call a “right good-sized woman.” She was easily five-
ten, solidly built, with a broad and weathered face and a
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HARD ROW
handshake as strong as most men’s. She wore a maroon
tailored suit that looked expensive but did little to flat-
ter or hide the extra pounds on her frame. Her wavy
hair was cut short and was jet black, except where the
roots were showing a lot of salt and not much pepper.
Her large hazel eyes were her best feature.
Shrewd eyes, too, thought Dwight as he watched her
glance around his office, taking in his awards and com-
mendations, appraising his deputy. Eyes that didn’t miss
a trick.
Her daughter appeared to be in her late twenties. She
was equally tall and big-boned, but so thin as to almost
appear gaunt. Unlike her mother, her eyes were an in-
determinate color, set deep in their sockets, and her
cheekbones stood out in relief. Her dark hair was pulled
straight back from her face in a single braid that fell half-
way down her back. No jewelry except for a loose gold
band on her left hand. Her black pantsuit looked like
something that had been bought at a thrift store. Not
exactly the picture of a New York heiress now worth at
least three million, he thought. More like a nun who
had taken a vow of poverty. He remembered what Mrs.
Samuelson had said about her concern for the less
fortunate since her husband’s death.
“Thank you for coming,” Dwight said after they were
all seated and had declined coffee or tea. He offered
condolences to both women and set a mini-recorder on
the desk.
“This is strictly informal,” he told them, “and any
time you want me to turn it off, just ask.”
“Now,” said Mrs. Harris.
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MARGARET MARON
The daughter started to say something, then shrugged
and leaned back in her chair.
“As you wish,” Dwight said. He switched it off and
pulled out a legal pad instead. After noting the day’s
date, he addressed the younger woman.
“I don’t want to upset you, Mrs. Hochmann, but do
you know what was done to your father?”
“That he was dismembered and his parts dumped
from one end of Ward Dairy Road to the other?” Her
eyes filled, but her voice was steady. “Yes. Mr. Taylor
says that everything’s been found now?”
“All except one arm, I’m afraid.”
