Miranda James - Classified as Murder

“Give him a rub on the head.” I leaned forward and suited deed to words. “Like that. He won’t bite you.”

Alexandra hesitated but then did as I suggested. Her hand trembled as she stroked Diesel, but then she grew more confident and scratched him behind the ears. He rewarded her with a contented rumble.

“I guess that means he likes it.” Alexandra withdrew her hand and straightened her back. “He sounds like a car engine when he does that.”

Sean laughed. “That’s how he got his name—Diesel.”

Alexandra ignored him. “I had better press on with business. My father asked me to stop by and see how the inventory is going.”

Sean spoke before I could respond. “He sent you to check up on us. Well, you can tell him the work is going well and that we could even be finished by the end of the day.”

“Is that true?” Alexandra appeared determined not to acknowledge Sean directly. She looked straight at me when she spoke.

“We’re certainly going to try,” I said. “You might want to talk with Deputy Berry. Apparently, the FBI is sending an agent here to take over the investigation into the stolen items.” As I spoke those last words, I realized I might have put my foot in it. Were the Pendergrasts aware that Sean and I had discovered that the set of Faulkner novels had been replaced by inferior copies?

Alexandra nodded, and I felt relieved. “Deputy Berry has already communicated with our office. My father and I appreciate the work you’ve done so far. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve—”

Loud knocks interrupted her. She turned as Deputy Bates opened the door.

“Hello, officer. I’m looking for Charlie Harris.”

I winced as I recognized the strident tones of Anita Milhaus. What did the woman want with me?

Evidently, Anita tried to push her way past the deputy, because I could see the door wobble until Bates grasped it firmly and held it.

“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said. “Only certain people are allowed to enter this room.”

“Oh, good grief, how ridiculous.” Anita’s voice came through all too loud and clear. “This beats all I’ve ever seen. I only want to talk to the man for a moment.”

I waited to see what Bates would do before I injected myself into the conversation. The deputy said in a polite but firm tone, “If you’ll wait in the hall, ma’am, I’ll get Mr. Harris for you.” He closed the door, and I could hear muffled muttering coming from the other side of it.

Bates turned toward me. “You want to talk to this lady?”

I started to say “Not really” but realized I couldn’t do that, not without sounding as childish as Sean and Alexandra had not so long before. I stepped forward and opened the door. I stood in the opening and glanced around for Anita.

She sat on the chair by the door, a large canvas tote bag in her lap.

“What can I do for you, Anita?”

She scowled at me. “I don’t see why I can’t come in there. It’s not civilized to talk out in the hall like this. I can tell you, in my family we certainly don’t treat people this way.”

“I’m sure you don’t,” I said. “If you don’t want to talk in the hall, then, why don’t you go to the parlor and wait for me there. I won’t be three minutes, I promise.”

Anita didn’t appear too happy with my suggestion, but she nodded. “And make sure it’s no more than three minutes. I’ve got things to do.” As she turned in the direction of the parlor, the bag over one shoulder, the light in the hallway caught her wrist. The diamond bracelet sparkled briefly before Anita walked away.

I walked back to where Alexandra and Sean waited in silence, not looking at each other.

“Who was that, Dad?” Sean kept his gaze averted from Alexandra.

“Anita Milhaus. You remember me telling you about her.”

Sean grimaced. “Her. What does she want?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m about to find out.” I turned to Alexandra. “If you don’t have any more questions, I’ll just go and see what Anita wants.”

“I’m done,” Alexandra said with a warm smile. She didn’t look in Sean’s direction. “I’ll walk out with you.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes, Sean. It shouldn’t take long.”

Sean nodded and turned away. Diesel, however, decided to accompany me. That surprised me, because he didn’t care much for Anita. When he found her in the parlor waiting for me, he would wish he had stayed with Sean.

“Do you work with Anita?” Alexandra posed the question as we stepped into the hall.

“I volunteer at the public library and work with her there on occasion,” I said. “Do you know her well?”

“More than I’d like,” Alexandra said with a little laugh. “I have to put up with her niece at the office, and the two of them are always chatting on the phone. It’s rather annoying.”

I lowered my voice as we neared the parlor. “I’m surprised you put up with that kind of behavior in an employee. Is she a secretary?”

“No, she’s a paralegal. She works mostly with my dad, thank goodness, and she’s pretty good at her work, so he ignores her bad habits.”

By now we had reached the door of the parlor. “If you should need anything, Mr. Harris, please feel free to call me.” Alexandra extended a hand for me to shake.

“Thank you. I sure will, if the need arises.” Her clasp was warm and firm. Diesel warbled again for her, and she stroked his head a couple of times before she left.

I paused in front of the parlor door, steeling myself to deal with Anita. If I could come up with some gambit to worm information out of her, I would have even more to report to Kanesha. With that in mind, I opened the door and entered, Diesel at my heels.

Anita was wandering around the room, picking up small objects and putting them back down. She was so intent on what she was doing, I was able to observe her for a minute without her realizing I was in the room. When she did catch sight of me and my cat, she started and almost dropped the small figurine she had picked up. She set it down quickly and moved around a table and a couple of chairs to approach me.

“There you are,” she said with a frown. “I was just about to leave. I really can’t dillydally around here, Charlie. I’ve got to get to Memphis to catch a plane.”

“Sorry to hold you up,” I said, “but I had to finish talking with someone else who had come by to see me. I believe you know her: Alexandra Pendergrast.”

“Miss Lah-di-dah, of course I know her .” Anita’s mouth twisted in what I took to be disdain. “My niece works for her father, and the stories I could tell you. My niece tells me what goes on there, and if people only knew.” She broke off. “You’re making me forget what I wanted to talk to you about.”

From the corner of my eye I saw Diesel sniffing around the large canvas bag Anita had been carrying. It was on the floor by one of the sofas, and evidently something in it intrigued my cat. I didn’t think he’d do any harm by sticking his head in the bag, so I didn’t say anything.

“Oh, yes,” I said. “What can I do for you?”

“I need you to work for me at the library the next couple of days while I make a quick trip.” Anita offered me a coy smile. “If this wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t think of imposing on you, but I really do need a favor.”

Unlike the previous several times she had imposed on me, with exactly the same excuse. I suppressed a sigh.

“I’m not sure if I can,” I said. “I’m working on something here, and I don’t know whether I’ll be done in time to work for you tomorrow or Friday.”

“Oh, yes, I heard about what you’re doing. Inventorying that collection of musty old books.” Anita laughed. “So how’s it going? Found any surprises?”