Sadie patted her hair. “Notice anything new?"
"Other than that skunk on your head?"
Sadie turned her head back and forth and gazed in the rearview mirror. “I can't help it if most of the highlights ended up in a row on top.” She picked at the blond spikes and tried to move some of them sideways. “Big Leon said it'll look better after he cuts off some of the streak."
"I'd schedule that appointment if I were you.” Theo sighed impatiently then tipped his wrist to look at his watch. “What's taking them so long? I don't have all day."
"You have thirty days,” Sadie said. “And you've used up about 10 of them. How come you're always the first one back on the van? Are you sure you're putting your energy into finding someone on the brink?"
"Spare the sermon. I've had all I can tolerate for one day. Lora is sobbing in one of hallways because Rodney's harassing her again. That wretched creature has enough to worry about. And the boys are hatching a plan to find a murderer."
"A murderer?"
"Tim's convinced his father was murdered."
Staring at Theo, Sadie said, “Did he tell you that?"
"No. But I overheard them talking about it. Something about a rifle."
"A rifle? That doesn't make sense. Richard wasn't shot. But Tim's not the first to question his father's death. Nan 's friend, Lon, is concerned, too."
"It's amazing how little minds fabricate huge scenarios, isn't it?” Theo said.
Sadie bit at the corner of her mouth. Theo riled her. His contempt for those beneath him increased by the day causing him to lose sight of his declaration.
Sadie pushed the release lever and the van's door swung shut. She grabbed the keys off the dash, started the van, and pulled away from the no-parking zone.
"What are you doing?” Theo cried. “What about the others?"
"They'll have to wait. I've waited for them, so they can wait for me.” Sadie drove two miles before bringing the van to a standstill at Nordeen Point, a public park situated on the north side of Pinecone Lake.
Sadie got out of the driver's seat and sat directly across from Theo. “I want to know how it went today, Theo. Were you able to zero in on anyone near death?"
"Aren't they all?"
"You're quick to criticize, but they're not all waiting to die. What makes you think their lives weren't as good as yours."
"Because they're not me,” Theo said under his breath.
Sadie sat on the edge of the seat with her legs dangling in the aisle. “Did you ever enjoy yourself? Or did you spend your entire life with that steel rod up your butt?"
"There. That's exactly what I mean, Sadie,” Theo said. “You're as crass as they come. Your language is repulsive and you have no respect for anyone's feelings. Put yourself in my place and see how it feels to find out you're dead."
"You put yourself in my place and think about taking responsibility for one crosser after another,” Sadie said. “That's not a bed of geraniums, either."
Theo cringed. “Roses. It's roses. If you have to use a tired cliche, at least get it right".
"We're not going back to the cabin until you tell me something about your past."
"What do you need to know?"
"Tell me about your life. Did you marry? Do you have children? If you do, that must have been a miracle because I can't picture you having sex with that rod up your butt."
"Are you sure you're not Rodney's mother?"
Sadie grabbed her breasts and shook them. “Positive. Rodney said his old lady had big tits. Remember?” With palms up, Sadie wriggled her fingers to indicate she wanted him to talk. “I'm prepared to stay here all night if that's what it takes."
Staring out the window at the children playing on the swings, Theo said, “I'll allow two questions. Then I want to go back to the cabin."
"Were you married and do you have children?"
"That's two questions. But because they're related, I'll allow it as one."
"Are you a judge?” Sadie asked. “You've made a few comments that make me think you're a judge or a lawyer."
"Is that one of your questions?"
"No. But I need to know because I have some questions unrelated to being a crosser."
"If you want legal advice regarding that lawsuit, I'm not going to make any comments."
"Do you think we have a chance?"
"Not if the judge knows you.” Theo smiled.
"We're going to talk more about this later."
"I don't think so,” Theo responded with a slow shake of his head.
Theo and Sadie turned to watch a procession of cyclists ride past the van. Sadie grinned broadly and waved as one of the cyclists recognized her and shouted a greeting.
"I need sound legal advice. Maybe you're not intelligent enough to help me."
"I beg to differ. And quit using reverse psychology. It won't work."
Setting her lime crystal earrings in motion as she sat forward, Sadie said, “Tell me about your family. The more I know, the easier it will be to help you."
"I don't need your help. I've already made my declaration. I'm going to the parallel world.” Theo held his hand up. “Before you ask, it's none of your business why I've chosen to go there."
"What if I ask that as one of my questions?"
"I don't think you will. There are too many other things you'd rather know, so think before you ask."
He placed the briefcase on the seat and turned to face Sadie. “I didn't marry until later in life. My wife had two children from a previous marriage. They became the scourge of my existence. So did my wife. From the day they entered my home, my life became a living hell.” Theo turned to watch a child spin the merry-go-round. “This past year I actually considered divorce. They had nearly drained me financially, but then something happened that made it impossible for me to divorce her."
Sadie drew in a quick breath.
Theo held up his hand in warning. “You have one question left. If you ask the correct question, it will answer the others."
"I'd like to know what happened so you couldn't divorce her. I'd also like to know how you died. That's more a curiosity question, so I guess that's not important."
"Like I said, if you ask the correct question, you'll have the answers."
Tilting her head upward, Sadie closed her eyes and tried to paint a mental roadmap of what Theo had told her over the past ten days. Her first impressions clouded the image. “You haven't given me any clues so I have to go with my gut. What little I know about you leads me to believe I know the correct question."
"Get on with it,” Theo said. “I'd prefer not to stay here all night."
Sadie tapped her teeth against the tip of her violet fingernail and took a deep breath. “What's in the briefcase?"
16
Theo clapped his hands together in a genteel manner. “Sadie you amaze me. I didn't think you'd ask the right question. I should repent for my erroneous first impression, but I'm not going to."
"I don't understand why everyone thinks I'm such an odd duck,” Sadie said.
Theo shook his head. “Do you really not understand? Do you think everyone is wrong?"
"They're wrong if they form an opinion and refuse to change it.” Frustrated with Theo's high view of himself, Sadie blurted, “My first impression of you was dreadful. Your attitude stinks."
"My attitude? What about Rodney's attitude? That man's dangerous and you're questioning my attitude?"
"Rodney doesn't hide his feelings like you do. We may fear him, but we know exactly what he thinks."
Theo's scowl indicated disagreement as he placed the briefcase back on his lap. He thrust his chin in the air and turned to stare at the barefoot children running along the beach.
"I think people form first impressions with their eyes instead of their brains,” Sadie said. “When I don't understand something, I don't trust it. But at least I talk about it. You're hiding something. That means turmoil."
Theo's indifference irritated Sadie and she kicked at the edge of his seat until the tip of her sandal connected. “It's fear, you know. It's fear that makes you put on that macho mask. You're afraid of what lies ahead, but you won't admit it. I can wait. I've got enough patience for both of us."