| |
LATER, DANA SAT BESIDE Troy in the security room with the security team. She didn’t want to say anything and for the first time that evening, she felt intimidated.
Troy’s eyes were fixated on the monitor as he watched each screen and what each guest was doing at the time.
They watched a shot of the photographer Frank walking around, looking at everyone then taking snapshots.
There was a scene with Dana walking in with Troy. Her cheeks felt hot when she saw how good they looked together on camera. They looked more like an A-list celebrity couple than a hot detective and local baker. Still, Troy looked deliciously handsome in his tailor-fitted tux which accentuated his broad shoulders and his tall physique.
Dana then noticed a woman with long blond hair in a black curve hugging dress and carrying a black designer bag over her shoulder. The flap of the bag was noticeably opened. She approached one of the waiters. The woman started to make conversation with the waiter.
Then she walked away. Their backs were turned to the security camera so it was hard to say what happened next.
“Do you think that’s the woman who told the waiter to give the cupcake to Shags?”
“The waiter said she was wearing a blue dress, didn’t he?”
Dana felt deflated. “That’s true.”
Then she remembered the fact that eye-witness testimony was not always reliable. People tended to remember things differently. Maybe it was the woman.
There was a surveillance clip of Bea meeting with Shags by the dessert table. The ladies got into a heated argument and Bea’s earring fell off without her noticing it, apparently. Then Bea gave Shags an envelope and looked around to see if anyone was watching. She then walked away.
“Make note of that,” Troy said to the security. “I’m going to need that clip.”
“Sure thing,” the security officer said.
Then there was another scene with the mayor at the scene, looking around suspiciously in the crowd. He then spotted Troy and Dana and continued to look around. He then asked to speak with Troy and they both left.
Dana swallowed hard. She remembered that all too well. The mayor stole her date for most of the evening.
The security officer then showed another clip.
“Zoom in over there,” Troy said to the security personnel.
“Sure thing,” the security personnel said before enhancing a shot.
“Isn’t that your cousin, Katie?” Troy asked.
“Yes, it is.” In the footage, Katie approached one of the waiters, the same waiter from the other clip, and seemed visibly upset about something. What on earth were they talking about?
Then there was another surveillance clip showing Katie walking over to the dessert table and glancing over the cupcakes tray. Shags then approached her from behind. Katie spun around. She seemed to have a few choice words for Shags. Both women got into a heated argument. Then...the lights went out. Blackout.
“I think we’ve found our killer.” Troy’s voice was stern.
“Found your killer? Who?”
“Your cousin, Katie.”
Dana froze.