Phil smiled back at her. "It's part of the job," he said, his eyes on hers. "Helping people in distress." Lorenzo had also said that just being around people sometimes got you information. But he did want to be around Mary anyway. He turned his eyes back on the road. "And it's something I want to do, no matter what."<br/><br/>He felt he had said a bit more than he should. Without waiting for a reply, he speed- dialed his sister on the cell phone-- he was a cop, after all-- and told  her what he had suggested. Sue Ann said it would be great to see Mary and that Mom could drop her off. She would just bring a few text books in case Mary just wanted to rest.<br/><br/>The deputy rang off and gave Mary a brief smile. "There, all set," he said. They were just a couple of minutes away. "Is there anything you want to pick up before you get home?"<br/><br/>* * *<br/><br/>"Heard tell Betty Walker found the body," Lamar said. "And she saw someone drive off too."<br/><br/>Things spread pretty fast in this town. But Lamar also had his sources of information. He minded his business at the motel and sometimes looked the other way in exchange for extra cash and tips and gossip about everything under the sun. And what he was hearing was not good. Everyone was speculating that someone from town had killed Sarah. Someone who was not a stranger to Colton.<br/><br/>"Yeah, I don't think anyone is going to be thinking of work today," Lamar said, as he followed Clyde out onto the pavement. He waited for the man to lock and close up. "This is going to cut us to the bone."