Page 34 of An Evil Heart
“What about Aden?”
“He knew. Vernon wasn’t exactly subtle. He made some pretty uncool comments. I mean, about Emily.”
“What kind of comments?”
“Crude stuff.” I’m surprised when color rises in his cheeks. “He’d say she was hot. Said Aden was getting it every weekend. Stupid stuff like that.”
“Did they ever have words?”
“Not that I know of. Aden was a cool guy. Didn’t get bent out of shape about things.”
“How is it that you know about it?”
“I’m not blind. Everyone saw the way Vernon looked at her. Everyone heard what he said.”
“Do you think Fisher was in love with Emily?”
“In lust, maybe.”
“Do you think Fisher is capable of—”
“No.” He cuts in. “I don’t. Yeah, he’s an idiot about women and a crude asshole to boot, but he’s no killer. That’s why I didn’t say anything, Chief Burkholder. Now, you’re going to go stir up trouble.”
“You let me worry about that,” I say.
He frowns at me. “Yeah. Right.”
“Is there anything else you haven’t told me that I should know about?” I ask.
“I think I’ve said enough.”
I close my notebook and tuck it back into my pocket. “If I find out you’ve lied to me about any of this, I’ll be back for you, Wayne. Do you understand me?”
“I told you everything I know.”
“If you have to leave town for any reason, let me know.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
At that, I turn and walk away.
One of the fundamental truths I’ve learned from my years in law enforcement is that people usually don’t lie without a reason. I don’t believe Wayne Graber murdered Aden Karn. I checked his alibi, after all; he wasat work and clocked in the morning it happened. His supervisor at Mast Tiny Homes substantiated it. However, because he’s playing it loose with the truth, Graber stays on my suspect list. At least for now.
I enter the police station to find my first-shift dispatcher, Lois, sitting at the switchboard, fielding calls and burning up the keyboard.
“I’m surprised that computer isn’t smoking,” I say by way of greeting.
“It was a minute ago.” Grinning, she waves a stack of pink message slips at me. “Everyone you know has called at least twice in the last hour.”
“Thanks for the warning.” I pluck the messages from her hand.
She places her caller on hold. “Vernon Fisher is in the interview room, Chief. Been in there for nearly an hour and he’s mad as a hornet. Every ten minutes or so he starts pounding on the door and calling his mother the most awful names.”
Having overheard our exchange, Glock stands, looks at me over the top of his cubicle, and grins. “Morning, Chief.”
“You got a few minutes?” I ask.
“You bet.”
