Now that it was time, I wasn't sure how to begin. I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. "Got any coffee? I could sure use a cup."
"Always." He waved at me to follow him and trudged over to the house.
I followed him inside and downed half a mug of coffee in one gulp. Rooster raised an eyebrow, but only held up a knife and pointed to the pie.
"Want a piece?"
"Always."
He laughed and cut us both big slabs of pie. "Okay, spit it out, young man. What's wrong?"
I took a quick bite of pie, still stalling. "This is great!"
Not Tess great, but that seemed impolite to say. Still, pretty much all pie was good pie.
He nodded. "My neighbor brought it over to say thanks for a bit of help I gave them with a foal. Unnecessary, but definitely appreciated."
"About that." I took a deep breath. "Rooster, we have a problem. You and your neighbor told us you were helping with the horse at her place Saturday night all the way through till Sunday morning."
"Yep. Fine little filly." He beamed, shoveled more pie into his mouth. "I bet she—"
"It's just that she—ah, Mrs. Engelhaupt, not the filly—told Tess that you actually came home in the very early morning to cook them breakfast."
Rooster's face contorted into a weird expression that I eventually interpreted as shy embarrassment.
"Well. So, I did. Not a big deal, except I—ah—well." His broad cheeks flushed. "I'm not as young as I used to be, you know?"
"Ah—"
"I fell asleep. Just sat down to rest my eyes, understand? But then I woke up an hour and a half later. Had to rush to make that breakfast and take it back over."
I stared, hard, into his eyes, but saw nothing but slightly pained embarrassment and total sincerity. If I knew anything about lies and liars—and after ten years of the rebellion, I certainly did—Rooster was telling me the complete truth.
And I'd never even had to bring up our suspicions about him and Darryl.
I blew out a sigh of relief, finished the last bite of my pie, and stood. "Thanks for the pie. I need to be getting along—"
"Jack." He pushed back and up out of his chair and held up a hand. "I know I'm just an old farmer, and not a big shot like you were. We heard about your exploits even here in Dead End."
"I'm not—"
He shook his head and gave me a steady look. "No. Stop. I know you and Tess must have been wondering about that missing two hours. Especially since it was right around the time of the murder. But I've told you before and I'll tell you now. I did not kill Darryl. I'd never kill anybody, no matter how mad they made me. So, you and Tess can stop worrying about me, okay?"
I held out my hand and shook his. "Rooster, I can tell you straight out. I believe you. Tess never stopped believing you, but I've been places and done things that make me more cynical than she is. But you've answered my question without me even having to ask it, so I'll apologize for that slight instance of doubt. You're a good man, and I'm glad to know you."
Rooster patted me on the back, and if I hadn't seen it coming and braced, I might have gone flying across the kitchen. The man didn't know his own strength.
"No worries, young man. I respect you for it. Now, you be good to our Tess, or you'll have to answer to me, you hear?" He motioned toward his door, and we headed back out into the bright sunshine.
"You'll have to get in line behind Mike."
He threw back his head and laughed. "No doubt. No doubt."
When I started to leave, his smile faded. "I'd appreciate it if you'd go out and find the actual killer now, Jack. I don't like the idea of a murderer running around our town."
"Andy and I are working on it, believe me."
He nodded and headed back to his birds. "I'll hold you to it. Before Christmas would be good. Thanks again for the help."
