Read Online Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris - Free Book Online Page B

I do.”
    â€œI do love him,” Diane said, sounding as surprised as an emotionally exhausted pregnant woman can. “I’ve always loved him, at first for his mother’s sake, but then because I raised him as my son. You, of all people, should know that. Even if he were my own biological child, I’d be having a hard time with him right now. It’s not him, it’s his stage of life.”
    â€œHe doesn’t like school here very much,” Joel said. He sounded just as tired as his wife, as if dealing with Victor wore him out. “But he’s great on the tennis team.”
    â€œPoor Victor,” my brother said, somewhat to my surprise.
    â€œYes, the whole thing’s been very hard on him, too,” Joel said. “Of course, he was sure he was going to be arrested and executed instantly, the drastic way teenagers decide things, when the police questioned him very…persistently.”
    â€œThey thought he might resent his little sister, the attention she got as the child of the second marriage.” Then Diane went absolutely still, and I had a moment of panic, thinking something was happening with the baby. But it was just one of the moments when anguish comes sweeping down like an eagle from the air, to tear at you with cruel talons.
    â€œOh, Tabitha,” Diane said, in a low voice that contained profound grief. “Oh, my girl.” Large tears began to roll from her beautiful dark eyes.
    Her husband put his arm around her and together theyleft to return to their new home. Felicia trailed after them, her face heavy with unhappiness.
    I looked at the closed door a few minutes after they’d passed through it. I wondered if the baby’s room was ready yet. I wondered what they’d done with all Tabitha’s things.
    With their departure, the tension eased out of the room. Art, Tolliver, and I looked at each other with some relief.
    â€œThat’s great news, about the reward. Last I heard, it was up to twenty-five thousand dollars. Before taxes, of course.” Art was reviewing the afternoon mentally, I could tell from the way he was drumming his fingers on the occasional table. “I’m glad I went second, after all,” Art said next. “I’ve heard of Blythe Benson. She said a few things I took issue with.”
    â€œYeah, we noticed.” Tolliver got a crossword puzzle book out of his laptop bag and began rummaging around in the bottom of the pocket for his pencil.
    Art looked irritated. “You think I could have handled it differently, Tolliver, you say so.”
    Tolliver looked up, apparently surprised. “No, Art, no problem. You, Harper?”
    â€œI noticed you didn’t say Tolliver was your client, too, Art,” I said.
    Art did his best to seem surprised; though I thought his only real surprise was that we’d noticed the omission. “Tolliver’s name hadn’t been brought into the mix at that point, I was just trying to keep it that way,” he said. “You want me to call all the reporters and correct myself?”
    â€œNo, Art, that’s fine,” I said. “Just, for future reference, be more thorough and include that little detail.”
    â€œMessage received,” Art said brightly. “It’s been a long day for an old man, kids. I’m going to my room, call the office, catch up on my work.”
    â€œSure, Art,” Tolliver said, his attention on the puzzle open before him. “If you’re not flying back to Atlanta until tomorrow, you’ll have to join us for dinner.”
    â€œThanks, we’ll see how much work I have to do tonight. I may just get room service. But give me a call when you’re ready to head out.”
    â€œSee you later,” I said.
    When he was safely gone, I said, “What do you think he’s heard?”
    â€œI was trying to figure it out. Maybe the police think I had Tabitha’s body all this time and moved