Best Kept Secrets(66)
tell me."
He stood up. So did Alex. "Junior had invited her for
supper, that's all."
"Was it a special occasion?"
"Ask him."
"I'm asking you. What was the occasion? And don't tell
me you don't remember."
"Maybe he felt sorry for her."
"Sorry? Why?"
"For being cooped up with a kid, not getting out. Her
social life had gone to zilch. She was only eighteen, for
crissake." He stepped around her and headed for the door.
Alex wasn't ready to let it go at that. His answer was too
pat. She caught his arm and forced him to face her. "Were
you there at dinner that night?"
"Yeah, I was there." He jerked his arm free.
"The entire evening?"
"I left before dessert."
"Why?"
"I don't like cherry pie."
She groaned with frustration. "Answer me, Reede. Why
did you leave?"
"I had a date."
"With whom? Does she still live here in town?"
"What the hell difference does it make?"
"She's your alibi. I'd like to talk to her."
"Forget it. I'll never drag her into this."
"You might have to, or plead the Fifth."
"Don't you ever give up?" he asked through bared teeth.
"Never. Did you return to the ranch that night?"
"No."
"Not at all?"
"No."
"Not even to sleep?"
"I told you, I had a date." He put his face close enough
to hers that she could feel his breath against her lips. "And
she was hot."
He gave a terse bob of his head to emphasize his point,
then turned to leave. "I'm due in court. Close the door on
your way out, will ya?"
Eighteen
"Miss Gaither?"
"Yes?"
Alex didn't feel like having company. Her latest altercation
with Reede had left her drained. After last night, her nerves
were shot. Neither Reede's glib explanation of the Hickam
man's murder or any amount of her own sound reasoning had
convinced her that she wasn't in danger.
So, when someone knocked on her motel room door, she
had approached it cautiously and looked through the peephole.
A strange, but evidently harmless couple, were on her
threshold. She opened the door and looked at them expectantly.
Suddenly, the man stuck out his hand. Startled, Alex
jumped back. "Reverend Fergus Plummet." Feeling foolish,
Alex shook hands with him. "Did I frighten you? I'm dreadfully
sorry. I didn't mean to."
The reverend's mannerisms were so deferential, his tone
of voice so sympathetic, he hardly posed a threat. He had a
slight build and was shorter than average, but held himself
erect with almost military posture. His black suit was shiny
in spots and inadequate for the season. He wore no overcoat
and nothing to cover his wavy dark hair, which was fuller
than current fashion dictated. In a community where almost
every male from the age of twelve wore either a cowboy hat
or bill cap, it looked odd to see a man without one.
"This is my wife, Wanda."
"Hello, Mrs. Plummet, Reverend."
Mrs. Plummet was a large woman, with a notable bosom
that she'd tried to minimize by covering it with a drab olive
cardigan sweater. Her hair was pulled back into a knot on
the back of her head, which she kept meekly lowered. Her
husband had referred to her with no more personal regard
than he might give a lamppost.
"How'd you know my name?" Alex asked, curious about
the couple.
"Everybody does," he replied with a brief smile. "There's
talk going around town about you."
The minister had a Bible tucked under one arm. Alex
couldn't imagine what a minister was doing at her door--
recruiting new members?
"I guess you're wondering why I'm here," he said, correctly
reading her puzzled expression.
"Frankly, yes. Would you like to come in?"
They stepped into the room. Mrs. Plummet seemed ill at
ease and unsure where to sit until her husband pointed her
to a corner of the bed. He took the only chair. Alex sat down
on the edge of the bed, but far enough away from Mrs.
Plummet for both of them to be comfortable.
The preacher gazed about him. He seemed to be in no
hurry to disclose the reason he was there. Finally, and with
a trace of impatience, Alex asked, "Is there something I can
do for you, Reverend Plummet?"
Closing his eyes, he raised his hand heavenward and
evoked a blessing. "May heaven's rich blessings pour down
on this beloved daughter of God," he intoned in a deep,