Page 95 of Too Old for This

Some people probably think my method is crazy. I think it’s crazy there aren’t more people like me.

—

I don’t return to the Harmony until late Friday afternoon. If I always text Burke at the same time every day, it might seem strange. Eventually, he would catch on to it, even at his age. Norma struck me as someone who didn’t pay much attention to time. She wouldn’t keep to a schedule.

A few messages for Norma have come in. Tammy, the dentist’s office, an autopayment notification. Nothing is important except the text from Burke. He sent it three hours ago.

Burke:Anything new with Cole?

Norma:Still nothing.

Burke:What about that coffee shop? Any luck?

Norma:I showed Plum’s picture to both employees. Neither saw her.

Burke:Okay.

Norma:I’m meeting with Detective Tula tonight.

Burke:Did he contact you?

Norma:Yes, hopefully he has something new.

Burke:Good, that’s good. It sounded like he had given up on the case the last time you talked to him.

Norma:He kept saying there was nothing new to investigate, but that everything pointed to Cole.

Burke:Right, right.

Norma:And then Kelsie died, and that was it. He sort of disappeared.

Burke:He seems lazy to me, but maybe he’s got something now.

That was a test, just to gauge Burke’s reaction. It doesn’t sound like he’s in contact with Tula at all.

I can’t decide if that’s strange or not. I’ve always assumed detectives contact each other, even in different areas, andespecially if their cases are similar. Burke is retired. He has plenty of time to call other departments and talk to cops who are still on the job. Maybe he tried and Tula didn’t speak to him. Or maybe Burke never called because he has something to hide.

Norma:I’ll let you know how it goes.

Burke:Talk soon. Be safe.

I finish eating the rest of my steak-and-potatoes dinner from room service. It’s going on Norma’s tab, not mine. When I arrive back at home, the burned smell is almost gone.

I grab my phone off the counter.

Sheila:Call me. What is this play about?

Bonnie:You didn’t tell us Morgan was in town. Tell me about this finger thing.

The only surprise is that they didn’t contact me first thing in the morning. Now I have to decide which story to tell them. I don’t like the idea of telling them the same lie I told Morgan. Unlike her, theywouldhave a problem with me cheating on our church.

After thinking about it for a few minutes, I pick up the phone and call Bonnie first. Better to test my story on her and get the kinks out.

“Lottie!” she says. “What is going on with—”

“I know, I know. Morgan’s visit was a surprise. A last-minute thing to take care of the wedding preparations.”

“How did it go?”