The Ghost and the Mystery Writer by Anna J. McIntyre Page A

suggested. “The more likely scenario, she witnessed the murder and, for whatever reason, decided not to come forward.”
    Turning on the water faucet, Danielle began rinsing the dirty dishes. “If she did witness the murder, I find her attitude extremely bizarre…and creepy.”
    â€œSo what are you going to do?”
    â€œCall the chief. See if I can go back down there and talk to him before he goes home for the night.”
    When Danielle got off the phone fifteen minutes later, she told Walt her talk with the chief would have to wait; he had left the office for the night and was not answering his cellphone.

    M acDonald spied Steve Klein’s car parked down the street from the bank, at the diner. Instead of going home, MacDonald pulled behind the bank manager’s vehicle and parked. Inside the restaurant, he found Steve sitting alone at a booth. When the waitress greeted him and asked if he would like a table, he waved her away and headed toward the bank manager.
    â€œYou’re a hard man to get ahold of,” MacDonald said when he reached Steve’s booth.
    Steve, who was just about to take a bite of his burger, set it down on his plate and smiled up at MacDonald. “Sorry I didn’t get back to you, but it’s been a crazy day.”
    Without asking, MacDonald took a seat at the booth. “I’ve had a crazy day today too.”
    Sheepishly, Steve picked his burger up and, before taking a bite, said, “Yeah, Jolene. I can’t believe that.”
    â€œI understand you saw her last night.”
    â€œYes. At Pier Café. I would have gotten back to you after you called, but it really has been a crazy day at the bank, and I figured you wanted to talk to me because I was at the pier last night, but I really didn’t see anything that might be of help.” He took another bite of the burger.
    â€œWhy don’t you let me be the judge of that.”
    Steve picked up his beer and took a drink. “Okay. What do you want to know?”
    MacDonald started to say something and then paused a moment and then asked, “Why are you eating alone?”
    Steve smiled. “The wife is in California, visiting her sister. I’m batching it.”
    â€œAhh. Pier Café last night, diner tonight?”
    â€œPretty much. The wife is always nagging me about eating red meat. When she’s home, all we eat is fish and chicken.” Steve took another bite of the burger.
    â€œCarla told me Jolene talked to everyone who was in the diner last night.”
    â€œYeah.” Steve set his burger on his plate and picked up his napkin. He wiped off his mouth and looked over at MacDonald. “She stopped by my table. Didn’t stay long.”
    â€œCarla said she wasn’t with anyone last night.”
    Steve shook his head. “No. She came in alone. Didn’t stay long. But she seemed to know everyone in the diner. I noticed her going around the tables, saying hello to everyone.”
    â€œDid you notice if she argued with anyone last night?”
    â€œArgued?” Steve frowned.
    â€œWhen she went around talking to everyone, was it all friendly? Or did you notice anyone who might have been unhappy with Jolene?”
    â€œYou don’t think someone who was in the Pier Café last night murdered her, do you?”
    â€œI’m just trying to cover my bases.”
    â€œFrom what I understand, Jolene was mugged last night. I heard her rings were taken. I can’t believe someone from Frederickport, someone Jolene knew, killed her. Not for her jewelry.”
    â€œJolene wasn’t an easy person to get along with.”
    Steve let out a snort and said, “Tell me about it.” He picked up his burger and took another bite.
    â€œWhat can I get you, Chief?” a waitress asked. She held a pitcher of water. MacDonald hadn’t noticed her approach the table.
    â€œSome water would be good. I won’t be eating, just keeping