Murder of a Creped Suzette

“Darleen.” Wally’s voice had a steel edge.

“You win,” Darleen bleated, laying her head down on the floor. “You always win.”

After Darleen and her boyfriend were picked up by Sergeant Quirk and taken to the Scumble River jail, Skye rescued Toby, who was indeed waiting on the back step. Then she and Wally took their food to the sunroom and ate their long-delayed supper. Toby was sitting at Skye’s feet and Bingo at Wally’s. Both animals were on red alert, watching for any scraps that might fall.

“How did you know I was in trouble?” Skye asked. “Was it the strange car in my driveway?”

“There’s no vehicle out there.” Wally shook his head. “They must have hiked in. My officers found a stolen SUV parked a few feet down the road.” He smiled at her. “It was the open door that tipped me off. You’re a creature of habit and you always keep it shut.”

“Oh.” Skye pursed her lips. She was happy Wally had rescued her, but she hated being so predictable. Tomorrow she would definitely come up with a plan to be spontaneous. “Is it really a felony to assault a police employee?”

“A police officer, yes, but your position is unique, so I’m not sure.” Wally shrugged. “Anyway, I have no problem lying to the bad guys if it means putting them behind bars or saving you from harm.”

“Thank you.” Skye smiled. “I’d do the same for you, even though I’m not a great liar.”

“I know. You’re better at avoiding the truth.” Wally took the last bite of his sandwich, swallowed, then asked, “Does drug rehab really work?”

“Sometimes.”

“What do you think Darleen’s chances are?” Furrows appeared in Wally’s forehead.

“Not great.” Skye slumped back in her seat. “But it’s probably her only hope.”

“Yeah. I guess I owe her that much.” Wally put his arm around Skye. “Even if she was the one to leave me for another man, in reality I was never a good husband because I couldn’t fully love her. My heart always belonged to you and I think she sensed that.”

“You really are a special kind of guy—to not only admit you might have been at fault, but to recognize it in the first place. That’s why I love you so much.” Although Skye felt a warm glow at Wally’s words, she felt more sympathy for Darleen than she ever had before. Knowing you were second best had to be a horrible way to live your married life. “But why me?”

“Darlin’”—Wally tilted her chin up—“that’s hard to put into words.”

“I know you’re the silent cowboy type,” Skye teased him, “but try.”

“Okay.” Wally grinned. “You remind me of a good wine. Full bodied with just the right amount of nuttiness.”

“Very funny.” Skye whacked his biceps, then sobered. “You know, until tonight, it never dawned on me that as the fiancée or wife of a potentially wealthy man, I could be a target.” Shuddering, she nestled closer. “If I’m ever kidnapped, I don’t want you to pay the ransom.”

“I appreciate that.” Wally stroked her hair. “And even though the odds aren’t in favor of a kidnap victim, I would still have to try. You are my whole world and I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do everything in my power to save you.”

“Aww. You are the sweetest man.”

Some moments later, Skye was almost asleep when she remembered what she had found out. “I have some info about Suzette’s father. He was having an affair.” Skye explained what she’d learned from Jenny Vanda, finishing with, “So, do you think the mystery woman killed Paulette?”

“Anything is possible.”

Skye nodded. “I just remembered. Hank Vanda mentioned a drug house in his neighborhood.”

“I’ll put Quirk on that in the morning.” Wally grabbed the bottle of Sam Adams from the coffee table. “Too bad Mrs. Vanda didn’t know the name of Neal’s lover.” He took a slug of beer, then mused, “I wonder how many sophisticated-looking blondes driving Cadillacs were around here back in 1978.”

“At least one.”

CHAPTER 22

“When I Call Your Name”

The next day, Wally left right after breakfast. He usually had the weekends off, but this Saturday morning Darleen and her boyfriend were being transported from the Scumble River jail to the county facility, which meant Wally had to meet with the Stanley County state’s attorney to discuss the two desperadoes’ crimes.

Once Wally was gone, Skye started in on the housecleaning. While she worked, she pondered the identity of Quentin Neal’s lover. Where would he have met her? Most places he’d go, he’d be accompanied by his wife and children, and the woman Jenny Vanda had described didn’t sound like someone who would hang out at the local gin joints.

So where else would Quentin and his girlfriend have had the opportunity to meet and form an intimate relationship?

Skye was putting away the vacuum cleaner when it struck her. The most obvious places were school and the church choir. Could his lover be Noreen Iverson? No. The music teacher was neither blond nor sophisticated.

Furthermore, Skye seriously doubted an affair conducted at the high school could have been hidden from Pru Cormorant. That woman was better at sniffing out scandal than Bingo was at inhaling cat treats.