Page 52 (2/2)

C is for Corpse Sue Grafton 12840K 2023-09-02

I don’t ordinarily visit Moza and I could tell she ondering what I was doing on her doorstep Shetimidly The television was tuned to a rerun of "MASH," helicopters whipping up a cloud of dust

"I thought I’d do a little background check on Lila Sams," I said, while "Suicide Is Painless" played one out," Moza said in haste It was already occurring to her that I was up to no good and I guess she thought she could headinto the corridor I knew Moza’s bedrooured Lila’s must be the for wo from some condition that makes her feet swell Her expression was a cross between pain and bewilderment

I tried the knob Lila’s door was locked

"You can’t go in there"

"Really?"

She was looking fearful by now and she didn’t see into the keyhole This was a si only a skeleton key, several styles of which I had on a ring

"You don’t understand," she said again "That’s locked"

"No, it’s not See?" I opened the door and Moza put a hand on her heart

"She’ll co voice

"Moza, I’reat care and she’ll never knoas here Why don’t you sit out there in the living room and keep an eye open, just in case? OK?"

"She’ll be so angry if she finds out I let you in," she said to me Her eyes were as mournful now as a basset hound’s