“And you’re still prepared to go through with it?” Joanna asked.
“Well, sure,” he said. “I suppose I am, as long as it’s in good shape and all that. Her son told me it was low mileage and in excellent condition.”
“Help yourself, Mr. Mathers,” Joanna said. “Go have a look.”
Joanna had been astonished at the luxury of the motor home when she had first stepped inside, from the flat-screen entertainment center and full-sized appliances to the etched-glass walls between the bathroom and the hallway. She could see why Tex Mathers was itching to get his grubby hands on it. Although the deal he had struck with Rob Whipple wasn’t strictly illegal, Joanna had a hunch it wasn’t in Irma’s best interests, either. When it came to protecting widows and orphans, she doubted RV dealers would be very high on the trustworthy list.
“How much more would Irma get if you sold this on consignment?” Joanna asked.
Tex Mathers shrugged his narrow shoulders. “I dunno,” he said. “Maybe forty or fifty grand more. It’s a top-of-the-line and very desirable model, but the lady’s son said his mother needed her money right away”
“Supposing she didn’t need it instantly,” Joanna said. “What then?”
“I pro’ly wouldn’t have much trouble selling it,” Tex admitted. “Might take a couple of months—until the first snowbirds show up this fall.”
Without another word, Joanna left Tex Mathers to finish exploring the motor home and went outside to where a petite Irma Sorenson stood dwarfed by a circle of towering uniformed deputies.
“Irma, who said you needed an all-cash deal?” Joanna asked.
“Robby. He said it would be worth taking the lower price now just to have the cash in hand.”
“It may not be worth it,” Joanna said. “If it were mine, I wouldn’t sell it for cash. I’d write it up as a consignment deal.”
“But I told you. I need the money to hire an attorney”
“You’ll have more money to work with if you don’t take it now,” Joanna said. “There are probably several attorneys in Bisbee who’d be willing to take you on without having the money up front.”
“Are you sure?” Irma asked uncertainly.
“I’m pretty sure. Once you have an attorney, though, you might ask him about the deal as well.”
Tex Mathers reappeared, looking abashed. “It’s a sweet rig,” he said. “Just like your son told me it was. And I’m still prepared to write out a check to you for the full agreed-upon amount today, but if you’d rather put it on consignment ...” He gave Joanna a sidelong glance, as if checking to see whether or not she approved.
“And then Mrs. Sorenson receives what?” Joanna asked.
“The sales price less my commission.”
“From what you said to me inside, that would be substantially more than what you offered to pay her today?”
Tex Mathers scuffed the toe of his boot in the gravel. “Well, yeah,” he said. “I s’pose it would.”
“All right,” Irma Sorenson said after a moment. “We’ll do it that way, then. Let’s get the paperwork done. I don’t want to keep these people standing around waiting all day.”
“Frank,” Joanna suggested. “Why don’t you go along to keep an eye on things?” Tex Mathers took Irma’s arm and led her inside. Frank, shaking his head, dutifully followed. Once they were gone, Joanna turned to her officers. “Okay, Matt, maybe you and Jaime could get the pickup unhitched from the RV”
“What do you want me to do?” Ernie asked.
“As soon as the pickup is loose, you drive it back to Bisbee. Get the taped confession transcribed
