Part 8 (2/2)
”Dead men don't collude.”
”I think a judge will want more than that.”
”More than what?”
”Your bland a.s.surance that everything is hunky-dory.”
”Fine. We'll take it up then.”
”You wouldn't care to explain, just talking casually?”
”I'm not sure how casually we can talk, what with you worrying about conversations being recorded.”
”Speaking casually or not, is your client in town?”
”I have no idea.”
”My client thinks she saw him.”
”Then you know more than I do.”
”That's a strange position for a lawyer involved in a lawsuit. I would think you'd keep track of your client.”
”Not so much a problem, in the age of cell phones. I can call him if I need him.”
”Convenient.”
”Isn't it? What do you care where my client is, anyway?”
”I can't wait to get him on the stand.”
Fleckstein smiled. ”Be my guest.”
CHAPTER.
13.
”Pine Ridge Motel? I'd like to leave a message for Melvin Crabtree.”
”Who?”
”Melvin Crabtree. He's staying there. I'd like to leave a message.”
”There's no Melvin Crabtree registered here.”
”Oh. Thank you.”
Cora hung up, checked the Yellow Pages, dialed again.
”h.e.l.lo? Four Seasons Motel? I'd like to leave a message for Melvin Crabtree.”
Cora listened, slammed down the phone.
d.a.m.n. Only one more motel. If he wasn't there, she'd have to try the bed-and-breakfasts. And there were a zillion of them.
”h.e.l.lo? Oakwood Motel? I'd like to leave a message for Melvin Crabtree.”
The motel manager sounded cranky and put-upon. ”Why don't you ring his room?”
Bingo!
”I would, but I forgot which room he's in.”
”One oh five,” the manager said, and hung up.
Cora didn't ring Melvin's room. She drove out there.
There was no car in front of 105. She knocked on the door anyway, but there was no answer.
d.a.m.n. If he was out driving around, there was no way to find him.
Cora frowned. What was she saying? What was the matter with her? Just because it was Melvin, she wasn't thinking straight. Put him out of your mind. It isn't the ex-husband from h.e.l.l. It's just someone you want to find.
Cora picked up the phone, called the police station.
Dan Finley was manning the desk. ”Bakerhaven police. Officer Finley speaking.”
”Hey, Dan, it's Cora. What you up to?”
”You kidding me?”
”Just curious.”
”Well, let's see. I've done my daily crossword puzzle, downloaded the latest police briefings, and now I'm reading a book.”
”How's your pull with the New York car rental companies?”
”Why?”
”I want you to trace a rental for me.”
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