Murder Past Due

TEN

“I’m so sorry,” I said, knowing how inadequate that was. “I had no idea.”

I got up and found a box of tissues for Julia. She pulled a couple from the box and dabbed at her eyes as I sat down again.

“No one knows except Ezra and me and his doctors.” Julia’s voice was husky from the tears.

“You haven’t told Justin yet?”

“No,” Julia said. “But I have to, I know. I was putting it off until after he met Godfrey, but now . . .” Her voice trailed away.

“Is it cancer?” I asked. I had noticed, when Ezra was in my house assaulting Justin, that he looked thinner and older than I remembered.

Julia nodded. “Pancreatic cancer.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said. “My wife had it too.”

“I know,” Julia said softly.

“Where has he been going for treatment?”

“Memphis,” she said. “They wanted to send him to Houston, to that big cancer hospital, but Ezra doesn’t want to go.”

That big cancer hospital in Houston, M.D. Anderson, had done its best for Jackie, but the cancer had won.

“The survival rate is so small,” I said.

“Yes, it is.” Julia rubbed her temples as if her head ached.

“There’s not much you can do, then,” I said.

“No, there isn’t.” Julia smiled so sadly that I wished I could do something to comfort her. “And miracles seem to be in short supply at the moment.”

Before I could respond, I heard the doorbell.

Startled, Julia glanced at me.

“Probably Kanesha,” I said, rising.

Julia paled. “I wish I didn’t have to talk to her tonight.”

“It’s best to get it over with. Maybe I can stay with you while you talk to her.” I smiled at her before I left the room.

I peered through the peephole in the front door. Kanesha Berry, along with Deputy Bates, stood on the front porch. I couldn’t postpone this, no matter how much I wanted to. I opened the door.

“Hello again, Mr. Harris.” Kanesha nodded at me. “I have more questions for you, like why you forgot to mention the fact that you weren’t alone at the hotel.”

“I’ll be happy to explain that. Come in, please,” I said, standing aside.

“I also want to speak to Justin Wardlaw. Is he here?” Kanesha remained on the doorstep.

“He is, and so is his mother. I think she would like to speak to you first.” I motioned for her to enter, and this time she did.

“How long has Mrs. Wardlaw been here?” Kanesha turned to face me after I closed the door.

I thought for a moment. “Perhaps half an hour.”

Kanesha grimaced, and I could tell she was not happy about this. She probably thought Julia and I had been cooking up alibis together.

“This way, please,” I said. “Mrs. Wardlaw is in the kitchen, if you don’t mind talking to her in there.”

“Wherever you like.” Kanesha and Bates followed me.

Julia was standing by the table when we entered the kitchen. Diesel had disappeared, probably upstairs with Justin. Julia appeared composed, but I knew how anxious she must be.

“Good evening, Mrs. Wardlaw,” Kanesha said, halting on the other side of the table from Julia. “This is Deputy Bates.”

“Ma’am,” Bates said, removing his hat and sticking it under his arm.

“Good evening.” Julia nodded at them each in turn. “Is it okay if Mr. Harris stays with me?”

“He might as well.” Kanesha’s tone was sharp enough to cut through stone. “I’m sure he’s already heard everything you have to say.”

Julia frowned at that, and I shrugged. The damage was done. Any investigator with a shred of intelligence wouldn’t take anything we said at face value anyway.

“Why don’t we sit down?” I indicated empty chairs. “Can I get you something to drink?”

Both deputies declined my offer. Julia and I sat first, then the two deputies took seats. Bates pulled his notebook and a pencil from a pocket and prepared to take notes.

“Charlie told me you’re in charge of the investigation,” Julia said. Her complete attention seemed to be focused on Kanesha.

“That’s correct,” Kanesha said. “I’m sure you’re aware by now that Godfrey Priest was found dead under suspicious circumstances. We are investigating his death, and I have some questions for you and also for your son.” She nodded in my direction. “And for Mr. Harris, too.”

“I’ll be happy to answer your questions,” Julia said.

Kanesha regarded Julia with a bland expression. “Mrs. Wardlaw, what was your relationship to the deceased?”

“I’ve known him most of my life,” Julia said. “We were not particularly close, at least in recent years.” Her face colored slightly. “But I suppose you could say we were friends.”

