by Parnell Hall
“I barely noticed it at all. Trust me, it’s not important.”
“Oh, but it is.”
“What?”
“The other sudoku—the one my aunt went and got me to solve—was a challenging sudoku. Not impossible but moderately difficult. But this sudoku was very easy. Like the ones in your book.”
Cora felt a chill. Did the girl suspect her? “Excuse me?”
“Oh! I did not mean to insult you. But some of your puzzles are very easy. You know what I mean?”
“No, I don’t. Some puzzles are easy. Some puzzles are hard. So what?”
“It’s a clue. A valuable clue. If my aunt was talking, she could point that out and give the police a lead.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Right. She could not. But you could. You could point out it was a much easier puzzle than the other one.”
“I could, but why should I? It doesn’t mean anything.”
“How do you know? It could be important. It could mean that sudoku was left by a different person than whoever left the other sudoku.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.”
Michiko made a face. “You dismiss my ideas because I am a child. Just because I am young does not mean I am not smart.”
“Yes, yes, you’re smart; your ideas are good. But the sudoku doesn’t mean anything. Don’t go wasting your time.”
“It is not my time. It is the police—”
Cora waved her objections away. “Yes, yes, I know what you want. I’ll do what I can.”
“You’ll go to the police?”
“You want me to tell the police?”
“About the sudoku. Not about my aunt.”
“I know what you mean.”
“You will do it? You will tell the police?”
“That’s not going to thrill them much.”
“But you will try?”
Cora sighed. “Look, kid. I’m going to try to get your aunt off. I’m not going to do it your way. If you want to do it your way, you don’t need me. But that’s okay with you, right, because you don’t care as long as your aunt gets out of jail.”
“But you will get her out of jail?”
“I’m not promising anything. I’m saying I will try.”
Michiko looked concerned. “You won’t let my aunt know I told you about her?”
Cora smiled. “Trust me.”
Chapter 45
“I hear you’re a big fat phony.”
Minami looked up from her prison cot. “What did you say?”
“You heard me. Big deal Sudoku Lady. What’s two plus two?”
“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
“Take a wild guess.” Cora whipped out a sheet of paper. “I got a sudoku here I need solved. You wanna do it?”
“I am not going to help you.”
“You couldn’t if you wanted to, you big fat phony.”
“I am not fat.”
Cora laughed. “You realize that’s funny? Denying the fat part. Okay, you skinny little phony.”
“What are you saying?”
“You know damn well what I’m saying. Here you are, so upset about whose book sells more, and you can’t even do sudoku.”
“Who says I cannot?”
“I say you cannot. Lucky for you, I’m saying it in here instead of on TV. But it happens to be true. You’re an impostor. A charlatan. Hell, you’re the Milli Vanilli of sudoku.”
“Milli what?”
“Damn. One of my best lines, and you don’t get the reference. You’re no more the Sudoku Lady than you are the Wizard of Oz. You get that reference? ‘Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain?’”
“Why are you doing this?”
“You wouldn’t believe what a joy it is. After how smugly you tried to lord it over. And you’re a big fat—excuse me—skinny little fraud.”
“So. Michiko told on me.”
Cora smiled. “Ah. American idiom. You can do it just fine when you want to. Your niece didn’t tell on you. You niece came to your rescue. In the nick of time, believe me. Because things don’t look too good. The police don’t have a clue. They’re all off on the wrong scent. This crime is not going to get solved, and you’re going to rot in jail. It may be goosing your book sales, but it can’t be doing much for your social life.”
Minami took a breath. “Why are you here?”
“That’s not the question you want to ask, is it? You want to ask am I going to expose you? But you don’t wanna ask, because you don’t want to put yourself in my power. Guess what? You’re in it already. If I blab, you’re toast. Relax. Cool your jets. I’m not gonna do that. What I’m gonna do is, I’m gonna sit down with you, and between the two of us, we’re gonna figure a way out of this mess. After that, we’ll go our separate ways and we won’t bother each other again. Do we have a deal?”
Minami blinked. “What?”
“We gotta make a deal. It’s important that we do before this goes any further. Tell you why. I got a confession of my own to make. And when you hear it, you’re gonna be mad. And you’re gonna wanna tell someone. But you can’t do it. Any more than I can tell people about you. So, we can work together, or you can sit here till you rot and hope I keep my mouth shut. It doesn’t sound like fun to me, but if you want to, you can. Or we can play I’ve Got a Secret. Wanna know my secret?”
“Yes.”
“Make a deal and I’ll tell you. Do we have a deal?”
“Yes.”
Cora told her.
Chapter 46
Chief Harper wasn’t happy. “She has to be here?”
“Yes.”
“Her lawyer should be present.”
“Why?”
“Anything she says without counsel is inadmissible.”
“She’s not going to say anything.”
“Then why does she have to be here?”
“Trust me, she does.”
“Then Becky needs to be here.”
“I warn you, it’s going to be a problem.”
“Not as much problem as if she isn’t.”
“Fine. Call Becky and get her over here.”
“What do I tell her?”
“Tell her you’re interrogating two suspects in the murder.”
“They’re not suspects.”
