“You said you’ve known Arlo for decades.”
“Yes, before he made all his money. I was friendly with his wife.”
“His wife is deceased, correct?”
“That’s right.”
“How?”
“Cancer. Such a shame. Her name was Betsy. She used to come into my shop from time to time. Bought a few pieces from me, then looped me in with her husband once he started building. That’s how we got to know each other. Betsy couldseethe art, if you know what I mean.”
“When did she die?”
“Around two years ago.”
“What do you know about Sunny?”
“That she wouldn’t kill the pastor’s son.”
“Where did you hear it was the pastor’s son?”
“Old man Erickson is the one who called me for Arlo’s number, remember?”
I was stupid to think the entire town didn’t already know that the victim was Julian Griggs. One thing they didn’t know, though, was Sunny’s story thatshedidn’t kill him. That someone else did. A phantom, in the wind.
“Why so sure she wouldn’t have done it?”
Hazel shook her head. “You agree with me. I can see it in your eyes. That girl wouldn’t shoot someone in the face. You know it as well as I do.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“It’s been awhile. When Arlo’s company started to grow, they moved to Dallas, but kept some properties here. Rumor is Arlo goes back and forth a lot. Easy, with the thirty-minute flight and all.”
“Sunny too?”
“Until she moved here about a year ago.”
“Where does she live?”
“Bought a place by the river.”
“What river?”
“Shadow River. East of town. Her house is the only one down county road 3228. Her Daddy owns the land around it. Leases it for hunting.”
“What brought Sunny back to Berry Springs? Do you know?”
“You’ll have to ask her.”
I let the conversation linger a moment, wondering if Hazel knew about Sunny’s attack in Dallas.
“Is she single?”
Hazel cocked her brow. “You interested?”
“I’m interested in finding who attacked her.”
“You’ll have to ask her.”
