David Baldacci - Hour Game

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 innocent? Or am I thinking of another Sean King?"

"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 manners during a murder investigation. I trust I have my priorities right," he replied firmly.

"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 connection I see between them is the burglary."

"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."

They reached King's car.

"I'm going to walk over to Eddie's studio," said Michelle.

"I'm going to find Sally and see if she'll be a little more cooperative than her employer. I'll join you at Eddie's after I'm done."

"What do you think Sally will tell you?"

"I'm tired of getting stonewalled on this case," he said, biting out the words. "So she better have a damn good explanation of why she was praying in front of Junior's grave."

"Sean King, did you know you're very sexy when you get mad?"

"So they tell me," King said as he marched off to corral the young horsewoman.

KING SAW A HORSE AND RIDER coming toward him. However, it was Savannah, not Sally, astride a large gelding with two white-mottled forelegs.

She pulled up next to him and dismounted. She wore jeans, riding boots and a corduroy jacket.

"Beautiful day for a ride," he said.

"I can saddle you a mount."

"I haven't ridden in a while."

"Come on, it's like riding a bike."

He motioned to his jacket and dress slacks. "I'm not really dressed for it. How about a rain check?"

"Okay, sure," she said, obviously doubtful he'd ever cash in.

"I'm not just saying that, Savannah. I mean it."

"Okay. Are you here to see my mother?"

"Already did. Unfortunately, it was a short interview."

Savannah couldn't suppress a smile. "And you're surprised?"

"No, I guess I'm an optimist." He looked around. "Have you seen Sally?"

"She's in the stables over there," Savannah said, pointing over King's left shoulder. "Why?"

"Just wondering."

She looked at him suspiciously but then shrugged. "Thanks for spending some time with me after the funeral."

"It was my pleasure. I know how tough things have been for you."

"I think they're going to get tougher. That FBI agent was here again."

"Chip Bailey? What did he want?"

"He wanted to know where I was when Daddy was killed."

"That's a pretty standard question. And what did you tell him?"

"That I was at home in my room. No one saw me, at least that I know of. I guess I fell asleep, because I didn't hear my mother come in. I didn't even find out Daddy had died until the following morning."

"I'm surprised she didn't come and get you when she got the call."

"My bedroom's on the second floor, all the way at the other end of the house from hers. And I've, well, I've been going out nights and not getting back until late. She might have thought I was out and didn't bother to check."