Page 10 of Rocky Ride

“You find anything that would point to one of them being the leader of the pack?”

Molly smiled and checked her notes for Virgil. “Only one of them has ever been arrested.”

“Which one?”

“Grace Blintz.”

“What did she do?” asked Virge.

“She stole a loaf of bread when she was eighteen,” said Molly. “Not much of a crime.”

“Huh,” said Virge. “The rest of them all clean?”

“Yes, they are. Spotless so far.”

“Damn it,” said Virge. “I need to pick a leader.”

“Okay,” said Billy. “Molly has the background checks done and there’s nothing much showing up in any of the women’s pasts. We talk to them individually and form our own opinions. Three names for each team, then we come back to the shop and compare notes.”

“Yep,” said Ted.

“Ted, take Harlan,” said Billy, “and I’ll take Virgil.”

“We interviewing them or bringing them in, boss?” asked Ted. “We know damned well they set the fire at Krystal’s place.”

“We’ll have to prove the arson,” said Billy. “Let’s talk to them first. If any of them admit to starting the fire, or even helping to start it, bring them in.”

“Copy,” said Virge. “I’m gonna get it out of them. Loose lips sink ships.”

Molly laughed. “Haven’t heard that in a while, Virgil.”

Billy frowned. “Who says that, Virge?”

Virgil shrugged. “Can’t remember.”

“All of the women live in Ethridge,” said Molly. “Once you get there, you won’t have much driving around from one to the other.”

“If any calls come in, Molly, forward them to my cell,” said Billy.

“Copy that, Sheriff.”

Pitts Residence. Ethridge.

Molly made the appointments for us and all six of the fire-starters knew we were coming to interview them. Me and Ted had Glenna Pitts at the top of our list.

The drive to Ethridge took about fifteen minutes and we were ready to start our three interrogations.

Mrs. Pitts opened her front door and let us in without smiling. “Come in, Sheriff. We can sit here in the living room. I’m hoping this won’t take long. I have to go to work.”

“Where do you work, ma’am?” Ted nodded at me to start writing. I was the note-taker. Ted didn’t like doing it.

“At Dollar General. I’m the manager.”

“Uh huh,” said Ted, a little smirk on his face. “You belong to the group called ‘Wives Against Strip Clubs?’”

“Yes, I do. It’s not a crime to belong to a club.”

“True enough,” said Ted. “Clubs are legal. What is not legal is setting fire to another person’s property. That’s a crime called arson.”

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