Janet Evanovich - Full Bloom

The front door opened and footsteps sounded in the foyer. Donna jumped at the sound. Norm Schaefer stepped into the den. He looked from Annie to Wes and finally at his wife. "What's going on, Donna? Why are you crying?"

Nobody said anything right away. Finally, Annie stood. "Hi, Norm," she said. "It's so good to see you again." She paused and introduced him to Wes, and the men shook hands, even though Norm still looked confused.

"Wes is a professional photographer and is taking pictures of Beaumont. He's renting a room from me. I asked him to bring me over on the off chance you'd be home so I wouldn't have to bother you at the office." Annie hated to tell even more lies, but for some insane reason she didn't want to give Donna up. "Naturally, Donna and I began reminiscing about Charles, and I'm afraid we both let it get to us. I should have known better than to discuss it with a new mother who's going through hormonal changes."

Norm nodded as though it made sense. "Donna and I were both saddened to learn of Charles's death," he said as though loath to use the word murder, "and the charges brought against you. I don't know what Lamar Tevis is thinking. If he weren't related to half the big shots in this town he never would have been hired in the first place."

"Honey, what are you doing home this time of day?" Donna interrupted.

"Kevin has his six-weeks checkup in half an hour," Norm said. "I thought I'd go with you, see how the boy is doing. Don't tell me he's napping again. You promised to keep him awake as much as possible today so he'd sleep tonight."

"It's not as easy as you think," Donna said.

Annie heard the tension in their voices and suspected the couple wasn't getting much rest these days, what with a newborn in the house.

"That boy eats every two hours like clockwork," Norm said. "By the time we finally fall asleep again he's crying to be fed."

"I have a cat like that," Annie replied. She glanced at her watch. "Wes and I should be going so you and Donna can make your appointment."

"Why did you want to see me?" Norm asked.

"Huh?" Annie blinked. "Oh well, it's probably going to sound silly. It's about Charles," she said. "I just wanted to ask you whether you know if he was having problems with anyone at work. Or any of his customers," she added, wondering if Norm would fall for her story.

"You want to know if he had any enemies," Norm said. "Absolutely not. He was well liked at the office, and a genuine asset to the company." Norm looked thoughtful. "We miss him, Annie, even after all this time."

She smiled. "Thank you. It's nice to hear. But if you think of something that might help—"

"I'll call right away," he said.

Donna and Norm walked them to the door. Norm put his hand on Annie's arm. "Annie, I don't mean to sound insensitive, but now that Charles has been officially declared dead, I want you to know he had a sizable life insurance policy. Once you get this legal business behind you, and I have no doubt you will, you'll be eligible to collect."

* * * * *

Wes drove the motorcycle to a small park and pulled into an empty slot. "Why are we stopping?" Annie asked once he'd cut the engine.

"Climb off. I want to talk to you."

Annie did as she was told. "If this is about Charles's life insurance policy, I know nothing about it."

"How can you not know about your husband's life insurance?"

"I mean, I knew he had it, but I don't know what Norm means by 'sizable.' Charles was in perfect health. I can't see him paying out-of-pocket for a larger policy than what his company provided."

Wes remained silent.

"Think about it, Wes. If I was hoping to collect on Charles's insurance, why would I have buried him in the backyard, where he wasn't likely to be found? If I had killed him, knowing there was money to collect, I would have put his body in his car before driving it to the Savannah airport. You can't collect insurance on a person who has been listed as missing. Jeez, even I know that. And why all these questions?" she demanded. "I feel like you're accusing me."

"Because sooner or later you may have to face a jury. You'd better get used to it."

* * * * *

Jimbo and Otto from Otto's Cabs managed to rouse Erdle. "Man, you look like shit," Otto said.

"I think he's still drunk," Jimbo said. "I probably shouldn't have given him anything else to drink, but he had a bad case of the shakes."

"You're killing yourself, Thorney," Otto said. "Come on; let me help you up." Together the men managed to get Erdle outside and into the cab. "You're not going to puke in my cab like last time, are you?" Otto asked.

Erdle shook his head.

Otto took his place in the driver's seat and started the engine. "I'll have you home in no time."

"My lan'lady is goin' t'kick me out for sure this time," Erdle managed weakly.

Otto gave a grunt. "I doubt it. She has too many problems of her own."

"Huh?"

Otto glanced at Erdle in the rearview mirror.

"Don't you ever read the newspaper?" When Erdle shook his head, Otto went on. "She's been charged with murdering her husband."

Erdle just stared.

"Yeah, man. They took her to jail. She's out now, but there's going to be a trial and everything." When Erdle didn't respond, Otto glanced up at the rearview mirror once more. "You're sweating like a pig. Hang in there, okay?"

"Take me to the p'lice department," Erdle said.

"Say what?"

"Take me," Erdle demanded. "I got t'clear up some biz-ness. I's impor'ant."

Ten minutes later Otto pulled up in front of the police station. Erdle opened the back door, stepped out, and tripped on the curb. He fell facedown on the sidewalk. Blood spurted from his nose.

"Dammit to hell!" Otto said, slamming out of the car. He pulled Erdle to his feet. "Hold on." Otto yanked the door open on the passenger side and grabbed a box of tissues. He yanked out several and handed them to Erdle. The blood soaked through the tissue in a matter of seconds. "Here, take the box," Otto said, frowning. "Man, I ain't never seen you look this bad."

Erdle swayed. "I'm 'kay," he said. He turned and slowly staggered toward the double doors.

Inside, the dispatcher gaped as Erdle stepped up to the counter. "Sir, are you okay?"

Erdle swayed again and grabbed the ledge to keep from falling. "I need to see Tevis."

The woman sniffed. "You have been drinking."

"I know who murdered that fellow."

On the other side of the counter, an officer looked up from a file cabinet. He joined the dispatcher. "What's your name, sir?"

"Erdle Thorney. T-h-o-r-n-e-y."

"And you're here to discuss a murder?"

Erdle nodded, the box of tissues tucked beneath one arm, a wad of tissue pressed to his nose. His bottom lip was beginning to swell.

"The victim's name?" the officer asked.

"Fortenberry. Y'all just dug him up the other day."

The dispatcher picked up her phone and punched a number. "Chief, you need to get out here. There's a guy says he has information on the Fortenberry case."

Tevis wasted no time. "Erdle?" he said. "What in tarnation happened to you? Do you need to go to the hospital?"

Erdle shook his head. "You arrested the wrong person. I'm the man you want."

Tevis frowned in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm the one who did it. I murdered Charles Fortenberry."

* * * * *

Theenie raced out the front door and down the steps the minute Wes pulled up on his bike. From the look on the woman's face, Annie could see that something was terribly wrong.

"Erdle's in jail!" Theenie said.

"In jail?" Annie groaned. "Please tell me he wasn't driving drunk! He knows better."

"No, nothing like that. You're not going to believe it. He confessed to murdering Charles."