Reservations for Murder - Tim Myers [21]
Craig started to say something, but Marilynn cut him off yet again. It was a wonder the man ever got to say anything. “Let’s get this over with, Sheriff, I have a living to earn.” Marilynn turned to Craig. “Why don’t you go back to the booth? I’ll come get you when the sheriff’s ready for you.”
Craig obviously wasn’t thrilled with the plan, but Alex could see there was no room for debate. The potter stormed past Alex and slammed the door on his way out.
Marilynn said, “You’ll have to forgive him. Craig hasn’t been sleeping well lately.”
“He can join the club,” the sheriff said. “Murder gives me insomnia, too.”
As they disappeared into his office, Alex couldn’t help feeling that Armstrong was wasting his breath with Marilynn Baxter. She was too cool to let anything slip. He would love to hear the sheriff’s interview with Craig Monroe, though. That should prove to be very interesting.
As predicted, Marilynn’s time with the sheriff was brief, and from the look on Armstrong’s face, not all that productive.
After she left in search of her husband, Armstrong said, “That woman missed her calling. She should have been a lawyer.” There was no admiration in his voice as he said it.
“Maybe you’ll have more luck with her husband.”
“I doubt it. By the time she’s through with him, I doubt I’ll be able to get him to admit his own name.”
As predicted, by the time the sheriff got Craig in Alex’s office, the man was as silent as the nearby mountains. Armstrong shook his head sadly as Craig left the lobby.
“Well, that was purely a waste of breath.”
Alex asked, “What now?”
“It’s time I talked with our lady woodworker. I’ve been putting it off, since Rachel blew up at me, but I’ve got to interview her. She’s strong as an ox, and I don’t relish making her any madder at me than she already is.”
Alex smiled. “Just another benefit of being sheriff.”
“I’d send you to get her if I thought she’d come, but I’ve got a feeling she isn’t exactly eager to talk to me.”
A few minutes later, Rachel came back in with the sheriff. He’d been wrong about one thing; she was perfectly willing to talk to him. In fact, from the sound of it, Armstrong wasn’t going to be able to get a question in between the verbal attacks. Alex was truly glad he wasn’t in the sheriff’s shoes.
Alex touched the woodworker’s shoulder lightly to say something when she grabbed his hand and pulled it off her. She was strong! When she saw that it was Alex, she immediately released her grip. “Sorry, I didn’t know it was you.”
Alex fought the urge to rub the feeling back into his hand as he said, “Take it easy, Rachel. Sheriff Armstrong wants the same thing as you do, to find out who killed Jefferson Lee.”
“Well it certainly wasn’t Bill.” she snapped.
“So answer his questions and help him move on.”
Rachel took a breath, then said. “Of course you’re right, Alex. I’m sorry I snapped at you.”
She turned to the sheriff and said, “Let’s get this over with. Aren’t you coming?”
As she stepped into Alex’s office, Armstrong said, “Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
After the door closed, Alex briskly rubbed the stiffness out of his hand. He’d had no idea looking at Rachel just how strong she was. An unwelcome thought crept into his mind. She would have had plenty of strength to drive that spear into Jefferson Lee’s chest. He had discounted the women up front, not thinking they had the physical power to accomplish it, but it was time to reconsider. Added to that was the fact that Jefferson Lee had been her boyfriend’s rival, intent on destroying the young blacksmith’s career. Had Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands? It was a possibility well worth considering.
She was much meeker when she left Alex’s office, even offering him a nod and a slight smile as she walked past.
Alex found Armstrong at his desk. “Have any luck?”
The sheriff threw his hands up. “Nobody’s seen anything or done anything around here at all. They’re nothing but a bunch of innocent lambs.”
“So where does that