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“Well, it’s only published digitally, but local news is making a comeback and it’s about time. I only work there part-time. I also work at the hardware store. Someone pointed you out when you were there buying duct tape.” Watkins looked over at the window. “Understand someone took a shot at you.”
“If you were told that, I won’t deny it.”
“Any idea who did it?”
“If I knew that they’d be in custody.”
“So, the investigation?” asked Watkins.
“I’m working in cooperation with the local police, who have been professional and helpful. We hope to make progress and find out the truth.”
“You sound like a PR person now,” said Watkins, smiling.
“Good, then I hit my mark.”
“Can’t you give me anything? I used to be a reporter full-time over in Bangor. Never had a story like this on my doorstep. And I’m not getting any younger.”
He held up his phone with the record function showing and a pleading look on his face.
Devine leaned against the doorjamb. “All right, turn on your recorder.” He waited for Watkins to do so. “Okay, someone did take a shot at me. You and your readers can ask yourselves why. And the answer that occurs most likely at least to me is that our investigations are getting closer to the truth and someone is obviously not happy about that.” He wasn’t going to mention the different types of bullets used.
“Do you think the person is local?” Watkins asked.
“Don’t know. But we can’t rule anything out at this point.”
“We all know that Jenny was engaged in some, well, confidential matters for the federal government. Could that be the reason she was killed?”
“Again, we can rule nothing out. But any new information will be given out to the local press at the appropriate time. We like to be transparent, but we can’t jeopardize the investigation. I’m sure your readers will understand.”
Watkins turned off his recorder and smiled. “Thanks for that.”
“Now can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Did you know Jenny?”
“I knew all the Silkwells, including the senator. I came here from Bangor over thirty years ago. My wife has family in the area, and a job had opened up on the daily paper here that was better than what I had in Bangor. Of course, over the years, things change and that job went away. But we liked it here and stayed.”
“So you knew Jenny as a child?”
“Sure did. Precocious and curious about everything.”
“I’ve heard that from other people.”
“We all knew she was destined for bigger and better things, and she was. What we didn’t know was that she was also destined for a premature death.”
“Did you know her parents well?”
“Oh, sure. Covered all of Curt’s campaigns. War hero turned maverick politician. The people of Maine loved him. And he did right by them. Maine has gone through some tough times. But we’re hardy folks and we keep plugging away. Curt was one of us. He was tough and kept plugging, too. Sure sad to hear how sick he is now.”
“What did you think of Clare?”
“She was a good partner to Curt, and I mean as a wife, mother, and political spouse. Those are three distinct roles, and most people fall down on at least one of them. Not Clare.”
“And the kids?”
“Nice, polite, all talented in their own way.”
