THE COKE HAD PUT A little zip in Myrtle’s step as she headed to the crime scene. Red’s car was parked in front of the Beauty Box. And she thought she’d been saving Red from getting up too early. His middle of the night walk to Miles’ house couldn’t have messed up his sleep that badly. Myrtle leaned over the stroller. “Want to visit Daddy, Jack?” Jack crowed, “Daddy!” “He’ll love a visit,” said Myrtle in a convincing voice as she pushed the stroller to the shop entrance and under the police tape.
Red stared morosely at the back wall while slumping in one of the vinyl drying chairs. He leaped up, an angry flush creeping up his neck as he caught sight of his mother lifting up the police tape and pushing the stroller under it. “Mama! What the—? ”
“Temper, temper. And watch your language in
