sagged at the heels. "But last time, you were dead to the world, so to speak."
"As good a way to describe it as any I have thought of."
"The docs say you'll recover. That's good news."
"Yes, I understand they hate to lose patients. Too much paperwork."
"Ha! That's true enough. Same holds true for us. We're investigating a death right now, as a matter of fact, and already there's been a flood of coroner's reports, witness accounts, evidence sheets, you name it, to keep track of. That's why we're here, you see. We have a bit of evidence to pin down. Maybe it's a clue. Maybe it isn't. But we can fill in one more blank on the report if you'll help us out. He pulled a brown envelope out of his brief case. "Is this your wallet, Mr. Brewer?" A black leather wallet slid out of the envelope to the blanket at Cole's knees.
Cole picked it up and opened it. "It has my name in it."
"Yes. Would you want to guess where it was found?"
"I did not even know it was missing. I have not been myself lately." It was amazing how you could tell the truth even when you had no idea what it was.
"Where was the last place you think you had it?"
"I don't know. In my pocket, I guess."
Haskell, the young one, who had been silently probing his teeth with a toothpick to this point, glared at him. "Nobody likes a smart ass, Brewer. Where did you have it last?"
"Thursday," he tossed off the day that he had gathered from overheard conversations had been the day of his beating.
"I asked where, not when."
"I don't remember."
"Like to try the backyard of 3303 Christian Avenue?"
"Is that where it was found?"
"Not exactly."
"Do I get another hint?"
"Calvary Cemetery. In the woods. Now, how do you suppose it got there?"
He had all he could do to tread water in this world he'd just awakened to, and these cops wanted to play guessing games. "Could it be that I was beaten and robbed and the wallet tossed there by the thug? I could offer my bruised body as evidence for that story."
"Yeah, except that it's full of money," Haskell said.
Cole would have laughed but he suspected it would hurt too much. "Then it can't be my wallet. I've never had one that was full of money."
Chancellor frowned at his attempt at humor. "And except that we have a body that points to another version."
"A body?"
"Yeah, buried in that very same cemetery. I don't suppose you care to admit you know whose body it is?"
"Uh, well, a cemetery doesn't seem like an unusual place to find a body buried."
"In an unauthorized grave," Haskell said. "It was the body of your father-in-law, Robert Kirk."
"What? What did you say?" asked a small, frightened voice at the doorway.
"Catch her!" Cole warned, but it was too late. Trissa was in a heap on the floor.
"Must be a family trait," grumbled Chancellor. "The news affected her mother in the very same way." Haskell towed her roughly to her feet and tapped her twice on the cheek.
"Don't touch her," Cole bellowed "Bring her to me." He didn't know why he wanted her. Bringing her close was no way to drive her out of his life. But she was supposed to be his wife, after all. He had to give a show of affection. Especially in front of two cops who were apparently questioning him about a murder.
Haskell hauled her over and plunked her, not too gently, on the bed. Cole gritted his teeth with the pain that came with the jostling of the bed. When it subsided, he found that holding her tightly against himself kept it in check. "Ring for the nurse." He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and blew gently into it. "Trissa? Wake up, sweetheart. Trissa?"
"Bad way to break the news, Haskell. How many times I got to tell you you're too abrupt?" Chancellor said.
"How was I supposed to know the little gal was at the door?" muttered Haskell.
Chancellor scowled at him and hitched a finger toward the hall to indicate it was time to leave. "We best be on our way. We got other stops to make. We were going to question your wife too, but she seems a bit overwrought."
The nurse arrived and hurried off again for smelling salts. Chancellor touched a finger to his forehead as if he were tipping a hat, and sauntered out the door.