“I don’t think so. But the more I think about it, the more I think you’re right. The most likely culprit to hurt Kyle would be Quinn. He already had a grudge against Kyle.”
“Now, don’t go putting words in my mouth, Pervis. I still think Kyle’s death was an accidental death.”
“But… you’re the one who mentioned Quinn.”
I grimaced. “No, I was simply asking if you’d seen anyone near Kyle’s water. You’re the one who brought up Quinn.”
Pervis scowled. “It makes sense though. It’s no secret Quinn had a problem with Kyle. Remember Ivywas the catalyst? Quinn might have been willing to do anything to keep Kyle away from Ivy.”
“But Kyle swore he wasn’t talking to Ivy.”
“He wasn’t.”
I hesitated because it felt like we were talking in circles. “Do you have any idea why Quinn thought Kyle was seeing Ivy?”
Pervis dropped his gaze, a pink flush once more covering his cheeks. “Don’t know.”
I studied him, trying to recall what Quinn had said the day he’d attacked Kyle. “Quinn said there were text messages. Do you know what he was talking about?”
“No.”
“You sure?” I frowned. “If Kyle really was seeing Ivy, that might be useful to know.”
He glanced up sharply. “Does that mean you believe Quinn purposely hurt Kyle?”
I grimaced. “Not exactly. But considering what happened to Kyle, I would like to know about everything he was involved in leading up to his death.”
“Even if you think his death was accidental?”
“Yes, even then. It’s always helpful to know more about the victim’s life.”
He watched me for a long while, looking like he wanted to say something. But each time he’d open his mouth, he’d close it again just as quickly. Finally, he said, “Kyle may not have been a saint, but he didn’t deserve to die like that.”
“What do you mean he wasn’t a saint?”
“He just wasn’t,” he murmured. “But he also wasn’t a horrible person.”
I nodded. “I agree. In fact, I’d go so far as to say Kyle was a good person. I truly believe he wanted to run for sheriff because he loved Rainy Dale.”
Surprise shifted through his eyes. “I assumed you were mad at him for running against you.”
I grimaced. “Of course, it was awkward for me. This entire recall situation is very weird. But I wasn’t mad at Kyle. His heart was in the right place.”
Unlike some of the other candidates.
“I… I just find it so odd that he got that threatening phone call, and now he’s… he’s… gone.” He wiped roughly at his eyes. “Could you maybe trace the call, Sheriff?”
“I can’t trace calls after the fact, and there has to be some evidence of a crime for me to start requesting phone records etc. People have a right to privacy, Pervis.”
“Don’t people who are murdered have a right to justice?” he rasped, face red.
“Of course they do,” I said quietly. “But there is no indication of murder here as far as I can see. You know, the ME is doing an autopsy. Why don’t you wait to hear his conclusions before getting so worked up?”
“I don’t trust the autopsy report will be helpful. I mean, I assume it will show Kyle ingested peanuts. That’s already a given because the hospital confirmed that. But it won’t tell uswhoput the peanut contaminant in his water.”
“If it was even in the water.” Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to check out the water bottle angle. That container of water was long gone.
“Isn’t there anything you can do, Sheriff? If someone hurt Kyle, shouldn’t they be punished?”
