Classified As Murder

“Let me tell you the rest of it,” I said. I finished the story with my call to Kanesha and her reaction when I gave her the number from the caller ID.

“That’s freakin’ nuts,” Sean said. “I mean it; you need to stay the heck away from those loons.” He rubbed his head hard with his right hand. I think if his hair hadn’t been cut so short, he would have been pulling at it now.

“I’ll admit that was my first reaction too, but the more I thought about it, I decided I had to finish the job Mr. Delacorte hired me to do.”

I could see that didn’t go over well. If anything, Sean’s face got darker. “You’re not going to listen to me, are you? I know how stubborn you are when you make up your mind to do something.”

I regarded him with a smile. “Yes, like another member of the family, whose name begins with S. Any idea who that might be?”

Sean’s eyes narrowed. Stubbornness was one trait he definitely inherited from me.

He grunted. I hadn’t heard that sound from him since he was about sixteen. At that age, he would grunt in deep exasperation at my general cluelessness and then go stomping off to his room.

To his credit, he would usually emerge within a half hour and offer a sheepish apology.

He didn’t get up from the table and disappear. Instead he sat and glared at me.

“No, I’m not going to change my mind,” I said. “For one thing, I imagine there are going to be police and sheriff’s deputies in the house while the investigation is in progress. And for another, I am hoping you still plan to come. I really could use your help.”

“I guess I’m going to have to,” Sean said in a grudging tone.

“Thanks.” I resumed eating.

Sean scowled at me, but he didn’t argue any further with me.

When I finished breakfast, I put my plate and silverware in the dishwasher. “I’m going up to shower and get dressed,” I said. “We need to be there a few minutes before ten, so be ready to go by nine-thirty.”

“I’ll be ready.” Sean popped the last bit of toast into his mouth.

Diesel followed me upstairs and napped on the bed while I showered.

True to his word, Sean was dressed when I came downstairs around nine-thirty. He wore a suit, sans the tie, and he looked smart and professional—and very handsome. I felt a surge of pride as I regarded him.

Dante sat at Sean’s feet, leash attached to his collar. “Okay,” I said. “Let me get Diesel into his harness, and we’ll go.”

Fifteen minutes later I parked in the driveway behind an older model Cadillac that had to belong to Q. C. Pendergrast. It seeming a fitting car for such an outsize personality.

By the time Sean and I reached the front door with our four-legged friends, Truesdale was there to greet us.

After we stepped inside and Truesdale shut the door, I introduced Sean. “And this is Dante.”

Truesdale shot a sour glance at the two animals, but he didn’t comment.

“Mr. Pendergrast and Miss Pendergrast are waiting for you in the small parlor.” Truesdale gestured toward the room where Sean and I were yesterday. We followed the butler, and he opened the door to announce us. He stood aside as we entered and then shut the door behind us.

Q. C. Pendergrast stood before the fireplace, and he turned toward us as we approached. Alexandra sat to one side in an armchair upholstered in leather the color of dark blood.

Pendergrast nodded. “Good morning, Mr. Harris, and the younger Mr. Harris as well. I see you’ve brought your assistants.” He chuckled.

Alexandra maintained a bland expression, but I caught a flash of something—irritation, interest?—when Sean stepped past me with Dante.

“Was it necessary to bring the dog as well as the cat?” Alexandra stood. “This house is full of expensive rugs and carpeting, and I hardly think the family—”

Sean interrupted her. “Will want a dog peeing on the floor. Yes, I’m sure you’re right, but Dante won’t be peeing on anything here, except the grass outside. He’s well trained, and I plan to make sure he goes outside whenever he needs to. Is that satisfactory, Miss Pendergrast?”

I winced a little at the sharpness of Sean’s tone, while Q. C. Pendergrast pursed his lips. Alexandra, however, flushed bright red. “That is satisfactory, Mr. Harris. See that you keep an eye on it.”

“Him, Miss Pendergrast. Dante is a male.” Sean glowered at her.

“Time to settle down to business.” The elder Pendergrast’s tone was pleasant, but it was clear he would brook no further argument. Alexandra sat down, and Sean stood beside me, arms folded across his chest. “Why don’t y’all have a seat? We need to talk briefly before I present James’s will to the family.”

Sean and I took a sofa that stood perpendicular to the fireplace and that faced Alexandra. Diesel sat by my feet. He was busy looking around, and I knew he would like the chance to explore this room. Dante hopped up into Sean’s lap, turned around a couple of times, then curled up and quivered. Sean stroked him lightly.