Page 66 of Canyon Killer
“I think the whole town has heard,” she said. “I haven’t gotten this much attention from people since I fainted on stage during a Christmas concert when I was sixteen.” She had fielded at least six phone calls this morning from people she barely knew, asking about the fire. And four others had stopped by to see her.
“Is it true you were trapped in that trailer?” Craig asked.
“Yes. But I’m all right. Ian saved me.” She wanted people to know that about Ian—that he wasn’t the rich guy trying to take advantage of the town that some people had portrayed him as. He was the kind of man who would save a woman from a burning building. “He was burned pretty badly on his hands and arms, but he’s going to be okay.”
“That’s good.”
“Can I help you with something?”
He shifted his cane to his other hand. “My niece and her husband and their two children are coming into town to visit, and they’re looking for things to do. Are any of your tours suitable for kids?”
“What ages?”
“Boys, six and eight.”
“We have a tour to the old ghost town of Millford that would be perfect. Lots of fun but safe ruins to explore, and the guides tell fun stories along the way.” She selected a brochure from the rack to her right. “They talk about gold mines in the area and the mule trains that used to carry supplies up and down the mountains. It’s one of our most popular tours.”
“Great. I’ll give this to them.” He tucked the brochure into his pocket but showed no sign of leaving. “Did you ever find out any more about my late relatives, Gerald and Abby?”
“Not much. Ian and I visited the historical society and read through old newspapers. It seemed like Katherine was the only person who hated Gerald enough to kill him, but I don’t see how she could have done it.”
“Katherine would need help to pull it off. She could have never overpowered two people, even before the accident that made it difficult for her to walk.”
“Do you have any idea who she was with the day she was injured? The man who was driving the car?”
“We never knew for sure.”
She didn’t miss the hesitation in his words. “Did you have your suspicions?”
“I shouldn’t accuse anyone without proof.”
“This isn’t a court and I’m not a police officer,” she said. “I just want to know for my own curiosity.”
Craig looked pained. “I heard a rumor it might have been Walt Spies.”
“Walt!” She almost choked on the word.
“He and Gerald were good friends. And Walt dated Katherine before she and Gerald married. I heard a rumor they continued seeing each other, even after the wedding. Gerald found out about it when she was hurt, and that finally led to him filing for divorce.”
“Ian and I went to the cemetery to see Katherine’s grave,” Bethany said. “Someone has been leaving flowers there. Any idea who that might be?”
“Whatever you do, don’t say anything to Walt. He always had a terrible temper, and I don’t think that improved with age. In any case, Katherine was a very pretty woman. She probably had lots of admirers.”
“Were you one of them?”
She had meant the words as gentle teasing, but his reaction startled her. His face flushed bright red, and he fumbled with his cane. “Gerald was my uncle and my friend,” he said. “I never would have had anything to do with a woman he was involved with.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” she said. Why did she always say the first thing that came into her head?
Craig relaxed a little. “It’s okay. I’ve talked enough, keeping you from your work. Thanks for the brochure.”
He hobbled out of the building. Bethany picked up her phone to text Ian—she had to tell him about this new development. But the door opened again, and Dalton and Carter entered. They were scheduled to team up for a big group tour leaving at 1:00 p.m.
They stopped in front of her desk. “Are you okay?” Carter asked.
“Why does everyone keep asking that? I’m fine.”
“Aaron said you were almost killed,” he said.
