Page 32 of Peach Cobbler Confessions

We take off and Everett drives us to the Ashford Sheriff’s Department.

The three of us sit side by side as we review the security footage from that night. It’s black and white, grainy, jumpy, and overall low quality.

“There he is.” Noah dots Peter with his finger. “He’s walking in, putting in his order. A few minutes go by and he’ll find a seat with his food.”

We watch patiently as Peter does just that in the final normal moments of his life.

“He doesn’t have a cup,” I point out. “In the article I read, it said they had DNA evidence from a fork and a cup, but the article only mentions that they tested the fork.”

Everett nods. “If I remember correctly, they claimed to have done both. The fork was submitted.”

“How is that possible?” I shake my head. “I mean, clearly it’s not there.”

Noah shrugs. “The video is awful grainy and blinking in and out. It could still be there. His body could be blocking it. Peter may have forgotten about it.”

Everett leans toward the laptop. “The cup appears after the shooting. Noah’s probably right. His body is probably hiding it. Peter may have forgotten to mention it.”

We watch as Peter finishes his food and puts it back into the paper bag they gave it to him in and leaves for the restroom. The film jumps again, this time causing the camera to black out for a second. The next thing we see is Peter heading back to the register, another jump, and then a body lying over the counter.

“Noah,” I whisper as I back the tape up to the part where Peter is finishing up his meal. “These glitches—how long of a spate of time do you think is going by?”

He nods to the screen. “I think it was determined to be a two to four second glitch with the blackout being the longest.”

“What if it’s not?” I rewind it to the blackout, and we watch over and over again until something pops out at me all at once. “Look at the chair,” I say, breathless. “Peter was already in the bathroom. He couldn’t have moved it.”

One of the seats in the dining room goes from sticking out to tucking in neatly behind the table in the seeming blink of an eye.

Everett blows out a breath. “The prosecution would have had nothing on you, Lemon.” He nods to Noah. “I think we might have new evidence.”

“Yes,” I say enthusiastically. “I mean, someone clearly moved that seat. Yes, it could have been an employee, but it could have been the real killer.”

Noah stares vacantly at the screen. “I guess for that matter it could have been Peter on his way to kill the night manager.”

The footage plays on, and Everett is right. A cup appears on the floor near the table where Peter was seated, and eventually the sheriff’s department shows up and melee ensues.

“Noah.” I shake my head as we watch them drag a bewildered Peter out the door of the Chicken Hut. “They said they checked the fork and the cup for DNA. Would you do me a favor and check the cup to see if the DNA matches Peter Green’s?” I look to Everett. “I have a gut feeling it won’t.”

Everett’s cheek twitches. “Lemon, I’d put money on your gut feeling.”

We finish up with the Green investigation and Noah and Everett take me across the street for a late lunch at the local steakhouse.

We’re halfway through our meal when Noah gently lands his hand over mine.

“Lottie, I know you’re a mother to Evie. But I just want you to know that I think you’re going to make a spectacular mother to this child as well.”

Everett picks up my left hand, his thumb touching over my wedding ring.

“Lemon, there are not a lot of things Noah and I agree on, but I do think he’s right about this.”

My mouth opens to tell them both the truth. It’s not that I’m trying to keep this from them. It’s a terrible secret when you get down to it.

Noah glances to his watch. “Would you look at that? Two hours have gone by. I’d better run back to the station. I’ve still got a lot to do on the Gannon case.” He points his finger my way. “Steer clear of this case, Lot. I’m watching you.” He gives a quick wink before nodding to Everett. “See that she stays hydrated and gets home safe.” He leans in and dots a kiss to my cheek. “My mother is actually warming up to the idea of having a grandchild, if you can believe it. I’ll try to catch you later.” He stands. “Everett.”

“Don’t worry,” Everett calls after him. “I’ll pick up the bill.”

“I knew you would,” Noah shoots back.

“He’s funny.” I shrug over at Everett.