harry felt her throat constrict.

"Ballistics report came back at six this morning. Rick's lashing everyone on. Same gun. We'd like to keep that tidbit out of the papers, but I doubt the boss can. His job is so damned political."

"Huckstep and Hogan Freely." Harry frowned. "One's a Hell's Angel and the other's a bank president."

"Maybe Hogan had a secret life?" Kerry spoke up.

"Not that secret." Harry shook her head.

"You'd be amazed at what people can hide from one another," Cynthia replied.

"I know that, but at some point you've got to trust your instincts," Harry replied.

"Well then, what do your instincts tell you?" Cynthia challenged her.

"Hogan was getting close and that means the answer is in the bank."

"Think you're right."

Kerry moaned. "My goose is cooked, isn't it?"

Cynthia stared hard at her.

26

Because of federal regulations, the bank could not be closed on Monday. In fact, if Hogan had been shot during banking hours, the way the law reads he would have been left there and business would have continued while the sheriff worked. People would have had to step over the body. These stringent rules against closing a bank were born in the 1930s when banks bolted their doors or folded like houses of cards. As is customary when legislators cook up some ameliorative law, it never covers the human condition. The employees of Crozet National worked with black armbands around their left arms. A huge black wreath hung at the end of the lobby, a smaller one on the front door. Out front, the Virginia state flag flew at half mast. Mary Thigpen, the head teller for twenty-five years, kept bursting into tears. Many eyes were red-rimmed.

All the talk about Kerry so outraged Norman that he shouted, "She's innocent until proven guilty, so shut up!"

Rick Shaw had taken over the second floor, squeezing the accounting department, but they managed. The blood splattered on the wall of Hogan's office made Norman woozy. He wasn't the only one.

Mim Sanburne came by after her turn with Laura Freely to inform everyone that the funeral service would be held that Thursday at the Crozet Lutheran Church. The family would receive Wednesday night at home.

A subdued hush followed her announcement.

Over at the post office Harry asked Blair to help while Mrs. Hogendobber organized the food for Wednesday night. Dudley Freely proved incompetent due to shock. Thea, the older Freely child, was better at making some of the decisions forced upon her by the event. What kind of casket, or would it be cremation? What cemetery? Flowers or contributions to charity? She fielded these questions, but sometimes she would have to sit down, fatigued beyond endurance. She didn't realize a great emotional blow is physically exhausting. Mim and Miranda did. They took over. Ottoline Gill and Aysha handled the phone duties. Laura languished in bed. When she regained consciousness she would sob uncontrollably.

Rick and Cynthia tried to question her, but she couldn't get through even a gentle interrogation.

Rick pulled aside Mim outside the post office, as they had both driven in to get their mail. "Mrs. Sanburne, you knew Hogan all his life. Can you imagine him involved in some kind of scheme to defraud people—"

She cut him off. "Hogan Freely was the most honest and generous man I've ever known."

"Don't get huffy, Mrs. Sanburne, I've got two murders on my hands. I have to ask uncomfortable questions. He could have been involved in the theft and had his partner or partners turn on him. It's not an uncommon occurrence."

"I'm sorry, but you must understand. Hogan loved this town and he loved banking. If you knew the people he took chances on, the people he helped get started in business, well, he was about a lot more than money."

"I know. He helped me get my mortgage." Rick opened the door for Mim as they stepped into the post office.

Mrs. Murphy, crouched on the little ledge dividing the mailboxes, waited for Rick and Mim to open their boxes.

Rick opened his first and the tiger reached into his box, swatting his hand as he withdrew his mail.

"Murphy." He walked to the counter and looked around the corner of the boxes.

She looked back at him. " I wanted to make you feel better ."

"That cat going to grab me?" Mim called.

Harry lifted her from the small counter, ideally suited for sorting into the rows of postboxes. "No, I've got her right here in my arms."

Tucker, head on her paws, said, " Murphy, nothing is going to make people feel better right now ."

Rick chucked the tiger under the chin. "If only animals could talk. Who knows what she saw the night Hogan was murdered?"

"I didn't see anything because of the fog and I missed a chance to identify the killer's car. I wasn't so smart, sheriff."

" You did the right thing, Murphy, you found help , "Tucker lauded her.

Rick left, Mim gave Harry and Blair the information about the family gathering and the funeral, and then she left too.

Harry moved with a heavy tread. "I feel awful."

Blair put his arm around her shoulders. "Everyone does."

11

"We're going to be late." Norman checked his watch as he paced.

"I'm almost ready. I ran into Kate Bittner at the 19th Hole, and you know how she can talk."

He bit his tongue. She was always late. Running into someone at the supermarket was just another excuse. A car turning into the driveway diverted his attention away from pushing Aysha on.

Ottoline, in full regalia, stepped out of her Volvo station wagon.

"Oh, no," he said under his breath.

Ottoline came in the front door without knocking.

"Norman, you look ashen."

"I'm very tired, Ottoline."

"Where's my angel?"

"In the bathroom, where else?"

She squinted at him, her pointy chin sticking out. "A woman must look her best. You men don't understand that these things take time. I have yet to meet the man who wants an ugly woman on his arm."

"Aysha could never be ugly."

"Quite." She click-clacked down the hallway. The bathroom door was open. "You need different earrings."

"But, Mummy, I like these."

"Too much color. We're going to pay our sympathies. This may be a gathering, but it's not a party."