Page 40 of Hell Hath No Fury

“What makes you think my guy will have any better luck?”

“Blind optimism?”

Cassie chuckled.

“If it’s any help,” Matthias said, “Eric paid cash.”

“I can text you a photo of him,” Emma added, “and Nell, too.”

“Sure. I’ll try, but like I said, he still hasn’t called me back from the first time. Then there’s another consideration, Matthias.”

“What’s that?”

“How far are you from Cleveland?”

Matthias looked to Emma.

She shrugged. “Maybe three hours.”

“That’s what I thought,” Cassie said. “Confirming where he stayed doesn’t necessarily give him an airtight alibi. He could’ve driven down there, killed this developer dude, and driven back.”

“He didn’t,” Emma said.

“I’m not saying he did. I’m simply telling you what Fergusson is gonna claim.”

“She’s right,” Matthias said. “We need someone who can confirm he checked into his room and didn’t leave again until morning.”

Someone other than Nell. They needed an alibi the police and the courts would trust.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Cassie said. “I’ll let you know if I find out anything useful.”

Matthias thanked her, told her to give Shawn their best, and ended the call. “I need to get going,” he told Emma. “Will you be okay here alone?”

“I’m not alone. Nell’s here.”

He gave her a look. “That’s what worries me.”

“We’ll be fine.”

“You won’t have a car.”

“I’m not cleared to drive yet, anyway.”

He drained what was left of his coffee. “I don’t imagine you’d be able to get an Uber.”

She choked. “Not likely. And being stranded here with my sister might be exactly what we need. I hope she’ll talk to me.”

“About?”

Emma exhaled. “Anything. Everything.”

Matthias stood, and she followed him to the front door. He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Call me if you need me.”

She watched him stroll down the sidewalk to his Jeep. After he drove away, she closed the door, flipped the deadbolt, and turned to look up at the guest room. Drawing a breath of determination, she climbed the stairs and knocked.

“Go away,” came Nell’s voice from inside.

Emma rested her forehead on the door. How many times had they done this as kids? Nell throwing a temper tantrum. Locking herself in.