Funeral Train by Laurie Loewenstein

Author:Laurie Loewenstein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Akashic Books

CHAPTER TWENTY

“BUSY?”

“Very funny,” Etha said, putting down a shabby copy of Radioland.

Temple’s topcoat released a billow of fresh air as he strolled into the bedroom. Etha, trapped in the stuffy apartment among the aromas of medicine and stale linens, inhaled appreciatively.

“I hate to tear you away from that serious read,” he said, raising his brows, “but I’ve got a project for you.”

“Really?” Etha sat up too quickly and immediately regretted it. “Ow!”

Temple dumped an armload of leather-bound volumes he’d been carrying on the bedside chair. “Remember what Hinchie told you about taking it easy.”

Etha glared. “I hate this! So, what’s this about a project?”

Temple pointed to the stack of ledgers. “These are Ruthie-Jo’s account books. Ed and I found them at the house.”

“Everyone knows she kept the books for the store.”

“But it seems she was also managing financial records for another person or persons unknown.”

“You know when Reverend Coxey reads the list of shut-ins during the service? That’s how I thought of her. Confined to the house. Sort of an invalid.”

Temple snatched up two ledgers. “Seems like she might have had more irons in the fire than anyone thought. There’s an outside chance that one of those irons is connected to her murder. It’s probably a long shot. I still believe it is way more likely that she saw whoever cocked the signal and got killed as a result. That said, we need to investigate every angle. Ed and I started going through these when we were at the house but it’s a big job and we don’t have the time. We’re still interviewing possible witnesses. I thought—”

“You thought that I don’t have anything to do but twiddle my thumbs so I might as well be put to good use,” Etha bantered. “I know how you operate.”

“Will you help?”

Etha made a show of examining her hands. “Yes. But in exchange …”

“Here it comes.”

“I want to go ahead with our Christmas plans. With Vadie and her family coming and all.”

“You are a stubborn one.”

“If I’m capable of helping with the investigation, I’m also well enough to celebrate Christmas with my family.”

“You know damn well that sitting in the quiet of your own bed looking over some ledgers is a totally different thing than hosting a Christmas visit with your niece, her two kids, and that husband.”

There was a moment of silence.

“I already asked Carmine to get a tree for us.”

Temple sighed heavily. “You’re way ahead of me, I see.” He leaned over and pecked her on the cheek. “Now get to work!”

“Do I get a badge?”

“Don’t push your luck, lady.”

* * *

As the sheriff walked into the office, Ed was on the phone. He made a squawking sign with his thumb and fingers for Temple’s benefit.

“Yes, Mrs. Hinchie. We’ll take care of …” Ed was saying.

Unsteady footfalls paused outside the office. Chester appeared in the doorway; trembling, his tie uncharacteriscally crooked.

“My God, man.” Temple jumped up and guided the movie house owner to a chair. “You look like death warmed over.”

“Someone phoned last night.

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