Page 16 of Bargain with Fate
“Did the man do something to her?”
“She claims he smothered her.”
“With a pillow?”
“With himself, but I found no markings on her body to suggest violence or a struggle.”
“It’s possible she hallucinated at the end. It happens.”
“Yes, it does.” He tossed a glance at the body. “Except I believe her.”
“In the absence of evidence? How uncharacteristic of you.”
“As I said, Darlene was a people pleaser. She would have no reason to make a false claim. She even apologized for sharing the information because she knew it would create a problem for us.”
“Sheapologizedfor being murdered?” I didn’t know why I was surprised. Women had been conditioned not to take up space for centuries.
Zach smoothed his raggedy white-blond mustache. “I know. Breaks the heart, doesn’t it?”
I looked at Darlene. “I suppose you want me to investigate.”
“That is your job, isn’t it?”
I sighed. “Five years, Zach. Five years and no murders until recently.” I thought of the oni. The demonic spirits were too little, too late. The doom had already slid into a parking spot and cut the engine.
“It is, of course, a remote possibility there’s nothing to it,” Zach said, “but I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night without at least making an effort.” He sounded like he almost felt sorry for me, which somehow made it worse. I didn’t want the necromancer’s pity.
“I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Perhaps don’t mention anything to Justine or anyone else until you know more,” he said. “No need to sound the alarm.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Justine would hound me relentlessly until the matter was resolved. I couldn’t handle that pressure so soon after Judd’s and Belinda’s deaths. I’d come to Evermore to escape that kind of intense pressure.
“Her condo is in Palmetto. Number 27.”
“Will the niece and nephew be there?”
“No. They went back to the mainland to consult their lawyers about the contradictory wills. I don’t think anyone’s been in the condo since she died.”
“Who found the body?”
“Dr. Adam. She missed her quarterly appointment for bloodwork.”
“Thanks. I’ll check out her condo now before the family gets their fingerprints all over it.”
“Be sure to speak to Dr. Adam next. It will make his day.” I didn’t miss Zach’s smug expression.
“You’re delusional,” I called over my shoulder as I exited the office. Zach was convinced that Dr. Adam had a romantic interest in me, but I chose to block that notion from my mind. Relationships weren’t an option for me, no matter how classically handsome and universally loved the healer was.
It wasn’t until I climbed on my bicycle that I remembered Valerie’s words from earlier today:I see darkness falling. A shadow, but it seems localized. Nothing that would impact a large population.
It was possible her vision was of Darlene’s killer. Maybe Valerie was the better seer, after all.
I usedthe Neighborhood skeleton key to enter Darlene’s condo. I could’ve put in a request for one of her spare keys, but that would’ve raised suspicion. Best to keep this quiet for now.
I slid inside and closed the door behind me. The condo was blanketed in darkness. I switched on the nearest light and surveyed the scene. The walls were painted builder’s white. There were no pieces of artwork or framed pictures. The curtainswere plain and solid blue. Darlene either lacked style or didn’t care. I understood both sentiments.
At a glance, nothing seemed out of place. No messy drawers. No sign of ransacking. Whichever possessions her niece and nephew didn’t want, the Neighborhood would pack up and sell, although I didn’t see much that Neighbors would be interested in acquiring other than furniture.
