“How long did you know Heather?”

“Most of us were born here, but occasionally we got a newcomer. Most of them were treated as outsiders, interlopers, but Heather was pretty and vivacious, and soon she had most of the girls eating out of her palm. Half the boys too.”

“What grade did she move to town?”

“Third. Me and Mitzi were the closest to her. The three of us were best friends all through high school. Or so we thought.”

“What does that mean?”

She pushed out a sigh. “Heather could have taught a master class in gaslighting and manipulation. She loved to play us against each other, sometimes to get what she wanted, but I’m sure sometimes she did it for sport.”

“So a lot of people didn’t like her, then?” I asked.

“Well, that’s the weird part. She didn’t really have any enemies. She could lay on the charm as smooth as silk and as sweet as honey. When we were out of her orbit for a while, we’d realize that she’d held us under a spell and tell ourselves that we wouldn’t fall for it again. But we always did.” She gave me a pointed look. “I’m not a stupid woman. You have to be pretty intelligent to get into vet school let alone make it through, so take my word for it when I say that Heather could get anyone to do anything. She had a way of pulling people’s strings like they were puppets. Of course, when she came back the last time, I was in vet school in Knoxville, but Mitzi was still here and I’m pretty sure she got roped back into her nonsense, although she’s never admitted to it, and after Heather left, we had this unspoken agreement to not talk about her.”

“Everybody believed that the Drummonds paid Heather to leave town. Why do you suppose no one considered that she might have been murdered?”

Abby lifted a shoulder into a shrug. “Maybe for the same reason most people don’t think too much about it when Lula takes off.” She shook her head a little, with a ruthful smile. “I can’t believe you thought someone had snatched her.”

I tried hard to look nonplused. Someone had tried to snatch Lula, and she’d gone into hiding. “So everybody just figured Heather had left and that was the end of that? No one ever tried to contact her or wondered why she never called or visited?”

“You have to understand,” she said, leaning forward. “Heather was an out of sight, out of mind kind of girl. She was your best friend when she was there with you, but once you fell off her radar, it was radio silence.”

“Do you think Mitzi would be open to talking to me?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I suspect you’re here to help Wyatt, and Mitzi’s not too fond of him. Especially after Wyatt crashed Heather’s goin’-away party.”

I blinked hard. “Going-away party?”

“Yeah. Heather told everyone she was leavin’ for Tulsa and got Mitzi to throw her a party. She told everyone the Drummonds had paid her to leave town, showed them the check and everything.”

“Why Tulsa?” I asked. “Did she have family or a friend there?”

“Dunno,” Abby said, glancing down at the kittens. “All I know is what Mitzi told me. Rumor has it that Wyatt showed up, drunk off his ass, and they went into a bedroom. When they came out, they were fightin’ like cats and dogs. Then he took off.”

“Wyatt drove drunk. Again?” That would have been after his DUI arrest.

“I guess so, if he was drunk when he got there. Mitzi said he didn’t stay very long. Long enough to screw her in the bedroom, then yell at her as he left.”

“So a half hour or so?” I asked, my voice rising at the end.

She laughed. “I couldn’t tell you, but if he was as drunk as Mitzi said, it might have taken longer.”

I couldn’t believe that Wyatt had left out that pertinent piece of information from his version of things. Then again, he’d long since proved he was a man more inclined to partial truths than full ones.

“You think he’s innocent, don’t you?” she asked bluntly.

I tried not to cringe. “I just know that when Seth Chalmers was murdered, the sheriff’s department was pretty eager to find a way to pin it on me. I had to find his killers on my own to clear my name. And while Wyatt and I aren’t together, we’re still sort of friends. I had the day off, so I figured I’d ask around and see what people know.”

She shrugged and gave me a look I interpreted as, Whatever, you do you.

“Do you think you could give me Mitzi’s number?” I asked, already falling in love with the kitten that had fallen asleep in my arms. “I’d like to ask her some questions too.”

She made a face. “I’m not sure I should just give you her number. She may not want to be harassed.”

“I don’t want to harass her in any way,” I said in a rush. “I just want to have a conversation. You haven’t felt harassed, have you?” Had I come on too strong?

“No, but Mitzi knows more about when Heather came back the last time. And she’s the one who threw the party for her.” She was quiet for a moment. “Mitzi’s not taking Heather’s death well, and she was already fragile. I don’t want her to get hurt.”

“I promise to be gentle with her,” I said earnestly. “I’m not out to coerce people to protect Wyatt, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m out to find the truth. So if Mitzi tells me information that paints Wyatt in a bad light, I’m not going to go after her to change her story. I just want to ensure the sheriff’s department finds the real murderer.”

“Why?” she asked with narrowed eyes. “You didn’t even know Heather. Why would you care?”

“Because whatever flaws she might have had, Heather didn’t deserve to be murdered, and the person who did it needs to be brought to justice.” When I could see that didn’t sway her, I added, “And I guess I like playin’ PI.”

As I suspected, that was the answer she was looking for. A wide smile spread across her face. “You weren’t obtrusive, and I really do think you’re trying to find out the truth. I’ll put in a good word for you with Mitzi and have her call you.”

This was one of those times I wish I had a reliable cell phone. “She can call me at Max’s Tavern, although I won’t be going into work until three.” Then I remembered Bart’s invitation to have tea with Emily. “Or maybe even later. And after I leave here, I’m meeting someone for lunch at Watson’s. What if I drop by after lunch? That will give you time to call Mitzi, and you can let me know whether she agreed. I’d really like to talk to her this afternoon.”

“Okay…” But the look on her face suggested she was reluctant.

I glanced up at the clock on the wall. “I suppose I should be going soon, but these little guys are so cute.”

“Are you serious about adopting?” she asked as she got to her feet.

“Yeah,” I said, holding the gray kitten in front of my face. “As long as Hank agrees, which I don’t think will be a problem. If I promise to take care of all the responsibilities and let him have all the fun, he’ll likely be on board. I’d like this little girl to be one of the two.”