“If you tell her they’re suspects, you’ll make her happy.”
“Cora.”
“You want her client present at an interrogation. She’s not going to answer questions; she’s just going to watch. Does Becky want to be there?”
“What if she objects to the whole thing?”
“I’ll take her out in the woodshed and beat the crap out of her.”
“That’ll look bad in court.”
“It won’t be in court. It’ll be in the woodshed. Come on, Chief, give Becky a call. If she agrees, no problem.”
“What if she doesn’t agree?”
“Then we’ll think of something else. But I bet she does.”
It was a safe bet. Cora and Becky had already discussed the plan. Becky didn’t think Chief Harper would go for it, but Cora figured she could finesse him by pretending she didn’t want Becky there and getting the chief to call her.
She figured right. Half an hour later, Minami, Becky, Cora, Chief Harper, and the two widowers, Jason Fielding and Steve Preston, were all jammed into the interrogation room.
Chief Harper cleared his throat. “I realize this is somewhat irregular, but we have some matters to clear up. Miss Felton has some questions. She wants the defendant here while she asks them.”
“Why?” Steve Preston said. “Why do I have to sit here with her? She killed my wife.”
“That’s what we want to determine,” Cora said. “There seems to be some doubt about that. Not in the eyes of the police, you understand. But I’d like to be satisfied. And I’m not. I have something to discuss. And I think she should hear it. And if you wanna know who killed your wife, I’d think you’d wanna hea
r it, too.”
“Hear what?” Steve Preston said. “What in the world are you talking about?”
“From the very beginning we’ve had a problem with this case. When Ida Fielding was killed, her husband was in jail. There is no doubt about that. He was arrested in a bar fight, taken to jail, and locked in a cell. He was still there when she was discovered dead. She was alive when he was arrested; she was dead when he was released. There is no way he could have done it.”
Cora turned to Steve Preston. “Your wife, same thing. She was killed while you were at work. In Manhattan, no less. A half a dozen co-workers can place you miles from the scene of the crime. Not quite as good as being in jail, but damn near. For all practical purposes, you couldn’t possibly have done it.”
Cora shook her head. “Which was really annoying. Particularly with rumors of infidelity flying about.”
“Hey!”
“Damn you!”
Cora put up her hands. “Yes, yes, I know, your wives are innocent; you’re outraged, yada, yada, yada. But the point is, you guys have perfect alibis.”
“That’s right,” Jason said. “So why are we here? Why do we have to put up with this?”
“Strangers on a Train.”
Steve Preston frowned and said, “What?”
But Jason Fielding’s mouth fell open.
Cora smiled. “I’m glad at least one of you caught the reference.”
Jason scowled. “Yes, I know what you mean. It’s a Hitchcock movie. About two men who kill each other’s wives. Is that what you think happened here?”
“I don’t know. You’re pretty quick to jump on the theory.”
“What do you mean, ‘jump on it’? I happen to be a film buff. I know every Alfred Hitchcock movie. The minute you mention Strangers on a Train, I know exactly what you’re getting at.”
“What the hell is she talking about?”
“She thinks we killed each other’s wives. Like in the movie. Because we have perfect alibis. I couldn’t have killed my wife; you couldn’t have killed yours. We could have killed each other’s.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. She hasn’t told me. Why would we do that?”
“You tell me.”
“Tell you what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He sounds sincere. What do you think, Minami? Is this man a killer?”
“Hang on,” Becky said. “I can’t have you questioning my client.”
Cora looked surprised. “I thought we had an agreement here.”
“Sorry. I can’t let you question her.”
“Not even on the guilt of a third party?
“Especially on the guilt of a third party.”
“How come?”
“It opens the door. What if you asked her about Dennis?”
“Why would I do that?”
“I know you. You’re apt to do anything.”
“I promise I won’t ask her about Dennis.” Cora turned to Chief Harper. “Chief, can we get Dennis in here?”
“What?” Becky exclaimed.
“You don’t want me to ask her about Dennis, then I’ll ask Dennis about her.”
“Wait a minute, wait a minute,” Chief Harper said. “I don’t like the way this is going.”
“This is all unofficial,” Cora said. “No one’s getting hurt.”
“Except me, when the prosecutor finds out.”
“So, ask him,” Cora said.
“What?
“Call him up, ask him if he minds.”
“That’s not a great idea,” Becky said.
“Oh?” Harper said. “And why not?”
“It just isn’t.”
Cora grinned. “Sorry, Becky. I hate to hang you out to dry, but I’m afraid it can’t be helped. We have these crimes to clear up.”
She cocked her head at the chief. “Call Ratface.”
Chapter 47
Henry Firth had a thin mustache and a twitchy little nose, which always reminded Cora of a rat. Of course, the fact that the Bakerhaven prosecutor was usually on the other side didn’t help; nor did the fact that he was often thoroughly exasperated with her.
“So,” he said ironically to Chief Harper, “let me be sure I’ve got this straight. You brought the two husbands here in order to accuse them of killing each other’s wives in front of the defendant and her attorney, just in case she needed a good theory to argue in front of the jury during the trial. When that didn’t pan out—and lord knows I can’t imagine why it didn’t—you proposed bringing in the other suspect in the case, who in your infinite wisdom you managed to arrest just in case convicting the defendant was going to be a little too easy. You only thought to bring me in when the defense attorney herself dug in her heels at this rather bizarre suggestion, which surpasseth the bounds of human understanding.”
