“Bellhops.” Molly actually smiled. “Yeah, that’s Genette. But she could be right. About the killer mistaking Brett for her. Or even more likely, killing Brett to get back at her. I can see that. She has enemies. Not just me. She’s hurt a lot of people.”
“Such as?” I wondered if she would name Paul Morot, the former winemaker.
Just then I saw Vern Shiffley step up to the fence around the ring, a little to our left. He seemed to be scanning the crowd. I suspected he might be looking for me.
“Hey, Meg!” Vern spotted me and waved.
Just then Deputy Plunkett appeared at his side. Vern headed for the stairs to the bleachers, followed by Plunkett.
“Oh, dear,” Molly stood up. “I hate to desert you, but—you understand.”
She began picking her way across the bleachers to the other side, where there was another set of steps. By the time Vern and Plunkett reached me, she was gone. Along with my best chance of finding out if she knew anything that would help solve Brett’s murder.
Chapter 26
“Hey, Meg,” Vern said, when he reached us.
“Hey,” Josh said.
“Hey, junior.” Vern patted Josh on the head. “Meg, got some papers for you.”
“Was that who I think it was?” Plunkett asked.
“That was Molly Riordan, yes,” I said. “The papers for Genette to sign?”
“Right,” Vern handed me a manila folder containing a thick wad of paper. “You can leave if you like, Plunkett. Like I told you, this is Shiffley Moving Company business, not law-enforcement business.”
“I’m in no rush.” Plunkett sat down and began studying the llamas with puzzled eyes. Vern shook his head and went on.
“Randall says get her to sign on the last page and initial all the places where he put those little ‘sign here’ sticky things. The total amount and the deposit are by the signature line, and get a credit card number if you can’t get a check.”
“Or cash,” I said. “I assume cash would also be acceptable to your cousins at the moving company.”
“Cash would be the best,” Vern agreed. “But most people don’t carry a grand or two on them, so we’ll settle for what we can get. Don’t forget the date of expiration—”
“And the security code, yes,” I said. “I do a lot of credit card sales when I’m at craft fairs. I can handle it.”
“So what did the black widow lady want?” Plunkett asked. He had parked both arms on the bleacher behind him and was leaning back, making himself comfortable.
“Ms. Riordan wanted to thank me for finding her an attorney,” I said. Which was true—it just wasn’t all of the truth.
“Her lawyer should work on getting as many women as he can on the jury,” Plunkett said. “Older women. And fat ones. A jury full of dumpy wrinklies would understand why she shot the cheating dog. And maybe she won’t fry.”
“Plunkett, that’s—” Vern began.
“Actually, I think most Virginia executions are by lethal injection these days,” I said. “But if Molly actually goes on trial, I’ll give her lawyer your thoughts on the jury-selection process.”
Plunkett looked disappointed, as if he’d have enjoyed seeing me leap to Molly’s defense or revile him for his sexist thinking. I smiled blandly at him, and he looked downright annoyed.
Vern caught on and stifled a grin. And changed the subject.
“So do I hear you’re buying some fancy chickens?” he asked.
“Thinking about it,” I said. “After all, we’ve got the space. We’ve even got at least one shed that started life as a chicken coop. Why not?”
“Get yourself some Rhode Island Reds,” Plunkett suggested. “Decent layers, and they’re mighty fine meat birds.”
“Actually we’re looking more for ornamental birds who’ll produce a few eggs,” I said, wincing a little. “Michael thinks either Sumatrans or Welsummers.”
“So Michael’s in favor of it, too?” Vern asked.
“It was my idea,” I said. “But I think he’s encouraging it so he won’t feel as guilty when he asks if he can buy another llama. Which I suspect he’s working up to. He’s been paying a lot of attention to crias here at the fair.”
“To what?” Vern asked.
“Crias. Baby llamas.”
Plunkett snorted as if he found the whole thing ridiculous. We ignored him.
“Don’t worry,” Vern said. “Michael’s probably only checking out the crias on account of our project to get the chief a llama for Christmas.”