Jericho Cay by Kathryn R. Wall

Author:Kathryn R. Wall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Unlike our earlier conversation, this one came through loud and clear.

“Where are you?” I repeated.

“Safe.” Unlike earlier in the day, his voice sounded calmer.

I moved down the hallway toward the kitchen and pulled out my usual chair. “What’s going on, Mr. Wolfe? Who are you running from?”

“I hope you haven’t involved the authorities.”

“Really? After that frantic phone call this morning, you just expected me to say ‘Oh, well’ and move on? After you finished the conversation with the single word dead, you thought I’d just have Sunday dinner and forget about it? Jesus! I’ve had my own personal crisis to deal with, and your sounding as if the hounds of hell were nipping at your heels sure hasn’t helped any.”

“Apologies for that. Afraid I overreacted.”

The merry-go-round that had been my relationship with this aggravating man almost right from the start was making me dizzy. I let out another long breath. “Okay. I’m glad you’re all right.” I hesitated, but I had to know. “Are you aware someone searched your hotel room?”

He didn’t answer for some time. I waited. I’d had the feeling right from our initial meeting that the complete truth wasn’t high on Winston Wolfe’s list of priorities, at least in his dealings with us. I was eager to hear what kind of story he’d concoct. He surprised me.

“Yes. What initially spooked me, actually.”

“And you know who did it?”

Silence. I debated telling him we’d found his phone in the bushes outside the Tiki Hut and that we’d spotted someone who looked remarkably like the photos of Ty Bell with which Wolfe had reluctantly parted, but something held me back. Two could play his game.

“Mr. Wolfe?”

“It doesn’t concern you. Please carry on with the investigation. Notify Miss Hearst if you require additional funds. I’ll be in contact with you periodically to check on your progress. It’s become imperative that I have an answer to my inquiry immediately, certainly no later than the end of the week.”

I was about to comment on his sudden loquaciousness—and his imposition of a nearly impossible deadline—when I realized he’d hung up.

* * *

Back in the dining room, conversation abruptly ceased when I appeared in the doorway.

“Sorry about that,” I said, seating myself. “Business.”

“And what kind of business is it that you’re in?” Matilda Tiley canted her head to one side like a pudgy bird.

“Bay owns an inquiry agency,” my husband answered, and I smiled my thanks. “We actually work together.”

“How … interesting,” Patricia Rieth said from the opposite side of the table. I could tell from her tone that interesting probably hadn’t been the first word that popped into her head, but she was too much of a lady to give voice to her real thoughts. She’d told us earlier that she’d been headmistress of an exclusive girls’ school, and I could well imagine her charges withering under the stern stare she’d turned my way.

Her sister, on the other hand, jumped right in. “You mean a detective agency? You’re private eyes? Why didn’t you

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