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Trent pounded the table again. “That’s what I told my useless public defender, but he told me it wasn’t material—or something like that.”
Ariel wasn’t able to hear the entire case since she had to work, but from the few times she’d seen Mr. Ackerman, it was clear he should have retired years ago. The man seemed to have lost all desire to do the right thing.
“Is there anyone I should talk with who might know something?” she asked.
“Maybe Sam’s best friend, Sherry, over at the diner.”
“I know Sherry. Do you think she’d have any idea who’d want Sam dead?”
Trent shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve tried to think who could have killed her, but the only name that comes to mind is Preston Daniels.”
“Samantha’s personal trainer?”
“Yes. That relationship never seemed right to me. Sam worked as a waitress. It cost her most of her tips just to pay her monthly dues at the Hard Body Gym. She wouldn’t tell me how she affordedprivatelessons.”
It was possible Preston was paid in sexual favors. To mention that now would serve no purpose. “I’m hoping Sam confided in some of the other servers at the Mountain Diner. I can start there.”
“Do whatever you can. I just need to get out of here, Ariel. I won’t last. Please.”
She couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, he’d asked—no begged—for her help. “I’ll do what I can.”
She pushed back her chair, motioned for the guard to open the interrogation room door, and left. How she and Trent were siblings, she didn’t know as they had very little in common. However, if she’d been accused of a murder she hadn’t committed, she was convinced Trent would have tried to help her.
As soon as Ariel stepped into the fresh air, her mind cleared a bit. The stench of unwashed bodies, the dirty floors and walls, and the heavy depression and anger in the prison unsettled her. She couldn’t imagine what her brother must be going through, knowing he would be there for the next twenty-five years.
No more procrastinating. It was time to start her investigation. Because it was almost dinner time, she drove back to town and parked in front of The Mountain Diner. Needless to say, she had an ulterior motive for choosing it. If Sherry Clark was waitressing, Ariel would pick her brain about who, besides Trent, might have killed her best friend. Why the public defender hadn’t called Sherry to the stand, Ariel would never understand.
Even though it was a little after six, the place wasn’t busy, which suited her purposes just fine. In fact, the sign at the front said to seat herself, so she grabbed a booth near the back and studied the servers. Unfortunately, she didn’t see Sherry, but she could be in the kitchen area picking up an order.
The two of them had gone to high school together, but they hadn’t hung out. Ariel was into science, whereas Sherry ran around with the popular crowd.
Needing a moment to unwind, Ariel picked up the menu and looked over the items, though she wasn’t sure why. The Mountain Diner rarely changed their choices.
“Hey, Ariel.”
She looked up and worked hard not to grin. “Hey, Sherry.”
The person she’d hoped to see lifted her pad. “What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the chicken parmesan and a coffee.” Ariel smiled, wanting to appear non-threatening and friendly.
“Coming right up.”
While Sherry’s response wasn’t hostile, she didn’t seem thrilled to see the sister of the man who supposedly killed her best friend.
Ariel decided to wait until Sherry delivered her food before asking if she could discuss the issue of Sam’s death with her. The last thing Ariel needed was to create a scene.
Her food arrived ten minutes later. “Sherry, do you have a minute?”
“I’m really busy.”
Ariel figured she’d blow her off. No one had come into the diner since she had, so Sherry’s comment didn’t ring true. “It will only take a second. I know you believe my brother killed your best friend. While Trent has a lot of flaws, he isn’t a murderer.”
Sherry stood up straighter. “The court said otherwise.”
“I know, but sometimes they get things wrong. From what I witnessed, Benson Granger could convince a starving man to give away his last meal.”
“He could do that.” She sighed and looked as if she’d been charmed by him. Ariel doubted Sherry’s boyfriend would be happy if he was aware of it.
