Page 20 of Sting
“But you recognized her name.”
“No. Didn’t know it till he told me.” He motioned toward Morrow.
“Witnesses told Deputy Morrow that you came on to Ms. Bennett pretty strong. That true?”
“No.” Some of the attitude had edged back in. He sank deeper into his seat. “I went over and asked could I buy her a drink. That’s it,” he declared, stabbing the top of the table with the tip of his index finger.
“Of all the women in the bar, you picked her to hit on. How come?”
He gave a short laugh. “Are you yanking my chain?”
Joe’s expression didn’t change. “Am I yanking his chain, Agent Hickam?”
“I don’t believe you are, sir.”
Their somber tones collapsed the young man’s leer. He shifted on the bench again. “If you saw her, you wouldn’t have to ask how come. She’s hot.”
“I have seen her. In fact, I and Agent Hickam have spent a lot of time with the lady.”
Royce Sherman’s bloodshot eyes sawed back and forth between them. “Seriously?”
“In the line of duty.”
“Wha’d she do?”
“Are you familiar with a fugitive named Billy Panella?”
“A fugitive? Like, from justice?”
“Heard of him?”
“No.”
“Joshua Bennett?”
“Her kin?”
“Her brother.”
“Don’t know him, neither.”
Joe didn’t think he was bright enough to be lying that well. “According to witnesses, Ms. Bennett didn’t welcome your attention and declined your offer of a drink.”
“Said she had a drink, thank you, and asked me to adios.”
“But you didn’t adios. You persisted.”
“No law against making friendly conversation, is there? I…” Stalling, he shot a glance at Hick, who was watching him, waiting for an answer. “I…you know, I—”
“—persisted,” Joe repeated. “You harassed her.”
“I never laid a hand on her!”
“But you didn’t take no for an answer.”
He slumped, sighed, looked at them sourly. “Okay, I offered again, and when she said no again, I told her she looked lonely to me. She said she wasn’t, and, anyway, it was none of my business if she was lonely or not. And then I asked if she was expecting somebody else to join her.”
Joe leaned forward. “What did she say to that?”
