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Chapter 26: Elodie

"Bleach?" Sheriff Beasley's caterpillar eyebrows lifted, creating a whole different set of wrinkles in his weathered face.

"Yes, sir," said Jim. "See, it accelerates the rust process in the gas tank, and in an older car like hers, it added to years of normal wear, so that the rust particles gunk up the engine and make it stop. The engine's probably toast, and the gas tank will definitely have to be replaced."

"How long would this process take?"

"Usually a few days, but in a car that old, hours."

Sheriff Beasley nodded at that. "So the bleach could've been added sometime between yesterday morning and, say, lunchtime?"

"Probably," agreed Jim.

The sheriff turned his attention to me. "Is there anybody you can think of who might want to prank you?"