Page 45 of Wild Sentinel

"I suppose it would be a little too much to ask to see the official case file or get a list of suspects," I said.

“You’re wasting your time. Lucas Reed killed Vivian Steele. It’s not up for debate.”

“I’d love to see the ballistics report.”

“And I’d love to win the lottery, but that’s not going to happen.”

“How about we grab a drink and talk about the case?”

“It’s the middle of the afternoon.”

“So, you want to have a drink later?”

“I don’t want to have a drink at all,” Sharon said, growing annoyed.

“How about a smoothie? There has to be a juice bar around here somewhere.”

“I have work to do. Enjoy your vacation. Try to stay out of trouble.” She walked off.

I chased after her. “Here, take my card.”

She looked at me with disgust.

“In case you change your mind.”

“About the drink or the case?”

“Either,” I said with a charming smile.

She finally took the card. “I’m not changing my mind.”

“You should give me your direct line, in case anything comes up.”

She gave me a skeptical look, then spewed her digits.

Sharon sauntered down the sidewalk, and I returned to JD. I entered her number in my phone as she disappeared around the corner. Then we walked back toward the Ferrari.

JD muttered, “That’s a little odd, don’t you think? She shows up here out of the blue. Somebody’s got the West Beverly PD on the payroll.”

Sharon’s visit only increased my belief in a cover-up.

The Ferrari was still there when we arrived. We hopped in, and Jack cranked up the engine.

Isabella buzzed my phone. "I’ve got something interesting for you. There was a burglary the night of Vivan’s murder a few blocks from her home. No one was apprehended. Might want to talk to the homeowner." She gave me the name and address.

“You think you can get the ballistics report?”

“You want me to hack the West Beverly Police Department?”

“I wouldn’t suggest anything like that,” I said innocently.

“I’ll see what I can do.”

I thanked her, and we headed toward West Beverly.

It wasn't long before we were rolling through the mansions. Idyllic streets with tall palm trees and sycamores swaying with the breeze. The sidewalks were smooth, and the lawns perfectly manicured. Trimmed hedges and decorative landscaping. The elegant French- and Tuscan-inspired homes were built in the late 1920s.

We rolled past Vivian's house, and Jack slowed. It was a two-story mansion with cream stucco and decorative molding. It had a low-pitched roof and gray-beige shingles. Large windows with dark frames and wrought-iron Juliet balconies lined the second floor. A grand arch crowned the main doorway, flanked by carriage lights. A wrought-iron gate with stucco pilasters kept the undesirables out. Tall hedgerows provided privacy from the neighbors. Despite Vivian's absence, someone had still maintained the lawn.