Page 80 of One Vote for Murder
“Of course.”
“Whoever made that phone call is probably the culprit.”
“Unless it was simply an accident, Pervis.” Some of my impatience crept into my voice. He was so convinced someone had purposely hurt Kyle, while it most likely truly was just a horrible accident.
He threw up his hands, growling, “So that’s it? You just don’t care that Kyle was basically poisoned?”
Gritting my teeth, I said, “You don’t seem to understand that I need facts. Evidence. I can’t just start accusing people of something as serious as murder.”
“Then there’s no hope,” he mumbled, slumping.
His pain was so palpable I relented slightly. “Listen, I’ll go have a talk with Quinn.”
He blinked at me, looking frustrated. “That’s it?”
“I’ll start there. For now, that’s the best I can do.”
“He’ll just tell you what you want to hear.”
Keeping my voice even, I said, “I understand you’re frustrated. But there is only so much I can do unless the ME comes back with concerns.”
“I feel like no one really cares. It’s like everyone just wants Kyle’s death to be nothing so they don’t have to be bothered.”
“That’s not fair, Pervis. I definitely care, but I’m bound by the law.”
His jaw hardened. “Sure you care.”
I sighed because I understood why he was demoralized. He wanted answers. Heneededanswers, and I didn’t blame him for that. Truth be told, focusing on this was probably how he was dealing with his grief. “I’m no fool, Pervis. I’ll know if Quinn is lying to me.”
“Then what?”
“Depending on what Quinn says, I’ll be able to decide if I think Kyle’s death warrants a closer look.”
“Will you question Liam James too?”
I frowned. “I have no reason to. He was a jerk to Kyle at the mixer, but being an asshole isn’t illegal.”
He was quiet for a few moments, and then he said, “You think I’m overreacting, don’t you?”
“No. Not at all. Kyle’s death was sudden. Shocking. I completely understand why you have questions.”
“Okay, good.”
“I’d be surprised if you weren’t devastated, Pervis.”
He hung his head. “It’s just… because we were twins… it’s like I’ve lost a part of myself.” He glanced up, and the pain I saw there made me catch my breath. “How am I supposed to just go on? Like… like nothing happened?”
“That’s impossible. Of course you can’t go on like nothing has happened,” I said quietly. “But you do have to go on.”
A solitary tear slid down his pale cheek. “Why?How?”
My throat was so tight I could barely speak. “I don’t know. You just… have to.” I was talking big, but if anything happened to Max, I’d be asking the same damn questions.
“I guess I have to try.” He met my gaze, and I swore there was a hint of… guilt. That emotion took me by surprise. Why would he feel guilty? Because he was alive and Kyle was dead? Maybe it was that simple.
“I’ll give Quinn a visit today,” I said. “If he acts squirrelly, I’ll know, and I’ll figure out why. Okay?”
Pervis nodded, and he stood, shoulders hunched. “Okay. Thanks, Sheriff.”
