“There is one small matter, a too-diffident emissary at Ulaa Lodge in Patagonia. From one extreme to another.” He sounded exasperated.
I chose not to respond to the latter comment. “Please, don’t let us delay you. Quickly, now, Kay, so that Wiggins may depart in good conscience, repeat after me: I, Kay Clark—”
She shot me a look of unadulterated fury.
My left hand wasn’t visible to Wiggins. I poked Kay’s arm and jerked a thumb toward the backseat.
Kay took a deep breath. “I, Kay Clark—”
“—do hereby solemnly promise on my word of honor—”
“—do hereby solemnly promise on my word of honor—”
“—to cooperate fully with Department of Good Intentions Emissary Raeburn.”
“—to cooperate”—she sounded morose—“with Department of Good Intentions Emissary Raeburn.”
I firmly believe formality encourages decorum. Ask any former high school English teacher. Ah,
I gave Kay a magnanimous smile, then looked over the seat. “Thanks to you, Wiggins, our ship is now on course. Have a great trip to Ulaa Lodge.”
“You are very kind. Bailey Ruth, I know you do your best.” If he took comfort in that conclusion, it wasn’t evident from voice. “But, please, try harder.”
“You can count on me.”
Possibly I heard a sigh that faded away on the wind.
As the convertible started up the hill to The Castle, Kay still clutched the wheel in a tight grip.
Halfway up, I reassured her. “He’s gone.”
Her sideways glance was cold. “Is blackmail included in your Precepts?”
“Now, now.”
“What exactly do you want me to do?”
“The psychological profiles—”
“Spare me.” Her words were clipped. “If you want to send me off to twiddle my thumbs, say so.”
“That is an unworthy accusation.” I didn’t dispute its accuracy. “Actually, you can accomplish a great deal by finding out what makes these people tick. Paul Fisher can tell you everything about them.”
“Paul Fisher?” She spoke his name with a mixture of hesitancy and eagerness.
“He’s the obvious choice. He knows these people intimately and he was Jack’s best friend.” Moreover, I felt confident Kay would be absolutely safe in his company. On the day of the murder, the lawyer had dined in Oklahoma City with golf friends and not returned to Adelaide until late. He could not have slipped through shadows to push his old friend down steep steps. Nor had we discovered any hint of a rift between the two men. It was true that Paul hadn’t told Kay about Jack’s interest in Gwen and Clint Dunham, but the lawyer didn’t know that Kay’s questions had to do with murder, not a biography. “See what you can find out from him this afternoon. Then we’ll have a better idea on where to concentrate our efforts.”
“‘Our’ efforts? What will you be doing while I round up insights?”
“Popping here and there.”
“Mine but to do, mine not to question why?” The Corvette turned into The Castle drive. “Okay. I’ll play your game after I talk to Diane, Jimmy, and Margo.”
I held up my hand. “Leave them to me. They know you were close to Jack. How forthcoming do you think they will be? But me, I’m the help. I didn’t know Jack Hume. They are much more likely to drop their guard with me.”
She looked thoughtful as she braked. “Much as it galls me to admit it, you’ve got a point.”
I glanced at my watch. I had a little over an hour before my meeting at the gazebo with Gwen Dunham. There was much to do. “I appreciate your cooperation. Let’s go inside and I can meet my hostess.” And possibly others. “Then you can be on your way to Paul Fisher’s office.”
I glanced around to be certain no one was observing the car, then transformed my appearance. Gone was the jade green cotton top with a square neck and cap sleeves, short white skirt with green-stemmed daisies, and white sandals. Instead, I wore a drab, too-large taupe smock, black slacks, green tennis shoes, and Ben Franklin granny glasses. Most painful was the lack of makeup. Even red hair and appearing twenty-seven didn’t save me from looking like a street waif.
Kay’s eyes widened. “Have you had a nervous breakdown?”
I pushed the granny glasses higher on my nose. “Would you worry about talking to me?”
Diane’s smile was shy and welcoming. “Just leave your suitcase here.” She gestured at the base of the broad stone stairway. “Margo will bring it to your room. Margo’s our wonderful housekeeper. If you need anything, Margo will see that you get it.” Diane looked at Kay. “Francie will be in the white room, just down the hall from you.”
I felt warmly toward Diane. Perhaps she’d noticed my hair, which flamed while the rest of me drooped, and
