Free On Deadly Ground by Michael Norman Page B

and Barry exchanged words, and the two had to be separated.”
    Books looked surprised. Darby hadn’t mentioned this. “Did you overhear the exchange?”
    â€œNo. By the time I noticed what was going on, David and Barry were tangled in a wrestling match, and other members were separating them. Unfortunately, the incident put a damper on what should have been a pleasant social outing.”
    â€œI’ll bet. In your opinion, was David in danger of losing control of the organization?”
    â€œI don’t think so. It’s a seven-person governing board, and Barry had one other member solidly behind him. That still gave David a commanding five-to-two majority in board voting. But things had become so disruptive in recent months that other board members were talking among themselves about whether the organization would be better off if David stepped aside.”
    â€œThat couldn’t have made him very happy. Who was the other board member supporting Struthers?”
    â€œAn ex-BLM guy by the name of Richard Hill. Rich retired from the BLM a couple of years ago and immediately joined the EEWA.”
    Books decided to change direction, and his next question caught Foxworthy off-guard. “How was the marriage between David and his wife?”
    She shrugged her shoulders, avoiding eye contact. “Like most marriages, I think they had their ups and downs.”
    â€œWhat kind of ups and downs?”
    â€œI’m not sure that’s a question I’m qualified to answer.”
    â€œIt might turn out to be important.”
    â€œMaybe, but it would only be speculation on my part—nothing I know for sure. It makes me feel like a gossip.”
    â€œIf it makes it any easier, I promise that I’ll hold anything you tell me in confidence.”
    She gave him an exasperated look. “Are you always so persistent?” It sounded like a rhetorical question. He waited.
    After an uncomfortable period of silence, she said, “Darby is a beautiful young woman, outgoing, and always flirtatious in an innocent sort of way, I think. And of course, they were years apart in age.” She paused, carefully gauging what she wanted to say next. Books had a pretty good idea where this conversation was headed. Personal experience made it painful to hear nonetheless. “Rumor has it that Darby has been having an affair with a fellow EEWA member.”
    â€œAnd who might that be?”
    â€œHis name is Lance Clayburn.”
    Books didn’t react. “Anything specific to substantiate the rumor?”
    â€œNothing very concrete—the way they look at each other and the amount of time they spend together. I have seen Lance’s truck at the Greenbriars’ house a couple of times when David was out of town.”
    â€œYou live next door, right?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œTwo questions,” said Books. “How long do you think the relationship has been going on, and do you think David knew about it?”
    â€œSeven or eight months, and I doubt that David knew.”
    â€œWhat makes you so sure?”
    â€œWell, I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I just don’t think most guys would notice. There’s been a glow about Darby these past months—like there’s something new and exciting going on in her life. Call it woman’s intuition, if you like.”
    Books’ own intuition told him that Celia Foxworthy knew something else she wasn’t telling him, but he decided to let it go for now.
    Foxworthy confirmed having had dinner with Darby the previous Friday night. The timeline was consistent with everything Darby had told him. Two things piqued his interest. The first, and arguably most significant, was that Darby might be having an affair with the guy Books knew was trying to track the whereabouts of her husband shortly before his murder. That might also explain her unease and evasiveness when he mentioned Clayburn’s name. The