Page 82 of Rocky Ride

“Will Barb corroborate your story?” Travis asked.

“She’d better if she knows what’s good for her.” Darkers laughed. “Just kidding. She’ll do it. We’re pretty close.”

Travis and Ted left Darkers’ place without getting a look in his workshop, but Travis figured he’d be coming back to this property soon enough.

While Ted drove, Travis called Harlan and told him about Darkers’ alibi for the morning Sandra Ellington was killed.

“Huh. That’s interesting. How many women has he got on the go?”

“Can’t say, son. See what Barb says.”

“Yep. We’re just pulling into her place now.”

Joliceur Residence. Shelby.

We knocked on the door and before going inside, I told Virge about the alibi.

“Huh. This will be more fun than I thought. Let’s see what Barb says about Dan Darkers.”

She opened the door and wasn’t happy to see us. That was for sure.

“Morning, ma’am. We won’t hold you up too long. Just a couple of questions.”

“Step inside, Deputies. You’re letting the cold in.”

Barb was ready for work. Her hair all pretty and she smelled like perfume. We called ahead and told her we wouldn’t make her too late.

“What do you want to ask me that you didn’t ask me about Sandra the last time we talked?”

“Dan Darkers’ black Wrangler was seen several times at the Ellington residence,” I said. “He claims he was with you the morning of the murder. In fact, he says he spent the night here in Shelby.”

“Who?” Barb’s eyes widened and she looked surprised to hear Darkers’ name.

Fake or real?

“Dan Darkers. He told the sheriff you’d alibi him for the morning of Sandra’s murder.”

“Sorry. I don’t know who that is.”

“You’re sure you don’t know him, ma’am?” asked Virge. “He said you were his alibi.”

“I said I don’t know him, Deputy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go to work. You boys already made me late.”

We went back to our Jeep and watched Barb lock up her house and drive away.

“She’s a goddamned liar,” said Virge. “And do you know what, Harlan?”

“Tell me.”

“I bet ten bucks Dan Darkers won’t be happy she didn’t back up his story.”

“Huh. Never thought about that.”

New & Gently Used Big Boys. Nashville. Tennessee.

Mason drove past the long row of brightly painted cabs for sale. There was a row of used trailers farther back. As they passed the selection, Annie looked for the black Freightliner she was familiar with and didn’t see it on the lot.

“Do you see it?’ asked Mason.

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