When they heard footsteps on the porch, they thought it must be Christopher Morley. Zoe hurried to the door with Jenny close behind. Chief Warner stood there, nervous head tipped forward, stiff hat in his hands, his long face more ashamed then official.
“’Day.” He looked around Zoe to where Jenny stood. “Jenny.” He nodded. Back to Zoe. “I’ve come to take you into the station with me, Ms. Zola. We’ve got more questions.”
“I don’t have any more answers.” Zoe stood flat on the ground, her fisted hands at her hips. She leaned way back to look up into the man’s eyes.
Ed cleared his throat. “What I’ve got here—” He pulled a paper from a folder and waved it at her. “—is a search warrant for your house and property. Judge in Traverse City signed it last night. Gives me the right to have a crew search your house, Ms. Zola. Same time, I’d like you to come into the station with me. We’ll just be talking. Unless there’s something in there—” He nodded to the interior of her house. “—that’ll incriminate you and you want to tell me now.”
Zoe’s face froze in horror.
“Ed!” Jenny couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“Wish I were. I’d like to get going, Ms. Zola.”
“I’m busy right—”
He lifted his hand to stop her. “Not my problem.”
“My editor will be here . . . soon. He’s from New York. Remember, you told me not to leave town? He’s coming.” Her voice took on a waiflike plaint.
Again Ed shook his head. “Just get whatever you’re going to need or we’ll provide it for you.”
“Need for what? I don’t understand.”
“You might be lodged in our jail a day or so. I can hold you for forty-eight hours. After that, we’ll see.” He turned and looked far off.
“This is crazy,” Jenny said. “You must be kidding, right?”
“Not kidding about anything. Ms. Zola could very well have somebody working with her. In Adam’s case, there was a tripwire. Perfect thing to bring him down and then hit him in the head with that hoe. Don’t have to be tall for that. And as for Aaron—anybody can hold a gun and shoot a man in the chest. Maybe took the dog out there to ask him to watch her a while. Any excuse to get inside his house. When she left in a hurry, the dog got trapped. These are serious charges. She could be with us a while.”
“What’s ‘a while’?” Jenny demanded.
He shrugged. “Not my place to give out information. What I’d say is, get her an attorney.”
“You’re damned right she’ll have an attorney.” Jenny looked down at Zoe’s stricken face. “Don’t worry. I’ll call somebody right away. We’ll get you out . . .”
“Go get Lisa. She always knows what to do,” Zoe begged, giving Jenny the slightest of jealous twinges.
“And Fida!” The little dog ran from behind a chair at the sound of her name. “Oh no. Can you watch Fida?”
“Course. I’ll keep her until . . .”
“Her food’s under the sink. Oh, and don’t forget her pills.” She pointed to the drawer of a nearby cabinet, smiling at Jenny. “They’re in that drawer. Remember?” She lifted her eyebrows.
“Can Jenny take those things?” She turned to the chief.
He frowned but nodded. Zoe handed the dog over and gave Jenny a hard, telling look she didn’t understand at first. “And be on the lookout for my editor. He should be here around noon. Explain . . .” She checked herself. “Tell him whatever you want to.”
Zoe turned to look up at Ed Warner. “You didn’t read me my rights,” she warned him.
“Don’t need to, Ms. Zola.” He put his head down, as if this was a thing he was far from proud for doing. “I’m not arresting you.”
Zoe waved a hand at him. “Fine,” she said. “Have it your way. Still, no matter what, I’m choosing silence.”