Free Prayers for the Dead by Faye Kellerman Page A

the news get out so fast?” Paul demanded of Decker.
    “Newspeople have lots of contacts.” Decker took out a notebook. “Somebody had a big mouth and leaked it. I’m sorry.”
    Maggie came back in with the tea, handed it to the priest. He said, “You should lie down. You’re pale.”
    “I’m fine,” she said weakly.
    Bram said, “Then come sit with me.”
    Maggie nestled deep into her brother’s arms.
    Paul sat down, blinking hard. “Can someone tell me what’s going on?”
    Decker took out a pad. “Your father’s car was discovered by a busboy in the alley behind Tracadero’s, around… eight-thirty tonight.” Decker said, “The Buick was parked at an off angle. He peeked inside and saw a homicide victim—”
    “How…” Paul asked. “How did it—”
    “I don’t know about the rest of you,” Maggie interrupted, “but I
don’t
want to hear details.”
    “I don’t, either.” Luke turned to his twin. “It was bad?”
    Bram just shook his head. Decker’s eyes moved between the twins. They not only looked alike, but sounded
exactly
alike. Soft, deep voices, similar inflections.
    To Paul, Decker said, “If you’d like, Mr. Sparks, I can tell you more privately. But first, let me say this. We haven’t got a suspect or a motive right now. I’ve got men at the scene—”
    “Does anyone know what Dad was doing at Tracadero’s?” Luke asked.
    Bram said, “Lieutenant Decker and I were talking about that. I don’t have the faintest idea.”
    “Me, either,” Michael said, reentering the room.
    Paul stood, stared at the ceiling. It seemed to calm his tic. “Maybe it was somebody’s birthday. Somebody at the hospital.”
    “Your brother Bram mentioned that as a possibility,” Decker said. “But I just found out that Dr. Sparks had dinner at the hospital.”
    “That sounds like Dad.” Michael turned to Decker. “You should be questioning people at the hospital.”
    Decker said, “I’ve got detectives at New Chris right now. We will be questioning hospital personnel extensively. Tonight, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow… as long as it takes until we’re satisfied.
    “After I leave here, I’m going back to the crime scene. Right now, I have men canvassing the area, going door to door, questioning everyone around the area. All the necessary forensic professionals have been called in. I’m investigating every angle of this case. Which means…” Decker tapped a pencil on his notebook. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask all of you some questions.”
    “Now?” Paul said. “It’s after eleven.”
    “I know it’s late, Mr. Sparks. But these things tend to get solved quickly once we get leads. Best time to get leads is within twenty-four hours of the onset of the case. Information that you may think is trivial could turn out to be vital to us. I hope I won’t take up too much of your time. But we’re pushing hard on this. Help us out.”
    “No objections,” Luke said.
    Paul batted his eyes. “Me, either.”
    “Eva, are you with us?” Bram asked.
    She turned her head, eyes red and angry. Bram said, “Sit next to me.”
    She did, sitting on his left side, her spine ramrod straight. Bram put his arm around her. She collapsed under his touch and leaned against her brother. It relaxed her coiled features.
    Decker said, “My questions might upset you. I’m sorry if they do, but I have to ask them.” He turned to Paul. “Can I start with you?”
    “Me?” Paul blinked furiously. “Why?”
    “Because I also found out from my people that you called your father around seven-thirty. Can I ask you what it was about?”
    Paul became crimson, his eyes a series of spasms. “It was private. Why is this important?”
    Decker didn’t answer.
    Paul said, “It has nothing to do with my father’s death. I don’t have to answer it.”
    The room was quiet. Luke said, “Must be money.”
    Paul shot his brother a deadly glance.
    Luke said, “It’s no big deal, Paul. So you