Characters in Never Flinch

I talked to Acey Felton, he’s in charge of the crew, and asked if I could take Batty’s place.” “Batty,” Holly says, and chomps into her Chicago dog. “That’s quite a handle.”

“At a guess, I’d say Alan Duffrey. Shanked last month at Big Stone. Died in the infirmary. Then that podcaster, Buckeye Brandon, blowing off his bazoo, and the follow-up piece in the paper. Both about the guy who came forward to say he framed Duffrey.” “Cary Tolliver.

He’s an up-and-comer with his eye on Albert Tantleff’s job as County Attorney when Tantleff retires. He went at this case hammer and tongs, so he could be the guy Bill Wilson calls the guilty party. Also, Tolliver claims—claims—he wrote Allen in February, fessing up to the frame job.”

4 4:20 PM. Alberta Wing said time is tight, but Holly doesn’t know that; she thinks she has at least an hour before Kate will want to go to the Mingo, maybe even longer, so she and Pete spend some time catching up: her cases, his fishing exploits.

To: Lieutenant Louis Warwick From: Bill Wilson Cc: Chief Alice Patmore I think there should be a corollary to the Blackstone Rule. I believe the INNOCENT should be punished for the needless DEATH of an innocent. Should those who caused that death be put to death themselves?

One of them needs to talk some more with Ms. Alicia Carstairs, in 8-B. She found the bodies, was friendly with both men, and understood their “special situation.” “You do it, Iz,” Tom says. “Woman to woman. I want to go through this place one more time.

Alonzo Estevez, the hotel manager, has agreed to drive her to Dingley Park. You ride with her to the field, where I understand that a private dressing room has been set aside. She won’t be changing again, just wants some privacy before she does her thing.

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

She uses PeopleFinders to get Andrew Fallowes’s phone numbers—there are two of them. Being an experienced investigator, Holly deduces that one is probably his church office and one is his home. It’s two-thirty PM in Wisconsin, so Holly tries the church number first.

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

… have been notified, because her name is given: Annette McElroy, 38 years old. Trig reads the story while eating his burrito, which is warm and fresh and tasty. There’s nothing in it to worry him. No mention of the paper with Letitia Overton’s name on it found in the dead …

“Yes,” Barbara says, relieved. She shakes the man’s outstretched hand. “Anthony Kelly, but everyone calls me Tones. I’m Betty’s tour manager. Pleased to meet you.” “I’m in a daze,” Barbara says. He laughs. “Don’t be. We’re just regular people. Come on inside.” It’s a big space full of echoes.

I know a guy named Willard who calls himself Telescope. Another guy calls himself Smoothie. A woman who identifies as Ariel the Mermaid. You get the idea. What’s your stake in this?” “None. It’s a police case. I just got kind of... interested.”

This one was a barfly named Aubrey Dill. Killed behind the Hoosier Bar. It’s a place downtown, near the bus station.” “I know where it is,” Holly says. She once collared a runaway at the Hoosier. “Saloon Row.”

Jerome is struck by how much she looks like his Aunt Gertrude. This leads to a second thought, which should be elementary but somehow isn’t: this is just another human being. A fellow rider on the journey from cradle to coffin.

Avery McMartin, a long-retired city detective, confirmed (on the Buckeye Brandon pod) that Mr. Gibson was a suspect in his wife’s disappearance, but the woman’s body was never found and the case of Bonita Gibson has long been consigned to the department’s open-but-inactive …

… “Anyhoo,” Pete says (after another brief coughing fit), “the Calloway Circus, in every town they went to they’d do some free advertising by inviting all the grammar school kiddos to a local venue so they could see some of the acts, and actually pet Baby’s trunk.

There are jurors—maybe Gottschalk, or Finkel, especially Belinda Jones—who undoubtedly felt regret when Alan Duffrey was murdered in the prison-yard, and more regret when it turned out he had been imprisoned for a crime he hadn’t committed. But did they feel actual guilt, the kind you lose sleep over? No.

… Dusty’s and sees this guy, his name was Benny something, walking from Dusty’s down to Happy with a guitar case in his hand. She follows him in. By then my man Benny’s at the bar, asking for a bourbon-rocks, which I didn’t want to sell him.” “Why?” “I’d seen him …

… when I’m singin, but otherwise I’m plain old Betty Brady. I flew in last night. Band is with me, at least some of em. The rest comin.” “And the Dixie Crystals?” Barbara asks. She knows from Sista’s website that the famous girl group from the 70s has also come out …

He thumbs back to April, where there are three other names and times—BILLY F., JAMIE, and TELESCOPE. None in March, but four in February and two in January. Izzy takes some pictures with her phone.

