"I can't prove it, but I think it's a real possibility."
There was nervousness in Lydia's voice. "To answer your question, yes, he was supposed to be up on the mountain. That's where the kids sometimes go, and after the water fight we figured they'd be celebrating." She bit her lip. "You know, I could get my ass canned for even suggesting this. You're putting me in a hell of a spot."
"I'm just trying to get at the truth-not get anyone in trouble."
Suddenly a thought struck her. "You know a suggestion of this would dump him from the election, don't you-even if you couldn't prove it?"
"That's the least of my concerns. I'm interested in how Billy Langstrom died."
"I'll bet. With Fitzgerald out, you're the only candidate. You'd probably fire my ass the first day on the job."
"Don't think I haven't considered that!"
"So why should I help you get Fitzgerald?"
"Because that's what you're paid to do." Then Dean added, "Just like investigating accidents."
His remark stung, as he'd meant it to. She set her jaw and said nothing for several minutes. "How do I know this isn't all a fable just to dump Fitz? Like you spying on me and seeing me with him?"
"I didn't spy on you. I came by your place to ask you a question-a favor."
"You're a big question asker, aren't you? So what was it? Did you want me to fix your speeding ticket?"
"I heard you were a guard at Cañon City. I wanted to know about a prisoner."
"Who?"
"Patsy Boyd. She's the mother of the girl who discovered the bones. They released Patsy and the state took her daughter to try reuniting them. I can't seem to get through to anyone to even talk to the girl."
Lydia laughed. "So weird Patsy got a walk. I thought she had years to go." She looked at Dean. "Yeah, everyone knew Patsy. She was a nut case. Wish the kid good luck-she'll need it with Ms. Boyd. So will you, trying to mush through the state's bureaucratic swamp. That's like looking for a drumstick in chicken soup." Dean started to reply, but she cut him off. "Look, all this conversation is neatsy-keen, but I have to go to work."
Lydia turned her back to him, and as she walked to her bedroom, pulled her scanty top off over her head. Dean took that as his clue to leave and did so.