Drizzled with Death(65)
“I didn’t know Knowlton was related to you,” Piper said, looking up from her work.
“His father’s mother was a Bett before her marriage. Lewis Bett was Knowlton’s grandmother’s cousin.” Myra drummed her pudgy fingers on the Formica.
“I don’t know how you keep them all straight,” I said. “I guess with so many of them running around, no one would be able to know what they were all up to.” I hoped Myra recognized a gauntlet when it was lying on the ground right in front of her.
“If remaining close to family is important enough to you, it’s easy.” Myra gave me a look that I’m sure was meant to make me feel chastised about what had happened at the police station the other day.
“Communication helps keep everyone tightly knit, don’t you think? Look at this situation with the Bett fertilizer business. Who would have ever thought you wouldn’t be in the loop for a thing like that?”
“I’ll look into it and let you know what I find out.” Myra plucked three grease-stained paper sacks from Piper’s outstretched hands and trotted out the door. As I watched her go, I asked myself if the person who murdered Alanza had just offered to help me get to the bottom of the crime. She had an alibi for the night of the poisoning, but she also had the best access to the grange hall. After all, who would think anything of the head of the Sap Bucket Brigade touching the syrup jugs? Who would be suspicious if she got to the grange earlier than everyone else and was there alone in the morning? It would be more suspicious if she hadn’t been there first than if she had. And Myra’s reasons for getting rid of Alanza were strong. Myra’s pride in being a Bett knew no bounds. Saving Bett’s Knob from being defiled by an interloper was something she would consider a privilege as well as a duty. I might be able to get the information I wanted from her, but it felt like I might be making a deal with the devil.
• • •
Graham’s state-issued truck was pulled into the lay-by the chamber of commerce had built to view Bett’s Knob. As I approached, I saw Graham holding a net and moving closer to the viewing machine. I pulled over for a closer look. Knowlton was there, too, and the opportunity to get some things straight and to ask about Hanley was too good to miss. As I got out of the car, I got a better look at what Graham was trying to capture.
A small black monkey sat atop the viewing machine, chattering and holding an empty soda bottle in its paws. Graham was within swooping range with his net when the monkey turned its attention to him and flitted effortlessly away. Graham ran after him, reaching with his net and leaping like a lord in the Christmas carol. Knowlton ran around the other way, trying to drive the monkey toward Graham. Knowlton caught sight of me and dropped his hand to his head and smoothed his hair. He plastered a goofy grin on his face and made a beeline for me, leaving Graham to carry on with his leaping and his net. The little monkey didn’t seem ready to let Knowlton out of the game, though. It changed course and ran straight after Knowlton. It swarmed up his pant leg, sprinted up his torso, and paused long enough on his head for Graham to swoop his net at it. His net crashed down over Knowlton’s face just a second after the monkey leapt from his head and into my arms.
The monkey tilted its wrinkly little face up at me and I felt an odd tug like maybe my family wasn’t so wrong in trying to convince me to marry and start a family of my own. The monkey snuggled in close, and I felt my heart melt a little more as its small paws gripped my jacket. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Graham yank the net off Knowlton’s head then stealthily creep toward me. A call went up and the little monkey sprang from my side and disappeared into the trees. Monkey chattering faded away like so many birdcalls in the wind. I felt a little sense of loss and then asked myself if the monkey could have given me fleas.
“I’ve been chasing those monkeys since the crack of dawn.” Graham stood his net on end and heaved a deep sigh as if all his hopes for the future had been pinned on capturing the little creature.
“And I’ve been here, too, helping out,” Knowlton said.
“That’s right. He’s been here the entire time.” Graham had his back turned to Knowlton so there was no way he was offending him when he rolled his eyes so far up into his head I worried they’d get stuck up there.
“It’s nice the two of you have gotten the chance to renew your acquaintance.”
“What do you mean?” Knowlton asked.
“Graham told me the two of you had met before he arrived here for this visit.”
“He did?” I saw Knowlton’s Adam’s apple give a little bob like a float on a fish line.