32. Alibi

Summary

• The chapter begins in Barkley Cove, during a storm. The sheriff is speaking with Joe, who has information on Miss Clark's whereabouts the night Chase died.
• Joe mentions that two reliable sources, Tate Walker and Jumpin', confirmed that Miss Clark was out of town that night. Tate Walker knew Miss Clark well when they were younger and even taught her to read.
• Miss Clark, referred to as the Marsh Girl, visited Jumpin's marina two days after Chase's death. At that time, Jumpin told her about Chase’s death and mentioned that she had been in Greenville for two nights, including the night Chase died.
• Tate Walker confirmed she was in Greenville as he had instructed her on buying a bus ticket. The reason for her Greenville visit was a meeting with a publishing company that had paid for her expenses. She had written a book on shells and another on birds which had caught the interest of the publishing company.
• Despite the alibi suggesting Miss Clark was in Greenville, the sheriff and Joe are skeptical due to a shrimper claiming he saw her boating towards the fire tower (where Chase was killed) on the night of the incident.
• After lunch, Miss Pansy Price visits the sheriff's office to provide information to support Miss Clark's alibi. She confirms that she saw Miss Clark getting on and off the bus at dates and times that align with her being out of town on the night of Chase's death. Her claim is also supported by other employees at Kress's where she works.
• Joe and the sheriff consider the possibility that Miss Clark could have used the bus to travel back to Barkley Cove, commit the murder, and then return to Greenville in one night to make it appear like she was out of town. They decide to get the bus schedules to determine if such a timeline of events would be possible.
• Joe finds out that it would indeed be feasible to travel between Greenville and Barkley Cove twice within a single night, which furthers their suspicion. The Sheriff considers applying for a warrant.