Millie looked over his outfit. “You didn’t have to change to come to town.”
The hell he didn’t. “I’m much more comfortable, believe me.” He kept a go bag in his vehicle at all times, and he’d changed into faded jeans and a comfortable, light green T-shirt. “It seems like, lately, my suits feel constricting.” He paused. What prompted him to share that with her? She had enough to worry about.
“Just lately, or since you were shot?” she asked wisely.
Sometimes he forgot her brilliance. “I don’t know. I think I felt unsettled even before taking that bullet,” he admitted. But spending months in the hospital certainly didn’t help. In fact, sometimes he could barely stand to be indoors. He suddenly felt a kinship with the mysterious JT.
“All righty.” June hurried back, put a soda in front of Millie and a strong-smelling cup of coffee in front of Scott. She nudged Millie with her hip and sat next to her when Millie scooted over.
He held out a hand. “Hi, I’m Scott.”
“I’m June.” They shook. June sighed and looked over at Millie. “So, I’ve already heard.”
“Oh, I’m sure.” Millie took a drink of her soda. “The gossip is always all over town.” She looked up at her friend. “Are you going to ask me?”
June leaned to the side and fetched a cup of coffee off the counter. “Of course not. I know you didn’t murder that moron. I mean, seriously, if you had, you never would’ve stayed around all covered in blood.”
“I appreciate that,” Millie said dryly.
Scott cleared his throat. His chest ached right where the bullet had pierced his flesh. “What happened last night, June?”
June looked around. “You know, I’m not sure. We went to Snarky’s. We played pool and darts, and we had a couple of drinks and some chicken wings, and everything was going fine. Clay and his brother Silas came in, and we decided to leave. But then, he asked to talk to you.”
“He did?” Millie sat back, her jaw going slack.
“Yeah.” June took a deep swallow of the coffee. “So you guys went over to the bar and you talked for a while. It was really weird.” She placed the half-empty cup on the counter. “I hung out with Silas a little bit, but that guy’s such a buffoon. I finally came up to you and said I wanted to leave.”
Millie paled. “Please tell me I didn’t want to stay with him.”
“No, you didn’t. He tried to get you to stay, but we walked to the door. Then Valerie and Verna came in.”
Millie rubbed her left eye. “Valerie and Verna were there?”
“Who are Valerie and Verna?” Scott finished his coffee.
“They’re twins about our age. It was always the four of us growing up. They still live in town,” Millie said. “We were all friends in high school, and we keep in touch somewhat.”
June nodded. “Yeah. In fact, since you’re in town, you can come to Verna’s baby shower next Saturday. I mean, once this whole mystery is solved.”
Millie took a deep breath. “Verna is pregnant with their third, and she’s hoping this one is a girl.”
Scott didn’t need the background. “What happened after the twins came into the bar?”
June twisted her coffee cup. “Valerie said she had an idea for some sort of medical device invention and wanted to pick your brain, Millie, and I needed to go home. You decided to stay with the twins for a little while. Verna said she had to leave by ten thirty and would give you a ride.” June’s eyes filled. “I’m so sorry. I never would’ve left you, but you seemed fine.”
Millie definitely would’ve stayed if Valerie had an idea for an invention. She loved to work with friends creating new gadgets.
“That’s all you know about the evening?” Scott asked, staring at June.
June tapped her fingers on the table. “Yes. Although, Imightremember Millie coming home with me. I mean, if I needed to remember that.”
Scott’s chin dropped. “How about we all stick to the truth?” Was the entire town going to cover for the pixie? They would just screw up his case.
Millie touched June’s arm. “How about you? Did you forget anything or have any memory lapse?”
“No,” June said. “I went home, practiced yoga for a while, and went to bed. I figured you would reach home safely and we’d meet up again today. I’m so sorry.” She put an arm around Millie.
“Have you seen much of Clay Baker?” Scott asked.
