the split chapter 5

As King and Michelle climbed into Michelle's Land Cruiser, he looked around in surprise.

"You cleaned out your truck."

She said nonchalantly, "Oh, I just picked up a few things here and there."

"Michelle, it's spotless and it smells good too."

She wrinkled her nose. "There were some old bananas. I don't know how they got in here."

"Did you do it because of the hard time I gave you?"

"Are you kidding? I just, you know, I had some time to kill."

"I appreciate it anyway." Something struck him. "What'd you do with all the stuff? You haven't been home."

She looked embarrassed. "You probably don't want to see my room at the inn."

"No, I probably don't."

* * *

They got to Bowlington and met Tony Baldwin. With his and the local sheriff's permission, they looked around Loretta Baldwin's home.

"What was your mother living on? Social Security?" King asked as he surveyed the nice interior.

"No, she was only sixty–one," said Tony.

"Did she work?"

Tony shook his head as King looked around at the furniture and rugs, the neat little touches here and there. The kitchen had appliances far newer than the house, and a late–model Ford sedan was parked in the garage.

King stared at Tony. "So I give up. Were you supporting her, or did she have a rich relative who died?"

"I've got four kids. I barely make ends meet."

"Let me guess: did she send money to you?"

Tony looked uncomfortable.

"Come on, Tony," said Michelle, "we're just trying to find out who did this to your mother."

"Okay, okay, yeah, she had some money. From where, I don't really know and didn't really want to ask. When you got a bunch of mouths to feed, you don't look a gift horse in the mouth, right?"

"She ever mention where it might be coming from?"

Tony shook his head. King then said, "When was the first time you noticed this flow of money?"

"Not sure. I mean she sent me some cash for the first time years ago."

"How many years? Think carefully, it's important."

"Maybe six or seven or so."

"When did she stop working at the Fairmount?"

"It closed down pretty soon after Ritter got shot."

"Had she worked since?"