Murder by Numbers by Kaye Morgan Page B

But Alvin in golf clothes…Liza had to strangle back a guffaw. A mere smile wouldn’t cover it.
    The man was wearing seersucker plaid pants in every shade of the rainbow, colors so loud that that the glow could probably be seen from outer space. He’d matched the pants with a pair of white leather golf shoes, pinholed and wing tipped with a little leather kilt covering the laces. The matching belt cinched in an Easter-chick yellow polo shirt. To complete the ensemble, he wore a floppy hat with a tassel in still more of the plaid. The last time golf fashion had ever taken such a hit, Rodney Dangerfield had been filming Caddy-shack .
    Michelle, however, found very little to laugh about. “You could have given us a little more warning from the get-go,” she accused.
    â€œI called you right after I spoke to the police—something I wasn’t supposed to do.”
    Michelle’s glare indicated complete agreement. But Liza knew it wasn’t because her boss wanted matters kept quiet like the nice police officer requested. No, Michelle thought Liza was supposed to call her first, even before she called the police.
    â€œI barely had time to confer with our client before the deputies arrived. And since she declined to listen to any advice—”
    â€œI don’t need a lawyer!” From Jenny’s tone of voice, this was just another chapter in a continuing debate. “I didn’t see Chissel since I left the set with you guys.”
    â€œAnd can you prove that?” Michelle challenged. “What did you do after we got back to the inn?”
    Jenny shrugged. “We all had supper and watched Evening Celebrity News . Then I went back to my cabin and hit my script. There were new lines to learn, thanks to the hack writers Lloyd Olbrich brought in.” Her lips twisted in momentary disgust. “After that, I turned in. When you have to get up before the sun does, that’s generally a good plan.”
    â€œAnd that’s what you told the police?” Alvin Hunzinger interjected.
    â€œYes. And I signed a statement to that effect.” Jenny glanced over at Liza. “It’s the truth. I’ve got nothing to hide. I’ll tell you this, though. Sheriff Clements wasn’t a big old teddy bear like the last time I saw him. More like a growly one.”
    â€œI noticed the same thing,” Liza said.
    â€œSo the police have your statement, and they’ll go to work trying to disprove it,” Hunzinger said. “And if they can challenge you on any part of it, they’ll be all over you.”
    â€œBut I told them the truth,” Jenny insisted, “so I didn’t need a lawyer.”
    A shocked Hunzinger looked ready to argue that case, but by now Michelle definitely had enough. “What’s done is done. I’m sorry I called you up here for nothing, Alvin.”
    She doesn’t sound all that sorry , Liza thought.
    â€œIt wasn’t really too much of a problem for you, was it?” Michelle concluded.
    For an instant, Liza thought the lawyer might actually give an honest answer. Michelle was a petite, pixie type, and there wasn’t much difference in their heights. On the other hand, Michelle was also the warrior queen of Hollywood publicity, the woman who knew where too many bodies were buried.
    Alvin reverted to Elmer Fudd at his most craven. “Of—of course not,” he said faintly.
    Just an hour or two on his firm’s jet—and a lost tee time. No problem at all. Liza tactfully kept her mouth shut.
    But Michelle wasn’t finished with the lumpy lawyer. “There is one more thing you can do for us.” She glanced at Liza. “I expect you found a less public way in—and out—of here?”
    Liza nodded. “I’m parked at the back of the building, an easy run from a less-used side entrance.”
    â€œGood.” Michelle began giving her people orders the way a general might