Snow Blind - Lori G. Armstrong [75]
265
I skipped a trip to the ranch and drove to the office.
No Kevin—just a note:
Jules—tried your cell earlier, no answer. I’m going to Pierre. Be back in a couple days. Need anything, call me on my cell—K
Pierre? What the fuck? I tossed his file folders for new contracts or deposit slips but found nothing. As long as I was in Kevin’s office, I used his computer. I opened the Bear Butte County Gazette online and scoured the obituaries for preliminary information on Melvin Canter. Survivors included his mother, Mary, and brother, Marvin. Huh. Pretty scant info. But I knew where to look for more.
Shoes off, coffee in hand, I typed the pertinent info and waited for the machine to do the work. 266
I don’t know what I expected to turn up. Few people had endless enemies sworn to vengeance. Most fatal acts were impulsive, which didn’t bode well for my father.
The program was taking forever to load. Damn cold weather affected everything. I stood to refill my coffee and the scent of Shalimar preceded Kim through the reception area.
“Hey, hot mama, long time, no see. You look good.”
No lie. Without makeup her creamy skin had an extra glow, and her auburn hair held a mirrorlike sheen, even clamped in a messy bun. Kim defined Earth Mother and dressed the part in hunter green corduroy pants and a tan woolen sweater, which covered her baby bump. Kim grumbled, “Why is it that even the smell of coffee makes me have to pee? I’ll be right back.”
“I’m working in Kevin’s office.”
Kim sagged into the chair. I might kid her, but she wasn’t to the waddling stage. Yet.
“How you feeling?”
“Tired. I hate being tired all the time. The Lamaze coaches tell me it’s in preparation for after the baby arrives. Guess I won’t get much sleep then, either.”
“Bummer.” Since I couldn’t smoke around Kim my need increased exponentially. “How’s business?”
“Slow. I’m beginning to think hair doesn’t grow in South Dakota in February. Nails, either. The only person making any money is the masseuse and that’s mostly because I’m her biggest customer. Damn back 267
pain. I’ll probably have hours of back labor.”
“How’s the heartburn?”
“Like an inferno. If I never eat another Tums it’ll be too soon. But enough about me. What’s new with you, sugar?”
Sugar. Reminded me of Martinez and I gritted my teeth. “The usual. Finding dead bodies, trying to shoot my problems, problems meaning situations with my dad, Kevin, Martinez, Brittney, and . . . am I forgetting something?” I paused. “Nope. That must be it.”
Kim rolled her good eye; the glass one stayed in place. “You could’ve just said nothing, Jules.”
How I wished to merrily smile and say nothing. Instead, I zoomed off on a tangent about what’d gone down on the ranch with Doug, and then Trish demanding my help.
“You aren’t considering helping him, are you?”
I shrugged. Didn’t count if Trish asked for my help, right?
“He deserves jail time.”
“Given the chance, would you put your dad in jail, Kim?”
“In a New York minute.”
“This isn’t the same. He shouldn’t go to jail now for what he did to me then. I’m not so sure he’s guilty.
“They’re always guilty.”
A strange silence descended.
“So you came here to fight with me?” I asked with 268
saccharine sweetness.
“No. Murray said when you dropped by my place you mentioned you were due for a haircut.”
“A lie I made under duress. I’m surprised he even remembered.” I sipped coffee. “Maybe you should’ve bought him a robe for Valentine’s Day instead of golf clubs.”
She flapped her left hand. In dim light the gigantic diamond on her ring finger flashed like a beacon.
“He’s confident in his masculinity.” She granted me a catlike grin. “As he should be.”
“You set the big date yet?”
“That’s one of the reasons I’m here. We’re flying to Vegas the end of this month. His best man will meet us there, and we’ll hold the ceremony on the twenty-ninth.”
“Please tell me you haven’t chosen an Elvis impersonator to marry you?”
“Lawd, Julie. We do have some class. We’re getting hitched at the Star Trek Experience.”
I choked