The Pickled Piper by Mary Ellen Hughes Page B

agree. Will’s a very nice young man.”
    Piper thought it was time to change the subject. “I’ve been checking out a few possible suspects that might deflect Sheriff Carlyle’s investigation away from Nate. Lyella Pfiefle and her husband Gordon, as you know. But I also learned about Dorothy Taylor’s son, Robby, who was pretty ticked off about Alan Rosemont’s fleecing of his mom, and rightfully so, I’d say. According to Mrs. Peterson, Robby was in town during the fair. Do you think he’s the kind of guy whose anger could turn violent?”
    Aunt Judy frowned. “I haven’t run into Robby very much since he was a teenager, and we all know how volatile teenage boys can be. They usually grow out of it, though whether or not Robby did I just can’t say. I could drop in on Dorothy if you like. If she’s aware of anything bad Robby might have done I think I’d be able to tell. And if she’s in the dark—and I have to say Dorothy doesn’t always pick up on things that others do—I might at least be able to pin down his whereabouts late Friday night.”
    â€œWould you? That’d be great.”
    â€œI do want to help. I feel the same as you, that it’s just too unbelievable that Nate could do something so terrible as murder. There’s a few too many in this town, though, who are ready to jump to conclusions when a stranger is involved.”
    â€œI guess I’d better watch my step, then, too,” Piper said, only half joking. She was thinking of her overturned garbage, which she hadn’t mentioned to her aunt and didn’t plan to.
    â€œYou’re not a stranger, dear,” Aunt Judy said, patting her hand. “At most you’re a newcomer, but plenty of people know you, or at least about you, through us. Nate doesn’t have any connections here, though, and that’s the problem. It makes some people uneasy when they can’t fit a person into a slot.”
    â€œIt is odd that he’s so alone,” Piper said, “although I can think of plenty of reasonable explanations for that.”
    â€œI’m sure we’ll learn more when he’s comfortable sharing. For now, I’m happy with accepting the boy for himself.”
    The shop’s door opened, and two ladies entered.
    â€œGood morning, Mrs. Lamb,” the older of the two said to Aunt Judy. The other nodded politely.
    Aunt Judy responded in a polite but reserved manner, which told Piper these women might belong to the group of “some people” her aunt had just referred to. Aunt Judy introduced the two to Piper and slipped in a recommendation or two for Piper’s newer pickling spices to the women. Then she took her leave.
    â€œI’ll let you know what comes up,” she said to Piper, who nodded, hoping her aunt would be able to dig up something useful for Nate. She then turned to her customers, who were picking and poking about like gulls on a search for bread crumbs.
    â€œLadies,” she said, bracing herself for a challenge, “can I help you?”
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    A n hour or so later, when Amy arrived for her shift, the first words out of her mouth were, “So, how was your date with Will Burchett?”
    â€œHow did you know about that?”
    Amy looked puzzled for a moment, as though Piper had asked how she was aware the sun was shining or that it was Wednesday. “Megan saw you riding off together. That was you, wasn’t it?”
    Piper sighed. “Yes, it was. But I wouldn’t exactly call it a date. Will was just showing me his tree farm.”
    â€œAh.” Amy stowed her purse under Piper’s counter. “Did he feed you?”
    â€œY-yes. Just chips and a soda, though.”
    â€œWas he cleaned up and changed out of his work clothes?”
    Piper nodded, aware of where this was going.
    Amy whooped. “It was a date!”
    Piper sighed. “Okay, maybe it