K Is for Killer

Water Board, and he hates to miss a meeting. He thrives on adrenaline."
    "Your father isn't Clark Esselmann, by any chance?"
    "You know him?"
    "I know his reputation. I had no idea. He's always raising hell with the developers." He'd been involved in local politics for fifteen years, since he'd sold his real estate company and retired in splendor. From what I'd heard, he had a rough temper and a tongue that could shift from saltiness to eloquence depending on the subject. He was stubborn and outspoken, a respectable board member for half a dozen charities.
    She smiled. "That's him," she said. She slid a hand through her hair, which was coppery, a cross between red and dark gold. It looked as though she'd had some kind of body permanent, because the curl seemed too pronounced to be entirely natural. The cut was short, the style uncomplicated. I pictured her running a brush through her hair after her morning shower. Her hands were big and her nails blunt cut but nicely manicured. She spent money on herself, but not in any way that seemed flashy. Suffering illness or injury, I'd have trusted her on sight.
    I murmured something innocuous and then changed the focus of the conversation. "What can you tell me about Lorna?"
    "I didn't know her well. I should probably say that up front."
    "Janice mentioned that you're married to the fellow Lorna worked for at the water treatment plant."
    "More or less," she said. "Roger and I have been separated for about eighteen months. I'll tell you, the last few years have been hellish, to say the least. My marriage fell apart, my father had a heart attack, and then Mother died. After that, Daddy's health problems only got worse. Lorna house-sat for me when I needed to get away."
    "You met her through your husband?"
    "Yes. She worked for Roger for a little over three years, so I'd run into her if I popped in at the plant. I'd see her at the employee picnics in the summer and the annual Christmas party. I thought she was fascinating. Clearly a lot smarter than the job required."
    "The two of you got along?"
    "We got along fine."
    I paused, wondering how to phrase the question that occurred to me. "If it's not too personal, can you tell me about your divorce?"
    "My divorce?" she said.
    "Who filed? Was it you or your husband?"
    She cocked her head. "That's a curious question. What makes you ask?"
    "I was wondering if your separation from Roger had anything to do with Lorna."
    Serena's laugh was quick and startled. "Oh, good heavens. Not at all," she said. "We'd been married ten years, and we both got bored. He was the one who broached the subject, but he certainly didn't get any grief from me. I understood where he was coming from. He feels he has a dead-end job. He likes what he does, but he's never going to get rich. He's one of those guys whose life hasn't quite come up to his expectations. He pictured himself retired by the age of fifty. Now he's past that, and he still hasn't got a dime. On the other hand, I not only have a career I'm passionate about, but I'll have family money coming to me one of these days. Living with that got to be too much for him. We're still on friendly terms, we're just not intimate, which you're welcome to verify with him."
    "I'll take your word for it," I said, though of course I'd check. "What about the house-sitting? How'd Lorna end up doing that?"
    "I don't remember exactly. I probably mentioned in passing that I needed someone. Her place was small and remarkably crude. I thought she'd enjoy spending time in a more comfortable setting."
    "How often did she sit?"
    "Five or six times altogether, I'd guess. She hadn't done it for a while, but Roger thought she was still willing. I could check my calendar at home if it seems relevant."
    "At the moment I don't know what's relevant and what's not. Were you satisfied with the job she did?"
    "Sure. She was responsible; fed and walked the dog, watered plants, brought in the newspaper and the mail. It saved me the kennel fees, and I liked having someone in the house while I was gone. After Roger and I split, I moved back in to my parents' house. I was interested in a change of scene, and Dad needed some unofficial supervision because of his health. Mother's cancer had already been diagnosed and she was doing chemo. This was an arrangement that suited all of us."
    "So you were living at your father's at the time Lorna died?"
    "That's right. He's been under doctor's care, but he's what they call a 'noncompliant'