Page 107 of Kiss Marry Kill

“So, you don’t deny that you threatened him?”

“Nope. But those were just words. I was upset because I didn’t deserve to lose my job. The customers were rude assholes. I didn’t feel like I needed to take their shit without saying something back. Archie didn’t agree.”

“I see. So you two argued?”

“Absolutely. I was livid. But I didn’t do anything to Archie, and I’ve been here in Alabama for a month now. Which I’m sure you can easily check.”

“Mind telling me where you were last Sunday?”

“That’s easy. I was coaching my nephew’s Little League team. I’ve got a bleacher full of people who can back me up on that.”

“Is that right?” He sounded pretty confident. That would be an easy one to check too, so he most likely was telling the truth. Either way, I’d make sure.

He laughed. “If you doubt my word, the team has a Facebook page. The name of the team is the Dixie Devils. You’ll see me there. They just posted a bunch of photos yesterday. I’m the good-looking guy with the shaved head and a handlebar mustache. I’m sure you can verify and cross-check what I look like from my DMV photo.”

I had to smile at how helpful he was being. He seemed to know the drill. “Ever been in trouble with the law before, Mr. Grover?”

He snorted. “I’m sure you already know that I did time for petty theft in my wilder youth.”

“Yep. I was just curious if you’d admit it.”

He chuckled. “I’m no saint, but I’m no murderer. I’m afraid you’ll have to look somewhere else for your killer, Sheriff. It ain’t me.”

Yeah. It wasn’t him.

“I appreciate your time,” I drawled.

“No problem.” He hung up.

I pinched the skin between my eyes, mulling the idea of going home. My brain was mush. It would probably be better if I got a fresh start in the morning. There was a knock on my door, and it opened.

Deputy Juan poked his head in. “Hey, boss? Remember Janelle told you she’d given Archie an ATM card to her account?”

I nodded. “Yes. He’d never used it though, and we couldn’t locate it in his things.” The not using it part had been surprising, considering he was supposed to be a con man.

“The card company just got an alert that someone tried to use the card at an ATM machine across town.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Seriously?”

“Yep. The bank is having the security tape pulled now. They promised to send it over first thing in the morning.”

“Perfect.” I hesitated. “Did the machine grab the card?”

“Doesn’t look like it. Apparently, the individual stopped trying to get into the account before the system locked it.”

“Damn. We might’ve gotten a nice print off of that.”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks for telling me.”

“No problem.” He closed the door.

I was tired and kind of felt like I was spinning my wheels. Maybe the universe was telling me to go home for the day. I was only too willing to listen.

****

When I got home, the sun was setting. Maxwell’s car was in the driveway, but when I opened the door, the house was dark. Grumpy greeted me, jumping on me and licking my hand. I wondered if maybe Maxwell had gone for a walk but figured he probably would’ve taken Grumpy with him. Maybe he was out with Girdy? I closed the door and walked into the living room. I was just about to flip on the light when Maxwell spoke from a chair in the corner of the room.