“I see,” Kanesha said. “And your son? What was his relationship to Mr. Priest?”

Did Kanesha already know? The way gossip traveled in Athena, I figured she must.

But why didn’t she ask directly?

“Godfrey was Justin’s biological father.” Julia’s cheeks stayed red. “They met for the first time today.”

“Is your husband aware of this?” Kanesha was an excellent poker player, I was willing to bet.

“Yes, he is,” Julia said.

“How does he feel about it?”

“He’s not happy,” Julia said, in a tone that indicated she thought it a stupid question. “He has always considered Justin his own son.”

“He knew he’s not the boy’s biological father?” Kanesha was poking at every possible sore spot—and none too gently.

“Yes, he knew. He has always known.” Julia’s color heightened.

“Where is Mr. Wardlaw?” Kanesha asked.

“In the hospital,” Julia said. “Where he has been since about one o’clock this afternoon. I was with him until about thirty minutes ago.”

Julia had stated her own alibi and Ezra’s very clearly, but Kanesha did not appear interested.

“There was an altercation between your husband and Mr. Priest today.” Kanesha appeared to be well informed about the day’s events.

“They had words.” Julia frowned and crossed her arms over her chest. “My husband struck Godfrey, and Godfrey hit him back. In the face. My husband was bleeding and in pain, so I took him to the emergency room.”

“Did you see Mr. Priest again after that?”

Julia hesitated. “No, I did not.”

That was the first question Julia hadn’t answered right away. Was she lying?

“You’re sure about that?” Kanesha had noticed the hesitation, too. She looked ready to pounce.

“I am.” This time Julia didn’t falter.

“So you have no further knowledge of Mr. Priest’s movements after you saw him at lunchtime?” Kanesha leaned back in her chair, relaxing her rigid posture for the first time since the interview began.

“Only what Justin and Charlie have told me.” Julia smiled briefly. “But I’m sure you’d rather hear it from them.”

“Yes,” Kanesha said, “and I’ll also need to talk to your husband. How long will he be in the hospital?”

“It’s possible he’ll be released tomorrow.” Julia relaxed her arms, letting them slide into her lap. “But he’s ill. You cannot upset him.”

Kanesha pulled a business card from one of her shirt pockets. “Please call me at this number tomorrow, and let me know when I can speak with him.”

Julia accepted the card and placed it on the table in front of her. “Certainly.”

“Thank you. I may have more questions for you later.” Kanesha said. “Now I’d like to speak to your son.”

“I’ll get him, if you like,” I said to Julia.

“Thank you, Charlie,” she said. “If you don’t mind.”

“Back in a minute,” I said, rising from my chair.

As I left the kitchen I heard no further conversation. Would Kanesha continue to question Julia while I was out of the room? I was concerned about Julia and that one hesitation in answering. I doubted Kanesha would let that go for long.

Nothing I could do about it now, I thought as I climbed the stairs to the third floor.

I knocked on Justin’s door and waited for a response. When none was forthcoming, I opened the door and looked inside. Justin, still dressed and with his shoes on, appeared to be sound asleep on the bed. Diesel, stretched out beside him, raised his head and blinked at me.

I entered the room, moving quietly. I found three candy wrappers on the floor by Justin’s bed. Some dinner, the poor kid. He’d had a terrible day, and it wasn’t finished yet.

Laying a hand on his shoulder, I shook him gently and called his name.

Justin’s eyes popped open, and he stared up at me in confusion. “Mr. Charlie? What . . . ?” The memories of the day evidently came back, and he sat up, rubbing his face.

“Sorry to wake you,” I said. “But the deputies are here. You need to come downstairs now.”

“Yes, sir,” Justin said, his voice dull.

Diesel jumped to the floor and rubbed against my legs as I turned to leave.

“Please wait. I need to ask you something.” I turned to face him as Justin stood.

Diesel began chirping at me, and I reached down to rub his head. The cat pushed his head against my hand, and I rubbed a little harder. He really loved head rubs.

“What is it, son?” I asked.

“I don’t know what to do.” Justin ran a hand through his hair.

“About what?”

Diesel walked over to Justin and rubbed against his legs.

“What if I found something in the hotel room?” Justin asked. “Something that could get somebody in trouble?”