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“Please speak up, Ms Michaelian”

“Oh Yes Sorry”

“Were you working at the ice-cream shop on Christmas Eve of last year?”

“I was I wanted toservice I was running late, as usual”

The people in the gallery smiled and nodded Myrtle’s tardiness ell known in town

“Was Oyster Shores busy that night?”

“Heavens, no Everyone was at church by seven-thirty As I said, I was late”

“Did you see anyone that night?”

Myrtle gave Vivi Ann a sad look “It was about eight-ten I was al touches on the frosting when I looked up and sawsaw Dallas Raintree co out of the alley that leads to Cat’s house”

“Did he see you?”

“No” Myrtle looked miserable

“And how did you knoas the defendant?”

“I saw his profile when he passed under the streetlanized his tattoo But I already kneas hiht Lots of times I’d even told Vivi Ann about it It was him I’m sorry, Vivi Ann”

“No further questions,” Ms Hamm said

Roy rose and asked about Myrtle’s eyesight, which wasn’t good, whether she’d had her glasses on (she hadn’t), and whether Dallas had looked directly at her He made valid points: the man hadn’t looked at her; it had been dark; his face had been partially hidden by a cowboy hat Lots of o froht And white cowboy hats and Levi’s were hardly noteworthy in these parts