“No.”
“Elvira told me you’re the one who likes to break in.You like to catch her in the act.Is that right?”
Charlie’s face flushed a deep red.“That’s none of your business.”
“You made it my business when you reported a crime.”
“Making false statements to law officers is a misdemeanor,” Wade added.“People go to jail for it.”
“I didn’t make false statements,” Charlie said through clenched teeth.“There was a man in my house, damn it.My gun’s missing, and Elvira…”
“Elvira what?”
He cursed under his breath.“She’s seeing someone else.”
“Pardon?”Jackson asked.
“Elvira is seeing someone else, outside of our arrangement.”
Jackson’s brows rose.“How do you know?”
“I can smell him.Smells like gun oil and fabric starch.”Charlie glared at both of them.“I think he’s a cop.”
Jackson seemed at a loss for words, so Wade took over.“You think your wife is having an affair with a cop?”
“She’s screwing somebody,” Charlie said.“Maybe it’s that big bruiser from the cabins.Maybe it’s one of you two.”
Wade exchanged a glance with Jackson, who shook his head.“Mr.Franklin, we can’t investigate theft without direct evidence.You can file a report for your missing property online or come down to the station in person.”
“Never mind,” Charlie growled.“Just get out of my sight.”
They both retreated with caution, happy to oblige.Jackson suggested that they rendezvous at Delia’s Diner again.Wade followed him back to the parking lot.He had to admit that he found the Franklin case entertaining, and a welcome diversion from his paperwork.It was like a hillbilly soap opera.
Jackson exited his vehicle and approached Wade.He didn’t return Wade’s smile.“Elvira mentioned my dad during the interview.”
“In what context?”
“She said she’d like to find out how we measure up.”
Wade nodded his understanding.“I assume she was making a sexual reference.”
“Yes.”
“Do you think he slept with her?”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Wade glanced away, contemplative.No wonder Jackson Nava wasn’t amused by the Franklins’ sordid escapades.He was concerned about his father’s involvement in this business.It sounded as if the sheriff had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar before.“What about Murphy?”
“What about him?”
“You think he smells like gun oil and fabric starch?”
Jackson considered the possibility.“I don’t see him wearing a starched shirt with his shoulder injury.My dad, on the other hand, starches his uniform religiously.”
“Would he remove the gun from the premises?”
“That would be illegal.”
