“Why don’t you call your mother and talk to her about it? My guess is she’ll say you should go to your classes and keep busy.”

“Yes, sir.” Justin appeared relieved.

The last thing he needed was to be hanging around the house all day. I was hoping the media didn’t know who he was yet, so they’d leave him alone.

“But if people start pestering you with questions,” I said as I thought about it, “you come on back here and don’t worry about your classes, okay?”

“You mean like newspeople?”

I nodded.

Justin made a face. “I’m not talking to them. I don’t want to be in the news.”

“Then you don’t have to talk to them. Remember that.”

“Okay.”

I stood. “Now I’d better go talk to Deputy Berry.”

As I was leaving the room, I glanced back to see Azalea serving Justin more hotcakes and sausage. Diesel remained with him, ever hopeful.

If only I had a metabolism like that, I thought wistfully.

I tightened the belt of my robe before I entered the living room. I should have washed my hands, I realized too late. Oh well.

“Good morning, Deputy. You wanted to see me?”

Kanesha turned from studying one of the bookcases against the far wall. Lines of tiredness had etched her face overnight. I wondered whether she’d had any sleep at all.

“Good morning, Mr. Harris.” Kanesha frowned. Whether she was still riled up from the argument with her mother, I couldn’t tell. “Yes, I do.”

“Why don’t we sit down?” I gestured toward the sofa and chairs.

Kanesha chose one of the chairs, and I sat in the other, bracing myself for an onslaught of questions.

“I came by to tell you not to speak to any newspeople.” Kanesha glared at me. “I don’t want this investigation compromised by someone letting details get loose.”

“I’m in no particular hurry to talk to any reporters,” I said, somewhat stung by the sharpness of her tone. “One of them called me already this morning, but I hung up on him.”

“And who was that?”

“Ray Appleby, from the local paper.”

Kanesha’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve already given him a statement. If he bothers you, let me know. Same thing goes for any other reporters.”

“Thank you, I will. I have no desire to see myself or anyone in this house on national television.” I crossed my arms and gazed blandly back at her.

“So far none of them know that Justin Wardlaw was with you last night.” Kanesha shifted position in the chair. “I’d like to keep it that way as long as possible. They’ll find out eventually, though.”

“They won’t find out from me,” I said. “He wants to go to his classes today. Do you think that’s a good idea?”