Chapter 1 #5
Sterling nodded. “That’s true. If this guy has anything to do with the dead body or has any reason to be worried about being seen dropping off a dead body, you just topped his list.”
“No, no, no. I don’t need that kind of stuff,” she exclaimed, backing away. “That’s just not fair.”
“No, it isn’t,” Sterling agreed, “but that doesn’t change anything. Richard still needs to talk to you. And you need to be extremely careful going forward. Joel and I can take turns driving you to work and back.”
She glared around. “Hell no. And no following me around either,” she snapped. “I just wanted some nice, calm, peaceful time, without any headaches.”
“Absolutely, and hopefully that will happen when this is over. So, just have your interview with Richard, stay alert at all times, and, as soon as this guy is arrested, you’re good.”
When she frowned at that, Joel stepped forward. “Is there a reason you don’t want to deal with Richard?”
“No,” she said, sagging against the veranda railing. “Not really. I just don’t want to go through any more of that. I certainly wasn’t expecting to see somebody standing by a parked vehicle, with a dead body in it, right next to Timber’s place.”
“No, I don’t think any of us did. Timber’s not terribly impressed either.”
“Ya think?” she quipped, adding a headshake.
At the sound of a vehicle turning up the driveway, Joel turned to the newcomer. “Here’s Richard now.” He then pivoted, caught sight of Chelsea, and realized she really was struggling. “If there’s a reason you don’t want to talk to him, please let us know now.”
She stared at him and shook her head. “The only reason is the fact that I just don’t want to deal with more cops right now. I’ve only just finished dealing with my mother, and that isn’t a memory I particularly want to reinforce.”
“I get that,” Joel told her. “As long as that’s it, and nothing else is going on, I’m good with that.”
“No, nothing else,” she muttered. Yet she stiffened and turned to face Richard.
He hopped out of the vehicle, walked toward her, and noted, “I see that Joel got here before me.”
“I called him on his way into town,” she offered. “He gave me an update, then decided he should come here and ask the guys if they have seen your victim.”
“And?” Richard asked, turning to face the crowd.
Everybody immediately shook their heads.
“And what about you?” Richard asked, turning to her. “Do you know him?”
“No.” She sighed. “But—”
He immediately asked, his tone sharp, “What the hell does that mean?”
“We already asked her that several times,” Sterling stated.
“It means that I can’t necessarily say, but something about him looks a little familiar. I also have been doing a lot of hospital shifts, and I don’t know if maybe I’ve seen him around the hospital or something.”
Richard frowned at that, then nodded slowly. “That’s possible, but I do need to know if you recognize him.”
“No, but … I just can’t in any way be sure.”
“Of course not,” he muttered, frowning, as he stared down at the picture. He looked back at the others, again holding up the same picture. “And none of you recognize him?”
They all shook their heads.
“If he’s from town, we won’t likely recognize him anyway,” Joel pointed out, “since going to town is not something most of us do.” Joel asked Chelsea, “Do you need a lift to work?”
She looked down at her watch and gasped. “Oh my, no. I don’t need a ride, but I do have to run, sorry about coffee.”
“It’s all good,” Joel replied, with a smile.
She bolted for her vehicle, calling out to Richard, “If you need me, leave a message or something, but I do have to head to work right now.” With that, she quickly drove off.
Sterling looked over at Joel and asked, “Something going on between you two? These last few weeks you’ve been pretty friendly.”
Joel raised one eyebrow. “Well, I wouldn’t mind if there is, but it’s a little too early to say.”
Sterling shrugged. “Which is actually a good sign because she’s been pretty locked up and unhappy these last few weeks over her mother.”
“Of course,” he stated. “Not just you guys but everybody in the whole area has been dealing with Penny in some way.” Joel shrugged. “It’s not fun.”
Sterling nodded. “I’m hoping we’re through the worst of it, but now it seems Chelsea has added issues.”
“I sure hope not,” Joel muttered, with a sigh.
“My concern is,” Sterling added, facing Joel, “if this guy did see her, what are the chances that he’ll want to deal with loose ends?” The men knew exactly what he meant. Sterling added, “But we have no idea who to watch out for because she couldn’t give us much in the way of a description.”
“That’s not helpful either.” Joel frowned.
“Tell me about it.” Richard groaned. “Anyway, if she comes up with anything, or any of you, … please let me know.” He headed back to his vehicle but looked around and asked Sterling, “How are you settling in?”
“Just fine.” He grinned. “I have to admit I didn’t expect to feel this way, but it’s really nice to be home.”
“It’s good to have you home.”
And, with that, Richard waved, got in his vehicle, and drove away.