Lucky her, thought King as Mason led him down the hallway.
Remmy seemed a very pale version of her former self. She was sipping from her cup of coffee. King felt certain it was actually nine-tenths Mr. Beam.
“I hear Savannah’s moving out,” he said after Mason had left them.
“Yes, but she said she might come back for Christmas,” the mother said hopefully.
Or not, thought King.
“Is Dorothea out of rehab?”
“Yes. She’s back next door. I’m going to help her with her money problems.”
“That’s good to know. No reason not to spread the wealth. And she is family. The police no longer suspect her in Kyle’s death?”
“I don’t think they do. I doubt they’ll ever solve that.”
“You never know.”
Neither said a word about Eddie. What was there to say anyway?
King was anxious to leave, so he decided to just get to it. “Remmy, I came here to ask you one question. It’s about a former employee of yours, Billy Edwards?”
She looked at him sharply. “The mechanic?”
“That’s right.”
“What’s the question?”
“I need the exact date when he left.”
“The payroll records will show that.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He looked at her expectantly.
“Do you want them now?”
“Right now.”
When she returned with them, King had turned to leave but then something made him stop.
He stared down at the meticulously groomed and attired Remington Battle sitting there in a beautiful old chair, the epitome of the aristocratic southern grande dame.
She glanced up. “Is there something else?” she asked him coldly.
“Was it worth it?”
“Was what worth it?”
“Being Bobby Battle’s wife. Was it worth losing both your sons?”
“How dare you!” she said sharply. “Do you realize the hell I’ve been through?”
“Yeah, it’s really been a piece of cake for me too. Why don’t you try answering my question?”
“Why should I?” she retorted.
“Call it a gracious act by a refined and dignified lady.”