Never Touch a Dead Body by J W Hodge

Author:J W Hodge
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Epicenter Press Inc.
Published: 2024-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Bogart and Bacall lay beside me on the couch uttering soft growls. I had brought them in the house from the backyard. My tiny dogs were ready to defend me, body and soul, should Stromberg make a wrong move.

Ellie didn’t seem to notice as she paced in front of the fireplace, then stopped to pose, head down, right arm resting on the mantel. Pace. Pose. Pace. Pose. I grew exhausted just watching.

While pacing, she told a convoluted tale about good ol’ Casey, the great idea man. She stopped mid-sentence and stared across the room. “You’ve no idea how frustrating it is to love a spineless mama’s boy. Casey has a great mind in business matters but runs from any type of confrontation with his mother. Or Thelma.”

“You’ve chosen to stay in this relationship because . . .?”

“Because he has potential! Some of his ideas are close to genius. If his mama would cut those damn apron strings, we could leave this dump and never look back.”

Uh-huh. Loralee Lish’s take on Kelso was the same as Ellie’s. The man sounded like a pliable lump of clay pressed into different molds by the strong women in his life. It wasn’t the impression I got from ol’ Casey, but that was beside the point. Why would Stromberg drive to my house and explain their pitiful relationship to me?

Did Casey know she was here?

Had he sent her?

Ellie settled upon the hassock in front of the couch. She crossed her long legs, leaned forward, and stared at me. “Casey did not kill his aunt.”

“What?” My mouth fell open; I couldn’t seem to shut it.

“Don’t look so surprised, Ms. Harrigan. I know you’ve been asking questions.”

“Um . . . um.” My brain went into lock and freeze.

“Loralee told Casey you grilled her about Thelma and her relationship with Casey during lunch.”

Yeesh! I’d asked a few simple questions; Loralee had turned into a Mt. St. Helens of information all on her own.

“Wait a minute. Are you suggesting Thelma’s death was not an accident?” I leaned closer to Ellie, hoping the best defense really was a good offense.

“I’m not saying anything like that. You’re the one asking questions.” Ellie folded her arms and gave me a smug smile that begged for a reply—or a slap. Lucky for her I’m no longer ten years old, so slapping was out.

I clamped my teeth against any reply and stared back at her. If she wanted to play “who blinks first,” bring it on. Keeping quiet also seemed safer while I collected my thoughts.

I stared.

She stared.

The phone rang. I snatched it and barked, “Hello.”

Silence. Black silence.

I punched the off button and glared at Ellie. “I will not be intimidated by infantile games!”

Ellie didn’t move, but the smug smile disappeared. “Excuse me?”

“First Casey threatens me with a lawsuit. Then my tires get slashed, next the ominous message in my mailbox—not very original, by the way. Now the silent phone calls start. All this to creep me out, right? Well, Missy, I’m not scared. I’m pissed!” Bogart and Bacall stood, hackles up, ready to mangle her kneecaps.

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