Page 16 of Deadly Sins: Gluttony
As I glanced around the room, my eyes landed on a framed, signed Billy Idol album on the wall, and I pointed at it, blurting, “Your frame on the wall—it’s crooked.”
He glanced at it, then back at me.“Maybe I like it that way.”
That made one of us.
“Why weren’t you at Gideon’s wake?”I asked.
“That’s an easy question to answer.I try to avoid gatherings where there’s an abundance of certain townsfolk I’d rather not see.”
“And what townsfolk would those be?”
“People I went to school with, for starters.”
“If you’re looking to avoid some of the people in this town, why not move?”
“I’m fond of Hollow Pines.I’m just not as fond of some of the people who live here.”
It made sense.
“When was the last time you saw Gideon?”I asked.
He took a swig of beer, then another, and then he wiped his damp hand on his shirt sleeve.
“I saw him two days before he died.We met up at the local bar to have a few drinks.Maybe a few too many,” he added, with a wink.
“What did the two of you talk about?”
“He told me about Cecilia, his wife.We also discussed the Sweet Hearth Bakery, and his plans to kill the business.”
“Was he already planning on closing the business at that stage, or was he still open to finding ways to keep it open?”
“I’d say he was about seventy-five percent in favor of shutting it down.”
“Did he talk to you about Camille and Martin and their feelings about the business?”I asked.
“Sure did.They were in favor of keeping it open, and while I understand, it was Gideon’s decision to make—not theirs.”
“Do you think the decision he made was the right one?”
“I do.You can’t keep a failing business open for nostalgic reasons if it’s operating at a loss.Doesn’t seem right.”
He had a point, though I understood the sentimental attachment Camille and Martin had for it.
Switching subjects, I said, “A few days before he died, the sheriff’s wife ran into Gideon at the park.While they were talking, Gideon received a call from Martin.She believed they had a heated exchange.”
“Martin has a history of being argumentative when things don’t go his way.”
Interesting.
Now for a fully loaded question.
“Do you think Martin could have murdered Gideon?”I asked.
Greg ran a hand through his hair.
“Oh, man.Of all the questions I thought you’d ask, that wasn’t one of them.Huh.Do I think Martin murdered Gideon?I’m going to say no.”
“Why?”
