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“Or it could be someone completely unconnected to the case,” said Odelia. “Suppose someone was walking their dog that night, and saw Dylon take a tumble from that window. And suppose the necklace slipped from his pocket when he fell, and was just lying there, on the street. So what if this person decided, in a spur of the moment sort of thing, to pocket the necklace?”

“Yeah, but why kill Dylon?”

“Maybe Dylon wasn’t unconscious? And when this person picked up the necklace he tried to stop them, and so the thief killed Dylon in the struggle?”

“And then returned the following night to kill Jay?”

“He could be the same person who was trying to blackmail Jay, and maybe Jay met up with the guy, behind Laia’s back, and they had an argument?”

“A lot of maybes, babe,” said Chase. “I still think it’s a lot more plausible that Laia is the killer. Somehow she found out that Jay was cheating on her with his ex-girlfriend and so she decided to put a stop to that once and for all.”

“She doesn’t strike me as a killer,” said Odelia thoughtfully. “Though I can see how that would make sense, of course.”

“Though if it was Laia, she couldn’t have possibly killed Dylon,” said Chase, walking back on his own theory. “I checked with the cinema and she and Jay were definitely at the movies two nights ago.”

“Okay, so let’s look at this methodically,” Odelia suggested. “And take motive into account. Bud Zuk was upset with Laia for dumping him, so he could have decided to get even by stealing her necklace.”

“Sounds like an iffy motive for a double murder, babe.”

“Unless we’re looking at two different murderers.”

Chase groaned and rubbed his face.“Okay, keep going.”

“The problem is that Bud sprained his wrist, though he could be faking it, of course.”

“Or he could have killed Dylon with his left hand instead of his right.”

“True. And then there’s Laia’s parents, who hated her new boyfriend with a vengeance, and wouldn’t have minded seeing him dead.”

“Yeah, but would they steal back their own necklace? And why kill Dylon? They probably don’t even know the kid.”

“Okay, but we still have to go talk to them.”

“Yeah, we have to talk to all of them,” said Chase, as he started up his engine.

[Êàðòèíêà: img_4]

The Twine residence was an impressive manor, and we were invited to join the lady and master of the house in the living room, where we were also greeted by Laia Twine, who still looked a little pale and wan, but otherwise in fine fettle.

“I’m glad to see you’re all right, Laia,” said Odelia warmly.

“Yeah, I got discharged this morning,” said Laia. “The doctors said I suffered a great shock, but apart from that there’s nothing physically wrong with me.”

“All she needs is a lot of rest and a lot of TLC,” said Matilda Twine, who took a seat next to her daughter on the couch, and patted her hand warmly. “And we’ve got that covered, don’t we, sweetie?”

Algis Twine looked the most alive of the bunch. His face was flushed, and he had an apron tied in front of his rotund belly. Traces of flour were covering his shirt, and even his upper lip, and he announced cheerfully,“I’m making pancakes, in honor of our little girl who’s decided to move back home! Want some?”

Chase and Odelia both made confirmative noises, and the man disappeared again, to whip up some more pancakes.

“So you’ve decided to move back home?” asked Odelia.

“After what happened, I couldn’t stay in that place one minute longer,” said Laia, and shivered convulsively at the thought. “Anyway, it was Jay’s place, not mine.”

“So could you tell us what happened exactly, in your own words?” asked Chase.

“Is this really necessary?” asked Matilda.

“It’s fine, Mommy,” said Laia. “I want to help them catch whoever did this to Jay.” She frowned as she threw her mind back. “Like I told you last night, I walked into the room and found him lying there, in a pool of blood, and I knew immediately that he was dead. I must have fainted, for when I woke up—”

“At the hospital,” Chase supplied.

“Well, yes, but since I saw you last night, I’ve been thinking, and now I remember that I must have woken up briefly while I was lying there.”

“Honey, you didn’t tell us about that,” said her mom.

“No, because I thought it was just a dream, but now I’m thinking it must have been real.” She shook her head, as if trying to clear away the cobwebs. “I was lying there, and I distinctly remember someone leaning over me, and putting a finger to my neck, and now I’m thinking that whoever it was was trying to check my pulse.”

“Did you see this person’s face?” asked Odelia.

“No. I think they were wearing a mask. I’m not sure. I was half unconscious, which is why I first thought it must have been a dream, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that it must have been real.”

“If this person was leaning over you soon after you discovered Jay’s body,” said Chase gravely, “then that person could have been the murderer, Laia. Especially if they were wearing a mask.”