Page 50 of Dead & Breakfast

Salvatore waggled his eyebrows suggestively but stayed blessedly silent.

“I remember,” Young said.

“I was wondering if Brody is home. We’d like to ask him some questions.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Dr.Young said, tone clipped.

“Why not?”

“He’s a minor, for one,” Young said stiffly. “And…he’s my son. I don’t want you or anyone else talking to him about something as serious as murder accusations without a lawyer present.”

“Dr.Young, we’re only trying to help—”

“Are you having a dental emergency?” Young snapped.

“No, but—”

“Then I’ll thank you not to bother me again.” He hung up.

“Rude,” Salvatore said as Arthur handed the phone back. “I was going to askhimwhat might constitute a dental emergency.”

Arthur let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. “To be fair, we were calling after hours,andwe were doing so in order to accuse his son of murder.”

“To be fair, he’s a shifty sadist who yanks teeth for a living.”

“Come on, how would you feel if someone called you to accuse your child of murder?” Arthur asked.

“First of all, I cannot believe you’d stoop so low as to empathize with adentist. Secondly, I’d feel proud as a peacock. Rumble is a vicious hunter. I’m sure she’s plenty capable.”

“I’m not sure it’s a matter of capability, but rather motivation.”

Despite her sharp claws, Rumble seemed more likely to take a nap than engage in a spot of murder. In fact, when they’d dropped her off back at the inn, she’d promptly curled into a ball and begun snoring, true to her name.

“So, what’s the plan?” Sal asked.

“Well, Dr.Young said we couldn’t talk to Brody—not without a lawyer.” Arthur shook his head. “Maybe we should try McMartin again, or one of his deputies. Clearly we’re not going to get anywhere with him ourselves.”

“Nonsense.” Salvatore produced his phone again. “Dr.Young wants us to get a lawyer, so we’ll get a lawyer.”

“I think he meant his son would have to have a lawyer—”

“Quiet, darling, I’m making a call, don’t be rude— Oh, hello, Theo.”

Arthur groaned and put his head in his hands.

“I’m putting you on speaker. Yes, Arthur’s with me.” Salvatore leaned against the brick siding of the building, apparently all thoughts of barbecue gone.

The entrance was deserted, but still. Arthur felt embarrassed to be having this conversation in such a public place. With proper landlines, one couldn’t wander around sharing sensitive information with the world while on a call.

“Hey, guys.” Theodore’s calm voice came from the speakers. “What can I do for you?”

“We need a lawyer in order to ask a minor questions,” Salvatore said before Arthur could wrestle the phone from him.

“Uh,” Theodore began. “Why? You’re not with the police or any other law enforcement agency. You’re private citizens. If you need to ask a kid something, having their parent around is good enough.”

“Really?” Arthur said. Maybe this call wasn’t such a waste after all. “What about a teenager? We think Brody Young mighthave…information about the case.” It still felt so wrong to accuse him of murder.

“Brody?” Theodore sounded surprised. Arthur could relate. “Legally speaking, his father doesn’t have to be present or anything, but probably nothing he says to you will hold much water in court unless he’s willing to repeat it to law enforcement.”