Orchid Blues (Holly Barker 2)

"I shouldn't have said that."

"Please don't worry about it, Mrs. Williams."

"Joy, please."

"Joy, have you been in personnel for the whole time you've been at the bank?"

"Just for the past eight years."

"So you know most of the people who work here?"

"I know all of them."

"What about the newer people, Franklin Morris and Emily Harston?"

"Frank came to us from Miami, and he's fitted right in around here. He's made friends in the bank, and he and his wife go to my church."

"Which church is that?"

"First Baptist."

"What about Emily Harston? She's pretty new."

"Yes, but she's a real good worker. I've had very good reports from her supervisor."

"Do you know where she goes to church?"

"No, I don't. Emily doesn't live in Orchid Beach, and I don't think she's mixed with folks the way a lot of others do."

"Her personnel file says she lives in Lake Winachobee. Where is that?"

"You know, I'm not real sure. I remember when I hired her, she said it was half an hour, forty-five minutes away, depending on traffic."

"Do you know her husband?"

"No, I haven't met him. We had a company picnic last month-it's an annual event-and she didn't come. She said the next day that she hadn't been feeling well. I think she's probably four or five months along. Pregnant, I mean."

"Do you know if she's particularly friendly with any of the other employees?"

"Well, I see her in the bank's kitchen at lunchtime, and she usually sits alone, unless one of the other tellers joins her. We've just got a microwave and a refrigerator and a few tables; most people bring their own lunch."

"Is there anyone else at the bank who's new?"

"Those are the only two," Williams said. "We don't have a lot of employee turnover; this is a good place to work."

"Joy, can you think of anyone at the bank who may have been having financial difficulties? I mean, a lot of debt, late paying bills, checks bouncing, that sort of thing?"

"No, I can't think of anyone. The bank expects its employees to be financially responsible. If an employee had his wages garnished or bounced checks, he'd be in trouble. We're a bank, after all."

Holly stood up. "Well, thank you, Joy. I wonder if you'd do me a small favor."

"Sure, if I can."

"Would you come downstairs with me and point out Frank Morris and Emily Harston?"

"Sure, be glad to."

Holly followed her down the stairs and stopped at the bottom.