Scattered Graves

agencies—all good jobs at legitimate places. We were at a dead end and decided to let it go. Then several days later the kid with the car called and told Buckley he wanted to meet with him.’’
‘‘What did he want?’’ asked Diane, leaning forward.
‘‘Don’t know. The kid didn’t show and he wouldn’t answer Buckley’s calls. Buckley went over to his house, but he wouldn’t answer the door. That was it.’’
‘‘What do you think that was about?’’ asked Diane.
Loraine shrugged. ‘‘Who knows? He was unreliable. He was one of those kids who, well, he dressed in rag ged jeans, had a ring in his nose. Somehow you don’t expect that from Asian kids, but there you are.’’ Lo raine stopped and looked at Diane. ‘‘Are you all right?’’

Chapter 31
    Diane must have gone pale, but there it was—Asian, nose ring, teenager. They all were staring at her. She put a hand to her cheek and gently rubbed it. ‘‘My face is hurting a little bit. It does that. I’m fine, really.’’
    ‘‘Honestly, a man who would hit a woman,’’ said Mrs. Sutton. ‘‘And he called himself a policeman. May I get you some ice?’’
    ‘‘I’ll be all right. It’s probably just healing twinges.’’ Diane smiled at them and changed position in her chair. ‘‘Do you know the kid’s name?’’ she asked.
    ‘‘No, but I can find out. Just a minute. I’ll call
    Buckley.’’
‘‘An address and phone number for him would help
a lot,’’ said Diane.
Loraine stood up and went into an adjoining room.
Diane heard her calling and asking for the name.
There was a long silence. Diane imagined he was get
ting the information. They didn’t talk long, but from
what Diane heard, she guessed they probably had
dated. May still be dating. There was a friendly play
fulness to her voice usually reserved for someone
close. Loraine didn’t tell Buckley what it was about.
Diane was grateful for that, but she had a feeling Lo
raine might call him back when she left.
‘‘Count on Buckley for keeping good notes,’’ Lo
raine said, coming back into the room.
She gave Diane an index card containing two names. One had an address and phone number in Atlanta.
The other had a local phone number.
‘‘Malcolm Chen is the kid. Sid Larkin is the man
ager at Wal-Mart,’’ said Loraine.
‘‘Thank you,’’ said Diane, taking the card and pock
eting it. ‘‘This will be a big help. I appreciate all of
you speaking with me. And thank you for the refresh
ments. I appreciate your hospitality.’’
‘‘Glad to help,’’ said Sutton. ‘‘I’m always glad to
help.’’
They all rose as Diane stood. She was relieved to
be leaving. She was starting to feel smothered by a
room with so much fabric.
‘‘Are you going to be all right to drive back?’’
asked Sutton.
‘‘I’ll be fine. I’m mostly just sore,’’ she assured him. ‘‘I’m glad Edward has taken the helm,’’ he said.
‘‘He’s a good man.’’
‘‘He is,’’ Diane agreed, edging toward the door. Sutton cleared his throat. ‘‘Tell me, do you think
he will run for mayor in the special election?’’ Ah , thought Diane, fishing for information about an
other potential rival .
‘‘He hasn’t said anything to me, but I’ve always had
the impression that if Edward were elected mayor, the
first thing he would do is demand a recount.’’ Their laughter was far heartier than the joke war
ranted. Diane suspected it was mainly relief. There
was no way that Walter Sutton could defeat Edward
Van Ross in an election.
‘‘Please come by again,’’ said Mrs. Sutton. ‘‘Thank you,’’ said Diane.
Diane finally made it out the door and felt a distinct
relief as it closed behind her. She climbed in her SUV
and drove to Spence Jefferies’ house.
At the entryway she pulled coveralls over her
clothes and donned shoe and hair covers.
Whereas Mayor Sutton’s house had been all fabric,
tapestries, and deep colors, Mayor Jefferies’ house was
white marble and dark wood. Paintings of war and conquest were in abundance, all in classical Greek and Roman style, mounted in simple metal frames. There was the bust of Alexander the Great. And in the cen ter of the dining room table was a sculpture of Bu
cephalus, Alexander’s horse.
He was like a kid, thought Diane, pretending to be
a great conqueror.
‘‘Hey, boss. I thought I heard someone come in.’’
Jin met her in the hallway.
She knew they would have processed the foyer first
and