“She didn’t. I saw her throw herself at Tom Padgett and he was married. There was also a fellow who ran a little plumbing concern. Violet was all over him one night. Must have scared the hell out of him because he never came back.”

“Did she ever flirt with you?”

“Sure, if I was the last guy left in the bar.”

“I guess there’s no point in asking if you succumbed to her charms.”

“I wasn’t tempted. Maybe I saw too much and the idea lost its appeal. I liked her, but not that way. She was too messed up, but it wasn’t anything I could change. She was what she was, her and Foley both. Tell you one thing about him: he hasn’t stepped a foot in the Moon since the day she disappeared.”

“At what point did you buy the place?”

“Fall of 1953. Before that it was owned by a couple of guys from Santa Maria. I was the one who managed everything-kept the books, did the ordering, saw the bathrooms were clean.”

“How’d you end up buying it?”

“After Mary Hairl died that August, Jake was at loose ends. He’d had a series of jobs, but none he’d been happy with. He figured it was time for a change, so when he heard the Moon was for sale, he asked if I’d go into partnership with him in buying the place. I had a couple thousand dollars in the bank so I tossed that in the pot. I had years of experience, and he knew he could trust me not to skim the till.”

“It’s been a good deal for both of you?”

“The best.”

“Sorry to keep harping on this point, but do you have any idea who Violet might have been involved with? I’m really at a loss.”

“I probably already said more than I should. Business I’m in, I don’t look, I don’t ask, and I don’t want to know. Anything I do know, I don’t repeat.”

“Even thirty-four years later?”

“Especially thirty-four years later. What purpose would it serve?”

“None, I suppose.”

“Mind if I offer you a word of advice?”

“Why not? I may not take it, but I’m always willing to listen.”

“Something to keep in mind: This is a small community. We look after each other. Somebody like you comes scratching around, nosing in our business, that doesn’t sit well.”

“No one’s objected so far.”

“Not to your face. We’re too polite for that, but I’ve heard grumbles.”

“Of what sort?”

“Understand, this is not coming from me. I’m repeating what I heard.”

“I won’t hold you accountable. What’s the rest of it?”

“If Violet hasn’t been found so far, what makes you think you’re going to get anywhere? Seems nervy to some.”