I’m at the Sober Club in Breezy Point. Borrowed Billy Top’s phone. You know Billy Top?” “Seen him at meetings,” John says. “Crewcut. Sells cars.” “That’s him, right. Billy Top.” A Mr. Businessman type bellies up to the otherwise empty bar. He’s red of eye and pale of face.

The Daddy Chronicles (so dubbed by Buckeye Brandon) also accuse Donald Gibson’s father of murdering Bonita Gibson, who disappeared in 1998, when Donald was eight years old.

… (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12). Judge: Irving Witterson Prosecuting Attorney: Douglas Allen “For whatever it’s worth,” Izzy says. “You didn’t add Duffrey’s lawyer. I guess I could look it up—” “No need. His name’s Russell Grinsted, and I doubt if he’s the guilty one …

These ladies met at the home of Brenda Blevins, who was particularly incensed by the sign Pastor Jim was carrying. This was after an abortion doctor, Henry Tremont, was shot and killed by a religious martyr named Taylor Verecker as Tremont was coming out of church.

… home half of the second, a squirt named Brett Holman, steps in and waggles his bat. On the mound, Izzy takes a deep breath, telling herself to settle, settle. She winds and throws a perfect dropball. The squirt waves three inches above it. The PD fans cheer. The leatherlung on …

… His name is Brian “Bull” Durham. He’ll be joined by two more off-duty cops who will be with them from the time they leave for the gig until they’re back at the hotel. Corrie arranged for Durham ahead of their arrival.

Died in the infirmary. Then that podcaster, Buckeye Brandon, blowing off his bazoo, and the follow-up piece in the paper. Both about the guy who came forward to say he framed Duffrey.” “Cary Tolliver. Got hit with the cancer stick, late-stage pancreatic, and wanted to clear his conscience.

This afternoon’s forms are from Global Insurance, whose TV pitchman is Buster the Talking Donkey, with his irritating hee-haw laugh. Buster is on every form, grinning at her with his big (and somehow insolent) teeth.

Izzy recognizes her as Carrie Winton, who covers the crime beat for the local paper. She’s out of place covering fluff like this. Izzy already knows what’s coming. “Detective Jaynes, can you update us concerning the so-called Surrogate Juror Murders? Is the murder of Fred Sinclair related?”

Both about the guy who came forward to say he framed Duffrey.” “Cary Tolliver. Got hit with the cancer stick, late-stage pancreatic, and wanted to clear his conscience. Said he never intended Duffrey to die.” “So this note isn’t from Tolliver.” “Not likely.

People started calling her Cathy 2-Tone, and eventually she started IDing herself that way at meetings. These other names could be almost anybody. Do you know how many AA and NA meetings there are in the metro area?” Jerome shakes his head.

… the church’s teachings, there was an autopsy on Christine Evangeline Stewart. And it turned out to be something called Brugada Syndrome. His seven-year-old sister had died of a heart attack. You had to know, Daddy told her later. You had to know, didn’t you? And now you know the boy …

The woman is Denise Mellors, the pastor’s wife. The third man, much younger, is Christopher Stewart. The article doesn’t say he’s Harold Stewart’s son, but Holly thinks it likely; he’s certainly the right age. Kate’s voice goes away. Thoughts of the next stop—her own hometown—go away.

“Talk to Pete Young in the loan department. Claire Rademacher, the chief cashier. He was buddy-buddy with both of them. Or Kendall Dingley, he’s the branch manager.” That doglike lift of the upper lip.

Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12). Judge: Irving Witterson Prosecuting Attorney: Douglas Allen “For whatever it’s worth,” Izzy says.

The envelope is hand-addressed to Ms. Kate McKay and Ms. Corrine Anderson. If not for what happened in Reno and Spokane, Corrie would have opened the envelope without hesitation and left it propped open on the counter for Kate to glance at when she finishes tonight’s performance (nothing else to …

“His real name is Curtis James, but the story is that when he was on a Black Sabbath tour, he... never mind, it’s just that roadies have the best nicknames and the best stories. I’m writing them down in a notebook. Might do something with them, I don’t know what.

