Ashes to Dust (Las Vegas Mystery)

papers, and set them in front of her. She studied the top sheet for a moment and then looked at Snow. “Laura made a call to Tully’s cell phone at eleven forty that morning.”
    Snow looked at his watch. “I wonder if Dr. Tully has an open slot this morning. I think we should schedule an office visit.”
    The cell phone in Snow’s pocket chirped.
    He pulled it out, flipped it open, and issued his standard greeting: “Yeah.”
    “Mr. Snow?”
    “Yes.”
    “This is Kathy Olson.”
    “Oh, hello, Kathy. I didn’t recognize your number. What can I do for you today?”
    Her voice sounded shaky and strained. “I’m calling to apologize, Mr. Snow, for the way I acted last night. I was very upset at the time, what with everything that has happened. Crystal has been under a lot of stress from this, and it has taken its toll on me too. We’ve just been sitting around this motel room and the pool, waiting to find out who did this terrible thing. And it’s impossible to relax. I hope you understand.”
    “Of course we do, Kathy. If I were in your situation, I imagine I would react the same way. It’s only natural. We are human, after all, and it’s good to let out a burst of emotion now and then to release the inner tension. I think it’s not a bad idea to go outside and let go with a good primal scream now and then, just to keep the blood pressure in check.”
    Kathy seemed to relax, her voice evening out. She sighed, as if relieved. “Thank you for being so understanding, Mr. Snow.”
    “Call me Jim,” Snow said. “When anyone calls me Mr. Snow, I feel like a character in a children’s book.”
    She forced a laugh. “That’s funny. You’re very clever. And I want you to know—Crystal and I both do—if you ever need any help from us, give us a call. If we can’t answer your questions over the phone, we’d be pleased to stop by your office.”
    “That’s fantastic, Kathy. We’ll keep that in mind. And I want to assure you and Crystal that you have no reason to worry.”
    “Worry about what, Jim?”
    “Well,” Snow said, “I mean to say that I don’t believe the perpetrator will be targeting Crystal at all. I don’t think she’s in any danger of any sort. I think this crime only had to do with Laura.”
    “Oh!” Kathy said. “Well, that’s reassuring. I’ll tell Crystal. She’ll be relieved to hear that. And pass my apology on to Alice, please.”
    “Will do,” Snow said. “Thanks for calling, Kathy.”
    Snow snapped the phone shut and shoved it in his front pocket.
    “That was Kathy Olson?” Alice said.
    Snow swiveled his chair facing her. “She called to apologize,” he said.
    “That was nice of her,” Alice said.
    “She thinks I’m clever,” Snow said, smiling.
    “I wondered why you were so charming on the phone.”
    “You just haven’t noticed,” Snow said. “The grumpy exterior is just a cover for the real me. It’s impossible to keep it buried all the time. In this business it pays to act a little bit tough. It’s hard to get new business if a man goes around acting like Liberace all the time.”

    Tully Dental was situated in a small office complex in east Las Vegas. As Alice and Snow approached the door to the office, Andrew Tully came rushing out through the doorway, shutting the door quickly behind him.
    “Good morning,” he said, feigning a buoyant tone. “It’s a nice morning; I thought we could walk over to the park and talk. It’s right across the street.”
    “Alright,” Alice said.
    They turned and walked with him, Alice and Tully side by side on the sidewalk, Snow treading alongside on the grass.
    “Can you believe this weather?” Tully said with a slight flutter in his voice. He reminded Snow of a teenager on his first date.
    “Yes,” Snow said. “It seems to have been cooler than normal the last few days.”
    “Probably won’t last much longer,” Tully added. “Indian summer usually hits about now, and it climbs back up above a hundred for a while.”
    Alice turned her head to Tully. “I hope we’re not taking you away from your patients, Andrew.”
    “Oh no,” he said. “I’m free until after lunch. Monday mornings always seem a little slow for me. I wonder if my patients fear that I won’t be at my best after a couple days off, or if they’re not in the mood to deal with dental work so early in the week.”
    “I don’t think I’ve ever been in the mood to deal with dental work,” Snow said.
    Tully forced a weak