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Hill.

S quares of fabric and seed catalogues littered Cooper’s desk at police headquarters. Peering at her computer screen, she scanned a list of clothing manufacturers.
    Eyes watering, she clicked off her computer, got up, stretched, and went outside. She tapped out a long coffin nail, lit it, watched the sky shift colors.
    Sometimes taking a smoke break cleared her mind. Along with an increased chance of lung cancer, she’d get better ideas. After a few thoughtful minutes, she ground out the stub, walked back in, tidied up her desk, and left for the day. She’d worked overtime this Tuesday but didn’t mind.
    Driving home, she noticed the last of the day birds returning to their nests. A few bats were already out and about. She liked bats; they kept the bug population down.
    Thinking about bugs and pests snapped Coop back to this strange scarecrow case. After Harry had pointed out the unsettling look-alike dummy, Coop had sent her on her way, then had gone to the store’s office and asked to see their display person. In Coop’s mother’s day, that individual would have been called a window dresser regardless of what part of the store they decorated.
    The display person was named Melinda and the young lady worked in the store full-time. Well groomed, well spoken, she was well dressed, good-looking.
    Cooper was good at relaxing people. She sat the light-blonde-haired woman down in the middle of one of her own displays. After a bit of chitchat, she asked Melinda about the scarecrow.
    “Don’t you love the boots?” she gushed. “They aren’t as easy to find as you might think and …” She trailed off. “Sorry. I get enthusiastic about these things.”
    “No, no, that’s fine. But did you work with anyone else on that particular display?”
    “No. I do all the work here in Number 9. The guys help me move the furniture but that’s it. Actually, I like that I can let my imagination go.”
    “Would you have any way of knowing if someone asked specifically about that scarecrow?”
    “No. No one asked me, but, Officer Cooper, there’s a great volume of foot traffic through these warehouses, especially on the weekends. People come from all over Virginia, even from out of state. Lots of volume.”
    “Did you have any particular inspiration for the clothing?”
    The young lady thought for a moment. “No. I mean, just the scarecrows I saw as a child.” She grinned. “Can’t be a scarecrow without a big straw hat.”
    “Would you mind giving me a list of where you bought the pants, the shirt, the boots, and the hat?”
    “Not at all. If you wait a minute, I can print it out for you.” Melinda hurried to her office, returning to Cooper in ten minutes, just enough time for the deputy to see an end table she wanted.
    “Thank you,” Cooper said as she quickly perused the list Melinda had given her. “I guess anyone could buy this clothing.”
    “That’s the idea.” Melinda smiled.
    Cooper smiled back. “I won’t take up much more of your time. Did you know Joshua Hill?”
    “No.”
    “Do you live in Farmville?”
    “No. I live on the eastern edge of Buckingham County and drive in. I’d like to move down here when I can afford it. May I ask you a question? What’s this about?”
    “Friday, October 11, Josh Hill, who had an accounting business near here, was murdered in Albemarle County. His dead body was found on Saturday. It was a big football weekend. Didn’t make the front page of the papers until Monday.”
    “That’s horrible.”
    “He was dressed just like your scarecrow here.”
    Melinda’s eyes popped. “How awful.”
    “Well, yes, but it must have been a lot of work to dress him up, I would think.”
    Melinda paused. “The straw man took me about an hour to get all the clothes on, then make a head, paint on features. He’s not exactly scary or gruesome. I mean, a scarecrow isn’t, but I think a human one would be awful. I wish I could help you, but anyone could have come in and