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"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything."
Another deputy approached Ski, proffering a burger oozing melting cheese, but despite how mouthwatering it looked, Ski waved him off. "Ms. Malone has alleged that Oren Starks shot Mr. Lofland." Sally Buckland said nothing in response. "When you worked at Delray Marketing, were you aware of any hostility existing between Mr. Starks and Mr. Lofland?"
"No."
"No ill will of any kind, at any time?"
"No."
"Okay. What about--"
"This really is none of my business."
She sounded unreasonably upset. In Ski's experience, people--particularly people with nothing to hide--were flattered to have been contacted by the authorities. Typically they puffed up with self-importance and welcomed the chance to unload information even when it didn't pertain to the case.
"Please, Ms. Buckland, just a few more questions."
"But I don't know anything about this. I left Delray months ago and haven't seen these people since."
"Did you leave Delray on account of Oren Starks?"
"Who told you that?"
"Did you?"
"That's ridiculous."
"Starks didn't factor into your decision to leave the company?"
"Of course not."
Ski wanted to eliminate any confusion over this point. "Did Oren Starks persistently pursue a romantic relationship with you?"
"Heavens no."
"Did you quit your job in order to avoid his unwelcome advances?" She didn't respond, but he could hear her breathing. "Ms. Buckland?"
"None of that is true. If Berry led you to believe that Oren is a stalker, she's lying. Now I really must go."
She hung up before Ski could stop her.
"Very well done, Sally. Considering the disquieting circumstances and how nervous you are, you spoke exceptionally well and said exactly what I wanted the deputy to hear. Thank you."
Oren Starks covered her hand where it still gripped the landline telephone. "Let go, Sally," he said, laughing unctuously. "It's as though you're holding on to that phone for dear life."
She released the telephone and, without moving her head, cut her eyes far to the left so she could see him out of the corner of her eye--which had the barrel of a pistol pressed against it. "I did what you told me to, Oren."
"And I've said thank you."
"So you'll leave now?"
He smiled with feigned regret. "No, I'm afraid not."
"But you said--"
"What I said was that I would leave when you'd done what I asked you to."
"Which I did."
