1 A Small Case of Murder Read Online Free Page A

saying. “Let’s go to Hawaii.”
    “Someday, girlfriend, some day,” Vicki said.
    Joshua noted that Vicki’s voice sounded younger than Amber’s.
    “But there was so much,” Amber argued. “How much was there?”
    Vicki answered, “Two hundred thousand.”
    “Two hundred thousand?” Amber cursed, “Damn! Let’s move to Hawaii.”
    “I only get to keep ten (bleep) percent.”
    “How many ways is the cash split?” Amber asked.
    “Two. Three, if you count that man they call my father.” Vicki giggled. “But he doesn’t really count because I can usually get him to give me some, if only to shut me up.”
    “That’s Wally Rawlings, our prosecutor,” Tad whispered to Joshua, who was watching the report in disbelief.
    “Who are the other two?” Amber was asking.
    “Aunt Bridgette and Grandfather,” Vicki laughed. “If his congregation only knew that their leader was the biggest (bleep) drug lord in the whole (bleep) valley.”
    Joshua looked at Tad with surprise. “Did you know that?”
    “It’s common knowledge in drug circles.”
    “They’re going to get their butts sued.” Joshua indicated the television station playing the news broadcast.
    Tad turned off the set. “It’s also common knowledge that Vicki Rawlings hates her family. Rawlings’ lawyer can make a case that she made it all up and sue the pants off Bauer.”
    “How about this Amber? What family is she from?”
    “I have no idea. I never heard of her before, and I thought I knew everyone. Most likely some barfly wanting to get her face on television. When Rawlings sees this, she’s going to find out personally the high price for fifteen minutes of fame.” Tad took his empty mug to the sink. “Want some more tea?”
    “No thanks.”
    Tad washed his mug and the other dishes in the sink. “How are you doing?”
    Joshua avoided the real topic about which he was asking. “My back is killing me.”
    “That’s old age.”
    “It’s not.” Joshua revealed his somber mood. “When is the pain going to go away?”
    “It won’t.” Drying his hands on the dishtowel, Tad turned back to him. “It’ll become livable, but it won’t ever go away.”
    Joshua sat back in his chair. “I seem to recall you being more help when you drank. At least I liked your advice better then.”
    “Hey, blame yourself if you don’t like me this way. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t even be here, let alone drinking tea while watching the news.”
    “Are you sorry that I dragged you out of that shack and took you to Glenbeigh?”
    “No.” Tad grinned at his cousin as he sat across from him. “I never did thank you for that, did I?”
    Feeling uneasy in the face of gratitude, Joshua concentrated on an imaginary blemish on the kitchen table’s finish.
    In spite of Joshua’s discomfort, Tad continued, “How many men would fly across the country to break into a house, drag a guy out kicking and screaming, and take him to rehab?”
    Joshua felt brave enough to ask, “Were you trying to kill yourself?”
    “Maybe. I don’t know. Life isn’t fair, Josh. You read the Bible, didn’t you?” Before he could answer, Tad told him, “The word ‘fair’ isn’t in there. God never promised that life would be fair. I mean, why is it that a bum like me has some-one like you go out of his way to save him, while a good person like Valerie—?” His voice trailed off.
    Both men became lost in their own thoughts.
    Joshua changed the topic. “Did you know Lulu Jefferson?”
    Tad repeated the question with a naughty tone, “Did I know Lulu Jefferson?” He smiled broadly until Joshua caught the meaning behind his expression.
    “Wait a minute. Lulu was Mom’s friend.”
    “She was also a good teacher.”
    “What kind of teacher?”
    “Guitar.” Seeing Joshua’s doubtful expression, Tad went on, “I mean it. She did teach me how to play the guitar…and other things. Let me set it up for you. She was twenty-five with a tiny waist, big