“You verify that?”
“Yep. He said he saw someone in the woods, verbatim ‘lurking under a lamppost.’ Struck him as odd considering it was midnight, so he turned into the park. That’s when he saw Sunny Harper with Julian in a bear hold, with a gun to his head. According to his statement, he then pulled into a parking spot, called us and heard two gunshots. He grabbed his gun—idiot—and approached the scene. Said there was a dead body at Sunny Harper’s feet when he walked up. He pulled his gun on Sunny and threatened her until we got there minutes later.”
I shook my head. It was unbelievable how many times well-meaning citizens inserted themselves into dangerous situations in an effort to help when what they should have done was leave it to us.
The fact that Sunny Harper had overpowered Julian Griggs, almost double her weight, was shocking. I’d been on the receiving end of her strength and while it was nothing short of impressive, combining that with the fact she’d been carrying a nine millimeter and her refusal to talk, and something just wasn’t adding up.
“Wanna take a bet on self-defense or murder?” Colson asked.
“A hundred bucks on self-defense.”
“I’ll take that bet. The woman was in the park with a gun at midnight, got the drop on the vic, then shot him twice inthe head… and she’s just weird on top of that. I’m going with murder, with jilted ex-girlfriend.”
We shook on it.
Colson gazed at the closed door of the conference room. “Would be interesting to know if either Julian or Sunny Harper believed in voodoo.”
It was one of the first thoughts that crossed my mind while processing the scene. What were the odds that a man had been shot yards from the newly-discovered “Voodoo Tree,” and the evening of Lieutenant Seagrave’s funeral? Coincidence?
Just then?—
“Hope you brought a string of garlic.”
Colson and I turned to see Officer Haddix striding down the hall.
“Huh?”
“Wards off evil spirits, ’cording to the wife, anyway.” Haddix jerked his chin to the conference room. “The girl’s notorious around here. Y’all don’t know?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Sunny Harper. She’s been pulled over seven times in the last six months for traffic violations. Speeding, running red lights. Got out of every ticket. Everysingleone. Not even a warning.”
“How?”
“Have you looked at her? I’m proud to say, however, I wrote Miss Harper her first ticket a few weeks ago. Know what happened next? She convinced Judge Carter to throw it out. She’s got some sort of power over men. Saw her at Frank’s a few times. Never pays for a single drink or food, but always leaves alone. Dick tease.”
“Is she ever with anyone?” I asked.
“Don’t think so. Rumor is she’s some sort of loner. Ahermit. Lives in a cabin in the middle of the woods.” He snorted. “That she probably got for free. Same goes at the coffee shop she frequents, by the way. Dax, the owner, told me she hasn’t paid for a single coffee.”
“Sounds like you sure keep tabs on Miss Harper.” I said.
“Naw. Not me. Can’t stand women like that. Breeze through life on nothing more than a wink.” He scowled. “And what’s with those eyes, anyway? Gold specks in green eyes so bright they look like they’re plugged into an electrical socket. Has to be contacts. She always wears those low cut shirts too. Anyway.” He shrugged.
Colson and I exchanged a glance.
“How do I not know about this? The tickets?” Colson asked.
“You think anyone wants to admit to having their balls handed to them?”
Someone yelled Colson’s name from the end of the hall. He shook his head. “Whatever, dude.” He glanced at the clock. “I’ve got to figure out who to call to verify Julian Griggs’ body.”
“Darby’s on research work now. Go find him.”
He grunted, turned, and started down the hall. Haddix followed suit.
“Colson,” I hollered after him. “What are you going to do with her?”
