PEGGY TOOK A DEEP BREATH and said a silent word of gratitude for the right ideas. It probably helped that Naomi wasn’t the mastermind behind the plot. She got caught up in the whole thing as part of her feelings for Abekeni. But it was no time to be soft on the girl. There was still too much to find out. “But you suspected, didn’t you?”
“When Reverend Appleby died, I was worried. I didn’t think Abekeni had anything to do with it until I heard about the hyacinth.”
“Then you were afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Did you give him any other information?”
“Not about Reverend Appleby.” Naomi glanced up at her. “But I told him about the cottonseeds you found I heard you talking about it. He wasn’t surprised.”
“And one of you called the police about Holles?”
“Yes.”
“And what happens tomorrow?”
Naomi looked scared, her pretty face drawn. “You told me you knew! You tricked me!”
“A jury won’t believe you
“I can’t betray Abekeni,” Naomi sobbed. “He only wants what should have belonged to him from the beginning. It’s fair.”
Peggy went to the phone and dialed Al’s number. “Fair has nothing to do with it. Luther never did anything to hurt Abekeni. He didn’t even know about him. And I don’t think it would be fair for another man to go to jail for what Abekeni did, do you?”
“No.”
“Then tell me what’s next on the list?”
“He worked with his father on Feed America. He knows the program. He thought they’d let him take over when his father was found incompetent. He didn’t know Holles wanted it.”
“So he decided to frame Holles for Luther’s murder?”
“Yes.”
“And when Darmus is released because the police think Holles is responsible?”
“Then he’ll take over for his father. He and his mother have already talked to several members of the Council of Churches. They know him.”
“And Darmus?”
“He doesn’t plan to hurt him, if that’s what you mean. Abekeni only wants the money so we can go away together.”
“You’re too bright a young woman to believe that,” Peggy charged. “Abekeni killed Luther. He doesn’t care who gets hurt to get what he wants.”
Al finally picked up on the other end of the line. “Do you know what time it is?”
“It’s me, Al. I have something important to tell you.”
“Peggy? What’s so important it couldn’t wait until tomorrow?”
She told him about Abekeni and Naomi.
“Are you sure this time? I think I heard Rimer say something about charging you for the wrong hunches.”
“I’m sure. And Naomi is willing to tell you what she told me in exchange for consideration from the DA.”
Naomi nodded slowly.
“So you don’t need to keep Holles Harwood any longer.”
“We don’t have him. Your friend Sam told us they were together when Luther’s death took place. Then we found out the cottonseed DNA didn’t match.”
“What?”
“That’s right. Dr. Ramsey got a call. He said the DNA didn’t match.”
Peggy considered his words. Abekeni knew something about biology, but he didn’t know enough to use cottonseeds from the same plant. “So Darmus won’t be released?”
