Chapter Thirty
Mark revved the engine and headed out of the canal parking lot, driving down a street that ran next to the lumberyard.
He slowed as he passed a line of pickup trucks; one was parked in front of almost every house on the small street.
None of them matched Greer’s vehicle. Mark came to a stop at the intersection just past the cemetery.
The rain had slowed to a trickle. An old man sat on a porch to his left.
Mark rolled down his window and hollered, “Excuse me?”
The old man pushed himself slowly off the rocking chair. He limped down the porch steps sideways, holding onto the railing with one hand.
The man’s lower jaw jutted out, unshaven and weathered. His black shoes scuffed against the pavement with each limp step. He reached the window of the car and placed an arthritic hand on it for support. He stared at Mark expectantly.
“Good evening,” Mark said, feeling guilty for making the man walk down the steps. He wondered if the man was even capable of clear thoughts. “I’m looking for a Marissa Greer.” He showed the man the photograph from Roland’s apartment. “Do you know her, sir?”
The man’s jaw moved from side to side. When he spoke, Mark caught a glimpse of his toothless gums. “Maritha?” He squinted, and wrinkles buried his beady eyes.
Mark cleared his throat. Great, a waste of my time. “Yes, Marissa Greer.”
The man looked away. His hand remained tight on the edge of the door. “Whoth athking?”
Surprised, Mark fumbled for his badge. “Sergeant Agnew, Chambersburg police.”
“Chameberthberth?” The man seemed to be gumming his tongue. “Whatchu wan with Maritha?”
“Just following up on something. Do you know her?” Hope, and his heartbeat, soared.
The man chewed some more, then slurred, “Lemme thee tha.” He lifted his chin toward the badge. He took it with small, wrinkled hands and looked it over, touching the front of the badge with one finger. He nodded.
Mark took his badge from the man and put it on the passenger seat. “You know her?”
The man worked his jaw, staring into the distance.
Mark sighed, then put the car in drive. “Thanks anyway. Sorry to have bothered you.”
The man took a step back from the car. “Ain’t no bothe. Just no one been lookin’ fa he fa yearth.”