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Five O’Clock Shadow

Page 28

by Susan Slater


  “Because Sam Mathers hired you to do it.”

  “Pauly, that’s crazy. It’s true I joined the carnival the week of the accident. But what made you think I was involved?”

  She took a deep breath and didn’t take her eyes off his face. “The killer wore a ski mask. I took pictures from the bridge just before the pilot was shot. There was someone with a ski mask in a cottonwood to my right and you had a ski mask in your closet, in the pocket of a leather jacket.”

  He burst out laughing. In fact, there was some indication that he was finding it difficult to stop. Suspecting him couldn’t be that funny.

  “Pauly, you stole my mother’s first knitting project. She retired last summer and knitting was supposed to be the new hobby. I thought I’d lost it somewhere. I was hoping I’d lost it. Believe me, it isn’t a treasured possession. I was relieved that it was gone.”

  She looked sheepish. “I didn’t really steal it. I sort of borrowed it. I’ve just been keeping it safe for you.” She didn’t know whether she felt relief or was a little irked at his laughter and decided to change the subject. But she couldn’t deny the tingle of excitement. He was innocent.

  “Did you know about Sam?”

  “I figured it out when I realized he’d married your grandmother.”

  “Have they caught him?”

  “Tony said he rolled the jeep about a mile from the house. The guy has shit for luck, two accidents in one night. They also picked up Sosimo about eight.”

  “What will happen to Sosimo and Sam?”

  “Prison time for Sosimo. And something a little stiffer for Sam—by last count he can be tied to three deaths. I’m sure you won’t mind testifying.”

  Pauly shook her head. No, she wouldn’t mind at all.

  “What will happen to Paco?”

  “Davy’s mother came forward—both boys are staying with her until the one can be returned to his mother in Mexico. Then Paco will live with her and Davy. I think he’s going to be all right. He wants to stay with the carnival.”

  “Was it Hofer who brought them to Albuquerque?”

  “Yep, and planted evidence that they’d been in the motor home.”

  Pauly was quiet, then she got up and moved to sit on the couch beside Steve.

  “Where exactly is the spider?” She kept a straight face.

  He grinned. “Sounds like an invitation to drop my drawers.”

  “Not here.”

  For a second she thought he was serious, but he leaned over and whispered, “I haven’t had a vasectomy,” and solemnly folded thumb over little finger leaving three extended in a scout’s honor.

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