"You didn't notice that?"

"It's worse than that, Chief. I added 'em up and got ninety-three. It was Bambi who pointed out, 'No, that's wrong. It's really a hundred and six.' "

"So why did she plant the gun in the Pricherts' mailbox? Those people had nothing to do with anything. What did she hope to accomplish by that?"

"You got me there, Chief. That sure is strange. If she's clammed up, I guess we'll never know."

"Yeah." Chief Harper c.o.c.ked his head. "As I recall, her theory was one oh six referred to the motel unit next to theirs. You and Sherry checked it out before you went to the mailbox."

"Some theories don't check out, Chief."

"They do if a theory's not just a theory but something you already know. She sent you to the motel to get the gun. She was shocked when you didn't find it. Right there in the motel room next to theirs, where it would look like Melvin's wife planted it."

"You make a strong case, Chief. Too bad she's not talking."

"You're talking."

"I'm talking about the crime. I'm not talking about my actions. You want to start talking about my actions, we'll get Becky Baldwin in here. That's going to take time, the media's waiting, you gotta make a statement."

"The problem is you think you can play fast and loose with the law."

"I don't, actually. I play fast and loose with people who violate the law. It's a big difference."

"You obstructed a police investigation. You tampered with evidence."

"Prove it. Charge me. Take me on. You wanna see a media circus, how about the Bakerhaven police and the district attorney gang up on the Puzzle Lady for helping them catch a killer and solving two crimes."

Harper scowled. "If that's the way you wanna play it."

"Hey, I don't wanna play it at all," Cora said. "This is your party. I just tagged along for the ride. It's a real feather in your cap, Chief. Solving two murders, catching a killer, and exonerating an innocent man."

"But..."

"But what?"

"How do I explain it to the media?"

"You don't have to explain, Chief. You're a winner. Take a few bows, run a victory lap." Cora smiled, patted him on the cheek. "You'll do fine."

CHAPTER.

57.

Melvin signed for his valuables and was released from jail. He came out the front door of the police station to find Cora Felton waiting for him.

"You here to gloat?"

"Gloat? They're not going to hang you, Melvin. Why should I gloat?"

"So why are you here?"

"Where's your wife?"

"She went home."

"She gonna take you back?"

"Wives always take you back. If they can win you away from younger girlfriends, there's such a feeling of empowerment."

"Giving away trade secrets, Melvin?"

"I never had any secrets from you." He smiled. "Not that I didn't try. You always saw through everything."

"You remember that fondly?"

"Okay, you were a major pain in the a.s.s. I had more trouble with you than with any other woman. You realize you're getting more alimony than any of my other wives ever got?"

"Wow, what a distinction."

"It's not that you had a better lawyer. You were smarter than your average mindless s.l.u.t."

"You are such a sweet talker, Melvin."

"I mean it. Being married to you was fun. You know why? Because you weren't a doormat on the one hand, or a shrew on the other. You were an equal sparring partner, giving as good as you got. If you'd been a little more tolerant, we'd have had a good thing."

"I didn't sign on for an open marriage, Melvin."

"I know you didn't. Did I flaunt women? Did I throw them in your face? But you made it your business to ferret them out. You hunted for reasons not to like me."

"Right, right. It wasn't your fault for running around, it was my fault for noticing."

"See, you're too good with words. I can't even argue with you."

"When you take an indefensible position, it's hard to win."

"This isn't about winning or losing. Jeez, Cora, we had a good thing."

"Yes, we did. Too bad it wasn't enough."

He winced. "Ah, gee."

"Of all my husbands, you're the one I hated most." Cora smiled ruefully. "Because you're the one who had the most potential. You're the one who hurt me most. You're the one I most hated to lose."

"You did care. I knew you did."

"Easy, Melvin."

Melvin studied the look in her eyes, tried to read her expression. "I always wondered why you never married anyone after me."

"I tried. It didn't work out."

"Some things were meant to happen. I don't suppose you'd consider giving it another go?"

"You're married, Melvin."

"I'm always married. It didn't stop you before."

"I'm older now."

"But you've still got it. That insane, loopy l.u.s.t for life that lets you kick over the conventions. How many laws did you have to break to get me out of jail?"

"That's neither here nor there."

"You did, didn't you? You manipulated everything, played fast and loose with the police. Would you have done that for just anyone?"

"Yes. I'm that kind of a girl."

"So, we're not meant to be."

"Sorry, Melvin."

"I've still got that motel room. How'd you like to come back with me for old times' sake."

"Yeah, sure. Next thing I know your shyster would be filing papers for reconciliation."

"I'll have him draw up a disclaimer. Any actions taken this afternoon are not to be construed as having any bearing on the alimony hearing or the matrimonial state."

Cora hesitated. Melvin did look awfully good. She had to remind herself what a b.a.s.t.a.r.d he was. How angry she'd be with herself every time she thought of it.

Even so.

The man had incredible charisma, unlike anyone she'd ever met. They'd been good times, however brief, before it all went to h.e.l.l. It was hard to turn him down.

Cora smiled slightly.

Wistfully.

"Sorry, Melvin."

CHAPTER.

58.

Aaron and Sherry were having champagne when Cora got home. Aaron met her at the door, handed her a gla.s.s.

"Aaron! I don't drink."

"It's ginger ale. Come on, we're making a toast."

Cora followed Aaron into the kitchen, where Sherry was sitting at the table, a gla.s.s in her hand.

"Kids, this is very nice, but I've solved cases before, and you never made a big deal."

"This one's special," Aaron said.

"Why?"

"You solved it in spite of the distracting presence of your least favorite ex-husband. Tell me, does being a murder suspect make him any more sympathetic in the annals of ex-husbandom, like maybe rise him from fourth place to third?"

"Once a creep, always a creep," Cora said. She tried to change the subject. "How come you're not at the paper pounding out the story?"

"Already filed it. I wanted to be home for you."

"It's no big deal."

"Yeah, it is," Aaron said. "Sherry?"

Sherry smiled. "We're having a baby."

Cora's mouth fell open. "You said you weren't having a baby!"

"No. We said when we're having a baby, we'll tell you we're having a baby. Well, guess what. We're having a baby. Cheers!"

Sherry lifted her gla.s.s.

"You shouldn't be drinking that," Cora said.

"It's ginger ale. You going to be that way with the baby, too? A possessive worrywart?" Sherry's eyes widened. "Oh, my G.o.d. I just realized. You're going to be a great-aunt."

"Great-aunt, h.e.l.l," Cora said. "I'm going to be the greatest aunt."

Also by Parnell Hall.