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I took pity on the poor woman. “If you like, we can pretend you never even called.”
I could hear the relief in her sigh. “Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Williams.”
I hung up the phone and walked back out to see Sutton fixing Martha some breakfast.
“Is everything alright?” she asked with curious eyes.
“Nothing will ever be alright ever again!” Martha wailed dramatically.
We ignored her.
“Knox was returning your call,” I said sagely, and Sutton nodded, mouthing,Thank the Lord.
It wasn’t more than fifteen minutes before Candice had arrived back at the trailer. She looked frazzled and mortified to be doing the walk of shame in yesterday’s attire. Thankfully, Martha was too wrapped up in her own tragedy to pick up on Candice’s embarrassment.
Sutton’s eyes danced. “Did you forget where I lived?”
Candice flashed accusing eyes at me, but I shook my head. I was innocent of any meddling.
Candice cleared her throat. “Err, yes, well, some of the streets are very similar.”
Martha frowned, just now paying attention to the conversation. “What are you talking about, girl? Everyone knows this is Sutton’s place. Even if you got lost, which is near impossible, you could ask someone.”
There was a knock at the door, interrupting Martha, and I was more than happy to let another player in our morning farce in.
“Hello there, sheriff.” I said it loudly just in case anyone missed it.
Candice blanched, and Martha asked Knox his opinion, “This girl here couldn’t find her way back to the trailer? Have you ever heard of such a thing?”
Knox looked confused and Candice appeared to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown. So, I helped out. “Candice didn’t make it back last night.”
Knox’s cheeks flushed. For a grown ass man, it was very telling. His eyes whipped around to Candice and she pasted on a glare as if daring him to refute her story.
Knox opened his mouth twice before replying weakly, “That’s understandable, I suppose.”
Candice visibly relaxed, and before Martha could go any further, I stepped in. “Martha do you have that note to show the sheriff?”
And with those few words, she turned into the wretched, weeping creature that we had been dealing with all morning. Knox took the crumpled paper from her hands. I could see his shock as he read the words.
I already knew what it said.
Martha,
A man’s got to follow his heart. I don’t mean to hurt you, but I love another. Well, two others, but that ain’t the point. You never cared for me none and it’s time I set you free.
Earl
Knox looked up in surprise. “Two?”
Martha blew her nose loudly in the dirty handkerchief. “Those whores from church, Alice and Reena! Sheriff, you need to find and arrest them. They took my man. I loved him. Lord knew I did.”
Knox was looking around in astonishment as if he could hardly believe what was happening.
“I can’t just arrest someone for being unfaithful, Martha.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly.
Martha snorted. “Then arrest them for murdering, Gabe.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Do you have evidence that supports that accusation?”