A Deep and Dark December(14)

Behind Keith, Aunt Cerie put her hands to her throat and stuck her tongue out like she was choking.

Keith’s brows drew together and his lips pressed flat. He was worried about her. In his eyes Erin saw how much he cared and she wished all over again that she could return his feelings. There was absolutely nothing wrong with him. He was a handsome hometown boy, clean and well dressed, his hair always combed. He had fresh breath and a good job with benefits. To top it off, last year he’d bought a house that he was fixing up, perfect for a family. Keith belonged to the community in a way Erin never had. On paper he was everything she should have wanted.

But with Keith, she always felt one step behind with no hope of ever catching up. She should’ve broken things off long before now. Whenever she summoned the courage to try, he’d say or do something sweet and she’d think that maybe if she gave it more time, she’d develop feelings for him. He was nearly perfect in every way. She was beginning to think there must be something wrong with her.

“I’m all right,” she told Keith, accepting his kiss.

Aunt Cerie jumped up, putting her hands to her head. “Ouch! Rats and skeletons, it’s happening again.”

Keith broke away from Erin to stare at her aunt like he thought she could actually produce rats and skeletons.

“What’s happening?” Graham asked.

“Blink, blank, bloop.”

“Is she… well?” Keith whispered in Erin’s ear.

Erin pretended she didn’t hear him. She’d gotten good at pretending with Keith. “What’s wrong, Auntie?”

“Something else is going on here,” Aunt Cerie said to Graham. “It’s not the storm.” She rubbed her temples.

Erin didn’t like how pale her aunt was or how shaky her hands were. Cerie never got sick. “Are you okay?”

Graham moved closer to Cerie. “What makes you say that?”

Aunt Cerie started for the door. “I need to talk to Donald.”

“Auntie, wait.”

Erin moved to follow her aunt, but Graham caught her elbow. “You stay.”

She tried to wiggle free. “I have to find out what’s wrong with her.”

“It’s nothing you can help her with right now and I can’t let you leave before getting your formal statement.”

She rounded on him, but it was Keith who stepped between them, breaking Graham’s hold.

Keith put his arm around her shoulders. “Not a word until your lawyer gets here.”

“My lawyer?”

“That’s a smart move,” Graham said. “You should have representation.”

“But I’m just a witness.”

“We’ll be testing the samples I took from your hands and hair, and sending your clothes to the lab as evidence. They’ll be testing for DNA and gunshot residue among other things.”

“What other things?” Keith asked.

“Signs that Erin might have had a personal relationship with either Greg Lasiter or his wife.”

Graham said it so casually as though it was a normal thing for him to accuse someone of murdering her lover. Worse yet, accusing Erin of murdering her married lover. Is that what he thought of her? Is that what the whole town would think happened?

“What?” Keith went as white as his shirt.

“You think I was sleeping with Greg Lasiter?” She could hardly see Graham for the red haze that filled her vision.

“Or his wife,” Graham added. Was he trying to bait her or Keith?

“His wife,” Keith repeated, teetering a little on his feet.

“Actually, no. I don’t think you had a personal relationship with either one of them,” Graham said. “But I do have to run every possibility. And a witness having a personal relationship with one or more of the victims is a possibility. I’m sorry,” he added with a shrug. “It’s what I have to do.”

She barely managed to control the emotions tripping over themselves inside her. Anger warred with shock, which wrestled disappointment that fought with hurt, all of them brewing a storm to beat the one raging outside. “So basically what you’re saying is that you’re treating me like a suspect.” Her voice cracked, trying to get past the knot in her throat.

“A suspect? I don’t believe it. Erin wouldn’t hurt a spider.” Keith’s voice was strong with conviction, but his gaze shifted away.

“Everyone’s a suspect until they’re ruled out.” Graham poked a finger at Keith’s name badge. “Even the manager of Lucky’s Bag N Save. You knew the Lasiters. They probably shopped in your store. Can you account for your whereabouts today?”

“My whereabouts? Today?” Keith squeaked.

“Hang on. Let me grab my notebook.”

“Graham, stop it. You know he didn’t have anything to do with this.” She turned to Keith. “He’s pulling your leg.”

Keith adjusted his apron. “I knew that.”

“Hello?” Elmer Farnsworth III, Esquire, shuffled into the room. “I’m here about my client, Ellen December.”

“It’s Erin, Mr. Farnsworth,” Keith said, ushering the elderly lawyer into the room. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”

Graham pointed at Elmer. “He’s her lawyer? Is his license still valid?”