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“I don’t think Verro is from where he said he is.”

“Virgie could verify. She hired him.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Wait, what is making you suspicious?”

“I can’t find record of him in Prescott.”

“That’s not good.”

“No, but maybe not accurate. Things get lost in … translation.”

“What does Virgie say?”

“She gave me his references to call myself. I haven’t had time yet.”

I was speechless.

“Hey,” Calloway said. “Don’t read too much into this right now. I’m being extra careful. That’s all. I’m sure it will all be fine.”

I nodded. Had I said anything to Verro or Jenna that might compromise something important? I didn’t think I had, but Verro had been the one to gather the prints. I’d been way too tired to supervise, so I hoped he’d done a good job.

“Seriously, Hazel, put it out of your mind for now. We’ve got plenty to do.”

I nodded again.

To get to Jeff’s place, we had to travel through town. As Calloway slowed the vehicle because we were in the town limits, Pearly stepped out of the post office and waved us down.

The sheriff came to a stop and rolled down his window. “You okay?”

“Fine, Sheriff, just fine. Hello there, Hazel. How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“Fine,” she said again, but the frown on her face belied the continual repeat of the word. She glanced back toward the post office.

“What’s going on, Pearly?” the sheriff asked. “Do you need me to check something?”

“I … no, I just … I’m old, Sheriff.”

“Okay.”

“If I’ve learned anything at all, it’s to listen to my intuition, and my intuition was telling me something two nights ago. I leave out the back door. I park my car on the side, so’s the customers can have all the places out front if they need ’em,” she nodded in that direction, “and it’s easier for me to get to my car. Anyway, two nights ago I was sure there was someone back there.”

The sheriff and I were listening intently. I’d been back there recently enough to wonder if maybe she’d heard me. “Did you see anyone?”

“Did you look around?” Calloway finally asked.

“No, no. I did not, because … well, it was my intuition. It told me not to look back. It told me I might see someone who didn’t want to be seen.”

I nodded, glad she’d listened to her gut but wishing she’d called Calloway back then. Or even me.

“It was late. My knees were giving me fits all day, so I had to take a break in the afternoon. I might have napped a bit. I ended up staying late to get my work done.”

“That’s good to know, Pearly.” Calloway paused. “I’ll take a look back there this afternoon. Keep the back door locked for now. And, hey, how about you go out the front door for a while? Park out front. Customers will figure it out.”

“Okay. If you think so.”