My stomach churned as I met her earnest gaze. “I’m afraid Lincoln was attacked last night.”
Her eyes bugged. “What? Is he okay?”
“Uh… unfortunately, Lincoln is… deceased.” I hated having to deliver such grim news to her, and she seemed to visibly shudder at my words.
Widening her eyes, she whispered, “What did you say?”
“I’m sorry.”
“But… I spoke to him last night. He was fine.”
“When did you speak to him?” I asked.
She blinked at me. “Well, I’d just got home from my book club around 10:00 p.m., and he drove up. We chatted about the neighborhood. It was just a typical night.” Her gaze slid to Lincoln’s house. “I don’t understand. Who would want to hurt him?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” I said gruffly. “Did you see anyone hanging around the neighborhood who didn’t belong?”
She frowned. “When I took my dog out for a walk, there was a red pickup truck parked a few houses down. I didn’t recognize it, but I just assumed whoever it was must’ve been visiting one of our neighbors. I really only noticed it because it was so late at night for someone to have guests, you know?”
“I don’t suppose you got the license number?” I asked hopefully.
“I didn’t get the whole thing. I wasn’t thinking it mattered.” She grimaced. “But I do remember part of it because something about the numbers caught my eye. Is a partial helpful at all?”
“Possibly.” I pulled out my pad and pen. “Go ahead and give me what you got.”
“I can’t remember the first part with the letters at all, but I did get three of the four numbers on the plate.” She squinted, as if trying to remember. “It was 332.”
“That’s better than nothing,” Penelope said.
I said, “Can I get your name, miss?”
She nodded. “Jesse Daley. I live next door with my husband. We just moved into the neighborhood about six months ago. Lincoln was so welcoming.” She stopped talking abruptly, looking emotional. “I just can’t believe anyone would hurt him.”
“Did your husband happen to see the truck?” I asked.
“No. He wasn’t home. He’s a long-haul truck driver. He’s on his way back now from California.” She shivered. “I might go stay with my sister. I’m not sure I’m comfortable being here alone now.”
I couldn’t blame her. “Is there anything else you noticed that you could tell me about?”
She shook her head. “I’m sorry, no.”
“Does this street have a neighborhood watch?”
“No.”
“If you happen to see that truck around again, could you let me know?” I handed her one of my cards. “It’s possible that truck had absolutely nothing to do with what happened to Lincoln. I just like to be thorough.”
“Yes. I know that about you, Sheriff. That’s why I’m voting for you again. I can’t believe that stupid recall is happening.”
As horrible as the situation was, it felt nice to hear her say that. “I appreciate that.”
As the cool breeze picked up, she shivered and pulled her robe tighter. “Well, I suppose I should go back inside. If that’s okay?”
“Absolutely. Thank you for your help.”
She sighed. “Doesn’t feel like I did much to help. I pray to God you catch whoever did that to Lincoln. Inever met a nicer man.” Shaking her head, she turned and headed back toward her house.
I watched her go, grateful for her kind words. However, my stomach also churned with uneasiness. The last thing in the world I needed right now was another murder. Liam James would have a field day with this tragic event. He was gonna spin this and make me look as incompetent as possible. Of that, there was little doubt.
