Hour Game (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell 2)

“I’m so glad our money bought you such an invaluable education,” snapped Remmy.

“Did you confront her about it, Savannah?” asked King.

“No, it was none of my business.”

“But didn’t you tell anyone, like Eddie?”

“Again, it was none of my business. Dorothea and I aren’t close, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

After dinner Remmy excused herself, saying she had some letters to write, and Savannah was left to say formal good-byes. However, King had to use the bathroom and asked Harry and Michelle to hold up for a minute. As they waited for him to come back, Harry led Savannah over to a corner and started speaking to her in a confidential tone. When King returned, they said their good nights and left.

Harry said, “I didn’t mean to ignore you, Michelle, but I’m worried about Savannah and wanted to speak with her privately.”

“Did you notice she’s dressing like her mother now?” King said.

“That was one indication something was amiss,” said Harry diplomatically. “Remmy is a very intimidating woman, and I guess not even an independent soul like Savannah is immune from her force of will.”

“And Remmy writes lots of letters, keeps a journal and presumably gets a lot of letters from friends,” commented King.

Harry looked at him quizzically. “I suppose she does. As do I. Is that important?”

“While I was using the bathroom, I happened to pass by the study. Remmy was in there writing out some letters like she said she was going to.”

“So?” asked Michelle.

“The one thing that’s been bothering me is that we still don’t know what was taken from her and Bobby’s closets. What if it were letters, or a diary, something like that?”

Harry said, “That would make sense. Women like Remmy often desire a secure place for their confidential letters.”

“Letters that could be incriminating somehow,” said King. “Not necessarily in a criminal sense, but in a personal one. At least it’s something to keep in mind.”

They left the house. Michelle had driven over separately. She said good-bye to Harry and King and drove off. Harry climbed into his convertible and waved as he pulled out.

King was getting into his car when he saw the note on his front seat.

It was short and to the point. “I want to talk. I’ll meet you at your place at ten tonight.” It was signed “Sally.”

King looked around but saw no one. He checked his watch. It was nine o’clock. He debated whether to call Michelle and tell her to meet him at his houseboat. Then he thought better of it. That might scare Sally away. He drove off. In one hour part of this mystery might be cleared up, or at least be less muddled. Right now he’d take that.

CHAPTER

66

AN HOUR LATER KING

met Sally at the end of his driveway, led her past all the construction on his new home and down the steps to his houseboat.

The young woman was obviously very nervous. To put her at ease, King said, “It’s the right thing to do, Sally. It really is. And once you get it off your chest, you’ll feel better.”

They sat at his small kitchen table as the lake water slowly lapped at the boat’s hull. He’d fixed her a cup of hot tea and was now staring at the woman expectantly.

“Junior,” he finally said. “You came to tell me about Junior?”

Sally let out a huge breath and plunged in. “I was with him when the burglary happened.”

King was startled. “You helped him break in?”

“No! Not at the Battle house. At Junior’s house, the new one he’s building.”