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“CAN YOU EXPLAIN ONE more time what happened?” asked Officer Wells.
The six of them were gathered in the Windy Pines police headquarters. Most of the police force were over at the crime scene, but two officers had stayed back to interview them.
“It was our Christmas party,” Charlotte began, trying to keep her voice steady.
“And my fashion show,” Alfredo added.
“A Christmas fashion show,” Officer Wells repeated, writing it down in his notebook for the third time. He kept swallowing and his Adam’s apple kept bobbing. To Charlotte, he looked like he was about fifteen years old. Suddenly a dark cloud of remembrance seemed to fall over his face. “You know what, guys? I’ll be right back,” he said.
“Excuse me, but you need to get everyone who was at that party back here,” Charlotte called after him. “Everyone raced out of there in a panic, but someone knows what happened,” she explained to the deputy, since Officer Wells had left the room.
“We’re working on that,” said Deputy Franklin. “In case you’ve been sleeping under a rock, our police force has been very, very busy lately. I’m sure you heard what happened just a few days ago over at Mistletoe Manor.”
Charlotte nodded. “Of course we’ve heard about that.”
“No one around here’s gotten any sleep for days. So excuse me if we’re short with you,” said the deputy. “And what’s your story?” he asked Ensar.
“Urrhmm,” Ensar began, clearing his throat nervously.
“Can he understand me?” the deputy added, addressing the rest of them.
“Yes, I can understand you,” said Ensar. “My story is that I work at O’Leery Snowboards as the janitor. I’m here to cooperate with you and help you solve this crime.” His face was greenish white. He clearly feared for his safety.
“So, Miss Smyth,” said Officer Wells, returning with a different little notebook in his hands, “our records indicate that you called us just five days ago, reporting that you were being harassed by someone named Shelly Arnoldson?”
“Your dispatcher actually wrote that down?” Charlotte asked.
“You didn’t want her to?”
“I wanted her to, but it didn’t seem like she took it seriously.”
“Did it really happen or not?” asked Officer Wells.
“Yes, but I don’t think that has anything to do with what happened tonight.”
“That’s not for you to decide,” said Deputy Franklin.
“Who would have thought this little town in Idaho would be more dangerous than New York?” said the DJ, coming out of his state of shock to speak for the first time since they’d left O’Leery Snowboards.
“Did you check for prints on the axe?” Alfredo asked the officers.
“We’re a step ahead of you. There weren’t any,” said Officer Wells. “Now everyone, please quit talking at once.”
“Quit telling us how to do our jobs,” said Deputy Franklin. “What do you do in New York, again?” he asked Alfredo.
“I’m a fashion designer.”
“For a living?”
“Yes. I already told you this!”
“And what’s your story?” Deputy Franklin asked the scent wizard.
“I’m a scent wizard,” he said.
“A scent wizard? What in the hell is a scent wizard? None of this makes sense to me,” said Deputy Franklin, throwing up his hands.
“My name is Cortizone. I’m a scent expert. If anyone’s interested, I noticed the distinctive scent of gardenias, ham, and synthetic strawberries as I was passing through the crime scene. That and blood.”
“Sorry, but this is too weird for me,” said the deputy. He turned to Charlotte, “So, Miss Smyth, it seems this situation with you and Shelly Arnoldson wasn’t the first time you’ve been harassed.”
“What do you mean?” asked Charlotte.
“It was recently overheard at O’Malley’s Diner that you were being sexually harassed by Wally Dingle, one of tonight’s victims,” the deputy said, raising an eyebrow at Charlotte and exhaling a small, smug puff of victory.
“Who told you that?” asked Charlotte.
“Wally Dingle sexually harassed you?” asked Ensar.
“This is a small town,” said Deputy Franklin. “If you talk about being sexually harassed while you’re sitting at the busiest diner in town, folks’ ears are going to perk up a little.”
“If you’re out there in public destroying a family man’s reputation, don’t be surprised if you have to answer for it later,” Officer Wells added.
“I’d like to know who told you this! I was having a private conversation with my mother and sister,” said Charlotte.
“A private conversation at the diner?” asked Deputy Franklin. He chuckled and shook his head.
“It seems everyone was harassing you,” Officer Wells noted. “Do you find it hard to get along with other people? Do you fancy yourself to be a bit of a victim?”
“No!” Charlotte exclaimed. She recognized Officer Wells, now. He was just a kid. He’d graduated from Windy Pines High School three or four years after her, having been held back at least once. In fact, hadn’t she even babysat for him once when she was about twelve? And hadn’t she sent him to bed early without an ice cream sandwich, after he’d refused to do his homework? Yes, it was all coming back to her now. My, how the tables had turned.
“How did you wind up with blood on your face?” Deputy Franklin asked her.
“I think the answer is obvious. Someone nearby me murdered five people with an axe.”
“Did you decide that tonight was your night to get even with Wally?” asked Officer Wells.
“Of course not!” Charlotte exclaimed. “Speaking of Wally, has anyone contacted his family? His wife’s about to have a baby. Not that I’m suggesting you give her this news right now.”
“You seem to know a lot about him,” said the deputy.
“He announced to everyone that his wife was in labor!” said Charlotte. Ensar reached out and put a protective hand on Charlotte’s arm.
“What’s your connection?” Deputy Franklin asked, nodding from Ensar to Charlotte and back to Ensar again. “Just co-workers? Or something more?”
“We’re dating,” Charlotte admitted, since she had no reason to lie about it.
“Did it make you jealous to see all those models parading around in front of your man?” asked Deputy Franklin.
“Excuse me, but am I a suspect?” asked Charlotte.
“We’re not calling you anything yet. But it’s funny how this motley crew was left standing while everyone else had the sense to leave. And what’s the story with that monkey?”
Charlotte patted Mr. Primate’s head. Somehow, he was still with her, sleeping through all of this. “He was Wally’s pet. They were inseparable. I guess he’s mine for now.”
“You can’t have exotic animals in this town. What’s the fine for that?” Officer Wells asked Deputy Franklin.
“Five hundred dollars,” said Deputy Franklin to Officer Wells, before turning back to Charlotte and saying, “Except that the monkey’s not coming with you. He’s evidence.”
“This is ridiculous,” said Charlotte. “We’d like to leave now.”
“We’re not done with you,” said Officer Wells.
“Are we suspects?” she asked again.
“Well, not officially.”
“Then we’re leaving,” she said.
Deputy Franklin reached out and took Mr. Primate. “You’re all free to leave for now. If you think of anything new that you forgot to tell us, give us a call.”