Now, more than ever, it was important that we find the killer, and quickly.
Our plans changed when we got to Sharon’s house, though. There were two squad cars parked out front, and I drove on past, hoping that no one would notice us.
“We can always come back later,” I said.
“If there’s anything left to find,” Maddy replied.
“Well, we can’t exactly go in right now, can we?”
“Tell you what. We can’t afford to waste too much time worrying about this. Let’s drive on to Cow Spots, and we can swing back past here when we’re finished there. Is that okay with you?”
“It sounds like a plan to me.”
“May I help you?” a striking redhead said from behind the counter of the Clean Break Dry Cleaner. She was poured into a tight green dress that showed off every single one of the abundant curves she had, and I wondered how many male customers visited her place just to get a glimpse of her.
“That depends,” I said. “Are you Vivian?”
“Who wants to know?” she asked and then spotted Maddy behind me. “Hey. I know you.”
“Do you? I’m sorry, but I don’t remember meeting you.”
“That’s because you never did,” Vivian said with a smile. “We have something in common, though. We both divorced the same weasel.”
It occurred to me that she didn’t know that her ex-husband was dead. “I’m afraid we have some bad news for you, if you haven’t already heard,” I said. “Grant was murdered last night.”
“What makes you think that can be viewed as bad news?” she said. This woman was cold. There was no doubt about it. “Anyway, I already heard about it. The cops came by my place at midnight. Fortunately, I had an alibi, so I’m in the clear.” She looked at Maddy and asked, “How about you? Are you in hot water over this?”
“No, I have an alibi myself, but my fiancé doesn’t,” Maddy admitted.
Vivian whistled. “Wow, are you seriously going to get married again after being hitched to Grant? You’ve got more nerve than I do. I’ll give you that. I’m swearing off men myself.”
I found that hard to believe, given the way she was dressed, but, hey, it was none of my business, so I kept my mouth shut. “Would you mind telling us what your alibi is?”
She looked at me suspiciously. “I don’t see any reason that I should. I don’t have to tell you anything.”
“Of course you don’t,” Maddy said. “We’re just trying to cross some names off our list of suspects, and we thought you’d be happy to help us, since you have an alibi. It’s not going to be easy eliminating the list of suspects we’re looking at.”
“I don’t envy you that,” Vivian said.
“So you’ll help us?” I asked.
“Not a chance. You can either take my word for it or not. I don’t care one way or the other.”
“I suppose that we could always ask the police ourselves,” I said. I knew there wasn’t much chance the police here would be any different from Chief Hurley, but if she thought the threat was more than idle, she might give up the information without me sticking my own neck out.
Her reaction honestly surprised me. Her look was one of defiance as she said, “I wouldn’t do that, if I were you.”
“Why on earth shouldn’t we?” Maddy asked.
“I have friends who wouldn’t like it,” she said. “Powerful friends.”
Was she sleeping with someone in law enforcement, or maybe even in city hall? “We’re not afraid of the police, or even the mayor of your little town.”
Vivian’s laugh was harsh. “You’re talking about the wrong side of the law, sweetie. The guys I know don’t bother with things like legal or illegal, if you get my meaning.”
Was she threatening us with thugs? Little did she know that I had connections on that side of the law as well. “Maybe I can find a way to change your mind,” I said.
“I don’t think so, but you’re welcome to try.”
I turned to my sister and said, “Maddy, step outside with me a second, would you?” I didn’t want Vivian to hear what I was about to suggest to Maddy.
Vivian looked surprised as I led my sister outside.
Once we were there, I turned to her and said, “Listen, I know you don’t like Art Young, and if you don’t want me to do this, I won’t call him, but he could make things a lot easier for us here right about now.”
“Call him,” Maddy said.
“Even with your misgivings about my friendship with him?” Maddy hated the fact that Art and I were close. There were rumors and innuendos around Timber Ridge that Art was a Bad Man, but I’d never seen that side of him myself.