CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
As the remaining guests left, Sarah made a point of grabbing Mandy before she could get out the door. “I was hoping we could have a minute to talk.”
“About what? I think I made my position on Botts clear.”
“Oh, no. Not that. Considering the circumstances under which we met the other day—we were all so shocked by Riley’s death—we didn’t have a chance to be properly introduced.”
For a moment, the two women sized each other up. Sarah remembered the bright green shade of Mandy’s eyes and how they sparkled in contrast to her pale skin and auburn hair. Staring at her now, Sarah realized Mandy was older than she’d thought. The lines etched into her face and forehead weren’t all from smiling.
“Obviously, you know I’m Emily’s sister and, I hope, one of Grace’s friends.”
“Yes. Grace thinks very highly of your sister and you.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
Mandy leaned her head back and laughed. “And you don’t know what to say or ask me at this moment, right?”
Sarah nodded.
“Grace and I met last year when she took and then volunteered with a self-defense class I teach once a month for low-income women. We’ve been together ever since. Does that answer your question?”
“At least one of them.”
“What else do you want to know?”
“The standard stuff like what is your full name, occupation, and have you ever studied martial arts?”
“Sarah Blair, you’re a strange woman, but I’ll bite. Mandy Davis, paralegal, and, yes, I’ve taken martial arts courses. Why?”
“Because I didn’t know your last name, and Chief Gerard thinks someone who is familiar with martial arts killed Riley. I’m trying to find everyone who might have a background that Harlan can use to cast doubt if a case is brought against Jacob.”
“Don’t trouble your head. Harlan already knows my background and that he can cast aspersions against me if Botts was murdered, but I don’t provide Jacob with any help when it comes to Riley.”
“What about the fact that Grace thinks you have her back?”
“I do, but I’m not an idiot.” Mandy pulled the door open. “Do you really think I’d cross that line even for her?”