Murders at Hollings General

'Probably yes. It's been on my mind. There's a wacko around here, that's for sure.'

'And my gut tells me Time is our enemy. That's my answer, Belle.'

Before hanging up, he mentioned the note he had left on her desk, indicated that on Monday they would touch base on the particulars of Coughlin's murder, and asked to be kept current on the Foster/Tanarlde liaison.

It was five-thirty. David had tossed off a drink and anticipated Kathy's arrival. Another glass in hand, he stepped eagerly to the computer, names flashing in his mind, applying to each the customary trilogy of 'Motive- Opportunity-Means.' He opened the 'MURDERS' file dated Tuesday, January 13, reviewed its contents, and then sat back to sort out which new kernels to enter this time.

He knew he had 'snapped out of it,' as Kathy had implored, because he could smell the cologne from his face and feel the sweatshirt against his skin. Either that or it's the Manhattan, he told himself, although he was reluctant to be included among those he had heard could think more clearly after a drink or two. He typed:

Saturday, January 17 MURDERS, continued-

Everett Coughlin-sniper bullet at parking gate. No witnesses. Single shot to temple.

Killer had to know time of lecture. Casing found in woods.

Who wanted him dead?

Victor Spritz:? still on mission bec. loss of EMS contract.

Ted Tanarkle: Coughlin threatened him royally.

New wrinkle: Betty Tanarkle romantically linked to Foster. Ted knows.

Have feeling killings not over. Better guard Foster.

Spritz and Tanarkle both have motives.

Keep Bernie Bugles in mind-not sure why, yet. Pawnshop dealer sold pair of daggers to? woman in disguise.

Concerned about my credibility but will plow ahead-unless gendarmes crowd me out.

David heard a key in the door. Kathy strolled in and removed a redingote.

'It's nice out, now,' she said.

He rose slowly from his chair, admiring her lavender skintight pants as she pulled out a hanger from the hall closet. He was at her side before the coat was hung. David pulled her close and, running his hand over her backside and tugging on the pants, said, 'And what's with these, may I ask?'

'I figured you needed it. Complaining?'

'Complain? No, oh no. You look great, you smell great, and, here, let me check.' He kissed her firmly on the lips and smacked his own. 'And you taste great.'

Kathy slapped him on the shoulder and said, 'What am I, a dinner entree?' She rubbed the lipstick from his lips with the corner of a tissue. He kissed her as before, only longer.

Breathless, she said, 'What's that all about?' She rubbed his lips again.

'We wouldn't want to waste a whole tissue, would we?' he said, leaving for the cramped kitchen to pour her a glass of wine. Only when she was at home with him did he look through narrow doorways and realize he could see a slice of every room. Yet, there was something erotically symbolic in the constriction of those four spaces, adding, he imagined, to the intimacy he and Kathy shared. He hoped a larger spread later in their marriage would not signify the ho-hum he had heard so much about.

She sat in an easy chair, one leg tucked under. He retreated to the sofa and stretched his legs over the coffee table. He wished he had remembered to light a fire.

'The mayor called,' she said.

David swallowed hard. 'I suppose he wanted to know what in hell's going on.'

'That and what are we doing about it.'

'And?'

'And I told him someone's on the loose probably carrying out a vendetta, and that we're working on it as hard as we can.'

'He let it go at that?'

'Sort of. He said people around town were getting impatient.'

'Impatient? After only four days?'

'That's what I told him. He got real apologetic said he was only doing his job.'

'Did he ask about me?'

'No, but I mentioned you were assisting in the investigation. He said `good'-that he'd heard about you. See, you even have political support, David, so chill out. Another murder's no reflection on you personally-or any others if they happen.'

'Any others? God, help us.'

'As long as we're doing what has to be done-either you or us.'

'What's that mean?'

'We collaborate-no different from before. We have the legal responsibilities but you, de facto, run the show still.' Kathy got up and joined David on the sofa. 'Do you hear that?' she said, tweaking his cheek, 'Still.'

He shrunk back and shot her a conspiratorial wink. 'Do you know what would relieve me even more? If, in the future, you informed people we're doing things in parallel.'

'I can live with that,' she said.

'How about Nick?'

'How about him?'

'Can he live with that, or does he prefer I step aside?'

'Now you're being ridiculous. You misunderstood that remark this morning,' she said. 'We need your help. And, what's more, he likes you more than you think.'

'Be still my heat.' David had been taking a sip a sentence. He pinched the back of his hand and looked up to catch Kathy's critical squint.

'Now what are you up to›' she asked.

'I can feel it fine, so I need another Manhattan.'

'You’re incredible. But here, fill mine, too.'

David returned from the kitchen, balancing two dripping glasses. He sniffed Kathy's Chardonnay like a connoisseur and said, 'Not bad at all,' and handed it to her. He took a long draw of his, assumed a judicial expression and said, 'Also not bad.' He spilled some of his drink on his trousers as he sunk into the couch.

'Now then,' he said, 'you want to hear the corker of all corkers?'

'Sure, one more drink and I won't mind anything. We should have been munching, too.'

Kathy's reaction to the revelation from Belle was, 'You mean Betty Tanarkle is Foster's paramour?'

'You got it.'

'But what's she…?'

'I know: what's she see in him? That's the going question.'

They had their usual discussion about whether to eat in or out and settled on grilled ham and cheese sandwiches which David triumphantly prepared. Afterward, he said, Instead of reviewing what's happened to date, look here-see what I've summarized.' He let her to the computer in the den and they read the screen together.

'That says it all,' Kathy commented. They moved into the kitchen and he saw her linger by the sink of used dishes and promised himself he would keep more current from that point on. At the table, she took one of two chairs and, while David stood flipping through pages of his notepad, she said, 'Your `better guard Foster' statement? I agree with that.'

'You also agree that Spritz or Tanaride could be after him?'

'You bet. Money and sex. Never fails. But I have a question.' She rose abruptly. 'Maybe two.' She went over to the computer and scanned the screen which David had not cleared. 'Yes, two.'

'Shoot.'

'Why would Tanarkle kill Bugles?'