“If I ask Sheriff Granger for them, it would be rather insulting to say I want to find the killer when he was the one to arrest Trent.”
Beth nodded. “You have a point, but you can’t cave now. Are you going to follow up on Preston’s comment about the killer being someone who Trent owed money to?”
“Yes, but I’ll have to ask Trent about it. Unfortunately, he hasn’t exactly been forthcoming with me.”
“Why not?”
“As odd as it might sound, Trent tries to shield me from the uglier side of life. He’d be embarrassed to admit he was gambling and lost.”
“He shouldn’t care about being embarrassed if it might get him out of serving twenty-five years.”
“You have a good point,” Ariel said.
“What about talking with Benson Granger? I'm sure he investigated everything about your brother.”
“I might learn more if I spoke with Ackerman, Trent’s public defender.”
“Good luck. I don’t think he bothered doing that much research.”
Ariel sighed. “So it seems.”
“I still think Benson should be your next—oh my.” Beth’s eyes lit up.
“What is it?”
“Our two town hunks seem to be following you. Preston and Benson just came into the restaurant.” She whistled. “Benson Granger sure looks divine in that chocolate-colored suit. It complements his eyes.”
“They’re here? Are you kidding me?” Ariel didn’t want to think about either man’s eye color. They seemed to always be changing.
She spun around just in time to see the hostess lead the men over to the table next to their booth. For real?
Preston halted as if he hadn’t expected to see her. “Ariel, this is a nice surprise.”
“Is it?” Okay, that was not polite, but Ariel wasn’t in a particularly good mood now that they had shown up. It wasn't as if she'd mentioned to him that she was going to be there for dinner.
Without asking, Preston and Benson stepped over to their table.
“It is.” Preston smiled. “Is Betty behaving herself?”
“Yes. Perfectly. The jump start you gave me did the trick.”
Beth kicked her under the table. “You didn’t tell me this handsome man saved you.”
Kill me now.
Preston looked over at Beth. “I know you. I think we were in Mr. Morrison’s World History class together, right?”
Beth actually blushed. “That’s right. I didn’t think you’d remember me.”
“I can see why you’d say that. I wasn’t the friendliest person in high school.”
Ariel felt bad for not making the introductions, which she then did, even though both men had gone to school with Beth. People usually changed over the course of fourteen years.
Benson looked over at Ariel. “Mind if we join you? I imagine I will be on your list of people you plan to question about your brother’s case.”
“I can stop by your office later. I don’t want to interfere with your Friday night.”
“You’re not.”