“I'm surprised you aren't more worried about your nephew. What about his parents? Aren't his parents worried?”
“His parents are in Michigan. Visiting. We got relatives there,” Leo said. “And we aren't worried, because Eddie's a bum. He does this all the time. The only reason we put up with him is because he's blood. We give him cheap rent, but that don't mean we have to baby-?sit him.”
“You mind if I look around?”
“Damn right I mind,” Leo said. “I don't want no one creeping around my house.”
“As it is, I've had the phone ringing ever since the police were here. Everyone wanting to know what's going on,” Betty said.
“Next thing you know there'll be TV trucks pulling up, and I'll be on the evening news because her nephew's a bum.”
“He's your nephew, too,” Betty said.
“Only by marriage, and that don't hardly count.”
“He's not so bad,” Betty said.
“He's a bum. A bum!”
Stephanie Plum 4 - Four To Score
Stephanie Plum 4 - Four To Score
Stephanie Plum 4 - Four To Score
14
SALLY AND I stood at the curb by the Porsche and watched the Glicks making shooing motions at us.
“They're like . . . lame people,” Sally said.
“When I first met them I had the feeling they liked Kuntz. At least Betty. In the beginning she was inviting me in for pound cake. And she was warm. Sort of motherly.”
“Maybe they're the ones who offed of Eddie. Maybe he didn't pay his rent. Maybe he insulted Betty's pound cake.”
I didn't think they offed Eddie Kuntz, but I did think they were acting odd. If I had to pin down emotions I'd say they were scared and angry. They definitely didn't want me sticking my nose into their business. Which meant either they had something to hide or else they didn't like me. Since I couldn't imagine anyone not liking me, I was going to assume they had something to hide. And the most obvious thing they would have to hide would be knowledge of Eddie Kuntz. Like maybe whoever snatched him had gotten in touch with Uncle Leo and Aunt Betty and had scared the beejeebers out of them.
Or here's another thought. Maybe Kuntz's mixed up with the counterfeit stuff and has gone underground. Maybe the note passed through the bartender was to warn him. And maybe Kuntz told Uncle Leo that he's okay and that Leo should keep his mouth shut and not let anybody come snooping . . . or else. Jesus, maybe his closets are filled with stacks of twenties!
Betty was still making the shooing sounds, but now she was mouthing the word go.
“How about I drive,” I said to Sally. “I've always wanted to drive a Porsche.” Also, I've always wanted to live.
My pager went off, and I looked at the number. It wasn't familiar. I hauled my cell phone out of my shoulder bag and dialed.
The voice at the other end was excited. “Jeez, that was fast!”
I squinted at the phone. Like squinting would help me to think better. “Who is this?”
“Bernie! You know, the vegetable guy. And I got news for you. Francine Nowicki just came in. She wanted some special produce, if you get my drift.”
Yes! “Is she there now?”
“Yeah. I was real smart. I told her I couldn't get anything for her until I went on my break, and then I called you right away. I figured your friend said she'd be grateful and all.”
“I'm on my way. Make sure Mrs. Nowicki stays there until I arrive.”