A Vineyard Killing Read Online Free PDF Page A

thought I’d told you,” said Zee to me. “I guess I didn’t.”
    â€œWell,” said Dodie, “when they brought that Paul Fox in, that silly daughter of mine called me all teary and worried and it made me so mad, especially when she told me that he wasn’t really shot very much, that I decided to go right over there and give both of those goddamned Foxes a piece of my mind! That Donald Fox was there, too, you know, so I could get to both of them at the same time!”
    I had known Dodie for a long time, but I had never heard her use such language. I was impressed.
    â€œAnd you took a pistol with you,” I said.
    â€œI didn’t know I had it! Dave used to target-practice at the Rod and Gun Club, and he must have forgotten the gun when he hung up his coat. It wasn’t a very big gun. A twenty-two, I think they said. I’m not like you, Zee; I don’t know one gun from another. Anyway, that coat is heavy and has a lot of pockets and I was so mad I never even noticed the gun. That man Hillborough found it when he grabbed me.”
    â€œThe jail keeper said it was unloaded,” said Norman. “That’s one good thing.”
    â€œOh, I don’t know,” said Dodie. “If it had been loaded and I’d known I had it, I could have shot all three of them. Good riddance!”
    â€œNow, Dodie, you don’t mean that,” said Zee.
    Dodie gave a great sigh. “No, I guess I don’t.”
    â€œI’m sure you don’t,” said Norman. “Then what happened?”
    â€œThen they called the police and Maria almost had hysterics and they took me to jail. And I was there until you got me out.”
    â€œDid you talk with the police?”
    â€œThey asked me what happened and I told them.”
    â€œWell,” said Norman, “from now on don’t say anything about this case to anyone. If anybody asks you anything, you tell them to talk with your lawyer.”
    â€œBut I don’t have a lawyer. I don’t have any money to pay one.”
    â€œLawyers do what’s called pro bono work,” said Norman. “That means they work for nothing. If you want, I’ll be your attorney. If you don’t want me, I can probably find another attorney for you. I recommend that you get one, in either case.”
    Dodie looked at Zee and me.
    â€œHe’s already our lawyer,” said Zee.
    â€œAll right,” said Dodie. “You can be mine, too, Mr. Aylward. And to tell you the truth, I’m glad to have you help me. I never thought I’d spend a night in jail and I never want to spend another one there.”
    â€œI’ll try to keep you out.” He gave her his card.
    â€œYou and I should go to my office now so I can get some more information and we can talk about our options.”
    â€œAnd then what will happen?”
    â€œAnd then you’ll go back home and take care of your cats and I’ll get to work.”
    â€œWhat can you do?”
    He stood. “First we’ll see what we can do about this matter involving the pistol, then we’ll have a look at the land title business.”
    â€œThat awful man must have a thousand lawyers. What can you do?”
    â€œI hesitate to use this metaphor with reference to lawyers,” said Norman with a small smile, “but Samson slew a thousand Philistines with the jawbone of an ass. I may do as well with the book of law.”
    When they were gone, Zee looked at me. “I think Dodie is in good hands.”
    â€œYes. Did you know Paul Fox was dating Maria Donawa?”
    â€œNo. Maria works in another part of the building, so I don’t see much of her. She’s a pretty girl and I imagine she dates a lot of men.”
    â€œIs she really as emotional as Dodie seemed to say?”
    â€œIt’s hard not to be emotional when someone you love gets shot and your mother gets thrown in jail for threatening somebody with a gun.