Weekend Warriors (Sisterhood #1)(24)
“She split, all right. I’m sure she had some help. No, no one saw anything. She must have left during the heart of the storm. No one was out and about. This is Nik’s fault. You never should have posted her bail, Myra. I know Nik talked you into it. This trial was nothing but a farce using the taxpayer’s money. It’s cut and dried. We could have saved a lot of money by her pleading guilty and cutting a deal.”
“I don’t much care for your tone of voice, young man. This is between you and Nikki. It’s my million dollars to lose, not yours, so don’t get huffy and righteous with me. And while we’re in this talk mode, why did you cheat on my Nikki?”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t cheat on Nik!”
“Then who was that redhead you were seen having dinner with?”
“My sister-in-law. Are you sure you don’t know where Nik is, Myra?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“Who do all those cars belong to out there?”
“Why are you asking me all these questions, Jack? The cars belong to the canasta girls. It’s so weird. None of them would start. Charles had to ferry everyone home. The garages are going to make a fortune today.”
“Who does the rig belong to?”
Myra put her hands on her hips. “Now why are you asking me all these questions, Jack? Not that it’s any of your business, but they delivered some fixtures for the bathrooms upstairs. I’m going to do some remodeling. You know, sinks, tubs, toilets, toilet seats, that kind of thing. The driver asked if he could sleep for a few hours, since he had to go back on the road. I thought he had left. I wouldn’t go near that truck if I were you. The driver has a mean, vicious dog with him. Dogs are better than guns. I saw that on a documentary not too long ago. I don’t mean to rush you, Jack, but I have to get ready for my pinochle game.”
“I thought you said you were playing bridge.”
“Did I? Well, we never really decide until we sit down. Maybe it’s poker today. Then again, it might be canasta. Is it important for you to know what kind of game I’m playing?”
“No. I was making conversation, Myra. Was Nik jealous?”
“No. She was…pissed off. She has a date with someone named Deverone. Do you know him? She said he has a brain. I really have to go, Jack. I hope you find Marie and her family. I really don’t want to lose my million dollars. You people aren’t very sharp, are you?”
“Oh we’re sharp, all right. That woman had some help. Don’t you worry, I’ll find her. And the people who helped her. Aiding and abetting a murderer is a serious offense.”
“It certainly is,” Myra said, properly horrified.
“Be sure to tell Nik to call me if you hear from her.”
“I’ll do that. It was nice seeing you again, Jack. I wish the circumstances weren’t so dire. Please let me know if you find Mrs. Lewellen. I would like to get my bond back.” Jack nodded.
Myra scooted over to the kitchen window and crossed her fingers. “Don’t let him go near the truck. Please don’t let him go near the truck,” she muttered. He didn’t. She didn’t realize she was holding her breath until it exploded from her mouth in a loud swoosh.
“You can come down now, Kathryn. Hurry. I have to warn Nikki that Jack was here.”
Myra threw the dead bolt on the kitchen door before she headed for the living room and the secret panel. The moment the panel was back in place, she rushed to Nikki.
“Jack was just here. He said Marie Lewellen split during the night. He wanted you. I couldn’t come to get you, so I said Charles had taken you back to town. He’s pretty upset, Nikki. He wants you to call him. The redhead was his sister-inlaw.”
Myra plopped down onto her chair, breathless with what had just transpired.
“He questioned all the cars and the truck, Nikki.”
“Did he, now?”
“Yes, and he didn’t believe a word I said. I could see it in his face.”
Chapter Six
Nikki gathered up her papers and jammed them into a bright yellow folder she removed from her briefcase. She looked around, honing in on Myra. “Just for the record, Jack doesn’t have a brother. He has a sister who lives in Canada. She comes here quite often. As a matter of fact, I saw her a few weeks ago at the hairdressers.
“I have to go back to town. The judge probably has a warrant out for me by now. Charles, you’re going to have to drive me in keeping with Myra’s little…fib. I have to CYA. It won’t hurt to call a garage to come out and look at all the cars. Just shrug and keep saying they wouldn’t start. It’s called covering your ass, Myra. Jack isn’t just sharp, he’s razor sharp. Are you getting my point?”
Myra made a mental note to call to have the gate repaired. “Yes, dear. We’ll carry on here. Call me and let me know how things are going. Tell the judge I’m very distraught over Mrs. Lewellen and ask him what recourse, if any, I might have. Tell him I send my regards and to say hello to Mavis.”
Nikki snapped the lock on her briefcase. “Let’s hit the road, Charles.” At Myra’s inquiring look, she said, “The Sisterhood stuff is in this file.” She pointed to a bright yellow folder with a sticker on the top that said, Quinn Law. “I’ll call you after I speak with the judge…and Jack.”