he’d talked about a hometown or a family. Where had he grown up? Who had he been before he arrived in Busman’s Harbor? He was in his late fifties. He must have done something before he got to town.
“I really don’t know anything about Stevie. Have you tried people at the RV park?”
“Yesterday. We didn’t get much out of anyone. Know anybody over there?”
Flynn snorted into his coffee cup. A look passed between him and Binder.
Did Flynn disagree with Binder being so open with me? Asking for my help? It was hard not to take the look personally.
Binder ignored Flynn. “Was anyone else on the committee friendlier with Mr. Noyes? Who did you say was on the committee?”
“Dan Small owns the ice cream parlor. And my neighbor, Viola Snuggs, co-owner with her sister of the Snuggles Inn. You met the sisters this spring.”
“I don’t remember—” Binder started.
“You met a lot of people last time you were in town. But the ladies certainly remember you. Sergeant Flynn made quite an impression.”
Fee and Vee Snuggs might be in their seventies, but they still appreciated a good-looking man. As discreetly as possible, I cocked my thumb over my shoulder in Vee’s direction.
“You’re suggesting I send the Sergeant to do their interview?” Binder laughed.
Flynn blushed and glowered.
“Definitely!” I answered, just to goad him.
“Enough,” Flynn said in a voice that bled all humor from the conversation.
“The other committee members are Bunnie Getts, head of the Tourism Bureau office and Bud Barbour, a local ship repairman,” I continued.
“We’ve met with Ms. Getts. Several times. But we haven’t met Mr. Barbour.”
“You won’t find Bud in town this weekend. He has a camp way up north where he goes whenever town is full of tourists.” Fourth of July, Labor Day and now Founder’s Weekend, Bud always left for his camp. “He’ll be back on Monday once town empties out.”
“Any chance he was close to Noyes?”
“I don’t think Bud’s close to anyone. He’s a bit of a crank.”
“Have you heard from Cabe Stone?” Flynn asked.
“No. Not a word.”
“Be sure to tell us when you do.”
I noticed Flynn had said when not if . “Of course, but I’m not sure I’m the person he’d call.” But really, whom else would he call? Sonny lived on an island reachable only by radio. Did Cabe have friends? I couldn’t remember him hanging around at the clambake with any of the employees his age. “He’s still only wanted as a witness, right?”
“For now,” Flynn answered.
That didn’t sound good.
“Did you find his employment application?”
I blushed. Somewhere in between Chris and the fireworks, I’d completely forgotten to look. “Sorry. Killer day yesterday.” I stopped. “I mean, long, challenging day yesterday. I’ll see if I can find it tonight.”
“Thanks,” Binder said.
At least one of them is civil. I drained my coffee and was about to excuse myself when Bunnie Getts marched up to our table. Ever the gentlemen, Binder and Flynn both jumped up out of their chairs. I stayed where I was.
“Officers. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing here?”
Flynn’s face turned scarlet once again, but Binder replied calmly. “We work better when we eat the occasional meal.”
“You should be out arresting Cabe Stone,” Bunnie responded. “Honest citizens are afraid to sleep in their beds. If I weren’t so exhausted from all this work”—Bunnie gestured around the town common taking in the art show, the pancake breakfast, and the thronging crowds—“I wouldn’t have gotten a wink.”
“Ms. Getts,” Binder said, “we’re following all leads. Mr. Stone is a witness and every law enforcement agency in the state is looking for him. He is not yet, however, a suspect. We try to refrain from arresting people for no reason.”
“But he was right there! He did it. I saw him.”
Both cops kept straight faces, but I could swear I saw them