New Year's Eve Murder (21 page)

It was dark when we got home, and time for bath and bed for our youngest member. The answering machine was flashing, but I didn't have time to listen so I asked Jack to. He came into Eddie's bedroom while I was bathing him.

“They're charging Jerry Childs with second-degree murder.”

“That sounds fair. I doubt he planned it, although he was pretty angry after his father's death.”

“If he'd shot her with a gun he brought along, they'd have a case for first-degree, but with a shovel he found in her kitchen you can't prove he went up there to kill her.”

“I wonder if she intended to kill all three of them,” I said, lifting Eddie out of the water and wrapping a soft towel around him. “Mm, don't you smell sweet.”

“Where's his weapon?”

“Gone with the papers D.D. had. Gone with the alleged gun he found in her kitchen. If Jerry destroyed all that, he could have tossed his own gun, too.”

“He didn't toss the shovel.”

“True. But it was in the trunk, remember? It's not easy to open your trunk at the side of the Tappan Zee Bridge and pull out a shovel.”

“So we'll never know. That is some gorgeous kid, Chris. Look at that face.”

I kissed the little face and smoothed powder on his velvety skin. “You are really something,” I told him.

“Oh, and there's a message from Mel. Wants you to call.”

“After I put Eddie to sleep.” I took him on my lap, and started to nurse.

Mel answered on the second ring. “Chris! Hi. How are you?”

“Tired but happy. Eddie's sleeping and we're too full to eat dinner. How are you guys?”

“We're fine. Listen. I miss you terribly. Why don't I see you anymore?”

“I hate to bother you when you're working all day. I miss you, too. It's just—you know, you're working, you have so much to do….”

“Ridiculous. Come over tomorrow, OK? Four o'clock?”

“I'll be there.”

“And I want to hear everything, all about the case.”

“There's more, Mel. I was almost arrested for indecent exposure when I nursed Eddie in my car upstate.”

“You're kidding.”

“No, really.”

“Tomorrow. Make it three-thirty.”

I took a deep breath. “I'll be there.”

For John D. Ogden,
a great teacher

The author wishes to thank
Ana M. Soler, James L.V. Wegman,
and Matthew G. Saltarelli, M.D.,
for their excellent information.

By Lee Harris
Published by Fawcett Books:

THE GOOD FRIDAY MURDER

THE YOM KIPPUR MURDER

THE CHRISTENING DAY MURDER

THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY MURDER

THE CHRISTMAS NIGHT MURDER

THE THANKSGIVING DAY MURDER

THE PASSOVER MURDER

THE VALENTINE'S DAY MURDER

THE NEW YEAR'S EVE MURDER

THE LABOR DAY MURDER

THE FATHER'S DAY MURDER

THE MOTHER'S DAY MURDER

THE APRIL FOOLS' DAY MURDER

THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY MURDER