Three dozen cell phones recorded the moment for posterity. The woman with the broken arm is Cynthia Herron, not a librarian but the assistant superintendent of the Polk County DMV. An authentic Good Person, she does charity work in her church and volunteers at a city animal shelter.

If Mommy saw, she’d shout out the kitchen window, You stop that, Daniel! Called him Dan or Danny most of the time, Daniel only when she was mad at him. Which happened more and more often. Once she was gone, there was nobody to make Daddy stop.

… Iowa City, Kate and Holly are consulting with Detective Daniel Speck in the office of the Radisson’s manager. Corrie has gone in search of new luggage for her boss. Holly doesn’t love the girl going out on her own, but Corrie has her marching orders, and at least she can’t …

… for PD Chief Alice Patmore and Fire Commissioner Darby Dingley (the stupidest name in the universe, as far as Izzy is concerned) to get their faces on the evening news. And all that’s for later. Now she asks Ganzinger if there were tire tracks. “Yes. Good ones.” He holds up …

In Buckeye City, Dean Miter is watching the game in Happy, the bar where John Ackerly works most days. Dean is an eighteen-year veteran of the Buckeye City police force and has been slated by Lew Warwick to be the starting pitcher for the police team in the Guns and …

Thinking of Deanna Lane, his spelling and math partner—he said he did, at least when he was Chris. And with Deanna, and later with Miss Yarborough, he was always Chris; he was only Chrissy with his mother, because the one time his father had seen him in a dress and …

The woman is Denise Mellors, the pastor’s wife. The third man, much younger, is Christopher Stewart. The article doesn’t say he’s Harold Stewart’s son, but Holly thinks it likely; he’s certainly the right age. Kate’s voice goes away.

Being nonconfrontational unless she absolutely has to be, Holly doesn’t engage with Dennis O’Leary, who wants to argue and be all poopy, but simply photographs the sparklers and walks out. Let the insurance people take over, with or without police involvement.

The first Guns hitter, Dick Draper, steps in and waggles his bat. He drives one to left. The FD fielder fades back and catches it easily. Top of the first, one out. The big game is underway. 10 7:10 PM. The crowd at the Mingo Auditorium is getting antsy.

“Three times a week. Sometimes four. Dom Hogan lets me off if it’s an afternoon meeting.” “He owns the bar?” “Indeed he does.” “And Mr. Hogan values your expertise.” “Don’t know about that, but he appreciates the fact that I always show up straight and sober. Why do you ask?”

Donald Gibson, aka Bill Wilson, aka Trig, apparently meant to burn his victims like seventeenth-century witches. State Police detectives searching Gibson’s home at the Elm Grove Trailer Park have found a stack of notebooks, some labeled Character Defects, as in the AA program, and others labeled …

Izzy and Tom both know Doug Allen, one of the Buckeye County ADAs. Izzy’s partner calls Allen a Hungry Hungry Hippo, after a board game Tom’s children like. Ambitious, in other words. Which also suggests Tolliver may have been telling the truth. Ambitious ADAs don’t like to see convictions overturned.

Which is good. 8 While the murderer of Annette McElroy, Dov Epstein, and Frank Mitborough is attending an AA meeting in Upsala, Isabelle Jaynes is in her cubicle at 19 Court Plaza, calling Letitia Overton.

He looks in the rearview mirror and for a moment sees Daddy, now back there instead of in the passenger seat, grinning. Then he’s gone. 7 Rothman, Trig’s dentist, points to the wall-mounted TV screen, where an X-ray of Trig’s teeth is currently on view. “Number eighteen, your second molar.”

Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12). Judge: Irving Witterson Prosecuting Attorney: Douglas Allen “For whatever it’s worth,” Izzy says.

Sergeant Elmore Packer was young, strong, alert. And after what happened in Omaha, he was taking no chances. Which turned out to be a problem. Packer saw what appeared to be the barrel of a gun poking out from the crowd of jostling, excited women, and didn’t hesitate.

Crutchfield’s broken leg?” “Who’s Crutchfield?” “Emil Crutchfield. Motor patrolman, mostly works on the east side.” “Oh,” Izzy says, thinking, Boys and their games. “Didn’t you used to play? At that college you went to?” Izzy laughs. “Yeah. Back when dinosaurs walked the earth.” “You should sign up. Think about it.”

