“So, what if we try to figure out who wasn’t there; someone who stayed back from the crowd maybe, someone who seemed to disappear. Maybe that would help the police find the killer,” Gram said.
“My thinking exactly, Missouri,” Orly said. “That’s what I’ve been doing, talking to people to see if they noticed anyone go missing suddenly. It’s a backwards sort of task, but at least I feel like I’m doing something.”
“Found anything?” Gram said.
Orly laughed. “Well, it seems lots of people noticed that someone or a few someones were missing, but then when I look closer, ask more questions, I find that those people were actually there. I don’t think I’m very good at asking the right questions.”
“Or maybe you could just use some help,” I said. “Gram and I will be there later this afternoon. After she fries up some catfish, the frying duty is going to go to some of your poets. We’ll stick around and snoop.”
“Well, young lady, your grandmother’s words of warning apply to you, too. There’s a killer on the loose. You don’t need to put yourself on any potentially harmful path.”
I thought a minute. “I think we can all be casual. I’ll get Jake there, too, and I’m sure Cliff was already planning on going.” I wasn’t sure he was, but I thought it was a good possibility. “We’ll blend in. Believe it or not, even if Jake’s the only one who plays a part during the tourist season, we all have a healthy supply of Western wear,” I said.
“Alrighty. Same words of caution still apply, though.” Orly paused. “How’s your brother?”
I gulped and kept my eyes away from Gram. “I think he’s better.”
“We’re going to check on him after we eat,” Gram said.
I sent out a silent wish that his face would miraculously look a million times better by the time we were done with lunch.
“Oh, good. He’s up and around, then?”
“Yes,” I said. “Mostly.”
“Despite how he turns the girls’ heads, he is a nice young man,” Orly said.
“His way with girls is more a curse than a blessing, believe me,” I said.
Orly laughed. “I suspect that’s true.”
“Orly, I need to ask you something specific about my brother,” I said. “And it’s going to sound like I’m accusing you of something.”
“Oh. Well, goodness, then, accuse away. I think it’s always best to get to the meat of the nut. Don’t mince words, Betts.”
“I was talking to Cody this morning at the cooking demonstration.”
“Cody?”
“Cody was the bad guy in the skit that Norman was in.”
“That Cody. Yes, ma’am, I know who you’re speaking of.”
“He mentioned that he saw you the night Teddy was beaten,” I said. I thought I heard Gram sigh heavily, but I didn’t look at her.
“I’m sure he did. I’m all around that campsite.”
“He said he saw you escorting Teddy back toward your tent.” I didn’t think I needed to add that the tent was the same direction as the woods where Teddy was found.
Orly looked up toward the ceiling and thought hard. He looked down and at me a moment later. “Betts, my dear, I’m not sure you have any reason to believe me or believe anyone else at this point. You don’t really know any of us. But I can assure you that I didn’t escort Teddy anywhere. I have no recollection of seeing him that night. I wish I would have. Maybe I could have prevented what ultimately transpired.”