“You’re really good when you’re angry,” Cora said. “You’re not too keen at presenting facts, but you can do elaborate sarcasm along with the best of them.”
“I’d advise you to hold your tongue,” Henry Firth said. “You’re not an attorney, so this isn’t your fault. But I would imagine that is the only reason this isn’t your fault. This whole thing just smacks of Cora Felton.”
Cora grimaced. “You’re better with sarcasm. Direct accusation is tougher to pull off. You need to work on your delivery.”
Firth turned to Chief Harper. “Can you keep her quiet?”
“How?”
“Good point. Ms. Baldwin, this is to a large part your fault. As attorney for the defendant, you should never have agreed to this arrangement.”
“I don’t see why not,” Becky said. “We were having fun until you showed up.”
“I wouldn’t take this lightly, young lady. There is some question as to the eligibility of your representation. The arrest of Mr. Pride has complicated the situation significantly. You are the attorney handling his probation, thus his attorney of record. His interests in this case are in direct conflict with those of the defendant. If you wish to continue to represent him, then you cannot represent her. It’s a direct conflict of interest.”
“I disagree.”
“It’s not your place to disagree. It’s your place to obey the law.”
“Oh, that sounds good,” Cora said. “It’s meaningless, of course, but it sounds good.”
“We’ll see how meaningless it is. Now, let’s apologize to these two gentlemen for putting them through this charade and send them on their way.”
“You mean they’re not going to see Dennis Pride?” Cora said.
“No, they’re not going to see Dennis Pride. They’re going home, the defendant’s going back to jail, Chief Harper’s going back to work. By which I mean his actual work and not this type of tomfoolery. And Ms. Baldwin’s going before Judge Hobbs to show cause why she should not be removed as counsel due to a conflict of interest.” Henry Firth’s ratty nose twitched. “How does that sound?”
Cora smiled. “Sounds like fun.”
Chapter 48
Judge Hobbs cleared his throat. “This is the time scheduled for the hearing to show cause why Ms. Baldwin should not be removed from representation of her client due to a conflict of interest.” The elderly jurist looked around the courtroom. “This is not a public proceeding. I was not aware there would be spectators.”
Henry Firth was on his feet, his nose twitching. “They are not spectators, Your Honor. They are interested parties.”
“I see,” Judge Hobbs said dryly. “That would include the camera crew from Channel 8 News?”
“They’re interested, Your Honor.”
“I’ll bet they are,” the judge muttered. He picked up a paper from the bench. “Ms. Baldwin, it is alleged that you are representing two clients, Minami and Dennis Pride, with conflicting interests in the murder case of Thelma Wilson and that of Sheila Preston. Are you prepared to show that they are not?”
“I am not the one making the claim, Your Honor. If the district attorney h
as that theory, he’s certainly free to voice it.”
Judge Hobbs digested that. Didn’t like it. He turned to Henry Firth. “What’s the basis of this conflict of interest?”
“What’s the basis? Three people have been killed. Her client, Minami, is charged with at least one of their deaths. Her other client, Dennis Pride, was sent a blackmail note by that very decedent. We have two people with strong, separate motives for killing the victim, and she’s representing both of them.”
Becky smiled. “Is it the prosecutor’s contention that either client is equally likely to have committed the crime?”
Judge Hobbs banged the gavel. “That will do. We’re not here for verbal sparring. As for you, young lady, I’m not at all happy to have you speak in your own behalf. You’re already representing two clients. It would seem your workload was rather full.”
“I have no problem with representing myself, Your Honor.”
“Well, I do. You know the old adage about a lawyer serving in that capacity having a fool for a client. We have enough problems with conflict of interest without interjecting your own.”
“I think I can remain impartial, Your Honor.”
“Well, I’m going to relieve you of that responsibility. Please obtain outside counsel.”
“Very well, Your Honor. In that case, I am going to ask Miss Cora Felton to represent me.”
The Puzzle Lady, decked out in a full-length tweed overcoat, rose from the second row of the gallery and came forward.
Henry Firth’s mouth fell open. “Your Honor, I object. She’s not an attorney.”
“No, Your Honor,” Becky said. “Miss Felton is here as amicus curiae. As a friend of the court, she has agreed to act in my behalf.”
“Well, she’s not going to,” Judge Hobbs ruled. “She’s not an attorney.”
“No, but I am, Your Honor.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Henry Firth sputtered.
“Oh, pooh.” Cora dismissed the prosecutor with a wave of her hand and made her way to Becky’s table. “This isn’t a trial, for goodness’ sake. I’m not representing the defendant. Though, I must say, I’d certainly like to. The issue right now is whether this young woman has a right to practice law. Granted, the judicial system tends to be seen as an old boy’s club, and it’s only lately that women have managed to gain any foothold at all. I find it sad that the minute the brightest and the best begins to make a name for herself, the old boys in charge endeavor to strip her of her clients.”