“We’ll discuss this later, after the police have gone,” Erin Grinsted says. “For now just be happy I saved your bacon. For a lawyer, you certainly know how to talk yourself into trouble.” She leaves, disappearing into the kitchen without a backward glance. Grinsted sits down at the gazebo table.

No strings attached. Feel free to touch the envelope, everybody from the postman to Evelyn downstairs and who knows who else has had their paws on it, but the note should maybe be fingerprinted. Partly depending on what you say.”

Trig takes time to aim and shoots Frank Mitborough, who once lived upstate and at one point had almost a year clean and sober, in the mouth. Frank sits down in his lawn chair, which collapses and spills him onto the ground. A tooth falls out of his mouth.

… the latest victim was a young man named Fred Sinclair, a native of New Haven, Connecticut, his reason for being in the rural town of Treemore, outside Treemore Village, on Route 29-B so far undetermined. Shot four times. A troop of Boy Scouts were camping a little way into John …

She’s okay until Frieda Ames joins them, then it becomes real. Because Frieda Ames is a choreographer. Tess, Laverne, and Jem have worked with her before, and take Frieda’s fine-tuning as a matter of course. For Barbara it’s different.

Elderly farmer upstate in Rosscomb. Name of George Carville. A neighbor saw him sitting slumped over the wheel of his tractor and got concerned. The notes were in his fucking hat. Brad Lowry, plus Finkel and Wentworth.” “Did anybody see—” “We’re still checking, but so far nothing.”

One is a tall young man named George Pill, looking overdressed in his ceremonial FD whites and hat. The other is Isabelle Jaynes, looking more comfortable in her summerweight blues. Lew Warwick told Izzy before meeting the press that a little trash talk wouldn’t be out of place.

Jerome has met somebody, did you know that?” “Yes. Georgia Nickerson. He introduced us. Nice young woman.” “And you know those tickets I won, calling into the Morning Circus on K-POP?” “Yes. Sista Bessie’s first show at the Mingo.” “I can give them to Jerome. He can take Georgia.

… ready to turn things over to his stand-in, Ginger Brackley. Across the broken backbar mirror he’s tacked a checked tablecloth and written on it with a Sharpie: WE HAD A SLIGHT ACCIDENT. “I’m doing this for you, so you better get her autograph for me,” Ginger says, and John says …

… hundred members of Real Christ Holy prayed for Gwendolyn Stewart without ceasing. In the end, God’s will was done. When Andy Fallowes found Chrissy crying behind the house the day after the burying, wearing pedal pushers, makeup so ineptly applied it was clownish, and a wig all askew, he did …

He’s a Douglas County sheriff’s deputy named Hamilton Wilts. (“You ma’ams can call me Ham.”) Corrie knows it’s not politically correct to think of overweight persons as fat, but when she looks at Ham Wilts, she can’t help thinking of her father nodding at such a one and murmuring, There …

And leave her alone.” “Woman,” Harold Stewart said, “you’re crazy.” “He loves her,” she said (Chris once more listening at the crack in the wall of the Invention Barn). “And I love them both. I’ve given you everything, Harold. I gave up my life for your life and your church.

She called it great advertising. Hattie Delaney, her agent, called it a recipe to bring out the kooks, nutbags, and True Q believers. Kate spread her hands and made a beckoning gesture with all ten fingers—another McKay trademark—and said, “Let em come.”

The over-rouged woman says, “I’m Henrietta Ramer, Betty’s agent. I don’t guess you’re the only reason Bets wanted to kick things off in this town, but I think you were a big part of it. She loves-loves-loves that book of poems. Has read it half to death.

This was after an abortion doctor, Henry Tremont, was shot and killed by a religious martyr named Taylor Verecker as Tremont was coming out of church. Pastor Jim’s sign read TAYLOR VERECKER WAS SENT TO DO GOD’S WORK.

There’s a park named after old Hiram Dingley, you know. I should have sent Kendall some kiddie stuff, too, everyone would have thought the Duff and the Dingbat were in it together, but I didn’t because I’m a good guy.

