“Or dead?” I suggested.
She looked at me bewildered for a second. “What? Wait, do you think I had something to do with his death?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know. Did you?”
She glared at me. “Of course not. And do I look like I could kill somebody with a shovel?”
“How did you know he was killed with a shovel?”
“I heard it at Lulu’s Steamin’ Beans when I was there the other day,” she said defensively.
Well, that I believed.
“You could have paid someone to do it?”
I swear, I could almost see daggers coming out of her eyes. “I wouldn’t waste a dollar on those thieving low-lifes. And I think we’re done here.”
I gulped, desperately trying to figure out a way to patch this up. “I’m sorry. I don’t think you killed Earl. I just know that my aunt didn’t, and I’m trying to figure out who might have, or at least had a reason to want to.”
She huffed. “Well, like I said, I’m sure I’m not the only client he cheated. There could be any number of people who are glad that man is dead.”
She was probably right. Unfortunately, that didn’t give me much to go on. I thanked Phyllis for talking with me and let myself out. On the drive back to Rockfish Bay, I mulled over my next move.
Phyllis’s comments raised some new red flags about Russell and would be worth checking into. Only I wasn’t sure where to start. I still needed to hunt down Sting Ray, but to be honest, I was kind of freaked out by that, so I’d prefer to exhaust my other options first.
With that in mind, I decided my best bet was to go talk with Cole again, and tell him hurry up and find the actual killer. Or at least convince him not to arrest Fern.
When I got back into town after meeting with Phyllis, I drove straight to the police department. Inside, I marched to the reception window, then froze, debating if I should leave.
“Charlee! What brings you by?” Kenny’s little brother Troy beamed at me, speaking in a loud friendly voice. “It’s nice to see you again. Kenny said he saw you—”
“Troy,” I cut him off before he said anything else about Kenny and me. The deputies and clerks were already looking in our direction. “I’d like to speak with Sheriff Walker. Is he available?” I asked quietly.
“I believe so, but let me check.” He picked up the phone on the desk to page Cole. “Hey, Sheriff. Are you busy?” he asked. “Well, Charlee King is here,” he paused. “Yeah, okay, I’ll tell her.” He set the phone back in the receiver and looked at me. “He said he’ll be with you in a minute. Go ahead and have a seat.” He motioned to the benches lining the opposite wall.
“Thanks, Troy.” I moved briskly across the hall and sat down before Troy tried to make any more small talk, and pulled out my phone.
This way if he looked at me, hopefully he’d get the hint that I was busy. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t dislike Troy. I just didn’t want to take a trip down memory lane within earshot of the entire Rockfish Bay Police Department.
I regretted not getting Cole’s number from Fern. Calling him would be easier than dealing with this. Then again, I felt I could be more persuasive in person. Still it probably wouldn’t hurt to have his number, just in case I wanted to…
I stopped myself from finishing that thought. I needed to remember that my relationship with Cole was strictly professional. I was here for Fern. Cole and I weren’t going to date, or socialize, in a personal capacity after this.
After all, I was going back to Portland… But was I? Right now, I didn’t know. Since Cole arrived this morning and said Fern could be arrested, I hadn’t given much more consideration to my future plans, and probably wouldn’t until this was over.
And speaking of that, it would be nice if this murder would get solved soon because I was quickly eating through my vacation days.
“Charlee.” Troy held the door open that led to the back offices. “The sheriff will see you now.”
I stuck my phone back in my purse as I strode past Troy. “Thanks.” When I reached Cole’s office, the door was slightly ajar. I was about to knock when it opened.
“Charlee.” Cole stood by the door, eyeing me curiously. “What can I do for you?”
I stepped into the room and proceeded to sit in one of the chairs I’d occupied when I was last here with Preston, the first time Fern got arrested. Unfortunately, things hadn’t changed much since then. Cole returned to his desk and eased into his chair.
“I came by to ask if you’ve found any other suspects. Besides Fern,” I clarified.
He picked up a pen and tapped it lightly on the wooden desk before placing it on a notepad. “You know I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you.”
I slid toward the edge of my seat and leaned forward. “Oh really? Is that because there aren’t any other suspects?”
He frowned.
“Well, this morning you said you thought Fern might be arrested for this, which is absurd because you and I both know that Fern did not kill Earl. Which leads me to believe that you don’t have any additional suspects.” I leaned back in the chair and folded my arms across my abdomen.
“And if that is the case, then I would say you’re not trying very hard,” I added cheekily.
Cole placed both his hands on the desk and glowered. “Is there a reason you stopped by, Ms. King?”
Great, we were back to that. Although, after my last comment I deserved it.
“Or do you just enjoy pestering me?”
I grinned. “Well, maybe just a little, Sheriff Walker.” I threw formality back at him.
“Charlee, I actually have real work to do, so if there isn’t anything else…” his thought trailed off as I raised