someone for threatening harm.”
“I didn’t threaten harm, mister. I just told her the truth…that she was going to burn in hell for eternity, two seconds flat her flesh would look like pig cracklings and her insides would boil like soup. I told her she was so far gone even Jesus wouldn’t know what the hell to do for her. You want to arrest me for truth-telling, go ahead and give me the entertainment and the publicity and maybe I’ll start another church. Do one of those
websites.
”
Amanda said, “Is there anyone who can verify your whereabouts for the last couple of days?”
“Lady, I’m damn flattered that you think I have enough energy to fly up to that pinko city and pop the lesbo. Fact is, I’m eighty-four, for the last ten of those wheelchair bound and a good day for me is when I wake up and move my bowels without straining.”
“You could’ve hired someone,” Barnes said.
“I could go to the novelty shop, buy a big nose and say I was a Jew—listen, you two, just because I decided to use my First Amendment privileges and tell the perverts what I think of them doesn’t mean I have to sit hear and listen to your bull. Your bosses will be hearing from me. Get the fuck out of here before I run you over with my chair.”
Barnes started the engine and let it idle while he pulled out his cell phone. “Other than providing entertainment for the old bastard, that was a colossal waste of time.”
“Had to be done,” Amanda said.
He fooled with the phone, scowled. “Can’t get my messages. No reception in this dump.”
“Thought you liked rural living.”
“Rather have twenty rooms with a view. Let’s go back to the West Valley and see if anything’s up with Bledsoe. Unless you want to grab something first? We can eat in the car.”
“Nutrition sounds good as long as it’s not hamburgers.”
“What’s wrong with burgers?”
“Larry got a new barbecue. Turbo-powered and he’s collecting marinades.”
“Boy needs a hobby, huh?”
She shrugged. “He’ll find something.”
“I’ll find a Subway or something. It ain’t Chez Panisse but what is?”
14
D elicately, Marge Dunn unwrapped the wax paper that held together a turkey and cheese sub. “Wow, thanks for thinking of me. I’m hungry.” She steadied the sandwich then took a big bite. “Mmmmm…that’s good.”
“Amanda’s idea, she’s the considerate one,” Barnes said. He was sitting shotgun in an LAPD unmarked; Amanda was in the backseat and Marge was at the wheel.
Marge spoke over her shoulder. “Thank you, Considerate One.”
“No prob.”
The car fell silent until Barnes grumbled, “You think this joker is going to show?”
Marge wiped her mouth. “I don’t see why he’d leave if he came down to be with Mom for the holidays. And if he does leave, that tells us something.” She regarded Barnes. “I really like the silverwork on your belt buckle. What kind of stone is that? Green turquoise?”
“Exactly.”
“Nice.”
“Got it in Santa Fe. Ever been there?”
“Sure,” she said. “I go there a lot. Sometimes during opera season, if my daughter’s schedule permits.”
“Never been to the opera.”
Amanda said, “Will’s into Buck Owens.”
“Me, too. I’m eclectic. Big loss, Buck.”
“Dwight Yoakam’s carrying it on,” said Will.
“He rocks but still, it’s not the same.” Marge finished her sandwich and stowed the trash in a plastic bag. “The opera house is really special. It’s outdoors with this beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes crickets sing along.” Big smile. “Sometimes, they’re on key. They’ve got great chamber music, too. And country at some of the casinos. Great little town, culture-wise.”
Barnes sneaked a quick look at Marge’s left hand. No ring. “Whole Southwest area is a pretty part of the country.”
“Magnificent…a real break from LA.” Marge turned around again. “Have you ever been there, Amanda?”
“Once
“I didn’t threaten harm, mister. I just told her the truth…that she was going to burn in hell for eternity, two seconds flat her flesh would look like pig cracklings and her insides would boil like soup. I told her she was so far gone even Jesus wouldn’t know what the hell to do for her. You want to arrest me for truth-telling, go ahead and give me the entertainment and the publicity and maybe I’ll start another church. Do one of those
websites.
”
Amanda said, “Is there anyone who can verify your whereabouts for the last couple of days?”
“Lady, I’m damn flattered that you think I have enough energy to fly up to that pinko city and pop the lesbo. Fact is, I’m eighty-four, for the last ten of those wheelchair bound and a good day for me is when I wake up and move my bowels without straining.”
“You could’ve hired someone,” Barnes said.
“I could go to the novelty shop, buy a big nose and say I was a Jew—listen, you two, just because I decided to use my First Amendment privileges and tell the perverts what I think of them doesn’t mean I have to sit hear and listen to your bull. Your bosses will be hearing from me. Get the fuck out of here before I run you over with my chair.”
Barnes started the engine and let it idle while he pulled out his cell phone. “Other than providing entertainment for the old bastard, that was a colossal waste of time.”
“Had to be done,” Amanda said.
He fooled with the phone, scowled. “Can’t get my messages. No reception in this dump.”
“Thought you liked rural living.”
“Rather have twenty rooms with a view. Let’s go back to the West Valley and see if anything’s up with Bledsoe. Unless you want to grab something first? We can eat in the car.”
“Nutrition sounds good as long as it’s not hamburgers.”
“What’s wrong with burgers?”
“Larry got a new barbecue. Turbo-powered and he’s collecting marinades.”
“Boy needs a hobby, huh?”
She shrugged. “He’ll find something.”
“I’ll find a Subway or something. It ain’t Chez Panisse but what is?”
14
D elicately, Marge Dunn unwrapped the wax paper that held together a turkey and cheese sub. “Wow, thanks for thinking of me. I’m hungry.” She steadied the sandwich then took a big bite. “Mmmmm…that’s good.”
“Amanda’s idea, she’s the considerate one,” Barnes said. He was sitting shotgun in an LAPD unmarked; Amanda was in the backseat and Marge was at the wheel.
Marge spoke over her shoulder. “Thank you, Considerate One.”
“No prob.”
The car fell silent until Barnes grumbled, “You think this joker is going to show?”
Marge wiped her mouth. “I don’t see why he’d leave if he came down to be with Mom for the holidays. And if he does leave, that tells us something.” She regarded Barnes. “I really like the silverwork on your belt buckle. What kind of stone is that? Green turquoise?”
“Exactly.”
“Nice.”
“Got it in Santa Fe. Ever been there?”
“Sure,” she said. “I go there a lot. Sometimes during opera season, if my daughter’s schedule permits.”
“Never been to the opera.”
Amanda said, “Will’s into Buck Owens.”
“Me, too. I’m eclectic. Big loss, Buck.”
“Dwight Yoakam’s carrying it on,” said Will.
“He rocks but still, it’s not the same.” Marge finished her sandwich and stowed the trash in a plastic bag. “The opera house is really special. It’s outdoors with this beautiful view of the mountains. Sometimes crickets sing along.” Big smile. “Sometimes, they’re on key. They’ve got great chamber music, too. And country at some of the casinos. Great little town, culture-wise.”
Barnes sneaked a quick look at Marge’s left hand. No ring. “Whole Southwest area is a pretty part of the country.”
“Magnificent…a real break from LA.” Marge turned around again. “Have you ever been there, Amanda?”
“Once
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