Read Online The Puzzle Lady vs. the Sudoku Lady by Parnell Hall - Free Book Online Page B

it you knew her better than you knew Jason.” Cora shrugged. “Unless you have some proclivities I’m not aware of.”
    â€œNow, see here—”
    Cora grimaced, shook her finger. “Bad move. When a person begins lecturing an interrogator, it’s a sure sign a question hit home. Let’s save some time. You and Ida Fielding were having an affair. She’s dead. You’re married, so you can’t let on you care. It’s only me. I’m on your side. I could give you a course on home-wrecking one-oh-one. So, cut the crap and let’s talk turkey. Otherwise, you can do your talking to the police.”
    â€œNo police.”
    â€œFine. Did you see Mrs. Fielding the night she died?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œTry again.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œBetter answer. If you saw her at her house, the neighbor would know. The neighbor didn’t. Where did you see her?”
    â€œAt the mall.”
    â€œAt the mall?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhen was that?”
    â€œSeven thirty. Quarter to eight.”
    â€œNo, no, no. I don’t mean at suppertime. I mean later, after Jason went out.”
    â€œI didn’t see her then.”
    â€œSomeone did.”
    â€œNo one did. It was an accident.”
    â€œWhat if it wasn’t? What if she was killed?”
    â€œThen Jason did it.”
    â€œJason has an alibi. He’s also got a lawyer. You don’t. A lawyer’s a huge advantage in a situation like this. Particularly getting
in on the ground floor. By the time the cops get to you, Jason will have established a whole bunch of stuff you’ll have a hard time disproving.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œHow do you fool the neighbor?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œYou must have some way of getting into the house without Mrs. Snoopedygidget getting wise. What do you do—cut through the neighbor’s yard, sneak up to the back door? Where do you park your car then?”
    Steve’s eyes flicked.
    â€œGod, I’d love to play poker with you,” Cora said. “You don’t have a game, do you?”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œSo, your wife doesn’t know about the affair. Where does she think you go?”
    â€œLeave my wife out of this.”
    â€œThere’s a nice phrase. You say it to Mrs. Fielding much? Bet it came up a lot.”
    â€œI’m going to ask you to leave.”
    â€œOf course you are.” Cora smiled. “Seen any Japanese women lately?”
    â€œHuh?”
    â€œDon’t worry. You will. If that moron Dennis could find you, they can’t be far behind.”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œI’m just saying you better start working on your alibi. And guess what, it’s not just from eleven o’clock on anymore.”
    â€œWhat?”
    Cora smiled. “Ask the Japanese woman.”

Chapter 18
    Michiko snuck out of the Country Kitchen dining room to meet Dennis Pride, who had dropped in for a drink after work. Though “dropped in” was perhaps the wrong choice of words, gave the impression Dennis was just passing by. In point of fact, his last client was in Westport, a good forty-five-minute drive and not in the right direction. No matter. The man knew where he wanted to drink.
    Dennis was glad to see her. He already had the genial expansiveness of a man on his second scotch. “Oh, look who’s here. Your auntie let you out?”
    â€œShe’s in the dining room.”
    â€œEating?”
    â€œWe just ordered.”
    â€œWhat are you having?”
    â€œThe prime rib.”

    â€œGood choice. Unless you’re a vegetarian. You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”
    â€œDon’t be stupid.”
    â€œCan’t help it. I was born that way.”
    Michiko giggled. “You’re silly.”
    â€œYour aunt solved the crime yet?”
    â€œWhat crime?”
    â€œThat’s right. The police still