Page 36 of Tastes Like Misery

We started with the landlord, Mrs. Connor, who was more than happy to spill all of Vivian’s secrets, and many I thought were just tales from a woman who didn’t like her.

“She’s been coming in at all hours of the night, making quite a racket. I know she had a man there at least once. The sounds they made were quite scandalous. I prayed for her soul and my own. I’m a good Christian woman who shouldn’t be subjected to Miss Parker’s sinful ways.”

“Did you ever see the man? See his car or anything?” I questioned, ignoring the woman’s pretend propriety. She didn’t know I’d been investigating her own improper actions of possibly stealing from the church’s collection plate.

“No. I don’t keep those kinds of hours. My arthritis makes it hard for me to get out of bed. I never spy on my tenants. I only know about the man because they were so loud,” she made the sign of the cross before putting her hand to her heart. “I told that girl I wouldn’t hold her apartment for her and I’d sell her car if she didn’t come back to get it, as is my right.”

She was incorrect, but now wasn’t the time for that discussion and I ignored it, pressing her for more information, “I noticed her car wasn’t in the parking lot. You didn’t sell it already, did you?”

Her frail hand flew to her heart, “Goodness, no. Her rent is paid up through the month and with that comes a parking spot.”

“What did Miss Parker tell you about leaving town?”

“Her mother is ill, and she went to go take care of her. Bless that woman’s heart. After all, her daughter put her through, causing her to leave town in embarrassment. And now having a serious illness on top of it,” she clucked her tongue. “I just hope she recovers and her daughter doesn’t make it worse.”

It was no use telling Mrs. Connor she wasn’t right about Vivian, so I didn’t waste my breath. The agent butted in the conversation, her tone almost robotic as she asked, “Do you have the mother’s contact information? I’d like to follow up with her. Miss Parker hasn’t answered her cell phone.”

“No, I’m sorry, I don’t. She wanted to start fresh with her new husband in a new state. She didn’t keep in contact with any of us. All I know is she moved to Florida. I haven’t heard a lick of talk from anyone else. I can give you the keys to the apartment. Maybe she has something written down up there.”

This could be outside of the law without a warrant or permission from Vivian, but I was willing to take that chance. I’d just have to see how Bailey would feel about this. She seemed by the book, yet she’d allowed me to do the questioning.

“That won’t be necessary at this point in the investigation. I will keep it in mind if my team can’t get the contact information. Thank you for your time, Mrs. Connor,” Bailey stood and started for the door. I stopped and shook the old woman’s hand, thanking her for her help. She seemed to be the only one in this town not put off by the presence of the special agent and enjoyed the attention.

My instincts were never wrong, and I reminded her, “Mrs. Connor, I’d appreciate it if you left Miss Parker’s apartment alone until our investigation is over. I’d hate for any evidence to be messed with, or for the townsfolk to blame an innocent woman.”

“Yes, of course, Sheriff. My old bones can’t take walking up those stairs anyway,” she dismissed my concerns but couldn’t hide the look of disappointment.

While Agent Bailey and I waited for the owner of the town’s watering hole to arrive, she typed away on her computer, ignoring me. For some reason, I felt the need to clear Vivian Parker before all the facts were in, “You know, so many people in this town have spread awful rumors about Vivian. She was just a misunderstood youth who did a lot of stupid things as a teen. She’s straightened out, but you know how folks can be. Small town, not enough to talk about, and they don’t change their minds once they’re made up.”

She glanced up at me, her brown eyes piercing, “You don’t believe she’s responsible.” It was a statement, not a question.

“Sure, she did a lot of things when she was young and spent a lot of time in the back of my car, but this. This is too unlike her. She was a good kid beneath it all. Smart as a whip, never violent. I think it’s a waste of time.”

“We all think we know people, Hinton. I’ve had enough cases where nothing surprises me anymore. I’m going through the steps to rule her out, not focusing on her as the suspect.”

My shoulders sagged in relief and I let out a breath, “I just can’t see anyone in this town doing something so awful.”

“It’s always those we least expect. But two of my agents sent information over on a couple of migrant workers who seemed to have applied to all the local farms and ranches. They’re questioning a man who had a conversation with one of them at this very bar last night. I’ll know more shortly, but probably not until after our meeting here.”

Ross came in, seeming just as unkempt as usual. The man spent most of his time playing video games despite being in his late forties and owning a bar. I stood up and greeted him, shaking his hand before introducing him to Bailey. He seemed to straighten himself in her presence like a man who had a crush and I’d take advantage of it, “Ross, good to see you, though under unfortunate circumstances. This is Special Agent Bailey, and she has some questions for you.”

He sat down and leaned forward just the slightest as she started her questions. The typical schedule, if there was a security camera, and finally about Vivian’s conversation with him about leaving.

“She told me she needed some time off to go take care of her mom. Of course, I told her it was fine. Before she moved, her mom was always my best customer. I let Vivian close up early last night so she could get to the airport.” It seemed to me he embellished his kindness in the conversation, but I wouldn’t say anything until we left. I knew damn well Ross wasn’t good to his employees. Heck, I didn’t think he cared about the bar itself other than a small income to allow him to not have to work.

“Did she say how long she’d be gone?” Bailey questioned.

“No. She didn’t have any idea how long. She seemed quite upset, and I didn’t want to make things harder for her by asking too much. I told her the job would still be here when she came back. It’s only a few nights a week and I can cover until her mom is better. Vivian had enough to worry about with her mom, she didn’t need to worry about a job too,” he offered freely.

Unphased, the agent asked a few more questions, one being, “Have you seen any outsiders around?”

His cheeks flushed when he had no choice but to admit he didn’t get out much, “None of the girls said anything to me either. I’m really sorry I can’t help but I’ve been working hard on a work project, so I’ve been at home more than usual.” His eyes darted to me and I knew he waited to see if I’d contradict him. It didn’t matter to me he was lying to a federal agent. Ross didn’t know enough to sway the investigation one way or another. He was lazy, but it didn’t mean he deserved any legal troubles for his crush on a pretty woman.

We said our goodbyes and went to an empty building by the bank, one that was now the headquarters for the investigation. There we met another agent, this one a tall man with graying hair whose name I forgot right after he introduced himself. With all these agents running around, I just needed to call them each “Agent,” and that would suit my old mind until they wrapped this up.

“The three men were looking for work at ranches and described as good looking. If I were to quote the interviewee, he said, ‘pretty boys who wouldn’t last a day on a ranch and hands that were too smooth.’ He told them of job openings up in Guthrie and they supposedly left early this morning. When he drove by the farm they were staying at, their truck was gone and he assumed they followed through.”

That little niggle at the base of my neck started up, and I had to scratch it. It wasn’t looking good and something seemed off. I just couldn’t put my finger on it. The four people who left town did so before the robbery. “I need to call Vivian Parker’s mama,” I bit out, not liking how it sounded one bit. “Did anyone get the number?”

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