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“I really can’t say too e, but since you’re her husband, I suppose it’s all right to tell you that this involves settling the estate of your wife’s grandfather”

“That’s nuts Dawn ain’t got no…”

Kitteridge stopped in ht, and waited

“Are you sayin’ somebody left my wife money?”

“I’e,” Gray said politely “I have to meet with your wife”

“Yeah Okay Uh, where are you? I mean, are you comin’ to town?”

“Actually I’as station on the corner of Main and Liberty”

“Uh-huh Ah, there’s a diner across the way See it?”

Gray peered out theA red neon sign blinked the words Victory Diner through diagonal sheets of rain “Yes, I see it”

“Go on in, get us a booth I’ll be there in fifteen minutes”

“Be sure your wife is with you,” Gray said, as if he had no idea Dawn Kitteridge had flown the coop

Kitteridge hung up Gray let out a breath, checked for nonexistent traffic and drove across the road to the diner

Al a cup of inky black liquid the waitress had poured him when the door opened A ed, work-hardened body and a face Gray figured uy shook hi shut, thu lock of black hair froh Gray and the waitress were the only people in it

“Coffee,” he barked in the general direction of the counter He walked toward Gray with a loping swagger “You Baron?”

Gray got to his feet “Yes” He forced hi he’d want to wipe it off after Kitteridge shook it “Hare?”