Janet Evanovich - Full Bloom

"I'm positive."

Lamar looked regretful. "Well then, let me offer my sincere condolences. I know this can't be easy for you." He paused a moment. "I'm thinking maybe we could go over what happened the day Mr. Fortenberry disappeared if you don't mind."

"I don't know what more I can tell you," she said. "We covered everything when my mother-in-law filed a missing person's report on Charles three years ago."

"Sometimes people think of things later that might help," Lamar said. "I haven't had a chance to look at the file, and I want to make sure I have everything. Could you tell me again when you saw him last?"

Annie gave Lamar the exact date. "It was around six a.m.," she said. "Our conversation was brief because I was getting ready to drive to my mother's house in Atlanta. She'd been sick with the flu, and it turned into pneumonia. I was with her for a week."

"Did your husband appear to act differently in any way? Like maybe he was worried about something?"

"Not that I remember, but then, I was really concerned about my mom at the time, so I wasn't paying close attention."

Lamar nodded as he took notes. "Do you know of anyone who disliked your husband enough to kill him?"

A tear slid down Annie's cheek as she shook her head. "I don't know anyone who would actually commit murder."

"In most cases, the killer knows the victim." Lamar paused. "I think I need to be up-front with you, Annie. The spouse is usually the first person we look at."

Annie couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Are you saying I'm a suspect?"

"Hold it right there, Lamar!" Destiny said, stepping closer, her jeweled hand on one out-thrust hip. "I happen to know a little about the law, and if you're charging Annie with murder …" She paused and looked at Annie. "You need to keep your mouth shut and call an attorney."

"I'm not charging Annie with anything," Lamar said defensively, his eyes flitting to Destiny's lowcut blouse, "but if it comes to that I'll certainly notify her of her rights. I happen to know a little bit about the law myself."

"I'll answer your questions," Annie said. "Only I'd appreciate it if you'd take down that crime scene tape as soon as you possibly can. I'm having a big wedding here."

"Uh-oh." Lamar arched one brow and started to make a notation in his book. "That's going to look bad for you."

"It's not my wedding!" Annie said, wondering how Lamar could be so dense at times. She saw Destiny shake her head.

"Annie doesn't even like men," Theenie said. "She almost killed the last one who showed up at her door."

"Uh-oh," Lamar said.

"It was an accident," Annie said, giving Theenie a would-you-kindly-shut-your-mouth? look. Theenie offered a sheepish smile. Annie explained what had happened the morning of Wes's arrival. "Now the whole world knows," she said.

Lamar looked thoughtful. "I know about Erdle's drinking," he said. "Have you ever seen him get violent?"

Annie shook her head. "Never. Besides, he wasn't here at the time. An old army buddy from Mississippi rented a condo in Hilton Head that week and invited Erdle to join him. The guy even wrote out an affidavit on Erdle's behalf."

"Was anyone else in the house? Any guests?" Lamar added.

"All this happened before I turned the place into a bed-and-breakfast. Doc checked on Peaches several times while I was away, made sure she had plenty of food and water. I knew Charles wouldn't bother; he hated that cat. But Doc said he didn't bother stopping over until the day after I left because he knew I always put out extra."

"Yes, I questioned Doc at the time," Lamar said. "He claimed he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He's so senile; if he had seen anything, I don't think he would remember."

Annie nodded. "His memory comes and goes, but he's ninety years old, so I'm not surprised. Now, about that crime scene tape."

Lamar looked apologetic. "I can't take it down till we're done. My men will be going over the area during the next couple of days, sifting through dirt looking for evidence. I can't have folks traipsing about, disturbing the crime scene."

"Come on, Lamar, cut me some slack here. It's going to be bad for business."

"I'll see what I can do," he mumbled, although he seemed more concerned with finishing up. "I only have a couple more questions. I'll probably find the answers in Mr. Fortenberry's file, but I want to make sure I have the name of his dentist, and if he had any broken bones that would prove without a doubt that the, um, remains are his."

"He saw Dr. Hensley. As for broken bones, I know he fractured his left wrist in high school playing football."

"I assume we'll find a wallet on him, unless he was robbed, of course. Did he carry a lot of cash on him?"

"I don't know."

"Any jewelry? A watch or wedding ring?"

"He claimed he couldn't wear his wedding ring because it caused his finger to swell," she said. Lamar didn't see her roll her eyes at the others as he jotted the information on his notepad. "He wore a Seiko watch with a gold band that I bought for his birthday, but I don't remember what kind of wallet he carried."

"Anything engraved on the watch?"

"No."

"Anything else you can think of that might help?"

"The yellow jacket with his initials, of course."

"This is a good start," Lamar said, closing his notepad. "If you think of something else, give me a call."

"Do you know how long they'll keep him?"

"I can't say for sure, since it's a murder case." Lamar stood and put the chair back in its place. He continued to stand there for a moment as though he had something on his mind. "Do you have plans to travel anytime soon?"

"Are you telling her not to leave town?" Destiny asked. She didn't wait for his reply. "See, Annie, I told you to hire a lawyer."

"I can't afford a lawyer," Annie said.

Lamar tossed Destiny a dark look. "I never said she couldn't leave town." He looked at Annie. "You haven't been charged with anything; I just wanted to know if you'd be around in case I need to ask you some more questions. And don't worry about the cost of a lawyer. If it comes to that and you can't afford representation, the court will appoint someone."

Annie felt a sense of dread wash over her. She tried to keep the sarcasm from her voice. "Well, that certainly eases my mind."

* * * * *

Wes knocked on Annie's door an hour later. When he didn't get an answer, he opened the door quietly and peeked in. She was alone, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. "Is it okay if I come in?" he asked.

"Sure."

He approached the bed. "I thought I should tell you, they've taken the body away."

"Thank God."

"I'm sorry, Annie. I know this can't be easy."

She nodded. "Charles was only thirty years old at the time of his death. I may not have liked him very much, but I never wanted him dead." She suddenly gasped. "Oh, I forgot. Somebody is going to have to break the news to his mother. I don't want her to find out on the six o'clock news."

"I'll make sure it's taken care of," Wes said. "You've got enough on your mind right now."

"Lamar said they always look at the spouse first, which means I'm the main suspect."

"Don't take it personally; it's normal procedure."

"How do you know that?"

He shrugged. "That's always been the case."

"Do you think I killed him?"

"No."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I can't see you killing anyone, much less dragging a body across the backyard and burying it." He smiled as if to ease the tension. "You're a bit of a runt."

"I'm stronger than I look."

"Remind me not to arm wrestle you. I'd hate to lose to a girl, especially a half pint like you."

Annie knew he was teasing her in hopes of cheering her up. "My mother-in-law thinks I'm responsible for his disappearance. She'll probably hound Lamar to arrest me."