Murder of a Creped Suzette

Kallista moved out of the shadows, took in the situation, and fluttered her lashes at Wally. “Why, Sheriff, I almost didn’t recognize you out of uniform. I mean, in regular clothes.” She giggled. “Although I bet you’d look mighty fine out of them, too.”

“It’s ‘Chief,’ ma’am.” Wally tipped an imaginary hat. “But thank you.”

“What can I do for you, Chief?” Kallista moistened her glossy pink lips.

“Well, I was hoping you’d have a few minutes to talk with me.”

“I surely do, Chief.” Kallista wiggled past Skye, entwined her arm with Wally’s, and drew him inside. “Can I get you a beer?”

“No, but don’t let me stop you.” Wally beckoned for Skye to join them.

Skye obliged, noting that the door opened directly into the living room. She chose a straight chair that was nearly hidden behind a red-lacquered three-panel screen stenciled with black dragons.

Kallista tugged Wally to a black leather sofa and playfully pushed him onto the cushions, joining him after fetching a Corona for herself. She continued to act as if Skye were invisible, petting Wally’s biceps with one hand and slugging back the beer with the other.

Skye gritted her teeth, but remained quiet. While Kallista manhandled Wally, Skye glanced around the Airstream’s interior. It was much roomier than she had expected, and all the furniture looked expensive.

Kallista gave a high-pitched laugh, and Skye focused back on the woman pawing her fiancé. The blonde was running her tongue along the neck of the beer bottle while caressing the bottom half.

While Kallista flirted, Wally went over the same questions with her that he had with Flint. What were her activities on Monday afternoon and where had she been at the time of the murder?

And like Flint’s, Kallista’s answers matched her previous ones. She had spent Monday afternoon in Joliet and was at the movies at the time of the murder.

“Did you ever find that ticket stub we talked about?” Wally asked.

“No.” Kallista shook her head. “I probably threw it away.”

“If we show your picture, would the theater employees remember you?” Wally persisted. “Maybe the ones at the candy counter.”

“Do I look like I eat candy?” Kallista ran her hands down her flat stomach. “I save my calories for this.” She held up the Corona.

“Good choice.” Wally smiled, then said, “Pardon me for asking, but when we got here it sounded as if you were having some marriage trouble. Isn’t Mr. Taylor a good husband?”

“He could be.” Kallista finished off her beer. “But he stinks at doing impressions.”

“I see.” Wally laughed politely. “What was your relationship with Suzette like?”

“She was my husband’s gofer. We didn’t have a relationship.” The blonde hiccupped. “She did what she was told and that was that.”

“I understand she kept to herself, but was there anyone she was close to?”

Kallista narrowed her unbelievably violet eyes. “You mean besides my husband?”

“She and Mr. Taylor were friendly?” Wally encouraged the woman to continue. “In what way?”

“She wanted him to make her a star and he wanted into her pants.”

“Do you believe what Kallista said about Rex wanting to sleep with Suzette?” Skye asked the minute she and Wally were back in the car. “Or that Suzette might have had sex with him to get ahead?”

“No one but Kallista has suggested anything like that regarding Suzette.” Wally put the T-bird in gear. “But I think Taylor’s the kind of guy who tries with every woman he meets.”

“Really tries or just sort of tries?” Skye fastened her seat belt. “I mean, from what little I know about Rex, he does appear to be the type, and I did see him attempt to hug Suzette at the meeting in the mayor’s office last Sunday.”

“He’s like the guys you see in a casino. They put a quarter in nearly every slot machine they walk past. If it hits, great, and if it doesn’t, they go on to the next one.”

“You might be right, because he didn’t appear upset when Suzette shrugged off his arm.”

“Exactly.” Wally made a U-turn and headed out of the park. “Each time I’ve seen Taylor, he’s coming on to one woman or another, but it seems more of a habit than a serious effort.”

“How about Kallista and Flint? Their affair certainly complicates matters.” Skye paused, thinking. “What if Suzette found out about Flint and Kallista’s plans to run away together, and they killed her to stop her from telling Rex?”

“Except for the lovers’ quarrel or rape scenario, that’s the best motive I’ve heard so far.” Wally tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. “On the other hand, why would Flint have sex with her first?”

“He’s a jerk?” Skye closed her eyes. “Or Flint was having an affair with both women.” Her lids popped open. “And Kallista discovered them in the act. In a rage, she killed Suzette—whom she considered her competition for both men in her life.”

“I suppose that’s possible, but did she act alone or did James help her?”

“My money’s on Kallista.” Skye wrinkled her nose. “Obviously she didn’t like Suzette.”