Malarkey Read Online Free PDF Page B

numbers."
    When Dad volunteered to go downstairs for our passports, I
restrained myself from jumping up and saying I'd get them. I told
him where to find mine.
    The idea of anyone going downstairs raised the problem of
the scuffmarks. They might or might not be evidence of an intruder,
and, if so, the whole basement area would be part of the crime
scene.
    Kennedy went down to inspect the marks, and Dad trailed
after him. I fell asleep. I dozed with my head on the kitchen table and
dreamed I was driving. When I woke with a snort the two men were
at the table talking quietly.
    "...and I've known both of them for years," Dad said. "They're
fine young people from good families. Manny Stein was general
counsel for the AFL-CIO until Clinton appointed him to the federal
bench, and Alex's mother teaches mathematics at Columbia. I believe
Barbara's father is a neurosurgeon. Alex and Barbara met in my
seminar on Southern Reconstruction, so I like to think I brought
them together. They come to see me whenever they're in Childers."
Childers was my hometown in upstate New York. "So few students
trouble to do that."
    "I see." Kennedy's hand paused. "You've been very helpful,
sir. Thank you. Back with us, Mrs. Dodge?"
    "Mmmn. Like a salmon lepping into the net."
    He smiled. "I'll just take you through your version of things
the one time. I already have a fair idea of what happened." And so he
did, crisply and efficiently. He read what I'd said back to me. Then he
rose. "I've a phone call or two to make now, if you've no
objection."
    "Help yourself," Dad said cheerfully. "Hungry, Lark?"
    "Ravenous." I'd eaten an airline breakfast hours before, and
it was nearly six local time. So I fixed scrambled eggs on the Rayburn.
The bacon was salty but lusciously lean, and the eggs tasted like
eggs. Dad chowed down, too, which made me feel guilty. I was going
to have to find a market and buy some healthy food. As we ate, he
apologized for losing his temper. That also made me feel guilty.
    "I really wasn't trying to hide anything from you, Dad."
    He sighed. "I know."
    "I promise to be open and direct from now on, but you have
to promise to rest when you're tired. And not to blame me for fussing
if I remind you."
    He sighed again. "I think the role reversal is part of what's
troubling me. I'm your father. I'm supposed to take care of you, and
here you are driving for me and carrying my suitcase and
summoning the police."
    "And wrapping you in cotton wool. I'm sorry." I blinked back
tears. I was still very tired.
    He looked away. "Sergeant Kennedy thinks the investigators
will be here all night."
    "Oh, no!"
    "I have the name of a hotel on the N Eleven."
    I groaned, remembering the one-lane road past the church
tower. Was I up to driving along Suicide Lane in my feeble
condition?
    Fortunately, I didn't have to. Kennedy returned to the
kitchen and suggested that we spend the night at his sister's B &
B. She was sending his nephew over on a bicycle, and the young
man—he was a university student home for the Easter break—would
drive us to her farmhouse in the Toyota.
    I barely had time to toss Dad's shaving kit and pajamas into
my carry-on before a bright-eyed kid wheeled up on a rackety old
black bike. His name was Cieran and he didn't talk much. I do not
remember the drive.
    The sergeant's sister turned out to be a comfortable, gray-
haired woman in her fifties. She took one look at me and said, "Ah,
the poor thing." Clearly the sergeant had laid on the explanations.
"Show the two of them up to their rooms, now, Cier. There's a hot
water-bottle in the bed, lass, and breakfast at half eight. I'd tuck you
in meself but I'm serving dinner."
    I could have wept on her neck, she sounded so kind, but I
was too sleepy. The stairway looked like a cliff. I scaled it. We had
separate rooms. Dad retrieved his gear from my carry-on. I think he
said good night.
    As soon as the door closed on him, I crawled into the pink
sweats I sleep in in a cold climate, slid under