“Aren’t there tests for that sort of thing?”
“Yeah, and they’ll do them when they do the autopsy. I just need someone to eyeball this guy for a preliminary ID.”
“His sister?”
“We haven’t been able to reach her.”
“One of his ex-wives? His agent?”
“They’re all over the place. Aspen, New York, L.A., Sante Fe.”
“So who are you going to get?”
“Lula.”
“You’re kidding.”
“She saw him get murdered,” Morelli said. “I’m hoping she remembers his clothes and enough of his build to give me an ID. I’ve got two television trucks and a bunch of reporters sitting in the lot. If I don’t give them something, they’ll make something up, so I’m going to have to talk to them. Before I do that, my chief wants an ID.”
“Have you called Lula?”
“Yeah. She’s on her way over.”
There was activity at the top of the porch, and Morelli stood.
“Looks like they’re getting ready to move the body,” he said. “I’m keeping it on ice here for Lula. I thought it was easier than trying to get her to go to the morgue. I’d appreciate it if you could wait here for her and bring her in when she arrives.”
“Sure.”
Twenty minutes later, I saw my father’s cab drive into the lot. The cab parked, and Lula got out and waved to the knot of newsmen standing by one of the trucks.
“Yoohoo, I’m Lula,” she said to them. “I got called in to identify the body.”
I jumped up and sprinted to the lot, intercepting the horde that rushed at her.
“Lula will talk to you later,” I told them, herding Lula out of the lot. “She has to talk to the police first.”
“Do I look okay?” Lula asked me. “I didn’t have a lot of time to fix my hair. And I didn’t have my full wardrobe at my disposal.”
“You look fine,” I said. “The silver sequined top and matching skirt is just right for an evening decapitation identification.”
“You don’t think it’s too dressy?”
On everyone but Lula and Tina Turner, yes. On Lula and Tina Turner, no. It was perfect.
“I thought there might be television here,” Lula said. “You know how television always likes a little bling.”
“Does my father know you have his cab?”
“Everyone was asleep, and I didn’t want to bother no one, so I helped myself to the cab. I would have rather taken your mother’s car, but I couldn’t find the key.”
We went up the stairs and into the foyer. No problem for me now. I was real brave once the body was removed.
Morelli ambled over. “Thanks f
or coming out to do this,” he said to Lula.
“Anything to help the police,” Lula said. “Are the television cameras in here? Is that a tabloid photographer over there?”