Goodbye Earl(105)

OC: I’m sorry to hear that. I didn’t know about your granddaughter.

NS: Thank you, Silas. I just wanted y’all to know I saw Trey walk up to the edge of the dock with my own eyes. I got my binoculars out because I wondered what the devil he was doing out there. Donnie got me a new pair of those binoculars that make it so I can see in the dark…everything glows green. I looked right through that green and saw Trey fall in the water. I figured he’d find a way to get himself out, but I guess he didn’t. I didn’t know he couldn’t swim. I would’ve got down here earlier to tell y’all what I saw, but I was under the weather. I was in bed and didn’t know Trey was missing, then I was gonna call, but I didn’t even have a voice. Laryngitis. Happens every time I get sick. And when I did call…did you know they told me there was a waiting list to sit down with somebody? I can’t sit too long because of my hip. I have to lie down. I can stand, but I figured only the Lord knew how long I’d have to stand down here. My hip’s aching right now sitting here with you like this, but it’s worth it. Anyway, I figured since it was a death investigation maybe it didn’t matter what I saw…but when I heard it was a murder investigation, I said, Nancy Frances Simmons, you better get your butt down there, aching hip or waiting list or not, before somebody gets in trouble who shouldn’t. Back when it happened, I tried coming down here and telling someone that although I had no proof…I was pretty sure Roy Dupont had killed Angie Fritz, but they wouldn’t let me see anyone. Can you believe that? What a racket. I would’ve been down here earlier this time, but I thought everybody else had handled it. I thought it was over like it should be. I want to make sure the right thing happens this time. No one did this. It was an accident. I know it because I saw it with my own eyes. Do you understand?

OC: I understand.

NS: And I’d say it’s a damn shame Trey never learned to swim, but I heard what he did to Caroline, and I don’t think it’s a shame he’s dead. He just…walked too close to the edge and…fell in…that’s all.

OC: Something in your eye, Miss Nancy?

NS: Oh, nothing. Looks like I’m winking at you but it’s just my allergies, ain’t it? Or at least I hope so. Hope I’m not getting sick again.

OC: All right. Thank you for coming down to tell us this, Miss Nancy. I probably shouldn’t say this to you, but I agree that Trey probably fell in the water on his own.

NS: Well, and you know Kasey and the girls much better than I do, so you know they’re telling the truth about everything too. Speaking of…I saw you at the farmhouse late the other night, and right after you left, a little white hatchback pulled up that I’d never seen before. You and Kasey used to be so cute together in high school. I remember y’all holding hands walking down the sidewalk with ice creams from the Dairy Dee like something out of a movie.

OC: Kasey’s a real sweet person, and I’m glad to have her back here in Goldie.

NS: She still engaged? I saw that big ol’ rock on her finger. Was that her fiancé driving that hatchback?

OC: Yes, she’s engaged, Miss Nancy, and I’m not sure if that was him or not.

NS: Well, they’re not married yet, so don’t you let the chance pass you by if you get bit by the love bug again. Seems like the two of you were meant to be together, with her and Ada being so close and Ada being married to Grayson. It’d be peachy if you and Kasey were together too. It’d make a lot of sense, wouldn’t it?

OC: Well, I don’t have anything much to add to that.

NS: The look on your face, Silas Castelow! The look on your face says it all.

OC: Does it now?

NS: Sure does. And my story should put an end to all this, shouldn’t it?

OC: Good chance it might. Thank you for coming down, Miss Nancy.



*





Officer Castelow’s

Additional Notes


I’ve fully disclosed the fact that Ms. Kasey Fritz and I were once sweethearts fifteen years ago when we were in high school, but we haven’t been in any sort of considerable contact since then. On the Monday evening following Trey Foxberry’s disappearance, I revisited the Fritz farmhouse where his vehicle was found and saw no further evidence or reason to explore that led any further. Nothing on the scene pointed toward foul play, and Ms. Fritz has been cooperative. After several more interviews today, I’ve been made aware of additional evidence that points to Mr. Foxberry’s death being an accident. Nancy Simmons claims to have been an eyewitness and is willing to come back in for another interview. After hearing her story, as well as finding the drugs in Trey Foxberry’s vehicle, it is my belief that Mr. Foxberry’s death was an accident, not a murder, and no further investigations need to be made.





51





Ada


The rest of RACK visited Rosemarie at Leo’s on Sunday morning. It was their personal church. Ada had scooped up Caro and Kasey and they’d stopped by the bakery on the way, although they knew Rosemarie wasn’t up for sweets or anything heavy. She’d also gone by the restaurant for a cup of chicken noodle soup in case Rosemarie wanted the broth. She grabbed turkey sandwiches and Waldorf salads, strawberries and cheese, in case anyone wanted more. She went inside the grocery store for ginger ale and apple juice, too. The last stop before Leo’s was Plum Florals to get Rosemarie some pink and white roses. Making sure everyone was fed and comforted and surrounded by beautiful things had never made a situation worse.