Page 92 of Little Bitter Truths
“I’ve given it a lot of thought,” she said.“How could he be involved in Wren’s murder when he was with me at the conference in Las Vegas?”
“It would be tricky, but not impossible.He could have left the conference Monday after lunch and returned that night or even the next morning, in time to meet up with you.On the day of the murder, you saw him at breakfast and then at lunch, but did you see him in any sessions after that or around the hotel the rest of that day?”
She gave the question some thought.“You know what?I didn’t.”
“In the text messages to your sister Tuesday morning, you said you were getting ready to have coffee with him.Did you?”
“I did.It wasn’t long.Thirty minutes, maybe.”
“What did you talk about?”
“We discussed where we lived.I showed him a few photos of Coco, and I said that my sister was watching her while I was away.”
“Did you ask him about his family?”
“I did, and now that I think about it, he didn’t share anything about them.He must have changed the subject.Huh.I didn’t even realize it until now.You’re right.He’s good at twisting the circumstances to his advantage.I’ve had trust issues with men for years, and he’s the perfect example of why.”
She grabbed her phone, typed something in, and then turned the screen toward me so I could read it.
Jeremy,I can’t speak to you while the investigation is ongoing.And the truth is, I think it would be best not to speak to you at all.Don’t contact me again.
I gave her a thumbs-up,and she sent the message.
I’d spent far too many years watching intelligent women convince themselves they could manage unhealthy relationships because emotions were involved.It was easy to lead with emotion instead of logic.But today, she had chosen reason, and I considered that a win.
35
Before we headed to the Blue Pelican to meet Bryan and Renee for lunch, I called the office to check in with Simone and Hunter about the case.
It had been a minute since I’d checked in with them, and in that time, the list of suspects had shifted, collapsed, stretched, and twisted into something that no longer resembled the neat list of names Mia had given me at the start.
I took a seat on a barstool in Mia’s kitchen, phone in hand, watching her rearrange a few things in the refrigerator.She was deep in thought, and with all the things going on in her life, I didn’t blame her.
Simone answered on the second ring.“Case Closed Detective Agency.We investigate.The police incarcerate.”
I laughed.“How long have you been using that tagline?”
“First time.I saw your name pop up on the phone screen, and I couldn’t resist having a little fun with you.”
“I’m calling to check in.Is Hunter with you?”
“Yep, hang on a second, and I’ll put you on speaker.”
A moment later, Hunter’s voice came through.
“I was hoping we’d get a detailed update on the case before now,” Hunter said.
“I know, and I’m sorry.Ever since I took this case, I’ve been chasing leads in every direction.I’ll fill you in on everything that’s happened, but first I’d like an update from each of you.”
“Simone can go first,” Hunter said.
“I talked to the neighbors like you asked,” Simone said.
“Even Adrian, the guy who lives across the street from Mia?”
“He’s one of the only people who has never been home when I’m in the neighborhood, but I’ll keep trying.”
“I talked to him this morning, so you can cross him off the list.What did the neighbors say?”
