Page 87 of A Rose of Steel
“I changed my mind,” Auntie said. “A girl can do that, you know.”
‘So, are you thegirlin this scenario?” I asked.
“That I am,” she said and looped her arm through mine.
“Oh, Auntie,” I said, leaning down to her. “There’s the best man. I didn’t think he’d be here.”
“He’s one of our suspects, isn’t he?”
“Oursuspects?” I asked and chuckled. “He’s one of mine.”
“We’re in this together, kiddo, even though you have been sneaking off doing things without me.”
“How about if we go and talk to him?” I said. I didn’t want her fussing again about me going to see Delphine Griffith.
“Chase,” I said, as we walked toward him. He’d parked farther back in the parking lot and was trying to make his way inside. “I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Really?” he said and frowned. “Why shouldn’t I be here? I was still in town and this is a tribute to my friend.”
“Your friend, huh? From what I’ve learned you weren’t very close with Bumper. I’m wondering how you got to be best man.”
“I don’t know why that would be any of your business.”
“Because we’re investigating a murder,” Auntie Zanne said. “And you, sir, are a prime suspect.”
“Me!” A grin curled up his lip and he shook his head.
“I don’t see anything funny,” Auntie Zanne said. “Murder is pretty serious business.”
“It’s laughable to think I killed anyone. That’s why I’m here. Michael,” he pointed to Auntie Zanne, “Bumper as you call him, was going to help me find out who killed someone I loved.”
“What are you talking about?” I said.
“Like I told you before, he had information for me.” Chase shook his head. “Maybe I’m being a little over dramatic, but that’s how I felt. Michael wanted to help.”
“Boy, you’re not making one lick of sense,” Auntie Zanne said. “You need to just come clean with us. We’ve got the sheriff on his way.”
Of course, that wasn’t true. We hadn’t even come close to figuring out who it was and had no reason to call Pogue. I guess Auntie just thought that would, as she’d say, light some fire under Chase.
“I don’t know what you want to hear,” he said, that grin fading from his face.
“How did you know Bumper?” I asked.
“We met out in California. I’m stationed out there as a recruiter.”
“Bumper wasn’t going into the military,” Auntie Zanne said. “He was a sure bet for the NFL.”
“I know,” he said. “I never said that I was recruitinghim.”
“Just go ahead and finish,” I said. I put my hand on Auntie’s arm. “Let him talk.”
“Well, he’s taking forever.”
“Go ahead, Chase,” I said, ignoring Auntie’s comment.
“I was the recruiter at USC. Michael and I struck up a conversation one day and discovered we both were from around the same area.”
“Is that why he made you his best man? Because you were a hometown boy?” Auntie just wasn’t going to let the boy talk. He was on my suspect list, but Auntie was acting more suspicious of him than I was. “That’s the worst lie I’ve ever heard.”
