Page 130 of Family Affair

Coco’s amusement died, and she broke out in sweat that had nothing to do with the impossible heat of the room and everything with the cold, twisted nature of its owner. Virgil lookedgladto see his neighbor punished by such a terrible death for listening to loud music. In his mind, justice had been served in this world.

“Mr. Woodcock, you said that Ward had guests over frequently,” Cade continued smoothly. “Did you see anyone come to his house that last night?”

The skull with wispy hair bobbed up and down. “Yes!” He laughed merrily. “The policeman who interviewed me was amazed. It so appears that I saw the killer! With my own eyes!”

Cade’s body next to hers tensed ever so slightly. “Did you by chance recognize the man?”

“Indeed. Your brother came to Ward’s house that night.”

They both started.

“I beg your pardon?” Cade said tightly.

“He came to Ward’s house that night, around nine p.m. That’s what I told the police. He came and killed him.”

“You saw him pull the trigger?”

Virgil scoffed, “Of course not. I can’t see through the walls.” His voice sounded a little wistful.

“Which one of my brothers was it, Mr. Woodcock? Can you tell me his name?”

“Name? How would I know his name? I have no idea.” He suddenly grew agitated. “Why would I care who comes and who goes to Ward? All those bleeding souls seeking solace. Should keep the door locked, if you ask me, and spend more time on Godly thoughts. People… Always needy… They don’t matter. Ward is a fool.”

He started blabbering, making little sense and referring to Ward in present tense.

Coco and Cade exchanged glances.

“Mr. Woodcock, I see what you mean,” Cade allowed carefully when the stream of unrelated sentences slowed down. “We are very grateful for what you told us.”

He withdrew his wallet and pulled out a number of small photos. “These are the pictures of my brothers and my father. The Sheffield family.”

“Yes, yes. I know who you are, I’m not incompetent. Rick and his boys. He has five, bless his heart.”

“Can you point to the one who you saw visiting Ward on the night of his murder?” He fanned them in front of Virgil. “Take your time.”

There were six shots. Frowning, Coco leaned in, trying to see the pictures, but Virgil gave her a disapproving look and moved them. He laid them out on his lap and put on reading glasses.

Minutes ticked by, marking a quarter of an hour before he spoke. “This one.” He picked one picture and gave it to Cade. “He came to kill Ward. He’s also the one who had come earlier. I haven’t seen him for years but that’s him, alright. I need to tell the police, the detective left his business card with me somewhere…”

“They already know,” Cade said quickly. “I just wanted to be sure. It’s my brother, you understand.”

“Your brother acted as God’s executor against a sinner.” Virgil’s eyes narrowed and he lovingly petted the rifle propped next to his chair. “Ward was shot with his own rifle. Imagine that! Ward wassmart, but Ward was weak. Yes, he was. Kept the rifle for protection and died by it.” Virgil cackled, showing off picture-perfect orthodontia that went at odds with his age-spotted pale face and bloodless lips.

Cade’s eyes were tracking the movement of the old man’s fingers touching the rifle.

Coco was suffocating from this much madness.

“Mr. Woodcock, have we met before?” she asked, making Virgil pivot in her direction. Evidently, she broke some unwritten rule where women couldn’t speak up unless directly asked.

He gave her a withering look. “No, girl. I’ve never seen you in my life. Are you one of Ward’s churchgoers?”

Lovely.

I wish you had told that to Detective Willis at the station, you old nut.

She looked at Cade who discretely rolled his eyes and stood up.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Woodcock.” Cade moved to screen Coco with his body as she passed by Virgil, even though the neighbor didn’t pick the rifle up again as he followed in his shuffling gait.