Black Bear Alibi by J C Fuller

Author:J C Fuller [Fuller, J C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 28

“Thanks for the ride home, Harry. Sorry to make it a habit this week.” Philip climbed into Harry's old brown pickup truck and leaned across the seat to unlock the driver's door for him.

“Hey, no problem.” Harry slid in and then hand cranked the window down about two turns. “Keeps the windows from fogging up.”

Philip chuckled, “When you gonna break down and buy yourself a new truck, man? Aren't you saving any of your money?”

“She's still got life in her,” Harry said defensively and gave the steering wheel a loving pat.

“Oh, that she does,” Philip acknowledged. “But you're over forty-five and pretty soon, if she rusts up anymore, you'll have to climb through the window to get in. That's tough on an old man.”

“You wanna walk home, Bud?” Harry threatened.

“I'll shut up.” Philip smiled and looked out the window as they passed tree after tree after tree.

“So, what do you think of her?”

Philip didn't have to ask “who”. “She's nice, once you get past the brittle exterior. She's smart, got a good eye for detail, and she doesn't know how to back down.”

“Feisty!” Harry said with relish and raised his eyebrows up and down.

“Too feisty for you, my friend,” Philip warned.

“You calling dibs?” Harry asked, a slight tone of seriousness creeping into his playful demeanor.

“No... didn't say that. I just think she's not interested.” Philip looked out the window again.

“That's what you said about Bert,” Harry pointed out and lightly bumped Philip on the arm.

“I know...and I'll say it again. I didn't have plans for Bert and me to get together.”

“I know that's what you say. You also said it was too soon after her husband left for me to make a move on her...and yet.”

“I'll remind you good buddy, she was the one who made a move on me.” Philip cracked open a beer as Harry pulled into Philip's driveway and brought the rig to a full stop. Philip handed Harry the opened beer.

“You better hope I never ask Bert for her side of the story.” Harry eyed his friend and took a swig.

Philip laughed and cracked open his own beer. “Ask away my man, ask away.”

They both brought their beers together in a light aluminum clink and took a drink.

“You found Stacy's cell phone, huh? Think it will help you?” Harry suddenly asked awkwardly.

“Yup.” Philip lightly kicked the rice filled container at his feet.

“Anything else?” Harry ventured.

Philip considered telling Harry about them finding her jeep but didn't think Sheriff Lane would appreciate it. The one thing he didn't want to do was jeopardize the working relationship they had going. Better to not give Lane any excuse to send him packing, he decided.

“Was Stacy a good employee?” Philip asked, instead.

“Hey, don't pay any mind to what Hattie said. She's starting to fade...ya know?” Harry looked out the driver's window into the dark and sighed. “That Stacy. She sure was a looker.” Harry suddenly looked down at his beer and decided to take another drink.

“She was practically a kid,” Philip said, surprised at Harry's comment.

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