Page 109 of Forever Dark
Connor had heard the same thought in cleaner language from Croft’s lawyer.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means evil doesn’t always sit where the crowd’s looking.You might even find it in your own department, Sheriff.”
A sarcastic grin came with that.Connor felt like this was going nowhere and they had a whole list of names to get through.
Connor stood.“If you remember anything useful, you call us.”
Duane scooped Gideon up again.“I’ll pray for discernment.”
“Do that,” Connor said.
Outside, Arnold shut the SUV door and started laughing.
Connor looked at him.“Why are you laughing, Arnold?”
“He said raccoons in his crawlspace like he was Job.Like it was the end of the world.”
Connor pulled away.“Don’t encourage him.On to the next one.”
The third interview took them to a roadside diner where two others, Vicki and Len Barlow, had agreed to meet.“Agreed” turned out to mean Vicki had suggested it loudly over the phone while Len had tried to resist in the background.
Vicki arrived first in a pink sweatshirt that readBLESSED AND CAFFEINATED.Len shuffled in behind her carrying a pie box and the expression of a man long past resistance.
Connor barely had time to introduce himself before Vicki leaned over the table and said, “I’ll save you time.If this is about that preacher, you’re wasting it.We’ve heard people asking questions.”
“That helps,” Connor said.“We can all go home.”
She blinked.“What?”
“Or you can answer a few questions and help us rule people out from a triple homicide?”
Vicki narrowed her eyes.“You’ve got a slick mouth for a sheriff.”
“So I’ve been told.”
Len set down the pie box.“I brought lemon meringue.”
Arnold brightened.“For us?”
Vicki swatted her husband’s arm.“No, for my sister.Don’t be soft.”
The waitress took coffee orders and lingered just long enough to enjoy that the sheriff was involved.
Connor opened his notebook.“How long have you two been attending Croft’s revivals?”
“Three counties’ worth,” Vicki said.
Len nodded.“He’s got a gift.”
“For what?”Connor asked.
Vicki answered first.“For putting steel back in people.”
Connor watched her.“And what do the peoplearoundhim have a gift for?”
A snort escaped her.“Terrible parking.One of the security boys blocked me in at Greene County and I told him if he did it again, I’d key the bus.”
