Rose Pressey - Chase Charley 02 - Seems Like Old Crimes by Rose Pressey Page A

investigation of Tim Swanson’s murder?” I thought my questions were pretty good considering I had been nervous to ask.
    He looked at me and then to Courtney. “Tim Swanson’s dead?”
    I didn’t believe the pretend shock in his voice. “I’m sorry, you didn’t know?” I asked.
    He shifted from one foot to the other. “I had no idea. That is terrible. Were you friends?” 
    I focused my attention on his face. “I’m friends with his wife Haley.”
    I was sure his eye twitched when I spoke her name. “I stopped working there so I had no idea what happened.”
    “Why did you quit working there?” I asked.
    He narrowed his eyes. “If you must know, it was because Tim owed me money and I got tired of waiting for it. I didn’t want to continue to work for him if he owed me money.”
    I studied his face to look for any signs of deception.
    He glanced over his shoulder when someone called out to him. “Anyway, I need to go. Is there anything else?”
    I knew he wouldn’t answer any more questions, so I figured I wouldn’t even try.
    “Thanks for everything,” I said as I grabbed the check and stood.
    He paused for a second and then walked away.
    “That was interesting,” Courtney said as we walked toward the front of the building.
    “It means that he had a motive for murder,” I whispered.
    When I glanced to my right, I spotted Anthony watching us. His stare was giving me the creeps so I was happy to get out of there. I was just glad that I had waited until after we ate before I asked the questions.
    When I got in the car, I decided to give Haley a call. Courtney pulled out of the parking lot and I dialed Haley’s number. I glanced back at the parking lot and spotted Anthony at the front door watching us as we drove away. Haley picked up after a couple rings.
    “This is Chase Charley.” I suddenly had a flash that all of this was a big joke and she’d act as if she didn’t know who I was. Thank goodness she didn’t.
    “I’m glad you called,” she said. “Did you find out anything?” 
    “We talked with a former employee of yours,” I said.
    “Really?” she asked with shock in her voice. “Who? Wait, don’t tell me. Anthony Knight?”
    I slipped into the car and buckled my seatbelt. “I take it he didn’t leave on good terms.”
    Based on the conversation I’d just had with him, I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear her side of the story.
    She sighed and then said, “No, he didn’t. He’s not a very nice person.”
    “He said your husband owed him money.”
    She scoffed. “That’s not true. He was trying to take money from my husband and when Tim wouldn’t give it to him he was furious.”
    “Do you think he would have killed your husband?”
    “I think he is capable of it,” she said.
    “I’m still looking into this, but if you could give me more information that would really help,” I said.
    “I’m sorry. I just haven’t been thinking clearly since this happened.”
    “That’s understandable. I’ll let you know if I find out anything else.”
    “Thanks again for helping me. Just try to hurry because I don’t feel safe.”
    “I’ll try,” I said.
    Again, I wondered if my life was in danger too. Since I had no idea who had killed Tim, it was hard to figure out if the killer would realize I was helping Haley. Once the person discovered I was playing detective, I would probably be a target too.
    I hung up the phone.
    Courtney glanced over at me. “How did it go?”
    “She’s upset and that’s understandable. I don’t think I would be as coherent as her if my husband had been murdered. She still thinks someone wants to kill her. Now I have to find out who. It’s like there’s a ticking clock. Her life may depend on it.”
    “That’s a lot of pressure,” Courtney said.
    I blew the hair out of my eyes. “You’re telling me. So now I have Anthony at the top of the suspect list. I have to find out more about him. Where was he on the night of the