Hour Game

"Don't you call me Mother. All the things Lulu and me done for you, and this is how you repay us? Getting yourself in trouble, maybe going to the electric chair!"

On this, Mary Margaret's sobs turned into earsplitting wails, and Lulu erupted into action.

"Excuse me," she said politely but firmly to King and Michelle.

She marched up the steps, grabbed a fistful of her mother's dress and pulled the larger woman into the trailer along with Mary Margaret. From behind the closed door they could hear muffled cries and angry voices, and then all became quiet. A few seconds after that, Lulu reemerged and closed the door behind her.

"Mama sometimes goes on when she's been drinking. Sorry about that," she said.

"She doesn't like me much," said Junior unnecessarily.

"Why don't we sit over here?" said Lulu, pointing to an old picnic table on the right side of the trailer.

Once settled there, King filled them both in on the visit to the Battles'.

Lulu said, "The problem is that." She pointed to the large shed behind the trailer. "I've told Junior a million times to put a door and lock on that thing."

"Old story," he said sheepishly. "Working on everybody else's house, ain't got time for my own."

"But the point," continued Lulu, "is that anybody can get in there."

"Not with old Luther back there," Junior said, nodding at the dog that had emerged once more from the shed and was barking happily at the sight of his owners.

"Luther!" said Lulu incredulously. "Sure he'll bark, but he won't bite, and he'll roll over like a baby when somebody brings him food." She turned to King and Michelle. "He has buddies coming over all the time to borrow tools. When we're not here, they leave little notes and let us know when they're gonna be bringing the things back, and sometimes they never do. And Luther sure as hell never stopped one of 'em."

"They'll leave a six-pack as a thank-you," offered Junior quickly. "They're good old boys."

"They're old boys all right, just don't know how good they are," said Lulu hotly. "One of them might've set you up."

"Now, baby, ain't none of them gonna do that to me."

King cut in. "But all we have to show is reasonable doubt. If the jury thinks there's an alternative out there, well, that's good for you."

"That's right, Junior," said his wife.

"But they're my friends. I ain't gonna get them in trouble. I know they ain't done nothing to hurt me. Hell, there ain't no way they coulda broke into the Battles' place. And let me tell you, they ain't gonna go up against Ms. Battle, that's for damn sure. I ain't got no college degree, but I'm smart enough not to take the woman's damn wedding ring. Shit, like I need that grief?"

"You don't have to do anything against your friends," said King emphatically. "Just give us names and addresses, and we'll check them out very discreetly. They probably all have ironclad alibis, and we can move on. But look, Junior, friends or not, unless we find other possible suspects, the evidence against you is pretty persuasive."

"Listen to him, Junior," said his wife. "You want to go back to jail?"

"Course not, baby."

"Well, then?" She looked at him expectantly.

Junior very reluctantly gave the names and addresses.

"Now, Junior," said King delicately, "I need you to be straight with me here. We're working for your attorney, so everything you say is confidential, it goes no further." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "Did you have anything to do with that break-in? Not that you did it yourself, but might you have done something to help somebody else do it, maybe even unknowingly?"

Junior stood, his hands balled into big fists. "Okay, asshole, how 'bout I mess up that face of yours!" he roared.

Michelle half rose, her hand sliding to her holstered gun, but King motioned for her to stop. He said calmly, "Junior, my partner here was an Olympic athlete, holds multiple black belts and could kick both our butts with her feet alone. On top of that she's holstering a nine-millimeter cocked and locked and could put a round between your eyes at fifty feet much less five. Now, it's been a long day and I'm tired. So sit down and start using your brain before you get yourself hurt!"

Junior glanced in surprise at Michelle, who stared back at him without a trace of concern or fear on her features. He sat, but his gaze kept skipping to her as King continued. "We don't want to be surprised down the road. So if there's anything you haven't told us or Harry, you need to correct that right now."

After a long moment Junior shook his head. "I've been straight with you. I didn't do it and I got no idea who did. And right now I'm gonna go see my kids." He rose and stomped into the trailer.

CHAPTER 21

WHEN KING AND MICHELLE walked back to their car, Lulu went with them.