"Did I say that?"

"Are you saying you weren't?"

"I don't recall saying anything."

"That's the problem. I told you, it's a murder investigation. We like it when people cooperate."

"I'm sure you do. It would be really awful if someone with valuable information failed to help. I'm sorry I don't have any. But I never met the man in question. I can't imagine who would want him dead."

"You can't help me?"

"You might want to ask my lawyer."

"You have the right to an attorney."

"I'm glad to hear it. But I don't need one. I'm just pointing out my attorney probably talked to the guy. You'd have to ask him yourself. I certainly don't want to speak for him."

A young blonde came out the door, managed to insinuate herself under Melvin's arm. She was wearing a blue tank top and white shorts. A pair of sungla.s.ses were perched on her head. She might have been on her way to the beach. "You under arrest, honey?"

"Not so far." Melvin c.o.c.ked his head at the chief. "You weren't hauling me in, were you? Despite that feeble excuse for a Miranda warning."

"And who might this be?"

"I'm Bambi. He was with me, and he didn't do it." She crinkled her nose. "What is it he didn't do?"

"Murder the banker who testified at his alimony hearing."

Bambi wasn't nearly as good a poker player as Melvin. The news jogged her out of her complacency. "What?"

"Roger Randolph was found shot to death in his home last night. I was hoping Mr. Crabtree could help us out. But he seems unusually noncommittal."

Bambi recovered her composure. She smiled at Melvin. "Honey, did you kill someone and not tell me?"

"I always tell you when I kill someone, sweetie. I swear, I haven't killed anyone in weeks."

"You guys are staying here for a while?"

"It's hard to say. There's this legal proceeding."

"It's not that hard to say." Harper looked from one to the other. "Don't leave town."

CHAPTER.

25.

Rick Reed was at his inquisitive best. The on-camera reporter c.o.c.ked his head and favored Chief Harper with a knowing glance. "Well, now, Chief, you say you have no suspects at the present time. But is it or is it not a fact that you've questioned people in this affair?"

"That goes without saying."

"Well, then, let's say it," Rick announced triumphantly, as if he had proved a point. "The police have questioned people in this matter."

"That's our job."

"And who have you questioned?"

"Everyone who knew the decedent. Everyone who had business with the decedent. Everyone who had come in contact with the decedent within the last forty-eight hours."

"And who might that be?"

"Actually, quite a number. The decedent worked in a bank. He was observed there by all his co-workers."

"Was he seen by anyone else?"

"He was seen by the killer."

"Then the killer is not a co-worker."

"That's your deduction, not mine."

"Are you saying the killer could have been a co-worker?"

"At this point, nothing is ruled out."

"I understand the decedent was in court."

"That's right."

"Is it true that he testified against Bakerhaven's own Puzzle Lady?"

"I wouldn't say he testified against her."

"He testified in the matter regarding her alimony?"

"That's right."

"Her ex-husband was seeking to have it stopped?"

"Yes."

"And he was called by her ex-husband?"

"By his lawyer, yes."

"Then he testified against her."

"You're free to draw that conclusion. I'm just telling you what happened."

"Did you question the Puzzle Lady about the murder?"

"I discussed it with her."

"What about her ex-husband? Have you questioned him?"

"As a matter of fact, I have."

"What did you question him about?"

"Whether he was in court when the decedent testified."

"Why wouldn't he be?"

"I have no idea. Apparently he wasn't at the plaintiff's table with his lawyer. I asked him if he was watching from the back of the courtroom."

"What did he say?"

"He didn't answer the question."

Rick Reed was astonished. "But you're a police officer."

"So they tell me," Harper said dryly.

"He refused to answer a direct question from a police officer in a murder investigation?"

"He wasn't picked up as a suspect, so he was under no obligation to."

"Well, what about his civic duty?"

"You'd have to ask him."

"What about the rest of your investigation?"

"Everyone is cooperating fully. We hope to have something soon."

Rick Reed turned to the camera. "Well. What an astounding turn of events. A key witness in a murder investigation refusing to answer questions for the police. A tactic usually reserved for the defendant. Yet, according to Police Chief Dale Harper, this man is not under arrest. This is Rick Reed, Channel Eight News."

Cora picked up the zapper, froze the image on the new TV set. "G.o.d, I love high-definition. Look how Rick Reed's face blends just the right amount of studied arrogance and naive credulity."

Aaron sawed off a piece of pork roast, sopped it in sauce. "You realize there's not a d.a.m.n thing in that interview I could get away with printing in the paper."

"That's Rick Reed for you," Sherry said. "A totally vapid interview, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

"Sound and fury?" Cora said skeptically.

"All right, sound bites and fury."

"I'm not happy with fury."

"Sound bites and flurry?"

"We're still not there."

"Kids, kids," Aaron said. "Sort out the linguistics later. What's this about Melvin?"

"I don't know," Cora said innocently.

"Right. Like you've got nothing to do with it."

"I may have given Chief Harper a hint."

"What's the idea?"

"Well, the guy's running around here with a blond nymphet. Why should he get off scot-free?"

"You think he killed the banker?"

"No, but I find it very suspicious the banker dies before I'm able to demonstrate my innocence."

"Innocence?" Sherry said. "Oh, for goodness' sakes."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Well, the banker said that you deposited a check. You did deposit a check. Left to you by your dear, departed husband, whom you never met. You mind telling me how you establish your innocence for that?"

Cora looked at Aaron. "She's very cranky today. You noticed these violent mood swings lately?"

"I'm going to kill you," Sherry said.

"Like that, for instance."

"She's trying to change the subject, Aaron. Ask her whether or not she had a hand in framing her ex-husband for murder."

Cora waved her hand. "Oh, pooh. No one had a hand in framing anyone for anything. It's the beginning of a murder investigation. Nothing is known, so you gotta stir things up."

"Nothing is known?" Aaron said.

"That's right."

"I thought a puzzle was found at the scene of the crime."

"A KenKen. That's right. And I solved it, and it means absolutely nothing. Take a look."

Cora pulled the copy out of her drawstring purse, pa.s.sed it over.