Page 22 of Head Room

“Why on earth should I talk to him?”

“Seems to me I heard he was friends with Sergeant Jardos.Shouldn’t be so bad, I hear he’s softened now that he’s with Yvette,” Diana said.

I groaned again.That woman’s theories on Elvis were enough to make my head spin to rivalThe Exorcist.

To block thoughts about the double pleasure awaiting me, I asked, “Did you get the idea from talk in town that anybody was seriously looking at this as the responsibility of anyone other than Jardos?”

“No.But that could change when Russ sees this video.”She straightened.“You’re not thinking to try to keep this quiet, because—”

“I know, I know.The sheriff’s department wouldn’t be happy.I might be tempted, despite the potential disruption of your domestic bliss, but this scene and its forensics are vulnerable to weather.”

“Good point.In fact, maybe I should call...”

“Nope.You don’t need to bank points with our sheriff, while I always do need to with Shelton.”

CHAPTER NINE

The smoke odorfollowed me into my vehicle.

To distract myself, I called Mom.

“Elizabeth I’m so glad to talk to you finally.I hope you’re not too worried about the weather.”

I was both relieved she hadn’t called about some arcane wedding detail and confused.

“I’m not worried about the weather at all.”Granted, the clouds were zipping across the sky at a good clip.“It’s sunny here.How is it there?”

Talking about the weather left a portion of my mind to chew on how best to approach Shelton with what Diana spotted at the fire site.Got to maximize those brownie points when the opportunities arise.

“Not today’s weather.The forecast.”

Her words shifted some of my Shelton-strategy-planning brain power back to Mom.

“And not here.There,” she added.“I don’t want you to worry about it, but they’re forecasting a cold snap.”

“For the wedding?”

I could handle that.Raised in northern Illinois.I wore a coat over my costume a time or two for Halloween.Still got the candy.

Same principle for the wedding.No worries, as long as I ended married to Tom.

Besides, no coat inside, so — unlike Halloween — it wouldn’t cover the fancy during the important bits.

“Earlier in the week.”

“Mom, you should stop watching the forecast for here.It snaps, crackles, and pops multiple times a day.After a few trips here you should know that by now.”

“I do.But this is your wedding...”

“I told her not to worry, Maggie Liz,” my dad’s voice came through the line.I grinned at his using his pet name for me, inverting and shortening my first and middle names.“Tom said it wasn’t a concern.”

“Tom said?”I asked.

At the same time, Mom said, “Hush, Jim.I’m notworried,” with worry in her voice.

“We’ve talked a few times.”

“Why?What about, Dad?”