Murder of a Creped Suzette

The windows along Scumble River’s main drag were dark when Skye and Wally drove back to town. Wally hadn’t been able to catch the intruder, who had presumably stolen the contents of the Neal folder, so he’d had to call in a county crime technician to dust the empty box and the other files for fingerprints. By the time the tech arrived, did her job, and departed, it was close to eight thirty, which meant Skye and Wally didn’t get home until after nine.

Skye’s stomach growled as Wally turned the T-bird into the church parking lot. Both she and Toby were starving, and she’d bet Bingo would be yowling for food as well.

“You sure you don’t want to get a bite at McDonald’s ?” Wally asked, opening her door.

“No.” Skye slid behind the wheel of her Bel Air and deposited Toby in the backseat. “I have a hungry cat waiting for me.”

“Okay.” Wally kissed her cheek. “Then I’ll stay here and work on the case awhile.” He jutted his chin toward the police station behind him. “Although I’m not sure where to start.”

“Yeah.” Skye sighed in sympathy. “I imagine it’s hard to figure out who had a motive to kill Suzette when you have so little information about the real person behind the public persona.”

“Exactly.” Wally shoved a hand through his hair. “We’re not aware of any Scumble Riverites with whom she had more than casual contact, although we’re still looking. And so far, all of the owners of black pickups we’ve located have alibis. We’ve interviewed the Country Roads employees and the laborers who were on the theater construction site, but everyone says she kept to herself.”

“Even Kallista Taylor and Flint James?” Skye asked, then said, “Dang it! I never did tell you the negative things they said about her Saturday night, did I?” Skye described the scene in the trailer, ending with, “So both Flint and Kallista were jealous of Suzette. For Flint it was professional; for Kallista it was personal.”

“No one mentioned a word about that yesterday or today in any of the interviews we conducted with the Country Roads people.”

“Of course not.” Skye crossed her arms. “Who would volunteer that kind of information about the star or the boss’s wife?”

“Nobody who wanted to keep his or her job.” Wally’s eyes were cold. “But tomorrow will begin round two of the interrogations, and this time I have something specific to ask them. Especially since neither of them has an alibi.”

“I am so sorry I forgot to tell you about that conversation. I didn’t realize they were two of the three Country Roads people who couldn’t account for their time.” Skye felt she had let Wally down. “What kind of psych consultant am I if I don’t remember the important details ?”

“You overheard Flint and Kallista before the murder, when what they said wasn’t that important. Then you had a nasty shock when you found Suzette in that horrific condition.” Wally leaned into the Chevy and embraced Skye. “No one could expect you to be at the top of your game after seeing that.” He rested his cheek against hers. “Besides, it’s only been two days.”

“Thanks for understanding and not being mad.” She hugged him back. “But I promise I’m over it now. Simon is going to dog sit for me, and I’ll concentrate on helping you find the killer.”

Skye held her breath, wondering how Wally would take the news of Simon’s involvement.

“Why would you ask your ex-boyfriend for help?” Wally’s voice was soft, but it had an edge that made Skye flinch.

“Actually, Simon volunteered.” Skye hastily explained the conversation they’d had at the ATM. “I have a feeling he might end up adopting Toby if they get along and no one else claims him.”

“Yeah.” Wally nodded thoughtfully. “I can see that.” After a few seconds his face relaxed. “Reid will need the companionship.” Wally kissed her, then straightened. “Because he’s not getting you back.”

“That was my thinking. Do you want me to help with the reinterviews tomorrow after I get out of school?”

“Definitely.” Wally’s smile was predatory. “I’m going to save the two major players for you. And instead of bringing Kallista and Flint into the PD, we’ll approach them in their home territory, where they’re apt to be less careful of what they say.”

“I can’t wait.” Skye started to close the Chevy’s door, but stopped. “Hey—how about Darleen? Were you able to trace that number I gave you?”

“Just like I figured, it came back to a disposable cell.” Wally crossed his arms. “And no one answered when I dialed it, not even voice mail.”

“Guess whoever called isn’t in much of a hurry for the money.” Skye studied Wally’s tired expression before asking, “Have you decided if you’re going to pay her or not?”

“I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Wally leaned a hip against the car. “But if you want me to, I will, because getting to marry you is worth more than a measly quarter million dollars.”

“That’s such a sweet thing to say.” Skye beamed at him. “But I’d never encourage you to give in to blackmail.”