Mean Streak

“She’s anxious to return to her medical practice and resume normal activities.”

“Does that include running marathons?” asked a reporter.

“Of course,” Jeff replied. “But following this experience, she may rethink where she trains.” That won him a smattering of laughter. He addressed another couple of questions, both relating to Emory’s charitable pursuits. “In fact, this experience has left her more enthusiastic than ever. She has inspired me to accompany her on her next trip to Haiti.”

That announcement came as a big surprise to everybody, but none more so than Alice Butler. Knight, standing on the fringes of the gathering, noticed her reaction. He and Grange ducked out as soon as the press conference concluded and returned to the sheriff’s office. Grange wandered over to Knight’s desk, bringing a saucer-sized chocolate chip cookie for each of them. “This might spoil your supper, but what the hell.”

“Not a chance. The missus called a while ago and promised me chicken and dumplings.” Knight bit off a quarter of his cookie. “You notice Alice Butler’s reaction to Jeff’s announcement about Haiti?”

“I was watching Jeff.”

“Looked like she’d swallowed an egg.”

“Well, the wife has returned. Jeff is showering her with affection and attention. Alice has got to feel slighted.”

“I don’t doubt that she’s glad to have her partner and friend safely returned.”

“Me either,” Grange said. “But she’s human. On the flip side, she has to be relieved that she wasn’t drawn into a criminal investigation.” He chewed his cookie. “Why do you think she’s lying? Not Alice. Emory.”

Knight leaned back in his chair, propped his feet on the corner of his desk, and reached for his trusty rubber band. “Because she doesn’t want her husband and the rest of the world to know that she was cozied up with some guy while good people were out freezing their asses off looking for her.”

“Payback for Jeff’s affair with Alice?”

Knight shrugged. “Could be that his affair is payback for one of Emory’s. Who knows? Anyhow, she got cold feet when her romantic getaway turned into a missing person case. Smart lady that she is, she decided to get herself on home.”

Grange frowned with uncertainty. “I don’t think it’s as cut and dried as that, Sam.”

Knight didn’t either. “So talk.”

“The concussion was recent,” Grange said. “I asked the doctor myself. The wound on her scalp, also recent. During her four-day absence, she sustained those injuries. The how is what remains unclear.”

“You think she lied about falling and hitting her head?”

“Possibly.”

“Why lie?”

“I don’t know. But I think it must have to do with the Good Samaritan. How could she stay four days with him and not know his name?”

Knight twisted his rubber band. “Jeff seemed to buy into her story of ‘I don’t remember.’”

“Making him guilty after all.”

>

“Of what?”

“Stupidity.”

Knight laughed. “I said he seemed to buy her story. Only way he can save face is to pretend he believes her. He wasn’t about to point at her and shout, ‘Liar, liar, pants on fire,’ in front of God and everybody.”

“In my book, he’s still an asshole.”

“You won’t get an argument from me.” Knight stood up, stretched his back, and pulled on his coat. “Chicken and dumplings are calling my name.”

“So, case closed?”

“The missing person ain’t no longer missing, Buddy.”