Orchid Blues (Holly Barker 2)

"That's real interesting," Hurd said. "I'll rush it." He handed her a sheet of paper. "Here's the tally on what the robbers got."

She took the paper and looked at it. "Holy cow! They had over four million dollars in cash in that one bank?"

"A confluence of four payrolls, not the three we originally thought. They would normally have no more than half a million cash on hand."

She handed the paper back. "I don't suppose there's any indication of the employees' religious affiliation in their records?"

Hurd picked up a file and looked it over. "Nope. That would probably be against some privacy law."

"Hurd, when you interview these people-and I do want them all interviewed again-I want you to tell our people to find out, subtly, if possible, what church these folks go to. If any of them is anything smaller or stranger than Baptist, Methodist, Catholic or some other well-established denomination, I want to know about it."

"Okay, I'll pass the word along." Hurd put down the folder. "Holly, when is the service going to be?"

"Service?"

"The funeral."

"Oh, sorry. There won't be one; Jackson's own wish. He hated everything to do with funerals, and he didn't want to put his friends through that."

"I understand. I'll let our people know."

"Thanks, Hurd." She went back to her office. There was a note on her desk to call Fred Ames, Jackson's partner. His had been one of the messages on her machine. She called him back.

"Hello, Holly. First of all, I want to tell you how sorry I am."

"I know, Fred. It's a big loss to you, too."

"Yes, but still-"

"Don't worry about me; I'm all right."

"Good. Holly, I don't want to rush you on this, but you and I should get together and go over Jackson's estate."

"I guess you're right. Is it important that we do it

soon?"

"I think so. There are some unusual aspects, and the sooner we can go over them, the better."

"You don't want to do it on the phone?"

"I'd rather do it face-to-face."

"Late this afternoon be okay?"

"Five is good for me."

"Five it is; I'll see you at your office."

"Bye, Holly."

"Bye." Holly hung up and went back to Hurd's office. "Let me have the personnel files you're finished with, and I'll go over them again. That way, we're less likely to miss something."

Hurd handed her a stack. "I didn't notice anything unusual about any of these, but you're welcome to check them out."

"Are you checking out bank officers, too?"

"Yes, but they're in a separate bunch. You want them?"