“Well, it’s something, and worth looking into.” I turned back to Walter. “Anything else?”
Walter responded with more teeth clicking and shook his head. “Nope, can’t think of anything.” He shifted his attention to Fern. “So, how was your time in the slammer?”
Fern grimaced. “I was only there a few hours. What have you heard?”
He shrugged his bony shoulders. “Not much. It’s a shame though. Does this mean you won’t be giving me any more hooch at Christmas?”
Seriously? That’s what he was worried about?
“Yes, it is,” I played to his concern. “Got any ideas about how Fern can get out of this scrape? The sheriff seems intent on prosecuting her.”
“Ahh, baloney.” Walter swiped a hand through the air. “The sheriff will come around. This is Rockfish Bay. He doesn’t work for the DEA anymore. No one cares about a little moonshine.”
I hadn’t heard Cole was an agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency. It’s possible my parents mentioned it at some point, but we didn’t talk all that much, and I probably hadn’t been paying attention.
“How did a DEA agent end up as the sheriff? Seems like a step down, doesn’t it?” I asked.
Fern snorted. “Your father convinced him to stay, that’s how.”
Walter waved his hands frantically up and down, reminding me of a monkey. “No, his wife left him, and he wanted a fresh start.”
Oooh, the plot thickens. “Is that true, Fern?”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I know he came up from California following a drug smuggling ring, and was working undercover. He got the local cops involved to make the bust, and was hailed as the town hero. Our longtime sheriff was set to retire, and your dad convinced Cole to take the job. Well, I should say your dad took the credit for it, so who knows what actually happened.”
That sounded about right.
“Don’t you worry, Fern. I got your back.” Walter lowered the footrest on his chair. “Well, ladies, great seeing you, but I gotta get going. Time for coffee and checkers at Lulu’s. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”
Fern and I stood to go. “Thanks, Walter.” Fern dipped her head in acknowledgment and headed for the door.
“Come back anytime,” Walter said directly to me and winked.
I gave him a fake smile, but I don’t think he noticed, as he clicked his teeth again and shuffled back to the kitchen.
We let ourselves out.
“Now what?” I asked, as Fern and I started down the cobblestone path.
“I think we should talk to Patty. Actually, maybe you could. She probably thinks I killed her husband.”
Unfortunately, my aunt made a valid point. “Not a problem. I’m going to do whatever I can to help you, Fern.”
“Thanks, Charlee.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m getting hungry. How about some crepes?”
“You got it.”
Chapter Six
As I pulled into my parents’ driveway for dinner that evening, I parked next to a dark charcoal truck I didn’t recognize. My mom hadn’t mentioned inviting anyone, and other than my brothers’ families who had an open invitation to family gatherings, I hadn’t assumed anyone else would be here.
With everything that had happened in the last two days, I wasn’t in the mood to make polite chitchat with anyone, even my parents (especially if my mother was going to tell me I was puffy again).
I reminded myself that I was in town to help Fern, and if that meant I had to suffer through an uncomfortable meal or two with my parents, then so be it. Who knows, maybe I’d get lucky and glean something useful to get my aunt off the hook. After all, my parents did know many of the locals.
For my sake, I just hoped my mom hadn’t done something stupid like invite Kenny or the sheriff. After he’d arrested Fern yesterday, I had nothing polite to say to that man.
Reaching for my purse, I slid it over my shoulder, then got out of my SUV to open the back door to retrieve the salad and dessert I’d offered to bring for dinner. As I leaned down to pick up the salad bowl, I heard my parents’ front door open and close.
“Hi, Charlee,” called a man’s voice I’d hoped to not hear this evening, or anytime soon for that matter.
“Sheriff,” I said, as I grabbed the bowl and turned to see Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome standing several feet from me. I don’t know why I still thought of him like that.
“Please, it’s just Cole. I’m off duty,” he smiled, with dimples.
The female in me wanted to sigh appreciatively. But I knew better. Off duty, yeah right. I gave him a tight smile.
“Can I help you carry something? Your mom said you might need help.”
Ah, so that’s why he came out here. It still didn’t explain why he was here. A crazy thought involving my mom trying to play matchmaker flitted through my mind and I stiffened.
“Sure, you can carry the salad.” I shoved the bowl in his direction. He took it, eyeing me thoughtfully. “Thanks,” I mumbled. He made me a little nervous. I turned away from him and picked up the chocolate cake.
“Wow, that looks amazing.” His eyes widened with genuine appreciation, making it difficult for me to stay frustrated with him.
“Thanks,” I replied again. Closing the car door, I moved past him and headed toward the house. My parents lived just south of town in a house they’d built several years ago. With all of us kids grown, my mom had wanted to downsize, or so she’d said, but the house they built wasn’t any smaller than the home I’d grown up in; it was just newer and had an ocean view.
I think what my mom wanted was something nicer than the home she’d raised her family in for thirty years, but downsizing sounded better than saying she wanted to upgrade so she could impress everyone, which I felt was rather the case.
Their new home wasn’t gaudy or ostentatious by any means, but for Rockfish Bay it was considered pretty swanky, with large windows