… District Court and finds a photo of Judge Irving Witterson. He looks to be in his late sixties or early seventies, which makes him an unlikely choice for Trig. Nevertheless, she sends the picture to John Ackerly, with a brief note attached, asking if he’s seen this guy at meetings, …

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

Two of the men are identified as Pastor James Mellors and First Deacon Andrew Fallowes, of the Real Christ Holy Church. The woman is Denise Mellors, the pastor’s wife. The third man, much younger, is Christopher Stewart.

… Jamie Fallowes, Andy’s son, grabbed Chris. He shouted, “I’ve got an idea! Come on!” The two young men beat feet to the 7-Eleven at the far end of the strip mall. There they bought all the cooking oil and olive oil on the shelves.

“Her name is Jane Haggarty. She’s a part-time legal secretary and ugly as a scarecrow in a melon patch. They’ve been seeing each other off and on for a little over a year.” She turns to her husband. “Did you really think I didn’t know?

… fighting, lots of yelling, thumps, and thrown objects) and unique in another: Janelle and Norville Greer had the bad luck to snap at the same time and in exactly the wrong place. “Most accidents happen in the bathroom,” Tom says. “Yes.” “Most murders, however, happen in the kitchen.” “Yes.” “So …

“You can, girl,” Jem Albright says. “The steps are simple. Show her, Dance.” Frieda “Dance” Ames is older than the Crystals, eighty if she’s a day, but she moves with the grace of a twenty-year-old.

… CSI episodes, maybe—lingers, but his only visitor is Jerry Allison, the elderly head janitor in his building. Jerry feels he can drop by for a chat—with Trig, or anyone else—any old time he likes, because he’s been pushing a broom and waxing floors here since Reagan was president, as he’s …

Had a good convo. Last month was April, right? About how to handle my brother. Fuckin Jimmy’s always comin over, trine to get me to go out drinkin with him. Like in the old days, you know. I needed some tips on how to handle him.

Up to a point, anyway. Grinsted comes back with his own appointment book. He flaps it at them. “At two o’clock on that Sunday, Jimmy Sykes came over to fix my desktop computer. It kept crashing.

John Ackerly is behind the stick, looking hunky in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to show muscular forearms. He comes over to her with a smile. “Holly! Long time no see. Your usual?” “Thanks, John, yes.”

There she has written Kate McKay, MA 8 PM. Maybe? MA standing for Mingo Auditorium. Holly goes to the movies fairly often since Covid abated (always wearing her mask if the theater is even half-full), but she rarely goes to lectures and concerts.

The fact is, she hasn’t even checked with Ken Larchmont, back at the station. Ken won’t be playing softball tonight. He has to go two-fifty, and is nearing retirement. “Nothing on Trig from any of the cops who go to meetings. Nothing on Stewart, either.

Claire Rademacher, the chief cashier. He was buddy-buddy with both of them. Or Kendall Dingley, he’s the branch manager.” That doglike lift of the upper lip. “Kendall’s dumb as dirt, only got the manager job because his grandfather founded the bank and his uncle runs the Fire Department.

She sees it, along with every name: BOB, FRANK M., KENNY D., CATHY 2-T. And BRIGGS. Only BRIGGS is different. Not much, just enough. “Can you look at the picture of Reverend Rafferty’s calendar?

… the lights and the cyc, but I let Kitty Sandoval worry about that. I just need to make sure the sound is right.” “You also have to make sure the band stays in the same key from song to song, right?” Gibson asks. He pushes his glasses up on his …

Went out the utility exit. Just like Lady Gaga did when she played the Mingo.” Holly thanks him and sinks down on the sofa, Kate’s note still crumpled in her hand.

She got a real good voice. Tess, Laverne, and Jem, they all like her, say she fits right in. The four of em were doing ‘Lollipop’ the other night, a capella. You know, that old Chordettes thing?”

At last he comes upon Letitia Overton. A Black woman, and the woman he’s killed is white, but it doesn’t matter. He may not be able to leave a name with all his targets, but with this one he can.

Lewis Warwick is tilted back in his chair, one foot resting on the corner of his desk, hands loosely clasped on his midsection. He looks like he’s meditating or dreaming awake. For all Izzy knows, he is.

She identifies herself to the Macbride’s Program Director, Liz Horgan, and asks if the audience will have to pass through security detectors. Horgan says no, but if people carrying bags refuse inspection, they will be denied entry.

“This is Lois, and God loves you!” the actual human being almost sings. “How may I help you?” “My name is Holly Gibney, and I’d like to speak with Mr. Fallowes.” “May I ask how Deacon Fallowes can help you today, Holly?”

