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“Do you think that second male bird, the one whose feathers weren’t as colorful, will also find a female? Or do you think he will die alone, never having enjoyed true love?”

“I thought you were talking about Rose,” I said.

“Oh, no. I was talking about those birds.”

“Yeah, Dooley,” I said. “I’m sure that second male bird will have found a mate for life, too. And if he didn’t it’s not as big a deal as Rose Wimmer having to go to prison for life.”

He thought about that for a moment, then conceded,“Yeah, that’s not a good prospect for Rose, is it?”

“No, it isn’t.”

“So you think she’s guilty, do you?”

“Chase seems to think so, and he has the proof to back it up.”

“Yes, I guess you’re right,” he said. “It’s a pity. She seems like such a nice girl.” He shrugged. “Oh, well. At least that nice housekeeper Gran mentioned won’t have to clean up after Rose and her dad anymore.”

I stared at him.“Say that again?”

“What?”

“What you just said.”

“That the housekeeper won’t have to clean up after Rose and her dad?”

I nodded thoughtfully.“You know, Dooley. I’m not sure if you’re a genius or an idiot savant, but you just gave me an entirely new perspective on this case.”

“I’m not an idiot, Max,” my friend said softly.

“I didn’t say you were an idiot. I said you were possibly an idiot savant.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, it is,” I said with a grin. “Now let me think, Dooley. I have the impression I’ve been very complacent about this whole case. Very complacent indeed.”

“I have no idea what you just said but I’ll be quiet from now on.” And he promptly dozed off.

The sun was already rising over the horizon when I finally managed to put the entire puzzle together—or at least I thought I had.

Odelia woke up with a groan and patted the empty spot next to her.“Chase didn’t come home?” she asked.

“Nope,” I said.

Just then, the front door opened and moments later heavy steps on the stairs announced the lanky cop’s arrival. When he appeared at the door he looked exhausted.

“I’m bushed,” he announced and dropped into bed without removing his clothes, and pressed a quick kiss on Odelia’s cheek.

“So what’s the verdict?” she asked.

“Guilty,” he said. “Though she’s not admitting a thing. Says we’ve got it all wrong and someone is framing her.”

“Framing her!”

“Yeah. Your uncle accused her of watching too many crime shows but she stuck to her guns. Says someone is trying to make it look as if she’s a killer and she swears up and down she’s not. She also said you’re looking into the case and she’s sure you’ll be able to prove that she’s innocent.” He yawned.

“I’m not sure her confidence is entirely justified,” said Odelia ruefully.

“Yeah, well, she fooled us all.”

“Though me most of all,” said Odelia.

“Do you mind if I take a quick nap?” said Chase, and before Odelia could respond, his head was lolling to the side and he was fast asleep.

She carefully slipped from beneath the covers, placed a blanket on top of the cop, and tiptoed from the room.

“Odelia?” I said. “If you have time could I bounce some ideas off you?”

“Sure thing, Max,” she said. “I’ll take a quick shower and then you can bounce all you want.” But then she caught sight of the clock on the nightstand and said, “Shoot. I had no idea it was this late. We’ll have to do this later, Max. I should have been in the office twenty minutes ago.”

Dooley, who’d only now woken up, yawned and said, “What did I miss?”

“Not much,” I said. “I had a brainwave last night, but apart from that…”

His eyes had widened considerably.“A brainwave! Max, we have to go to the doctor immediately! Are you in any pain?”

“I’m fine, Dooley!” I said with a laugh.

“But your brain! It’s waving!”

“I just had an idea, okay? One of those bright ideas that suddenly come over you.”

He stared at me, clearly having no idea what I was talking about.

“I’m absolutely fine, Dooley. Just that I may have just solved this murder.”

“But… wasn’t it solved already?”

“I don’t think so. I think Chase and Uncle Alec arrested the wrong person.”

“You have to tell them. You have to tell them all about that wave in your brain.”

“It won’t do Rose much good,” I said. “You see, I don’t have any proof. And without proof they won’t be convinced.”

“Well, then let’s get us some proof,” he said simply.

“All right. Let’s get us some proof,” I said with a smile.

Chapter 28

Odelia was in and out of the shower in a flash. Foregoing her usual morning coffee, instead she grabbed a bagel, sliced it and smeared it with cream cheese, stuffed it into her mouth and was off at a trot. Dan didn’t mind her arriving late but she’d hoped to arrive before Kimberly so she could discuss her new colleague’s stunt with the editor.

When she arrived at the office, though, Kimberly was already seated at her desk. The junior reporter greeted her with a chipper smile and a hearty,“Good morning, Odelia. Sleep well?”

Instead of returning the smile and greeting, Odelia walked straight on through to Dan’s office and closed the door. “We need to talk,” she said.