CHAPTER 10Trying to pound something into Earl’s thick muttonhead was like slapping water with a stick. He just sat there on the other side of the table, meaning well, but nothing you said to him left much impression. Tommy sighed, went over it again.
“Look, Earl, maybe you better write this down and study it. Friday night I was with Mildred. I haven’t talked to her yet, but I know she’ll back me up. Saturday night—well, where was I then?”
A frown formed slowly on Earl’s narrow forehead. “I know what you want me to say. You want me to say you was with me.”
“That’s it! I knew you’d get it, given time. We bought a six-pack of beer and drank it on the beach. That’s where I lost my blackjack. Then we drove up to Santa Barbara just for the ride. At three A.M. you drove me back to my place and
