Page 72 of Puzzle for Two

“Did Schneider have any idea why Ransford is suddenly the focus of the police investigation?”

Flint’s smile was cynical. “It turns out Ransford lied about when he flew in. He ended up catching an earlier flight.”

Zach whistled. “He doesn’t have an alibi.”

“Bingo.”

Not conclusive, but damning for sure. “I wonder what Alton and Ransford were planning to meet about.”

“Iwonder what Alton’s will looks like,” Flint said.

“That, too.”

They exchanged looks.

Ransford had not even been on Zach’s radar. But then Ransford hadn’t been on Alton’s radar, either. This new information put Alton’s brother in the hot seat, for sure. Maybe, for once, the least likely suspect actuallywasguilty.

But how did any of this tie in with last night’s attack? Was it possible therewasn’ta connection? It wasn’t like Zach was juggling a bunch of cases or had a lot of enemies. The assumption that the attack on him was somehow connected to the Beacher case had seemed, not just reasonable, inevitable.

But maybe he had it wrong.

Maybe he and Flint both had it wrong.

“Okay, well, where do we go from here?” Zach asked. “Or do we?”

Flint frowned. “What do you meanor do we?”

“Are we still pursuing this? It seems like a surplus of investigators as it is.”

“Which is why it’s going to be so satisfying whenwebust this case right open.”

Zach opened his mouth—and closed it.

Flint hesitated, said shortly, “Unless you’ve changed your mind. You want out?”

Zach didn’t have to think about it. “No. I don’t want out.”

Flint nodded approvingly. “Good. Then let’s go see what Jeeves has to say for himself.”

Chapter Twenty

The hospital parking lot was still mostly empty when they arrived in separate cars at Monterey Memorial shortly after nine o’clock.

“How’s your knee?” Flint asked as they passed through the sliding glass doors and entered the hospital lobby.

“It’s okay,” Zach replied. “Just a little stiff.”

Flint nodded, headed straight for the building directory next to the elevators.

“How do we know what floor Topper is on?” Zach asked, joining him.

“Third floor,” Flint punched the button for the elevator.

Okay, then.

The doors instantly slid open. The elevator was empty. Zach followed Flint inside. Flint pressed the Close button, leaned back against the wall of the car. The doors slid shut.

Zach glanced at Flint’s granite profile. Flint’s attention seemed glued to the button panel.

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