Hour Game (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 2)

As the large gates to the Battles’ estate clanged shut behind them, King said, “The one I’m worried about is Savannah.”

“Savannah? Ms. Party Girl? What makes you say that?”

“Were you Daddy’s little girl?”

“Well, yeah, I guess I still am.”

“Well, once Daddy’s little girl, always Daddy’s little girl. And Savannah’s daddy’s gone.”

CHAPTER

36

THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS

parked in the motor court when they pulled up. Mason answered the door. Both King and Michelle detected it at the same time. As they followed the man in, she turned to King and whispered, “Does Mason look happier?”

“No,” King whispered back. “More like he’s gloating.”

Remmy received them in the large library. They sat on big leather couches and watched as the lady of the house assembled herself in front of them, a queen before her court. She didn’t look like a woman who had just lost her husband to murder, thought King. Yet Remmy rarely did things the way others would.

“A sad day for you, Remmy, I know,” began Chip Bailey in a suitably sympathetic tone.

“I’m getting used to them,” answered Remmy.

“We won’t take too much of your time. I think you know Sean and Michelle.”

“Yes, their last visit here was quite memorable.”

King caught the edge to the woman’s voice. What exactly was memorable about it?

Bailey cleared his throat. “You understand that Bobby’s death was not from natural causes?”

“You’re sure about that? It wasn’t some medication foul-up?”

King briefly wondered if she’d asked because she was contemplating a lawsuit against the hospital but quickly decided she was after something else. If he could just figure out what.

“No, it was a deliberate overdose. The interaction would have been pretty quick. In fact, whoever did it probably entered your husband’s room shortly after you left.”

“Very shortly,” added King. “Remmy, did you see anyone on your way out?”

“I left by the rear door as always. I saw some people when I got to the parking lot, but that’s all. No one suspicious-looking or anything, if that’s what you mean.”

“How about anyone you recognized?” asked Michelle.

“No.”

“And you arrived back here around what time?” asked Bailey.

Remmy looked at him pointedly. “Chip, should I take that question as meaning I’m under suspicion in my husband’s death?”

There was an awkward silence until King broke it. “Remmy, this is an investigation. Agent Bailey here is only doing his job.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to handle this,” said Bailey firmly.

Okay, thought King, I tried to be your friend. You’re on your own now, buckaroo.

“Remmy, I have to establish where everyone was when Bobby was killed. Just answer my question and we can move on.”