"When?"
"Saturday morning, one week after the party, the day of the shooting. I thought the motel was better than being seen in public. That was a big mistake. We just talked, but he misunderstood. Thought we were meeting for sex. He threatened me when I refused. He was all hung up on Al being my ex. Al and I had laughed at something at the party, and Reid saw us. He said he knew I was still in love with Al and wanted to go back to him. Of course, now I regret leaving the party with the weirdo. When I read they arrested him, I phoned the chief. There you have it, Loraine's big indiscretion."
"I need to ask you where you were Saturday afternoon."
"The museum most of the afternoon. Then I was home."
"How long were you at the museum?"
"I got there about three and I left about five. I talked to a docent and a couple of guards. They know me over there. They'll remember me. How long is this going to take?"
"Did Reid ever say anything to lead you to believe he might kill Towson?"
"Absolutely. He said I'd love Al as long as he remained alive, and he wished Al were dead. Is that what you mean? No doubt about it, he's your killer. Are we about through here, I've got a hair appointment?"
He didn't look up from his notes. "You're lucky he didn't decide you should be the victim. Do you know Norma Martin?"
"I know who you mean. I attended a luncheon once out at her restaurant. I didn't see her, but I assume she's common, like her food. I think she's one of those Guatemalans or something. Why would Al take up with a tradeswoman who fancies herself a restaurateur?"
"What did you say?" Goddard straightened in his chair.
"Guatemalan."
"No, you said Al Towson was seeing Norma?"
"Indeed. They were seen places."
"How about Sonny Barner?"
"The exterminator? What about him? I use him. Half the town uses him. He's done handyman work for me around here."
"So, he's around here quite a bit."
"Not lately. I used to save up little jobs I needed done, and he did them when he came around to do his spraying thing. I had to watch him every minute."
"What do you mean?"
"I guess he's okay but he's a drinker. He smells of insecticide and whiskey, fortunately it kills his body odor. I caught him over here once in the middle of the night in my swimming pool!"
"That's a serious intrusion."
"Of course, and I put a stop to it immediately. He's rather heavy-handed. Once I told him about a mole problem in the backyard. Later I looked out and he had a shotgun, I guess it was. I don't know much about guns. I yelled out not to kill them. He wasn't going to shoot them, he said. Just fire the gun down the mole hole. Said the moles go insane, stagger around for a while and then wander off. I told him to put the gun away and forget about the whole thing."