Chapter 17
Seventeen
E than wasn’t a big drinker, but after the day he’d had, the cold brew sliding down his throat at the Bottom-Up was a welcome respite.
The crisp, bitter taste of the seasonal beer briefly numbed his mind and eased the day’s tension. Leaning back in the booth, he stared out into the dimly lit bar and allowed the low buzz of conversation and clinking glasses to surround him, helping him forget why he was here.
Ethan tapped his fingers on the surface of the wooden table. Ezra would complete his autopsy in a day or two. He shook his head. What a clusterfuck this was turning into.
He had two weak suspects, one a five-foot-two woman and the other, his own brother. Both had problems with David Thornton but had no real motive to kill him. The mayor was on his case. His deputies were doing their part, but it wasn’t fast enough. He couldn’t help wondering if he was missing important clues. A dull throb formed in his temple.
A man slipped into the seat across from him. “You know, drinking isn’t going to solve this murder.” His voice was a gravelly whisper.
Ethan turned to look at his old family friend and mentor, Art Dawson. The familiar face, aged with experience, comforted him, the deep-set eyes still sharp.
“It won’t solve it,” Ethan replied. “But it makes me feel better.” He took another long sip.
Art chuckled. As a retired sheriff who served with Ethan’s father and trained Ethan to become sheriff, he knew everything about Beaver Creek—its people, its secrets and its history. Maybe he’d have some insight into the mess that was consuming Ethan’s life.
“I heard about David Thornton,” Art said. “Any suspects?”
“Yeah, two really strong suspects,” Ethan replied sarcastically. He took a deep breath and told Art about Jane and Tanner.
Art listened attentively, processing the information. “This Goodwin woman—what do you know about her? Her background? Her relationship with Thornton?”
“She moved up here from Boston after the death of her husband,” Ethan replied. “Jane outbid Thornton for the property and claims that he threatened her a couple of times.”
“Why would Thornton want the property?”
“Well, that’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question, isn’t it?” Ethan sighed. Thornton could buy any property he wanted. He knew it had something to do with the baseless claim about his grandfather promising him the land, but that was so many years ago. Unless Thornton harbored a grudge, it made no sense.
“Have you verified Tanner’s alibi?” asked Art. “You live with him.”
Ethan shook his head. “People saw him get into a heated argument in the diner, and they came to blows on the farm. I wasn’t there for either altercation. But I can’t rule anyone out yet.”
“Do you think the murder was planned? Or a crime of opportunity?”
“Don’t know,” Ethan replied, staring into his glass. “But the chains and rocks suggest it was planned. The timing, though, is still up in the air.”
Art ordered a beer, took a swig, wiped the foam from his upper lip, and placed the glass down. “Damn, that’s good. The Beaver Creek Brewery just keeps getting better and better.”
Ethan nodded. He was happy the brewery finally made its way into the various bars around town.
“Have you heard any rumors around town that involve Thornton?” Ethan asked. Art had his finger on the pulse of the community. If anyone knew anything, he heard it.
“Not much. You probably know Thornton was into some shady shit … that nobody can prove.”
“Heard that, but we haven’t been able to tie him to anyone specifically. Rosie and Adam are looking into his finances as we speak.”
Art thought for a minute. “You know, he was seriously involved with Vanessa Crumb until he broke it off and went out with her cousin Annabelle.”
Ethan’s eyebrows lifted in surprise; he didn’t know. He absentmindedly circled the rim of his glass with his finger. How come he hadn’t heard that? Although following the love lives of the townspeople wasn’t tops on his list of things to do. Maybe he’d pay Vanessa a visit. If she felt betrayed, could she have taken matters into her own hands?
“I just thought of something else.” Art tapped the table with his fingers. “If I remember correctly, Vanessa and Jim Jenkins were quite the item before that.”
Oh, for heaven’s sake. Ethan closed, then opened his eyes.
A love triangle? Why not?
People had killed for a lot less. And this was more information than he had when he came in. That added a new layer to the investigation. He contemplated the implications. He’d follow up with this lead after he paid his respects to Maggie Thornton.