Paul swiveled back toward Carl. “What did you find at the scene?"
"I'm guessing he swerved to avoid a deer. You know how many deer wander in and out of that area.” Carl breathed deeply trying to erase the memories. “The sheriff agreed. He didn't see any reason to investigate further."
Carl raised his eyes to meet Paul's gaze. “Has Lon talked to you?"
"About what?"
"About the fact that it might not be an accident."
"No. But I thought you told him to drop that idea.” Agitation tinged Paul's voice.
"I did. I just wondered if you heard any more about it. Lon's as crazy as Nan 's ex-husband. You can sure tell they're related."
"Lon has no right to spread rumors,” Paul scowled. “Who else has he told?"
"No one, as far as I know."
"I'm counting on you to put a stop to it, Carl. Losing my partner is more than I can handle."
Paul drummed his fingers on the desk. “What about the car? What about Richard's belongings? He'd been in the office earlier that day and I wonder if he had any business papers with him."
"It was the usual stuff. I saw a purse and a shopping bag on the floor next to Richard's wife. The kid must have been at a movie, because there was popcorn all over the back seat.” Carl shifted in place before adding, “I think one of the deputies pulled a briefcase from under the front seat."
"Where is it?"
"Richard's sister has it. I sent all that stuff with her."
"Is Richard's sister staying at the Fossums’ house?” Paul said. “I need to go through his briefcase to see if there's anything I need to take care of."
"She'll be out of town for at least a week. Then she'll be back to finalize their affairs. She left right after the funeral."
The phone rang and Carl watched Paul put the receiver to his ear.
Paul swiveled the desk chair placing a barrier between the two men. He stared out the window. “It was devastating, wasn't it? It took a lot out of me, too.” Listening before he answered, Paul said, “I'm okay. You don't need to worry.” He shifted the receiver as his thumb drummed against the armrest. “I understand. You get a good night's sleep and I'll see you tomorrow."
" Nan?"
"Yeah,” Paul said quietly. “She's too tired to see me. The funeral took a lot out of her and she wants to be with Aanders tonight."
"She shouldn't work so hard. She needs to quit taking care of everything by herself.” Carl sneered as he added, “That old runt she hired can't be much help. Speaking of Nan,” Carl said sitting forward, “you still interested in buying the mortuary land when I win the lawsuit?"
"Of course. We'll need to form another partnership as soon as that happens."
"I don't think so.” Noticing a slight lilt in Paul's voice, Carl realized the man appreciated the change of topic. “We never did anything with the old partnership, and if all goes well, I might not need your money."
"Or you might. I've got a few marketing ideas. That place could be a goldmine if you promoted it."
"I offered you the land outright. We don't need a partnership for that,” Carl said.
"I don't plan to form a partnership for that. We already have a deal in writing for the land the mortuary sits on. I intend to see you keep your end of the bargain. Just as soon as the judge declares you the new owner, that property is mine."
Carl pushed against his knees for leverage and stood up. “There's got to be other land out there. Why waste good lake-front property on a mortuary?"
Carl put his hand on the doorknob. “What I don't understand is why you're using that land to get Nan to marry you. You've got all those other women hot on your trail. Why give everything up to get married?"
"It's part of the game. I'm like you, Carl. I always get what I want.” Paul rose and joined Carl. “What makes you think I intend to give anything up? After you evict the Witt sisters and Nan finds out I bought the mortuary land, she'll fall into my sweet little trap."
" Nan 's not an idiot. She'll catch on eventually."
"That'll take a few years. And then I might be the one needing fresh air. At that point, I'll make sure she wants out as much as me.” Paul's smile carried an edge of deceit.
13
When crossers arrived at Cabin 14, they possessed a state of strength to help them through their thirty-day journey. It was to their benefit to make their declaration early, because their strength dwindled with each passing day. A crosser became a crosser lost if they were unable to cross back over through someone else's light. Crossers lost faded into oblivion. Rodney's lack of interest in his thirty-day time span concerned Sadie. He obviously had no intention of making a declaration.
As the crossers gathered around the kitchen table for their nightly round table session, Sadie noticed Rodney plop down on the recliner and grab the remote control. He aimed and clicked, paging from channel to channel with rapid progression.
"Wait. I wanted to hear what he had to say.” Mr. Bakke looked from the television screen to Sadie. “I've been waiting all day to see how it turned out."
Marching over to Rodney, Sadie grabbed the remote and handed it to Mr. Bakke. “Mr. Nasty did it. Not me."
"You stupid bitch,” Rodney shouted. “I wanted to watch Monster Garage."
"You're supposed to participate in the round table discussion. Not watch TV.” Sadie pointed at the table. “How many times do I have to tell you to quit calling me a bitch?"
Mr. Bakke summoned Jane. “Let's go for a walk. It sounds like Sadie's got her hands full."
Jane closed her magazine and placed it on top of the others in the stack. She ran her knuckles down the edge of the spines to align the magazines before taking Mr. Bakke's outstretched hand and following him out onto the porch.
The evening breeze lifted Mr. Bakke's hair into wisps that remained afloat as the elderly couple paused at the bottom of the stairs. He placed a gentle kiss on Jane's cheek. His new orthopedic shoes stood out prominently, with the thick black soles appearing to anchor him firmly to the ground. Two knobby knees peeked out below his plaid shorts. He tucked the back of his striped shirt into his elastic waistband.
With Jane sporting a crisp white blouse, khaki slacks, and brown sandals, the pair represented a walking contradiction.
Sadie swung the screen door open and shouted to her sister. “Take Belly with you. He just lifted his leg on Theo's briefcase.” She tugged at Belly's collar and pulled him over the threshold.
"Now maybe we can get going with our session.” Sadie looked at Rodney. “Get over here and join the group.” She pulled out the last empty chair and pointed at it.
"I can hear you from here. Besides you aren't going to say anything new anyway.” Rodney slumped lower in the recliner and bobbed his dangling leg up and down.
Sadie grabbed the remote he'd retrieved when she let the dog out and switched off the television. She tucked the remote in her waistband.
"What's wrong with your dog's balls?” Rodney said.
"Nothing. What's wrong with yours?” Sadie cocked her head and watched his puzzled expression.
"There ain't nothing wrong with my balls. At least I've got two. What did you do to that mutt?"
"The same thing I'm going to do to you if you don't follow the rules."