lighted on Gene Jarman.
Gene tugged at one earlobe. “The authorities must be notified.” He gazed at Judith and Renie. “Or has that already
been done?”
“We tried,” Renie said. “There seems to be some confusion
over jurisdiction.”
“Really?” Gene gave a slight nod. “That’s possible. This
is something of a borderline location.”
“Which district?” asked Ward Haugland. “Do we have
supporters in the legislature from around here?”
“Screw the legislature,” Max Agasias snarled. “It’s the rate
commission we care about. What the hell have our lobbyists
been doing lately anyway? They’re down there in the capital
drinking high-priced booze out of some low-down hooker’s
spike-heeled shoes.”
“Cut the sexist remarks,” Margo demanded in a shrill voice.
“At least one of our lobbyists is a woman.”
“So?” Max sneered at Margo. “If you ask me, she’d like to
get in the sack with some cute little…”
“Now, now,” reprimanded Killegrew, “let’s keep our plane
in its landing pattern. We’ll skip all these local folks. I mean,
persons. I’m calling the chief of police back in the city.”
“Good idea,” said Ward.
“You’re damned right,” agreed Max.
“Could somebody describe Barry Newcombe?” asked
Russell.
“Call the chief,” Killegrew ordered Nadia. “Explain
everything. He’ll know what we ought to do.”
Judith knew what she had to do. It was after six, and she
had to set up the buffet. Though no one heard her, she excused herself and headed for the kitchen. Renie followed.
“It serves the chief right,” Judith said, getting a big ham
out of the refrigerator. “He ought to have to put up with
these self-centered morons. Joe says that under all that public
bonhomie the chief is a stuffed shirt.”
“I’ll carve the turkey breast,” Renie volunteered. “I
gather you’ve had enough of the OTIOSE crowd.”
“You bet. I don’t see how you can work with people—or
should I say persons?—like them.”
“You get used to it. They’re all alike.” Renie selected a knife
from the wooden cutlery holder. “The problem is that they
get into these executive slots and they become distanced from
reality. They’re pampered, protected—and isolated. The same
thing happens in government. They’re all out of touch.”
“So’s the chief, according to Joe.” Judith piled ham onto
a platter. “I suspect this crew is going to get a dose of reality
when they start investigating Barry Newcombe’s murder.”
“It’ll serve them right, too,” said Renie, aggressively slicing
the turkey. She suddenly paused. “As long as it doesn’t screw
