Q Is for Quarry

doors and see who'd been hiding what. I wondered where Cornell was the night that Pudgie was killed. That was a subject worth pursuing.
    In my absence, someone had drained off my entire cup of wine. I tossed the empty plastic in a trash can. As I went into the hall, I glanced into the bedroom Pudgie must have occupied. There was a single bed, covered with a plain spread, the blanket and pillow stacked together at the foot. The room had all the cozy charm of a jail cell. There were no curtains at the window, and the plain white shade had been pulled down halfway. No pictures, no personal possessions.
    The closet door stood open, revealing an empty hanging rod. Felicia must have swept through, boxing up everything he owned, and then called the Goodwill. I felt a pang of disappointment. Given my curious nature, I'd hoped for the opportunity to search his things. I wasn't even sure what I thought I'd find – some sense of who he was, some feeling for why he'd died. I didn't imagine he'd left a note about his final rendezvous, but there might have been a hint of what he'd meant to do in life.
    "Bleak," someone said. I turned. Justine was standing to my left, making the same sad assessment of the room that I had. I saw her gaze linger on my jacket. "What."
    "Nothing. I used to have a jacket just like that."
    "Really? I've had this old thing for years." I felt a spark of fear and a second lie sprung to my lips. "Hey, what was Cornell up to Friday night? I thought I saw him downtown about ten."
    She gave me a little smile of negation and bafflement. "He was home with the kids. I was out doing stuff for church."
    "He was home alone?"
    "Not at all. The kids were there. I told you that."
    "Well, that's odd. You sure he didn't pop out to get a video? I could have sworn it was him."
    "It couldn't have been. I went out at nine after the girls were in bed. He was folding laundry when I left and sacked out on the couch when I got home at midnight."
    "The church is open that late?"
    "I wasn't at the church. I was over at Adele's, working on a mailing. That's why he ended up baby-sitting."
    "I thought they did the mailing Saturday at Edna's."
    "They finished it then. We started Friday night."
    I didn't point out that Cornell could have driven to Creosote and back in an hour, with plenty of time left for a stop at the Tuley-Belle to deliver forty whacks to Pudgie's head. She could have done it, too.
    Three hours would have been more than adequate. I tried to remember what Adele had said when she paid her husband's parking citation. He'd been ticketed Friday night because he was late for a movie, but I couldn't remember if she said she'd been with him or not. Changing the subject, I said, "You want some wine? I'm out. I'll be happy to bring you some."
    "No, thanks. I don't drink. I've seen enough of that."
    "I'll be right back."
    I bumped into someone as I entered the living room. I said, "Pardon me," and looked up to find Todd Chilton. He wasn't in uniform and it took me an instant to realize who he was. I said, "Hey, how are you? I didn't realize you'd be here. Can I talk to you a minute?"
    "Sure."
    We stepped to one side. Music had started up. Someone had apparently put together a tape of Pudgie's old favorites, starting with Chubby Checker. "Come on, baby, lets do the twist..." Nobody seemed to think it was inappropriate. I was just happy to have the noise to cover my conversation with the deputy. He bent his head, a hand cupped to his ear. I said, "Have they found the murder weapon yet?"
    He shook his head. "We searched until six and then we had to give it up. No point fumbling around in the dark. Detective Lassiter did say he'd return Detective Oliphant's call first thing tomorrow morning. Lot of paperwork's piled up since we've been out in the field."
    "I'm assuming Pudgie's murder hit the news."
    "Oh yeah. Big spread this morning, asking for volunteers. I was just talking to Cornell. We got a lot of desert out there and a weapon like that's easy to hide. We've searched that whole area behind the Tuley-Belle and now we'll head toward the highway. You're welcome to join us. We could use the help."
    "Thanks. I may do that."
    Chilton moved away. I scanned the room, looking for Cornell. Adrianne had reappeared and she gave me a look of dark distaste before she walked away. I'd probably overplayed my hand with her. I didn't want to think she'd tell her brother what I knew, but she was capable of that.
    Felicia passed me again.