Colt wasn’t worried for himself. He could handle anything that came up. But he still hoped to convince Lacie to stay with him. And though she was probably perfectly competent with her own weapon, he wouldn’t be taking any chances. Not with the only woman who had ever meant anything to him.
* * *
“I don’t remember old Mrs. Murphy,” Colt said from behind the wheel of his pickup. “How long has she been in Chance?”
It was late afternoon and the sun hung low behind a spring haze as they drove through town. Lacie had been surprised to see a shotgun hanging in the rack behind Colt’s front seat when he picked her up. But she hadn’t made mention of it, hoping he would talk about it first. No such luck. So she kept her mouth closed on the subject and answered his question.
“You do remember her. She was the middle school teacher for forty years.”
“That Mrs. Murphy? She’s not teaching anymore? I always figured the principal would have to pry the chalk out of her cold dead hands.”
Lacie couldn’t stop the smile but she tsked at him. “Colt, really. She retired about five years ago. Lives in the same house as always, on a little pension and her social security. She knows everyone in town. Taught most of them. And she knows nearly everybody’s business, too. I think she’ll be a good place to start.”
“She has to be well over eighty. She knows we’re coming?”
“I called her. She was surprised but willing to talk to us.” Lacie figured the old lady would probably talk their ears off. The problem would be keeping her on track.
By the time they pulled up in Mrs. Murphy’s front yard, a deep madras-blue sky was greeting both the North Star and the first tip of a waning moon. The older woman must have heard their approach because she came out on her porch to wait for them to climb from the pickup.
“Good evening, Mrs. Murphy.” Colt tipped his hat as she led them through her front door. “It’s been a long time.”
“Colt, isn’t it? You look just like your father did at your age. Jacob Chance was one fine-looking man.”
They all sat down in her tiny front room. Colt looked uncomfortable perched on an antique straight-backed chair with his hat in his hands. But he’d plastered a grin on his face and never let on that he was anything but glad to be sitting right where was.
“May I offer you two a glass of sweet tea? I just made chocolate chip cookies.”
“No, thank you, ma’am. We’re fine. We just thought you might remember some things from years back in Chance history and hoped you’d be able to help us.”
“My memory is fine, young man. Sharp as ever.” She straightened her skirt along with her slightly stooped shoulders. “I know, for instance, that you were in a big ruckus in California and came home all banged up.”
Mrs. Murphy rolled her eyes and stared over the top of her glasses. “What is it that’s so danged important to you now about the past?”
Lacie rushed to start the conversation, hoping Colt would not say anything to stir Mrs. Murphy’s curiosity. “Since Colt has come home temporarily, we’ve been reminiscing about our childhoods. You know how that goes. We both remember things differently and we were hoping you could straighten us out.”
Mrs. Murphy glanced over to Colt and frowned, but then returned an interested gaze toward Lacie. “Certainly. What do you need to know, dear?”
“It’s about that time right before and after Colt’s mother was murdered.”
“I remember those days very well. It would be hard to forget something like that.”
“Um...” Lacie wasn’t sure how to ask. “Colt’s aunt June said rumors were flying then, but she didn’t remember any in particular because she lived in Boston at the time. We were hoping you might tell us what you remember.”
Mrs. Murphy’s watery eyes darted to Colt. “Are you looking into who else might’ve killed your mother? I remember you never believed Jacob could’ve done the deed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Colt sat a little straighter. “I still don’t believe it. But Lacie and I were too young to...”
“You might not want to hear what I have to say, Colt Chance. Some of the goings-on back then were...not for innocent ears.”
Lacie leaned over and touched her hand. “We’re not young anymore, Mrs. Murphy. And not particularly innocent either. Please tell us what you remember.”
The old woman huffed out a breath. “Very well. I remember the year before the murder like it was yesterday. All the students I’d taught during my first year in Chance had grown up and had children of their own. Your mom and dad, Colt, were two of those that had produced several new students for my classes. I saw them frequently that year.”
Her watery eyes glazed over slightly as she seemed to be lost in the past. “The two of them always looked like they were so happy. But rumors told a different story. Some of the more nasty whisperings painted Jacob out to be a real ladies’ man. With secret girlfriends in at least two counties. It was hard to believe when I saw your parents together. But the rumors wouldn’t stop.”
Colt cleared his throat. “Is it possible those rumors had anything to do with the murder?”
“After the murder,” Mrs. Murphy began instead of replying directly to his question, “the rumors got worse. The one I heard most often was that your mother had finally confronted Jacob about his infidelities and a fight ensued. Jacob killed her out of anger.”
Lacie was afraid for Colt’s sake to ask another question, but thought she’d better do it while the old woman was delving into the past. “Were there any other rumors flying after the murder that you might remember?”
Mrs. Murphy’s expression changed as her eyes moved between Lacie and Colt. “One that was even worse. I refused to listen to it.”
“But you do remember and can tell us?” Lacie knew the old woman had probably committed the offending rumor to memory years ago.
“Yes. I vaguely remember.” Mrs. Murphy looked uncomfortable but went right on talking. “That was the rumor about Colt’s mother having learned of her husband’s affairs and deciding to get even by having an affair of her own. Then supposedly the afternoon of the murder, Jacob must’ve learned about her cheating on him and killed her in a jealous rage.”
Colt’s mouth dropped open. “No way.”
“I didn’t say I believed any of the lies people told. But you asked me to tell what I remembered. Back in those days rumors of affairs and adultery were rampant in Chance County. I was glad to be a widow and well out of it.”
Lacie popped up from her chair. It was time to get Colt away from here.
“Well, thanks for thinking back to those days.” She dragged at Colt’s arm and he rose to stand beside her. “And thank you so much for spending an hour with us. We really appreciate it.”
Colt’s expression was dark, brooding. He hadn’t said a word as she pulled him toward
