"And you're sitting there laughing because you know he didn't do it. When did you make the plane reservation?"

"Didn't, just walked up to the counter."

"Which airport, what time, when did you come back? We're going to check all this, you know."

"Oh, what day is it now? Let's see, left Saturday evening from Orlando, seven o'clock flight, back last night. Back just in time for the funeral."

"That's nice, back for the funeral. You and the senator, pretty close, huh? Funny, word around town is you didn't like the guy at all." Goddard made up that one.

"He was okay."

"Maybe you came back for the funeral to be sure he was dead and couldn't talk. When did you last see him?"

"That day, the day I left, I did his apartment. Did it and left about three. Now you're going to be cute and ask if he was alive when I left. Yes, I believe he was alive...at least he was talking on the phone."

"How'd you get into the building?"

"He buzzed me in. I'm in and out of that building all the time."

"Where were you between three and seven, before you left town?"

"That when he was killed? Got to catch up on the papers. I had a couple other Saturday jobs and then left for the airport."

"I need the names of those jobs. How many customers do you have in Towson's building?"

"Let's see, four regulars, others are call-in's."

"So, any of those people could have buzzed you in."

"Yeah, sure could have but didn't. Towson did."

"No, I mean later." He moved his chair closer. "When you came back later, someone else buzzed you in."

"There was no 'came back later', detective."

"You must see some valuable stuff laying around in some of those homes. Do customers follow you around while you're spraying their place, going through their bedrooms and all?"

"No, they don't and that's why I can't have employees. Can't trust them alone in people's houses. Like I told you, Towson was on the phone while I was spraying."

"Didn't you have to wait for him, when he had to go find some cash to pay you?"

"No, I bill him."

"I thought you said he paid you in cash."

"Nice try."

"Where did you get all the money for Vegas?"

"Some I have to bill, damn it. Some pay cash. You gonna turn me in to the IRS?"

"What about Tammy?"

Barner folded his arms across his chest and crossed his legs. For the first time he turned his look away from Goddard. He didn't speak.




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