Does The Sheriff Suspect Me Of Taking The Diary?

 I read, reread and returned the diary to Harold and Amy's trailer. The notes I took made little sense to me. I put them aside to share with Jake and Jennifer. We might never know if Amy suspected her husband of adultery. 

                                                        CONSIDERING ,MURDER

                                                                        Part 18

Jackie called. “Connie, what the Hell is going on there in No-wheres-ville?  You promised me at least a report on how things are going. Nothing. Nothing is what I got. If you think I can keep wasting time on something you may never write—“

“But Jackie—“

“But Jackie what. Are you writing or not?”

“Well not, but I am sleuthing and I have ideas.”

“You have ideas. Ideas don’t sell. Text sells. Now get me some text or as God is my witness I will drop you quicker than you can saw  ‘boiled asparagus’.”

“Jackie—“

“Don’t Jackie me. Get me text or we’re done.” She hung up.

Immediately the phone rang again. “Connie, Jake here. Did you return that diary?”

“I did two nights ago. Why?”

“Well today it’s gone. Amy’s mother called Mike Marlings to report the theft.”

“And you know this how?”

“Come off it, Connie. You know I am a friend of Mike Marlings. He told me. I suspect he’ll be by to talk to you.”

“He suspects me?”

“No. Have you forgotten you are now a sheriff’s consultant? I just thought you ought to have a heads up.”

“Thanks Jake.”

“Sokay.”

Jake warned me none too soon for just after noon Sheriff Marlings drove up. ‘Act natural,’ I told myself. ‘Don’t talk too much. Just listen.’

Not until the second knock did I open the door. “Sheriff Marlings, any news?”

“Like what?” Did he suspect me of taking the diary?

I shrugged. “Like I don’t know what. Come on in. I have been making notes about this whole mess, and to be honest I have no notion about anything.”

“Well try this on,” he said never taking his eyes off me as he followed me to my dining table. “Somebody broke into the Hayes’ trailer and took things.”

“Things?” I  hoped I sounded casual.

“Well one thing. It seems Amy kept a diary. It’s gone.”

“Sheriff—“

“Call me Mike.”

“Ok Mike. You’re asking me if I saw anyone coming or going?”

“Well yes. Did you?”

“Three or four days ago there was someone in and out. I learned later from Jake and Jennifer it was Amy’s mother—here to pack up the rest of Amy’s belongings. Other than that I’ve seen nothing.”

Mike ran his fingers through his messy hair. “You and Jake seem to be hitting it off.”

Why the new direction of questions? “Yeah, I guess so. He and Jennifer are the only friendly people I’ve met here.” He lowered his eyes, remained silent. “Except for you of course.” I said and waited; he remained silent. “At least after you dropped me from your suspect list.”  Still he said nothing. “You have dropped me, haven’t you?”

His eyes met mine. “From the murder? Absolutely.” Silence. “Well keep your eyes open to the comings and goings. I’ll be in touch.”