She has phoned ahead, and the Program Director’s assistant, Maisie Rogan, is there to let her in. “The boss isn’t here yet, but I expect him by ten or so.” “Don’t need him,” Holly says. “Just want a look around.”

The detective has introduced herself as Mallory Hughes. “The red hair—was it a dye job or could it have been a wig?” “It might have been either. It all happened so fast. I know that sounds like a cliché, but—” “Understood, totally understood.

… The Calloway had a trio of packy-derms they called Mama, Papa, and Baby. You know, like in ‘Goldilocks’? If the girl had found a house in the woods where elephants lived instead of bears, that is.

Now she’s standing beside the Washee-Washee with a stout woman named Marie Ellis. The Ellis woman is trembling and won’t go around to the back of the laundromat; she says once was enough.

… “Wait up, Mary,” he says. Then, to Trig: “Hey, man—you got an extra couple of bucks for a couple of vets? Get us a coffee or something?” Trig takes his hand off the capped hypodermic, gives him a five, then heads to his car, …

The body of Fred Sinclair, age unknown, was discovered by 12-year-old Matt Fleischer, who will never forget the TRAUMA of opening a porta-potty and discovering a DEAD MAN sitting inside! Is this CRIMSON CRIME related to the Surrogate Juror Murders? Buckeye Brandon’s Magic 8-Ball says YES, but stay tuned.

Pretty cute. There’s no man in Melanie Travers’s doublewide, but the missus and her little bundles of joy seem to be doing all right. Trig guesses she has a good job of some kind in the city, plus what some men call hellimony.

Holly’s eyes are sparkling. “There was a woman in the church named Melody Martinek, okay?” “Does she sound like she’s singing when she answers the phone?” “I’ve never talked to her. Just shut up and listen, okay?

It’s where Michael Rafferty—sometimes known as the Rev, sometimes as Big Book Mike—hangs his hat when he’s not attending AA and NA meetings all over Upsala County.

The Guns catcher is a fourteen-year radio patrol car veteran named Milt Coslaw, six-five, a real moose. He’s also the PD’s cleanup hitter. In his blue shorts, his hairy legs look like pillars. He trots out to the mound.

… schools being tools of the deep state), but Miss Yarborough came to give lessons in math and geography. Golden hair, blue eyes, long smooth legs. In the dream, McKay tells those men who’ve had an abortion to keep their hands up. There’s laughter at this absurd idea and all the …

… Tapperville house by a County Sheriff’s detective named Mo Elderson. He says, “Have a look around, then I’ll show you something interesting.” They skirt the chalked outline of the body, mostly out of superstition, and pass through the living room. The door of the bedroom closet has been pulled free …

“I might,” Maisie says. “It worked for Neil Diamond when he was here.” They take the elevator down to the break room, where a dozen or so employees are grazing at a buffet consisting of coffee, fruit, yogurt, and hardboiled eggs.

The girl—her name is Norma Willette—eats like a starving wolf. They split a strawberry shortcake for afters, and then Trig drops her at the Creek, where the sign out front suggests that teens TAKE OFF YOUR WEARY BOOTS AND REST FOR AWHILE.

… thrown objects) and unique in another: Janelle and Norville Greer had the bad luck to snap at the same time and in exactly the wrong place. “Most accidents happen in the bathroom,” Tom says. “Yes.” “Most murders, however, happen in the kitchen.” “Yes.” “So many sharp objects.” “Plus the toaster,” …

The dispatcher switches her call to an Officer Rowley. Officer Rowley is a woman. That’s good. Corrie identifies herself and tells Rowley who she’s working for. Rowley knows who Kate is; most women of a certain age do. Corrie tells Rowley that she and Kate will be in Spokane tomorrow.

… The Calloway had a trio of packy-derms they called Mama, Papa, and Baby. You know, like in ‘Goldilocks’? If the girl had found a house in the woods where elephants lived instead of bears, that is.

… “Izzy, this is Patti downstairs. I just got a call from someone who says he’s your serial. He wanted your extension if you were here. I gave—” Izzy’s desk phone lights up. “Trace it, trace it,” she tells Patti, and ends the call.

“Known associates. Help us out and we’ll leave you alone.” “Talk to Pete Young in the loan department. Claire Rademacher, the chief cashier. He was buddy-buddy with both of them. Or Kendall Dingley, he’s the branch manager.” That doglike lift of the upper lip.

