“How long have you been in Lost Lake?”
“A week.”
“Have you noticed any suspicious activity since you arrived?”
“I mind my own business.”
“We heard about some looting on the day of the tornado,” Jackson said.
Murphy squinted toward the campground.“I saw a few kids grabbing melted ice cream.Is that the high crime you’re investigating?”
Jackson flushed at the question, which was meant to needle him.
“Have you interacted with any of the neighbors?”Wade asked.
The man’s brows rose.“I gave someone a jump a few days back.”
“Who?”
“A woman from the trailer park.Evelyn, maybe?She had a dead battery.”
“Elvira?”
“That was it.She flagged me down for help.”
Jackson took out his notebook.“What day was that?”
“Friday.”
“Did you go inside her residence?”
“No.”
“Were you invited in?”Wade pressed.
“What difference does it make?”Murphy asked, looking back and forth between them.“Are you two investigating stolen property or bored housewives?”
Wade and Jackson exchanged a glance.
“There’s been a report of an intruder who matches your description,” Jackson said.
Murphy’s gaze narrowed.“I haven’t been inside anyone’s residence, and I haven’t touched anyone’s property.”
“What about Elvira?”Jackson asked.
“What about her?”
Although Jackson didn’t ask if Murphy had touchedher, the question hung in the air.“Her husband is the jealous type, and he’s a gun owner.”
“Thanks for the tip,” Murphy said.“Are we done?”
Jackson deferred to Wade, who nodded.Murphy disappeared inside the cabin without another word.
“See what I mean?”Jackson asked as soon as they were out of earshot.
“He’s not friendly,” Wade said.
“That’s an understatement.”
