Chapter 22

 

 

Sam spotted Kelly at the living room window when she pulled up to the Victorian the following morning. By the time she parked under the portico and walked into the kitchen, her daughter was there, staring at a pile of bowls and utensils on the kitchen island.

“I was hoping you’d drop by. I can’t find the recipe for ganache icing and I’m betting you know it by heart.”

Sam laughed as she shed her coat. “I do.” She surveyed the countertop. “First off, is your cake completely cooled? If not, the ganache will soak right in.”

“Got it.” Kelly pointed to a single layer cake sitting near the sink.

“Do you have heavy cream and some bittersweet chocolate?”

“Got ’em. What else?”

“That’s it. It’s also probably why I never wrote down the recipe for you. Use equal amounts of each.”

Kelly was still looking a little helpless, so Sam found a saucepan and poured the cream into it, directing Kelly to chop up the chocolate and put it in a bowl. When the cream had barely reached a simmer, she poured the hot cream over the chocolate.

“Okay, we let it sit a minute or so until the chocolate softens up, then give it a stir. And you’re—” Her phone startled her. “—you’re done.”

She reached for the phone in her pocket.

“Samantha Sweet? This is Delia Sanchez.”

Since yesterday afternoon Sam had wondered if she would hear from the attorney.

“I spoke with Danny Flores briefly and he asked me to contact you.”

“Yes—and it’s Sam. Please. Is he all right? Have you been able to help him?”

“He’s been taken to the county detention center and is facing arraignment later today.”

“So, he wasn’t able to convince Sheriff Richards they have the wrong person?”

“I’ve advised my client not to talk. Until I have a chance to review everything, I don’t want him saying anything that will hurt more than help his case. That goes for his friends, too, Ms. Sweet. I’m not implying anything, but it would be best if you don’t volunteer information to the sheriff either. Of course, you would have to answer any direct questions, and answer them truthfully, but …”

“I understand. But I feel certain Danny is innocent, and I’m worried that the sheriff won’t go looking any further for the real killer now that he’s got Danny in custody.”

Delia Sanchez’s voice softened. “I agree with all of that. It’s part of the reason I’ve called you. Aside from Danny’s trust and friendship with you, I’ve heard that you have a reputation for helping in these types of situations. Our firm is small and we don’t have a private investigator as part of our staff. So … I’d like to ask your assistance.”

“Whatever I can do.” Sam noticed the bowl of chocolate Kelly was stirring, and gave the nod that it was ready to pour over the cake.

“Could we start with a search of his living quarters? I understand he lives on your property. As his landlord you would have the right to inspect his rooms without our having to get a warrant. I’m afraid I don’t have any specific thing to tell you to look for, but you’ve done this before. Anything that might relate to the case, connections between my client and the victim. Keep in mind, you cannot hide evidence from the law enforcement officers. But if I were to learn of it first … get copies of any written evidence …”

“Absolutely.”

Delia sighed. “I suspect Sheriff Richards has already obtained a warrant and may be along to search the premises right away. Don’t get in his way. We can’t have obstruction of justice charges clouding the works. But let me know if you find anything else.”

“I will. What about questioning friends of Danny’s who also knew Lila? He gave me names of some mutual friends back in Texas.”

“That was going to be my next question for you. Sam, can you go to San Antonio and search them out? Soon?”

“Give me a day or two to make plans?”

“Of course. Keep me posted, and naturally I’ll—” she halted. “Can I put you on hold a moment? This may be relevant.”

Sam turned to Kelly. “Did you get the gist?”

“Bits and pieces.”

Sam started to mention the trip but Delia was on the line again right away.

“That was the medical investigator in Albuquerque. They’ve released the body to Sheriff Richards, and it seems Lila Contreras’s parents will be coming to Taos. I don’t know …”

“You wonder if I might talk with them, since they aren’t very likely to be friendly toward Danny’s defense attorney.”

“That thought crossed my mind.”

“They may not be exactly cordial toward his employer either, but I’ll see what I can do,” Sam promised as they ended the call.

Kelly had finished pouring the ganache over her cake and was stacking the saucepan and bowl in the sink.

“So … sounds like you’ve got a few jobs all of a sudden,” she said, turning toward Sam.

“Sounds like.”

“Are you sure you want to become this involved, Mom? Talking to the parents doesn’t sound like much fun.”

“Danny’s family are old friends, Kel. I can’t ignore how upset Faustina and Pauline were yesterday. I feel like I have to do this.” She stared at her phone screen for a minute, then looked back up at Kelly. “Plus, it looks like there’s a trip to San Antonio in the deal. Want to come along?”

“Seriously? It’s been four years since I went anywhere without a husband and/or baby tagging along. I would love to go!”