The Last Hand (25 page)

Authors: Eric Wight

BOOK: The Last Hand

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The receptionist called him over. “There's a call for you. Sounds urgent.” She handed him the receiver.

It was Smith. “The parking control people have identified that light brown Volkswagen that was around Lucas's apartment building. A woman owns it. Someone called Jane Rudd.”

That made sense. She had been stalking Lucas, besotted and slightly deranged. To Smith, he said, “I'm glad we didn't find out about her earlier. She might have become our prime suspect. Just make a note that we knew all about her, and she has nothing to do with the case.”

“Who is she?”

“An old girlfriend of Lucas's.”

“The one who phoned us a couple of times?”

“That's the one. With us she was just trying to get noticed, or to find out if she had been noticed. It doesn't matter now.”

“Aye, then. It's been interesting working with you, sir. Very unorthodox.”

“Yeah. You'll get on okay with Marinelli.”

“Not for long, though.”

“You leaving already?” Salter laughed, to show he was being flippant.

“Yes, I am.”

“Why?”

“My wife doesn't like Toronto.”

“Oh, shit, I'm sorry. What now? Back to Inverness?”

Smith drew a breath. “She's going back to Inverness. I'm going back to Glasgow, where I belong. I've been talking to a counselor. She says my wife is never going to be satisfied, because it's me, not the place we live in that she doesn't like. And that's all right, you know. I can see that. When I thought about it, I don't like her much either, so it's a weight off my back.”

Salter was appalled. “Otherwise. You okay?”

“I'm fine.” Again Salter heard the note asking him to butt out now, please.

“Fine. If I ever come to Glasgow â¦”

“Oh, Aye. We'll see you, then.” He hung up.

Back at the table, Salter looked at the fresh mugs of beer Angus had ordered. “Who's driving?” he asked.

“You are.” Angus grinned. “I figured you were bulletproof.”

Salter looked at his watch. “Who's looking after the baby now, at this moment?”

“Mom. I wanted to talk to you about that. See, Dad, I've been offered a terrific job in Vancouver. Guy who runs the company is a very, very good friend.”

“Then we'll have to postpone the fishing trip, won't we? Algonquin Park's a long way from Vancouver.” Salter tried to keep his tone amused and dry as he realized that the talk of a fishing trip had been just that, talk, confected to induce a warmth between them as Angus prepared to introduce his Vancouver plans.

“What about the baby?” Now he felt slightly sorry for Angus. Not many fathers were left holding the bag. But if it happened, was Vancouver an option? It wouldn't have been for him. “Have you spoken to Mom about this Vancouver idea?”

Angus nodded. “She says she'll take care of Charlotte until â¦”
Angus turned his palms upwards. “Until I can, I guess. She was concerned if you would agree.”

Now we know why you're here. Salter stood up and finished his beer. “What's the alternative?” he asked, this time allowing some of his mood to get into his voice. “Leave her on the church steps?”

Two weeks later, on a Sunday evening, Salter was carving ham and counting the plates he had yet to fill. “Seth, Tatti, Angus, Annie, me. And baby makes six.” He sat down and contemplated the group. It was the last family dinner before Angus left for the West Coast. Tatti settled Charlotte in her lap, where she had spent most of the time since Annie had brought her from the Island, lowered her head and closed her eyes, expecting grace. But there had been no grace said in this house since Annie's mother's last visit. Salter said to Seth, “Your move, son. You know what to say.”

Seth stared at his father, then became inspired. As Tatti opened her eyes to see why nothing was happening, he slid down in his chair until only his eyebrows showed above the tablecloth. Then, in the voice of Tiny Tim, he said, “God bless us, every one.”

Also by ERIC WRIGHT

CHARLIE SALTER MYSTERIES

The Night the Gods Smiled
Smoke Detector
Death in the Old Country
The Man Who Changed His Name
A Body Surrounded by Water
A Question of Murder
A Sensitive Case
Final Cut
A Fine Italian Hand
Death by Degrees

LUCY TRIMBLE MYSTERIES

Death of a Sunday Writer
Death on the Rocks

MEL PICKETT MYSTERIES

Buried in Stone
Death of a Hired Man

OTHER

Moodie's Tale
Always Give a Penny to a Blind Man
(a memoir)
The Kidnapping of Rosie Dawn

THE LAST HAND. Copyright Â© 2002 by Eric Wright. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, address St. Martin's Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.

An imprint of St. Martin's Press.

www.minotaurbooks.com

First published in Canada by Dundurn Press

eISBN 9781466824058

First eBook Edition : June 2012

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Wright, Eric.

The last hand / Eric Wright.â1st ed. p. cm.

ISBN 0-312-28330-X

1. Salter, Charlie (Fictitious character)âFiction. 2. PoliceâOntarioâTorontoâFiction. 3. Toronto (Ont.)âFiction. I. Title.

PR9199.3.W66 L37 2002