Page 48 of Death of a Grill Master

But Earl nudged her back, and she ducked behind the bulky, sun-bleached soda dispenser just as Maddox approached.

The Chief studied Earl for a beat. “Why do you look so nervous?”

“I’m not nervous,” Earl said, too quickly. “Just … focused. Serious case of vending machine vandalism.”

Maddox frowned, then leaned slightly to the side, squinting toward the vending machine.

“Is someone hiding back there?”

Hayley realized she’d been holding her breath. She stood up slowly, brushing lint from her jacket.

“Hi,” she said with an innocent smile. “Just running errands, had to make a stop at the hardware store, must have taken a wrong turn between screws and seed packets.”

Maddox raised an eyebrow. “What exactly are you doing back there, Ms. … Powell?”

Hayley gestured toward the vending machine. “Uh—honestly, just taking a quick look. I heard about the damage and thought I’d see it for myself.”

Earl nearly choked. “She wasn’t helping. She just walked out of the store and wouldn’t leave.”

“Occupational habit of being curious,” she added with a shrug.

Maddox narrowed his eyes. “What’s in the bag?”

Hayley held it up, thinking fast. “Nails. I’m building a bird feeder. Ran out.”

“Bird feeder?” His tone was skeptical.

She nodded enthusiastically. “I’m big on birds. I named a regular goldfinch visitor Goldie Hawn. She’s very chatty.”

A long pause.

“Well,” the chief said at last. “Try not to contaminate the crime scene next time.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Maddox turned back to Earl. “I expect a full report on this by tomorrow. I want names. Dates. Surveillance footage, if possible.”

“Already working on it,” Earl said. “Might be Cody Delvecchio or that Wilburson kid. They’re always tagging things. Broke a bench outside the town hall last month.”

The chief nodded, glanced back once more at Hayley—skeptically—then started toward the store.

Earl seized the opportunity. “Ms. Powell,” he said loudly, “you are not a licensed investigator, and I’ve told you multiple times to stop interfering in police work. This includes soda-related offenses. You are not above the law.”

Maddox, halfway through the hardware store’s front door, turned and gave Earl an approving nod.

Hayley blinked. “Did you just scold me for credibility?”

“I’m trying to keep my job,” Earl muttered. “You’re a liability. Always have been.”

She grinned, plucking the muffin out of the bag. “Then I’ll just take my baked goods and go.”

Earl rolled his eyes. “Don’t let Mona know I got soft.”

“Too late. I’m texting her a muffin emoji right now.”

She sobered as she opened the folder and scanned the report again. “This changes everything. Whoever shot Hank was close. Closer than anyone realized.”

Earl nodded. “Be careful, Hayley. Someone went through a lot of trouble to make this look like a drunken brawl gone wrong.”