All Night Long

wanted to discuss something important. Even used an old secret code that the two had invented. Al n all, that was enough to convince Irene that Pamela’s death might not have been a suicide or an accident.”
    “Heard about Irene’s theory,” Phil said. “What’s your take on it?”
    “Let’s just say that after watching someone torch the Webb house last night, I find Irene’s theory interesting.”
    “Sam McPherson has put it about that the arson job was probably the work of a vandal, most likel rom Kirbyville, a known den of thieves and miscreants.”
    “Motive?”
    Phil unlaced his hands and spread them wide. “That’s the beauty of the crime of arson, isn’t it? Firebugs are nutcases. Everyone knows they don’t need a motive.”
    “A useful factoid, if ever there was one.”
    Phil looked thoughtful. “You didn’t see the guy?”
    Luke shook his head. “Nothing but a shadow. I was too busy getting Irene off that deck before the house went up in flames All I know is that he got away in a boat.”
    His mouth twisted. “Course I made the escape easy for him because I figured he had come by car. I was heading for the road at the same time he was going in the opposite direction back to the lake.”
    “Don’t blame yourself. Situation like that, you have to make choices.”
    “Which is a polite euphemism for screwing up.”
    “Screwing up happens.”

    Luke extended his legs. “Moving right along, what I came here to ask you is whether you have heard anything about Pamela’s latest boyfriend.”
    “Her latest?”
    “Evidently, she was not in the habit of coming to Dunsley on her own.”
    “True.” Phil paused, frowning a little. “But it appears she broke that habit this time. I didn’t hea nything about her having a gentleman friend with her on this visit.”
    “Is it likely that you would have heard?”
    “When Pamela was in town, there was always talk. She was a Webb, and the doings of the Webbs have always been of considerable interest to everyone in the community.”
    “Any possibility that the reason she didn’t bring a friend with her this time was because she already had one lined up here in town?”
    Phil snorted. “From what I knew of Pamela Webb, I think it’s safe to say that there was no man here in Dunsley who would have been able to meet her high standards of elegance and sophistication. Present company excepted, of course.”
    “Naturally.”
    “But given that neither of us two classy, sophisticated dudes was dating her, I think it’s safe to say that she wasn’t fooling around with anyone local. Trust me, word would have circulated like wildfire if she was carrying on with someone from around here.”
    “It was just a thought.”
    “Here’s another one,” Phil said, eyes very steady. “You and Irene are taking on a U.S. senator who, because of his family connections, has this whole town pretty much in his back pocket.”
    “That thought has crossed my mind more than once.”
    “Having stated the obvious, I would like to point out that not everyone here is in Webb’s pocket,” Phil added quietly. “You need anyone to watch your back, feel free to call.”
    Luke stood. “Thanks.”

    ”
Semper fi,
man.”
    ”
Semper fi.
”

Twenty
    A quarter of a mile outside town Sam McPherson’s cruiser appeared in the SUV’s rearview mirror,
    closing the distance rapidly. This was probably not one of life’s astonishing little coincidences, Luke thought. But he waited until McPherson went to the trouble of flashing a few lights before he pulle ver to the side of the road and stopped.
    He kept his attention on the mirror, watching McPherson’s image come toward him.
    Objects ma ppear smaller than they really are, he reminded himself, just like it said at the bottom of the mirror.
    But that didn’t mean they couldn’t cause trouble.
    “When McPherson reached the driver’s-side door, Luke lowered the window.
    “I assume I’m not being stopped for speeding,” he said.
    Sam planted one hand on the side of the SUV “Saw you leave the garage. Thought this might be ood chance to talk to you alone.”
    “That would mean without Irene around, right?”
    Sam exhaled heavily. “You’re new here, Danner. I think it might be a good idea if I gave you a little background on Irene Stenson.”
    “Such as?”
    “She was always the quiet type. She wasn’t exactly shy but she always seemed real serious, more interested in books than in boys. She had real nice