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I settled for glowering. In the interest of time, I launched immediately into what else was said, wrapping up with, “From what they both said, Keefe operated in slo-mo. That could justifiably drive an employer crazy. So that’s at least a whiff of a motive.”
“Seemed to be fine with his co-worker,” Diana pointed out.
“Yeah, but the employer’s paying for his time and if it took him forever to do anything...”
Twin coughs came through the phone.
Diana glanced at me with one eyebrow lifted. “They’re saying that’s you, Elizabeth. Your reaction. Your need for speed in some instances.” Yes, she said it ironically, obliquely covering my reaction to her speed behind the wheel. “But it wasn’t necessarily Wendy Barlow’s reaction. And I agree. You saw her eyes, all red-rimmed.”
“You heard her sloooow-leeeee.”
“He’d been working there all his life. Why would he suddenly be too slow now, enough to kill him?” she countered.
“Built up frustration. Couldn’t take it anymore.”
“Again, I think that’s you projecting, Elizabeth. From what we saw out there, both women appeared genuinely saddened.” She held up a hand. “Granted, Wendy Barlow was more brusque, but I’m guessing that’s her usual style.”
I stared at her hand until she returned it to the steering wheel.
“So, what’s next, Elizabeth?” Mike asked.
“Depends on who has time for what and when.” Thinking things through just ahead of speaking, I said, “I’ll leave Diana to handle the story along with Nala, if that’s okay—”
“Sure.”
“—and stop at the library. Brenda said Keefer spent a lot of time there, checking historical records. I want to find out about this outlaw Keefe thought — or hoped — he was descended from. Then I’ll go up to see Mrs. P for what she’ll share on Keefer, Elk Rock Ranch, and these two women.”
“Not going to get more background before talking to her?” Mike asked.
“No.” Though I knew I risked Emmaline Parens finding more teaching moments in our exchange this way — each of which she would use to its fullest. “I can do Internet searches any time, but if I wait too late, I won’t get to see Mrs. P today—”
“And this way, after leaving Mrs. P, you can stop by the Circle B for dinner on the way back to town and see Tom and Tamantha, when this otherwise was going to be an evening apart,” Diana said.
“Ahh,” Mike and Jennifer chorused as if they’d just received a bolt of enlightenment from Buddha himself.
With dignity, I said, “And, you, Diana, are going to plumb your local resources for the views on the setup at Elk Rock Ranch and the dramatis personae of the year-round occupants as well as any cracks in the ranch utopia.”
She could do a lot of quiet, unofficial asking around that would never make it to a story we put on-air, but provided valuable background.
“So I have my marching orders,” Diana grumbled, only half miffed. “Gossip.”
“And send Jennifer and Mike what you shot today.”
“Sure.”
“I can do some digging,” Jennifer said. “Where do you want me to start?”
“Can you with all the work you have for the program? We don’t want to exclude you, but—”
“Sure. Besides, I can get the guys to go deeper where need be. They don’t mind. Especially since I’m sharing some of the stuff I’m learning.”
The guys were fellow computer whizzes Jennifer had formed an online alliance with years ago.
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with your school work—”
“And I don’t hack. I know, I know.”
“What about the guy you’re dating?” Mike asked abruptly. “Will he object to you spending time on this?”
