occasion. As a matter of fact, we were there yesterday morning. And, of course, the rifles I use for hunting. At least I used to.” He slipped his hand under his corduroy jacket, feeling the thinness around his ribs. “A few of the pistols are from Vietnam. One or two might even belong to Jack. I’d have to check. We were in the same company during the war, excuse me, I mean the
conflict
. That’s how we met and became friends.”
“You’ve known Jack Grendel for a long time then?”
Luther nodded.
“And his wife?”
“Jack married Nora about three years ago. It’s his first marriage, her third.”
“Can I assume you and Jack are still close friends and that you’re an active supporter of his campaign?”
Luther brushed a piece of lint off his slacks. “We’re friends, yes. I can’t say I care very much whether he wins or loses. I don’t think he’s the messiah come to save the state from the wicked businessmen, if that’s what you mean. But he’s intelligent. That’s more than I’d say for his esteemed rivals.”
“You’re not much for politics, Mr. Jorensen?”
Luther laughed. “Don’t you find something inherently repulsive about a person hustling his own integrity?”
“Interesting observation.”
Luther shrugged. “The person who gets the brass ring is merely the best actor, the rawest hustler.”
“You think that describes Jack Grendel?”
“I think it’s a perfect description of his wife.”
Wardlaw hesitated, closing the door of the gun case. “You have some strongly held opinions.”
“I do. Last I heard, it wasn’t against the law. Now can we get on with this?”
“Of course. I’ll need to take this gun down to the lab for examination. It’s the right caliber. It may or may not be the right gun. I assume you have licenses for all of these?”
“Would you care to see them?”
“In due time. There’s no lock on the case, Mr. Jorensen. Don’t you think that’s a little foolish? Anybody could come in here.”
“Why? What would be the need?”
“It seems there may have been a need last night.”
Wardlaw sat down behind the desk. “I suppose you don’t keep the door to your study locked, either.”
“Only Amanda and I live here now. Jack and Nora visit occasionally, but you aren’t suggesting they had anything to do with the old man’s death? And Ryan Woodthorpe and Jenny Tremlet live in the lighthouse-keeper’s cottage. It’s about half a mile away. It’s part of our property, and we rent it out. They may visit here a good deal, but they’d never take something without asking. Ryan especially.”
“Why is that?”
“Why? You mean you haven’t heard of Ryan Woodthorpe? Jack’s new speechwriter? He’s the oral lightning rod of our age! It’s his mission in life to single-handedly protect the flora and fauna of the entire universe. He wouldn’t hurt a flea. I don’t believe he’d even eat a flea. It’s meat, God save us all. Only slavering carnivores like myself are still eating flesh these days.”
The edge of Wardlaw’s lip curled in a slight smile. “I’m curious, Mr. Jorensen. Did you and your father-in-law get along?”
Luther stiffened. “No.”
“Would you care to elaborate?”
“Elaborate? All right. Let’s see, how can I put this delicately? Herman Grendel and I mutually nauseated one another. Does that admission in conjunction with my lack of alibi mean I now need to call my lawyer?”
“I think we may want you to come downtown for a short visit. It’s just routine, since the gun belongs to you. And don’t worry. You can call your lawyer anytime you like.”
Luther smiled. “Your kindness overwhelms.”
7
Bram and Sophie strolled hand in hand along a deserted part of the shore. Both seemed to be consciously avoiding the subject of what could possibly be happening in Luther’s study. Out on the
conflict
. That’s how we met and became friends.”
“You’ve known Jack Grendel for a long time then?”
Luther nodded.
“And his wife?”
“Jack married Nora about three years ago. It’s his first marriage, her third.”
“Can I assume you and Jack are still close friends and that you’re an active supporter of his campaign?”
Luther brushed a piece of lint off his slacks. “We’re friends, yes. I can’t say I care very much whether he wins or loses. I don’t think he’s the messiah come to save the state from the wicked businessmen, if that’s what you mean. But he’s intelligent. That’s more than I’d say for his esteemed rivals.”
“You’re not much for politics, Mr. Jorensen?”
Luther laughed. “Don’t you find something inherently repulsive about a person hustling his own integrity?”
“Interesting observation.”
Luther shrugged. “The person who gets the brass ring is merely the best actor, the rawest hustler.”
“You think that describes Jack Grendel?”
“I think it’s a perfect description of his wife.”
Wardlaw hesitated, closing the door of the gun case. “You have some strongly held opinions.”
“I do. Last I heard, it wasn’t against the law. Now can we get on with this?”
“Of course. I’ll need to take this gun down to the lab for examination. It’s the right caliber. It may or may not be the right gun. I assume you have licenses for all of these?”
“Would you care to see them?”
“In due time. There’s no lock on the case, Mr. Jorensen. Don’t you think that’s a little foolish? Anybody could come in here.”
“Why? What would be the need?”
“It seems there may have been a need last night.”
Wardlaw sat down behind the desk. “I suppose you don’t keep the door to your study locked, either.”
“Only Amanda and I live here now. Jack and Nora visit occasionally, but you aren’t suggesting they had anything to do with the old man’s death? And Ryan Woodthorpe and Jenny Tremlet live in the lighthouse-keeper’s cottage. It’s about half a mile away. It’s part of our property, and we rent it out. They may visit here a good deal, but they’d never take something without asking. Ryan especially.”
“Why is that?”
“Why? You mean you haven’t heard of Ryan Woodthorpe? Jack’s new speechwriter? He’s the oral lightning rod of our age! It’s his mission in life to single-handedly protect the flora and fauna of the entire universe. He wouldn’t hurt a flea. I don’t believe he’d even eat a flea. It’s meat, God save us all. Only slavering carnivores like myself are still eating flesh these days.”
The edge of Wardlaw’s lip curled in a slight smile. “I’m curious, Mr. Jorensen. Did you and your father-in-law get along?”
Luther stiffened. “No.”
“Would you care to elaborate?”
“Elaborate? All right. Let’s see, how can I put this delicately? Herman Grendel and I mutually nauseated one another. Does that admission in conjunction with my lack of alibi mean I now need to call my lawyer?”
“I think we may want you to come downtown for a short visit. It’s just routine, since the gun belongs to you. And don’t worry. You can call your lawyer anytime you like.”
Luther smiled. “Your kindness overwhelms.”
7
Bram and Sophie strolled hand in hand along a deserted part of the shore. Both seemed to be consciously avoiding the subject of what could possibly be happening in Luther’s study. Out on the
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