Chapter 50
“Okay, so you all are aware Zooey was Susan, who used to work for Marcy, right?” Cora said.
“Of course we know that,” Detective Andrews said.
“Maybe Marcy was not a good employer,” Jane said. “Maybe this was all about a disgruntled employee.”
“Well, hold on. Just because she messed with Cashel doesn’t mean she killed Marcy,” Ruby said.
“Thank you very much,” the detective chimed in. “Now, I think it would be fine for you to all leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you find my client,” Cashel said.
The room silenced again.
“Suit yourself,” Detective Andrews responded.
“So back to Zooey, or Susan, or whoever she was,” Jane said. “How long ago was she employed by Marcy? It must have been quite a while ago. Because I’ve known her work as Zooey for a long time.”
“It’s been at least eight years,” Cora said.
“She was holding a grudge that long and decided to off her ex-boss on her wedding night?” Ruby said, incredulous.
“Stranger things have happened, Mother,” Cashel said. “But I agree we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I’m not interested in solving the murder. I’m interested in finding Adrian and having those charges dropped.”
“But maybe finding the killer will lead us to Adrian,” Cora said.
“I doubt it,” Ruby said. “You’ve been watching too many CSI’s or something. Jesus.”
“What’s CSI?” Cora asked.
“A TV show,” Ruby said.
“I don’t watch TV,” Cora said. “Sorry.”
Ruby rolled her eyes. “Okay, whatever. I’m just saying things in real life often don’t work like they do in books and movies.”
“Here’s something,” one of the officers said. He was sitting at a laptop in the corner of the room. The group gathered around. “I searched for Susan and this came up. She was engaged to our boy, Josh Dupres.”
“Back when she worked for Marcy,” Cora said.
“Now, taking someone’s man? That’s cause for murder,” Ruby said.
Everybody turned their attention toward her.
“I mean, nothing is cause for murder, but for a disturbed person, it’s plenty,” Ruby said.
“Okay, so we have a working theory. Let’s say Zooey did kill Marcy,” Jane said. “Then who killed Zooey?”
“I’d say, if your zany theory is correct, the next person to investigate is Josh, and he is left-handed,” Cora said. “Whoever made that macramé bag was left-handed.” A chill crept into Cora’s bones as she remembered the vacant stare.
“If he’s the killer, he must know where Adrian is,” Cora said.
“We have no real proof of anything. We need to be careful here and get our ducks in a row,” said the detective.
“We have proof of Zooey messing with Cashel’s computer, but that’s it,” one officer said.
“And we’re aware of the past between them all,” Jane said.
“I think we can get a search warrant for the Drunken Mermaid,” Detective Andrews said.
“I agree,” Cashel said. “That’s the place to start.”
“What about bringing Josh in for questioning?” Cora said.
“In due time,” the officer said. “We need to have a reason to bring him in. Your love triangle theory is a theory. It’s a viable one. Don’t misunderstand me. But still. We need to proceed with caution.”
“Why? A man’s life might be hanging in the balance,” Cora said.
“We have to consider everybody’s rights here. We can’t accuse people of crimes until we have more proof.”
“That’s true,” Cashel said. “Cora, you need to calm down.”
“It’s just that when we were at Rue’s earlier, the man seemed disturbed and I kind of know what I’m talking about. I’ve seen that vacant stare before. It frightened me,” she said.
“I say we need to make one more visit to Rue’s place. He might still be there. We can go and ask for her help once again and check out the situation. But I don’t want to alert him. Not yet,” Detective Andrews said.
Cora’s stomach settled. At least someone intended to do something. She felt a sudden urge to leave the room.
“I need to take a walk,” she said.
“Don’t go too far,” Cashel replied.
“No,” she said. “I’m just going out on the resort beach. I need some air.”
“I’ll come with you,” Jane said.
The room had gotten heated, even though the air-conditioning was running. It was a small room. Maybe there were too many people. Cora needed to leave.
She and Jane walked down the corridor and into the lobby.
Cora stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Tom, Zooey’s assistant. It was the second time today she’d seen him. He seemed awfully cool and collected for a man who’d lost his boss to a gruesome murder.
“What’s wrong?” Jane said.
“Tom, Zooey’s assistant, over there. I don’t like him,” Cora said.
“That’s not like you,” Jane said.
“Look at him. Look how slick and cool he is. He’s so fake. Something is not right about him,” Cora said.
“It’s likely he’s not an emotional guy,” Jane said, pulling Cora along to the door. “You’re overwrought. Let’s take in some fresh air and a glass of wine.”
“Okay,” Cora said. “Air is exactly what I need.” But she couldn’t shake her feeling about the slick man she’d left behind in the lobby.