David Baldacci - Hour Game

"I'll have to refund the men their money. That's a lot of cash."

"No, you won't. They knowingly participated in an illegal scheme. Tell them they had a close call today and that's it. Tell them if you pay the money back, it can be traced to them if there's a later investigation. I'm certain they'll pass on the money to avoid the risk." He stared at her pointedly. "This is your only way out, Lulu."

She finally nodded in understanding. "I'll call them all today."

"And talk to your partners in Florida. Make it clear to them that the long arm of Virginia law reaches that far south. If they don't want to lose the boats and the babes, they better get off your back and stick to pole dancing and beer, which I'm sure pays a pretty penny."

King rose and motioned for Michelle to join him in leaving. "And with Remmy helping to take care of the kids financially and finishing up your house, you might want to spend less time here and more time at home. It's just a suggestion."

As they were heading out, Lulu called to them. "Look, I owe you a big debt. All I can say is thank you."

King turned back. "I figured you were about due a break. Good luck." He and Michelle started to leave again but paused when Lulu called to them again.

"I do know what kind of car the woman drives. I saw it one time."

"We know too. An older-model Mercedes convertible."

"It was more than that. It was a true classic, a 1959 300 SL Roadster."

"How do you know that?" asked Michelle.

"One of my partners is a car buff. He's got a fleet of fancy ones he keeps down in Naples. He taught me a lot. The one the lady drives is a beauty. It's worth a small fortune."

King muttered something under his breath. "Lulu, consider your debt paid in full. Come on, Michelle." He grabbed her arm and pushed her out the door.

"What's the rush?" asked Michelle.

"I think I know where to find that car."

KING PARKED HIS LEXUS on a side road and got out.

"We'll have to walk from here. I don't want anyone to see us if we can help it."

"Where are we going?"

"Be patient. You'll see soon enough."

They climbed over a rear gate and made their way down a gravel road. Through a break in a long row of one of the twelve-foot hedges planted on either side, Michelle caught a glimpse of the house in the distance and commented, "We're at the Battles'." As King moved away from the direction of the house, she said, "Sean, the house is that way."

"That's not where I'm heading."

"Where, then?"

King pointed up ahead. "To the car barn."

They reached the large structure without being seen. King was able to jimmy open a side door, and they went inside. He made his way along each of the cars on the first floor, looking under their protective cloth covers. Finished with the first floor, they headed up the stairs to the second.

There were a number of covered cars up there, and King started checking each. Arriving at the third vehicle, he lifted off the cover completely and let it drop to the floor. He looked at the vehicle's model name.

"A 300 SL." He knelt down and inspected the tires, running his hand along the tread. He held up one finger for Michelle to see.

"Mud," she said. "But how could someone take this car and no one know about it?"

"Easy. This building isn't used anymore, Sally told us. And it's not visible from the house. And that gravel road we came up leads right to the side road. If she's only driving late at night, chances are good no one would see her."

" Her. So I guess it's pretty clear who our sexy stripper/ drug user is."

King straightened up. "Yes, it is. And I guess we better go and talk to her."

"This isn't going to be pretty."

"Trust me: not knowing the truth is even uglier."

They headed in the direction of the mansion. Before they got there, however, King veered off, passed by the stables and went through the gate connecting the carriage house and the Battle mansion properties.

"Sean, where are you going? Savannah 'll be at Casa Battle."

King ignored her and kept marching along. She hurried after him. He saw the car parked out front, raced up the steps and pounded on the carriage house's front door. They soon heard footsteps coming and the door opened.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"Can we come in, Dorothea?" asked King. He placed one foot inside the doorway in case he didn't get the answer he wanted.

"Why?" she demanded.

"Kyle Montgomery's dead."

One of Dorothea's hands flew to her chest, and she stepped back as though staggered by a physical blow. "I… I don't know who that is."

"We know everything, Dorothea. We traced the car."

"What car?"

"The 300 SL in the car barn you used to drive to the Aphrodisiac."

She stared defiantly at them. "You're wrong."

"We're wasting time," King said impatiently. "You were seen leaving the club, Dorothea. We have a witness who recently saw you get in the car and drive off around five in the morning."

Dorothea's defiant look started to fade.

"This same person heard you and Kyle arguing. You pulled a gun on him. You threatened him-"

"I didn't threaten that little…" Dorothea stopped and looked like she might faint.

King said quietly, "I thought you'd want to talk to us first, before the police. But if not, we can go ahead and call them now."

"Oh, my God," she said. Within seconds her hardened exterior simply crumbled and tears slid down her cheeks. King pushed open the door and they went in.

"I DIDN'T KILL HIM, Sean. I didn't."

"But you were buying drugs from him?"

They were sitting in the living room. King and Michelle were in wing chairs. Dorothea was on the small sofa across from them, clutching the arm of the furniture as though if she let go, she'd topple to the floor.

"I've been under tremendous pressure lately," she began slowly. "I've had some… financial reverses."

"Spending a thousand dollars a night on drugs isn't exactly the way to stop financial problems."

She looked at him, stunned. "Did you talk to that little shrimp!"

"Careful, one shouldn't speak ill of the dead. Tell me about that night."

"How much do you know?"

"Enough that if you start lying, I'll know, and that won't make me happy."

"I don't know what came over me, I really don't. I could tell Kyle wanted to sleep with me. Not that it wasn't obvious. Men are so transparent."

"But you didn't want to sleep with him?"

"Of course not. But I'd had a lot to drink. And I'd made up my mind that that night was the last time. Like you said, drugs weren't going to solve my problems. And it wasn't just the money problems. It was the family… Marrying into the Battle clan carries with it a lot of pressure and stress."

"I can see having Remmy as a mother-in-law wouldn't exactly be a walk in the park," commented Michelle dryly.

"It was a complete and total nightmare. Everything I did, wore, ate, drank or said was scrutinized. And they weren't tactful about criticism. Bobby was far worse than Remmy. He was such a tyrant. And his mood swings were terrifying. Smiling and happy one minute, screaming and bullying the next. Anyone could be a target, even Remmy. I've started seeing a therapist, trying to tackle my issues in a more constructive way."

"That's good," said King. "But you were telling us about Kyle."

"Yes. Well, when Kyle came with the drugs, I was a little looped and decided to screw with him. So I, well, I…" She stopped, her face flushing. "It was idiotic. I know that."

"We know about the striptease. You don't have to elaborate. But you pulled a gun on him."

"He was about to attack me! I had to protect myself."

"And you demanded the money back."