"We have rippled floors," Dean said, just to get the last word in. "What do you suppose Paulette was doing up there by herself? I thought all the Dawkinses were out to dinner."
Cynthia gave her husband a don't-be-nosy look. "Before you start following the poor woman like in a James Bond movie, maybe we should give the entire Dawkins clan a rest. It seems to me it's looking more likely they're not even involved in Martha's bones."
"Maybe so, but I still feel the bunch deserves watching. Joseph has a gun and I don't like being used for target practice."
"Do you think it was he who shot at us up at the mine?"
"I don't know, but his gun has been fired since it was last cleaned."
Cynthia stacked the supper dishes. "How do you know he has a gun?"
"I saw it in his room," Dean answered without elaborating.
Fred O'Connor popped back into the room waving money. "Somebody taped two one-hundred dollar bills to my computer!" Fred said, holding them up. "No note, no name."
"Good deal," Dean said. "Now maybe you can buy your own Fat Tire Ale."
"I'm not sure I can keep the dough," Fred answered.
"Why not?" Cynthia asked. "Everyone's been using your computer-practically kicking you out of your own room. That was a nice gesture on someone's part."
"It isn't just Dawkins who use it. Westlake practically camps on it and even Pumpkin Green's has gotten in on the act," Dean said. "He was plotting the rest of his hike last night."
"If it's one of them Dawkins, it might be considered jury tampering." Fred began pacing the kitchen.
"Just spend it before you vote the verdict," Dean advised.
"Ask the guests," Cynthia said. "Explain the situation-they know you're on a jury."
"Maybe I'll do that, when they get back. The other Dawkins are out-dinner, I guess. Pumpkin and the Westlake fellow are over with Mrs. Langstrom, or at the funeral home."
"I doubt it was Pumpkin who left the money," Dean said. "If he had an extra couple of hundred, I wish he'd put it toward his bill. We're still waiting."
"Maybe it was Mr. Westlake," Cynthia suggested. "He spends as much time on the computer as all the others combined."
"Yeah," Fred said. "He can't bear to pass up an antique bargain-buying or selling. Them auctions are a second home to him."
"What do the Dawkins do on the computer?"
"Email, I guess. They keep waiting for what they call real important stuff. I suppose it's an offer on the mine."
"It would be interesting to know who wants to buy the land," Dean asked. "Can we read their mail?"