Dead Man's Puzzle by Parnell Hall Page B

glove, how come you can’t tell me there’s no safe?’ And when I don’t answer, they’ll take that to mean there’s a safe.”
    “You’re telling me there’s no glove but there’s a safe?”
    “No. I’m telling you that’s what people will think.”
    “When’s the will gonna be read?”
    “I have no idea.”
    “Then there’s a will?”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “You said you don’t know when it’s gonna be read.”
    “I don’t. That means that in the event the will should exist, I don’t know when it will be read.”
    “You sure sound like an attorney. Even if you don’t look like one.”
    Harmon Overmeyer swooped down on the table. “I knew it! I heard there were heirs in town. You’re one of them. You’re here for the money. If any. It’s going to be very funny when they saw up the cabin and split it six ways.”
    “And who are you?”
    “I’m Harmon Overmeyer. The closest heir. The only heir, as far as I’m concerned. And I’ll be taking a close look at some of these extremely tenuous claims.”
    “Well, you go right ahead and look,” the Geezer said. “I’m not making any claims, except what’s rightfully mine. If you plan to screw me out of it, I’ll be lookin’ closely at you. How come you know so much about the estate? You been out there?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Well, you ain’t goin’, neither. Not till probate says you can. You ain’t beatin’ me out of anything.”
    “You have no right to anything.”
    “Well, you ain’t gettin’ your greedy mitts on anything that’s mine.”
    “Oh, is that so? I warned the policeman, now I’m warning the lawyer. I don’t want these guys near the place, you hear? Not before me. Or there’s gonna be hell to pay.”
    Harmon Overmeyer turned on his heel and stalked off.
    “Rather upset, isn’t he?” The Geezer grinned fiendishly and trotted after him.
    “Well, that spoiled our lunch,” Cora said.
    “No kidding. Wanna tell Chief Harper?”
    “Tell him what? That these guys don’t like each other? That’s hardly news.”
    “What if they kill each other?”
    Cora grinned. “Go ahead. Make my day.”

Chapter 29
    Cora got home to find Brenda Wallenstein waiting in the driveway. As Sherry’s best friend at college, Brenda had always been what the boys called “pleasingly plump.” Since marrying Sherry’s ex-husband, Brenda had put on a few extra pounds. Cora usually celebrated springing the trap by splurging on extra dessert, but there was such a thing as overdoing it. Brenda’s free-flowing smock unfavorably echoed an opera singer.
    Cora forced a smile. “Hello, Brenda. What are you doing here?”
    “As if you didn’t know.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that like it sounds. I know it’s his fault. It is his fault, isn’t it? I’m not just paranoid? Dennis has been around?”
    “He passed through town, Brenda. Not that it matters. Sherry isn’t here.”
    “Exactly. So what’s he doing?”
    Cora sighed. “Brenda, I know you don’t want to hear this, but the man you chose to marry is seriously disturbed.”
    “Stop it! That’s the easy answer. That’s the answer for everything. Dismiss his actions on the grounds they’re not rational.”
    “Did it occur to you maybe he was checking in with his lawyer?”
    “He doesn’t have to check in with his lawyer. She made that very clear. Calling her now and then would be quite sufficient.”
    Buddy had heard their voices and was scratching at the front door.
    “I’ve got to let the dog out. You wanna come in?”
    Brenda hesitated a minute, followed Cora up the walk to the front door. The toy poodle shot out, whirled around three times, and circled the yard, peeing on everything.
    “My sentiments exactly.” Cora held open the door, ushered Brenda in. “Come in. Sit down. Sherry’s not here, so no one’s cooking, so I got nothing to offer you. Unless you want some milk left over from Reagan’s second term.”
    “I’ll pass.”