The last question comes from Peter Upfield, of The Western Clarion. It’s delivered in a grating, accusatory voice. “How will you respond, Ms. McKay, if there is an attack by this Stewart person tomorrow, and people are killed?” Kate gives him a razor-thin smile.

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

… Barbara is backstage, watching Batty and Pogo show her how the breakers work with the amps and lights, when Tones Kelly finds her and says Betty wants to see her.

With them is a State Police detective lieutenant named Ralph Ganzinger. The toilet has been blocked off with a square of DO NOT CROSS tape, but the door has been propped open. The bench seat, urinal, and plastic walls are black with fingerprint powder.

… Guns first baseman is a young patrolman named Ray Darcy. He fades toward second and barehands the ball on the third bounce. Izzy Jaynes knows that if the first baseman is pulled out of position, it’s her job to cover the bag and take the throw. She’s off at the …

She was two-stepping with Red Jones, the sax player. And then Betty starts waving to me! She’s yelling, ‘Get on up here, girl!’ in that big strong voice of hers.

“Sure, I remember him,” says Robbie M. “Bearded fella, but then I think he shaved. Mighta moved away.” Robbie is on a pair of canes. He makes his way—slowly, painfully—into the church kitchen, where he pours himself a final paper cup of coffee.

As long as she’s not dead. Roselle McKay, so young and beautiful in her dream, is now elderly and bald and sick from a combination of chemo and radiation. Kate struggles to a sitting position and sees it’s not Mom, which is a relief. It’s Corrie.

“Not a single one.” “Ross, this is my brother Jerome. Jerome, this is Ross MacFarland, our FOH.” “Don’t know what that is, but pleased to meet you,” Jerome says, shaking MacFarland’s hand. “Front of the house,” MacFarland says. “Although for our show, I’ll be mixing right here.

Roxanne Mason stops and looks warily at Izzy. Then at the cup. She says, “That’s not mine.” “It is. I bought it for you. My name’s Isabelle Jaynes. I’m a detective with the BCPD. I’d like to talk to you.” “About what?” “About certain beyond-smut magazines. Toddlers.

His name’s Russell Grinsted, and I doubt if he’s the guilty one Bill Wilson wrote about. So far as I can tell, Grinsted did everything he could to get Duffrey off, once his client made it clear he wanted to take it to trial.” “Could he have made a deal?”

I know a guy named Willard who calls himself Telescope. Another guy calls himself Smoothie. A woman who identifies as Ariel the Mermaid. You get the idea. What’s your stake in this?” “None. It’s a police case. I just got kind of... interested.”

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

… shot and killed by a religious martyr named Taylor Verecker as Tremont was coming out of church. Pastor Jim’s sign read TAYLOR VERECKER WAS SENT TO DO GOD’S WORK. The Blevins woman had an idea for a counter-protest, one that would generate plenty of headlines, and some of her friends, …

She got a real good voice. Tess, Laverne, and Jem, they all like her, say she fits right in. The four of em were doing ‘Lollipop’ the other night, a capella. You know, that old Chordettes thing?”

… with seven other detectives, including her current partner, Tom Atta. It’s Warwick’s chair that Izzy lusts after. With its high, spine-soothing back and reclining feature, it’s meditation-ready. “What can I do for you, Lewis?” He takes a business envelope from his desk and hands it to her. “You can give …

Holly unfolds the paper and scans it. Andrew Groves (1), Philip Jacoby (2), Jabari Wentworth (3), Amy Gottschalk (4), Ellis Finkel (5), Turner Kelly (6), Corinna Ashford (7), Letitia Overton (8), Donald Gibson (9), Belinda “Bunny” Jones (10), Steven Furst (11), Brad Lowry (12).

The Incredible Hulk, identified as Victor DeLong, 46, of Moline, Illinois, is sprawled facedown on the pavement. The baseball bat is in the gutter. The folding chair lies close by, legs up. In the foreground, turned toward the camera, looking extremely startled and extremely pretty, is Corrie Anderson.

I know a guy named Willard who calls himself Telescope. Another guy calls himself Smoothie. A woman who identifies as Ariel the Mermaid. You get the idea. What’s your stake in this?” “None. It’s a police case. I just got kind of... interested.”