That many? Casey hoped the critters came with a how-to manual. “I can only take a few.”
“They’re not that much work. The guinea pigs are loving balls of fur that coo when they’re happy. Didn’t you have pets as a kid?”
“No, which is why they’ll be better off with someone more experienced. I’d feel terrible if one died.”
“Help me find them caring families, then.” Marie started toward the building. “Hurry up, I’ve got tons to do.”
Casey struggled with the temptation to give Marie’s ass a kick. Obviously, the woman didn’t care about the homework, mountains of chores, and rock-throwing assignment Casey was juggling. She’d ordered her to be here at ten-thirty and then had the gall to show up fifteen minutes late. Marie pressed the manager’s intercom button. Seconds later, Casey heard a man’s voice.
When a buzzer sounded, Marie opened the glass door and waited for Casey. “Come on, let’s move.”
“I’m carrying two frigging cages, Marie.” She edged past her. “What are you carrying?”
“A heavy heart, which is more than I can say for some people.”
So that was it. What was she supposed to do, fake grief? They turned right and walked to the end of the corridor. The landlord’s suite was also at the front of the building. A man answered Marie’s knock and gave her a quick hug. Casey’s eyes widened. They knew each other?
“I already miss her,” he said, voice cracking. His moist, brown eyes turned to Casey. “Hello, I’m the building manager, Paval Gallenski.”
“Casey Holland.”
Thinning hair and a web of tiny creases around his eyes placed him in his forties. His nose was too large for his face, brows too sparse.
“Excuse the mess.” Paval opened the door wider. “It’s rent day and tenants are keeping me from getting anything done.”
Stepping inside, Casey saw two toddlers sitting on a navy carpet, playing with a large collection of plastic toys. The red sofa and chair were covered with diaper bags, more toys, and picture books. A playpen filled a corner of the room. Posters of animals, flowers, and butterflies covered most of the walls. It was like living inside a toddler’s play school.
“This is cheerful.” Casey put down the cages.
“Thanks. My wife and I run a daycare for tenants.”
A laundry basket filled with stuffed animals sat next to the playpen. Considering all the dirty diapers he probably dealt with, Casey could only smell orange-scented air freshener. A cocker spaniel emerged from the dining area on the other side of the sofa. The pooch wagged its tail and scampered toward Marie.
“Belle!” She scratched the dog’s head. “How are you doing, girl?”
“The poor thing misses Jasmine.” Paval turned to Marie. “How is Jeremy?”
“I wish I knew.” She straightened up. “His dad barged into my house last night and took him. I smelled booze on his breath and tried to stop the jerk, but he threatened me.” Marie tucked thick red hair behind her ears. “I called the cops and Child Protection Services, but no one seems eager to do much because Birch has no criminal record and he didn’t touch me.”
Casey hadn’t heard any of this. “Is Jeremy in danger?”
“Good question. Jasmine said Birch was always good with him, but when he drinks he’s out of control. The jerk beat Jasmine; that’s why she left.”
“I had no idea,” Casey murmured.
“I can’t say I’m surprised,” Paval remarked. “I’ve seen him standing outside her apartment shouting obscenities.”
“The bastard was seeking joint custody.” Marie removed a tissue from her pocket. “Birch was so pissed with Jasmine for not allowing him more time with Jeremy that I really think he could have . . .” Her voice trailed away.
The toddlers, a girl and a boy, started fighting over a toy phone. When the little girl lost the battle, Paval picked her up and murmured soothing words.
“How’s Noel coping?” Paval asked Marie.
“Barely.” She stroked Belle once again. “The cops came to his house. I gather it didn’t go well.”
Lou mentioned that Marie’s brother had gone out with Jasmine. If the police were paying more attention to Noel than they were to Jasmine’s ex, Casey figured there had to be a reason. So, why was the manager asking personal questions?
“I take it you two know each other?” Casey looked from him to Marie.
“I was over here a lot,” Marie replied.
“As was Noel,” Paval added. “Getting to know the regular visitors makes it easier to figure out who should and shouldn’t be in the building.” He placed the little girl on the sofa and gave her a teddy bear as he glanced at Marie. “Do they really think he’d use his own van in a shooting?”
“They shouldn’t, given that Noel reported it stolen the night before.” Marie frowned. “Birch was stalking Jasmine, so he probably knew what Noel drives. He could have rented one to practise driving. Anyway, I heard that the cops have a description of the driver: dark jacket, royal blue ball cap, and sunglasses.”
Which fit half a million guys in the Lower Mainland, Casey thought, and why would someone have to practise driving a van?
A thirty-something woman in a lime bathrobe and matching slippers shuffled down the hallway toward them. When she reached the living room, she squinted at everyone through smudged eyeliner, then yawned without bothering to cover her mouth. Judging from the size of her abdomen, she looked about seven months pregnant.
“Good morning, sweetheart.” Paval turned to Casey. “This is my wife, Ursula.”
“Hi,” Casey said, noticing that Marie kept her gaze on the dog.
“Mmm.” The woman headed for the kitchen.
“Ursula’s a waitress,” Paval said, “and working late shifts this week. She’ll come alive after a mug of java.”
Casey was amazed the woman could sleep with all these kids around. She watched the little girl wriggle off the sofa.
Paval removed a key from one of three dozen hooks near the door. “The police are finished with Jasmine’s apartment.” He handed the key to Marie. “Thanks for taking the animals. Birch and that awful half sister wouldn’t have helped.”
“Half sister?” Casey asked.
“Gabrielle O’Reilly,” Paval answered. “She and Jasmine had the same birth mother, who lives in Parksville. Anyway, Gabrielle came to our door Sunday afternoon, looking for Jasmine. I had Jeremy with me, so I showed him to her. She barely looked at the boy. It was the coldest thing I ever saw.”
“Where does this half sister live?” Casey asked.
“Also in Parksville.”
“It’s a three- to four-hour trip from Parksville to here, and ferries aren’t cheap,” Casey said. “The lady must have a good reason for coming to see Jasmine.”
“Bull,” Marie blurted. “She said she was Hannah’s
“There’s no way Jasmine would have backed down,” Paval remarked. “After her adopted parents died, she started looking for her birth mother, and found her in July. She was so excited, I think she told everyone she met that day. It’s too bad they never got a chance to meet face to face.” Paval shook his head. “The poor woman had a stroke one week after Jasmine made contact with her.”
For a landlord, the guy sure knew a lot about Jasmine’s personal life. Had they been friends, or was he into gossip?
“I heard that Jasmine had been stressed lately,” Casey said, turning to Marie. “Was Gabrielle the reason?” “I don’t know. She called me from work Tuesday and told me about that horrible shift you two had. She said she’d tell me something else later.” Tears filled Marie’s eyes. “That was the last time we talked.”
Casey remembered that call. She was tempted to ask who Jasmine had plans with that night when Ursula reappeared, carrying an oversized coffee mug, a cigarette, and an ashtray.
