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Jack thought about where he now knew the Washingtons lived versus the Randolphs’ address. “That’s about ten miles or so, isn’t it?”
“Closer to fifteen.”
“Can’t you take a bus?”
“Take too long. Got to change ’bout three times. And bus costs money. And I like to ride my bike. That way I ain’t have to count on nobody else and I get to where I’m goin’ when I want to.”
“How early do you have to leave to get there at seven?”
“I ain’t real fast on a bike, and got some hills on the way, then across the Jackson Bridge, so’s I leave ’bout five in the mornin’. I like to get there before folks ’round there are up, so they don’t get all curious seein’ me.”
By curious Jack knew he meant suspicious. “Anyone else at the Randolphs’?”
“They got a woman come clean the house and such. Her name’s Cora Robinson. She come every day ’round nine, leaves ’round two.”
“Did you see her leave that day?”
Jerome flexed his brow. “Naw. I was in the garage cleanin’ the spark plugs on the Buick ’round ’bout that time. It way back from the house.”
“Did she drive there?”
Jerome shook his head. “She walk to a bus stop way, way down the road. She colored,” he added, as though that would explain all.
Jack wrote this down and said, “Anybody else?”
“Yeah, I seen the mailman leave somethin’ on the front porch that mornin’.”
“What was it?”
“White package. Oh, I did see a car out front in the afternoon.”
Jack perked up. “Do you remember the time?”
“Oh, be ’round four or so.”
Jack looked at the man’s naked wrist. “You normally wear a watch?”
“Tell by the sun. Got real good at that in the Army.”
“So a couple hours before you went to the house to get your pay?” said Jack.
“That’s right.”
“Did you see who had driven it there?”
“No sir.”
“Did you recognize the car?” asked Jack, writing some things down.
“Look, why you askin’ me all this stuff?”
Jack looked up to see his client scowling at him. “Because, Jerome, if you didn’t kill them, someone else came that day, while you were there, and did.”
“I know that. I didn’t kill Mr. Leslie and Miss Anne, but they ain’t care. So I don’t see what we doin’ here ’cept wastin’ time. And you makin’ money,” he added sullenly. Then he went back to rubbing his hands together.
“Speaking of money, Pearl paid me two hundred dollars.”
Jerome stared up in shock. “That be five weeks’ pay!”
