Page 63 of Asher's Assignment
“Don’t tell me what I saw, Susanna. It looked like the same man to me.”
Esther waved her hands to break up the argument. “Did you tell the police this?”
“I wanted to, but she told me I was mistaken.” Herb aimed a gnarled finger at his wife.
“And you still are,” Sue shot back.
Herb pressed his lips together and sent her a quick look before continuing. “I didn’t mention it because, well, she’s right. I don’t always see what I think I do. My mind likes to make connections that aren’t there, and I didn’t want to get a young man in trouble if he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Esther looked out at the two groups of witnesses. “Do you see the man anywhere now?”
The couple followed her gaze. Herb adjusted his glasses.
“I don’t,” Sue said.
“No. He’s gone. But he left before we did. I saw him get up and walk out.”
“How long before you left was that?”
“Ten minutes or so, I guess.”
That was plenty of time for him to retrieve a hoodie and hide before the Tylers came outside.
“Miss Campbell.”
Esther looked up. Detective Stroud walked toward them, a scowl on his face. She plastered a bright smile on hers. “Detective.”
“What are you doing?”
Pulling on every school play she’d ever acted in—all of which were in elementary school—Esther faked a frown. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t need you interfering with my witnesses.”
“Oh.” She glanced at the elderly couple. “I wasn’t. The Tinsdales go to my church. I came over to say hello. We did, however, discuss what happened tonight. Herb has something you need to hear.”
Stroud’s gaze sharpened, and he focused on the older man. “Oh? Did you remember something new?”
Herb shifted, casting a quick glance at his wife, who sighed and shook her head.
“Mr. Tinsdale?” Stroud said when the man hesitated.
“Go on, Herb. It might be nothing, but it might be important too,” Esther said.
The old man huffed. “Fine. There was a young man in the restaurant. He kept staring at the Tylers’ table, and I swear he had on the same pants as the man who attacked them.”
“The same pants?”
“They were jeans,” Sue said, rolling her eyes.
“But they were the same kind of jeans,” Herb retorted. “Anyway, from my seat, it looked like he was watching them. I don’t know if he was. He wasn’t there long. Maybe twenty minutes. He arrived after they did, ordered an appetizer and a drink, then left about ten minutes before us.”
Stroud pulled out his notebook and pen. “Describe this man. Other than his clothing.”
Herb scratched at his temple and scrunched his nose. “He was a white guy. Six feet tall, maybe a little less. Fit, from what I could tell. He had on a black jacket over an olive-green t-shirt. There was something on the front, but I couldn’t see what it was.”
“That’s a really great description, Mr. Tinsdale,” Stroud said, sounding genuinely impressed.
Herb smiled. “Thank you. I did quality control for years. I notice details.”
