Death Pays a Visit : Myrtle Clover #7

Chapter Seven

As they drove off the Greener Pastures grounds, Miles said uneasily, "Myrtle, I know you have a plan and everything, but I've got a concern."

Myrtle looked over at him in surprise. "A concern? Well, share it. You're the sidekick, after all."

"You're planning on having us barge into that tiny police station downtown, put Darrell on the spot, and have him call up the medical examiner, right? And all that sounds great—as long as he complies with our request. But what if he doesn't?"

"He will," said Myrtle calmly.

"But what if he doesn't? What if we barge in and he feels overwhelmed and defensive and weird about the fact that the chief's mother is making the complaint? What if it doesn't go well? Because this is our last resort. If Darrell doesn't want to check it out, then we don't have a case." Miles was gesticulating excitedly with one hand, which made Myrtle frown. Miles didn't ordinarily get excited about anything. And now he was driving with one hand on the wheel.

Myrtle was eager to agree with him to ensure her personal safety. "Yes, all right, Miles. You could be right. So what's our plan, then?"

To her relief, Miles put his other hand back on the wheel, gripping it firmly in his usual ten o'clock and two o'clock positions. "I was thinking we'd run it by Red."

"Red? Are you out of your mind?"

Then she bit her lip as his hand flew off the wheel again, waving around to emphasize his point.

"I don't think you're giving him a chance. I've never known Red to shirk his duty—whether it's investigating a murder or investigating a trespassing complaint. I say we fill Red in and let him talk to Darrell about it. Because, sure, Darrell sounds like he might be an overzealous deputy who goes above and beyond. But we don't know how he's going to react when he comes up against a murder." Miles turned a bit in the driver's seat to look at Myrtle and nearly hit someone's mailbox.

"Fine! Fine, Miles. We'll head straight to Red's. I can show up there early for my babysitting gig and make lunch for Red while I'm at it. But, for heaven's sake, put your hands back on the wheel and focus on the road! I'm not ready to meet my Maker today. I need to get at least another couple of church services under my belt before I do," grumbled Myrtle. "And maybe a Communion."

Elaine was surprised but ecstatic to see Myrtle before the assigned time. Not wanting to test her luck, she quickly grabbed her keys and hopped into her car.

Red's eyebrows rose when he saw Miles with his mother. He'd always seemed to like Miles and enjoy talking with him, but when he saw Miles's grimly determined face, he must have realized this was some sort of a business visit. "What can I do for you?" he asked as Miles and Myrtle sat down on the sofa together.

Myrtle nodded at Miles. This was going to be his show. He had the best shot at convincing Red that there was something that needed to be investigated.

Miles took a deep breath and seemed as if he were trying to find a starting place that didn't involve Wanda the Psychic. His expression grew pleased as he found one. "We want to report a suspicious death that went unnoticed," he said smoothly. "Your mother and I were visiting at Greener Pastures yesterday when we spoke with a resident who was convinced her life was in danger. Last night she died and a couple of witnesses report hearing unusual sounds coming from that room. We tried to approach it through the correct channels and relayed our concerns to Greener Pastures—Darla was the staff member. She categorically denied that anything was amiss and basically just dismissed us. So we thought we'd report it to you, Red, since we don't know Darrell as well."