Murder at the Courthouse by A. H. Gabhart Page A

person who shot him?” Michael asked.
    â€œI don’t know. They might have run away. Scared maybe. It could have happened that way. Bad things don’t just happen in the big towns, you know.”
    Michael shook his head a little. “I don’t think that’s what happened, Judge. Rayburn had a regular job as a printer technician and salesman. I don’t think he’d have been trying to rob anybody here in Hidden Springs.”
    â€œSometimes people aren’t what they seem.” The judge’s voice dropped to an almost normal volume. That only happened when he was the most serious. “He was here for some reason.”
    â€œThat’s true. We just don’t know what that reason was.”
    When they reached the Main Street sidewalk, the judge put his hand on Michael’s arm. “Come on up to the Grill with me and grab a sandwich. My treat.”
    â€œThanks anyway, Judge, but I’m going to see if Joe is busy. Thought I’d get a trim.”
    â€œI don’t think he’s there.” The judge glanced across thestreet at Joe’s Barbershop and then looked at Michael. “Besides, your hair looks fine. Plenty short.”
    â€œOh, you know how it is. I’ve got a big date coming up and I want to look nice.” Michael ran his hand through his hair.
    â€œWith that sweet little Karen Allison, I guess.” The judge was smiling again. “When are the two of you going to quit this pussyfooting around and tie the knot?”
    Michael smiled back at him. “I don’t think we’re ready for that.”
    â€œWhat are you waiting for? Lightning to strike?” The judge chuckled. “That’s the way it always was with Malinda. There was a time, you know, when I had my cap set for her. But she said she had to have fireworks and I guess I never got her fuse lit.”
    â€œReally?” The idea of a long-ago romance between the judge and Aunt Lindy was something Michael had never considered.
    The judge’s smile stayed firmly in place. “I expect it’s just as well. I’m not so sure Malinda would have made a very good politician’s wife. Too ready to speak her mind.”
    â€œShe does say what she thinks. But here in Hidden Springs, everybody might have voted for you because they would be afraid to go against her.”
    â€œThat could be.” The judge laughed easily. “But between you and me, and I wouldn’t want this to get out yet, there’s a good chance the party is going to ask me to run for state representative next term. You know Representative O’Neal is retiring.”
    â€œWell, that’s great, Judge. You’ve got my vote.”
    The judge slapped Michael on the back. “I appreciate that, Mike, but remember mum’s the word. And it might not be a good idea to mention what I said about Malinda to hereither. Things with me and Malinda never really got much past the ‘wondering if it might be a good idea’ stage, if you know what I mean. And what with her and June being such good friends, we wouldn’t want to muddy the waters at this late date, now would we?”
    â€œNot me.” Michael barely kept from smiling. He couldn’t imagine the judge’s wife being jealous of Aunt Lindy, but if the judge wanted to believe that might be possible, then he wouldn’t spoil his fun.
    The judge clapped him on the back again and went on up the street. Michael headed toward Joe’s shop. The judge was right. Joe wasn’t there. The blinds were shut, and a note was stuck to the door.
    â€œGone to visit my sister.”
    The note bothered Michael. Joe didn’t often take a day off, and when he did, everybody in town knew all the details of where he was going and how long he’d be gone days before he left. But Joe hadn’t said a thing about going out of town yesterday when Michael had been in his shop.
    Michael went into Reece Sheridan’s