“Are you talking about Wesley Axelson?” Marie asked.
“I can’t say, but since you’ve mentioned his name, I have seen the gun rack in his truck. Presumably, he has access to firearms.”
Casey noticed Lou’s disapproving frown. He and Wesley weren’t buddies, but they’d worked together a long time and Wesley’s integrity had never been questioned.
“Jasmine was shot with a handgun,” Lou said. “You don’t need a gun rack for that.”
“Wes and Jasmine were good friends,” Marie said. “There were no problems between them.” She looked at Casey. “After last night’s scare, I have to stop searching for proof that Birch did it, which is why I need your help.”
“What scare?” Eisler asked.
As Marie filled him in, Casey wondered if blabbing everything was a smart move. Marie might be targeting Elliott Birch, but Casey’s suspicions were broader.
“Noel’s taken some friends’ advice and hired a lawyer, but it’s really expensive. Neither of us can afford a private investigator. Now that his van is crime scene evidence, he doesn’t have a vehicle and can only afford to rent one for a week.” Marie turned to Casey. “After that he’ll be pretty much housebound, so I was wondering if you’d talk to the people I couldn’t get to on Birch’s mail route.”
“You shouldn’t ask her to get involved,” Eisler said as he rose. “MPT staff have no business investigating the murder of a colleague.” Eisler headed for the hallway. “Thanks for your time, Miss Holland.”
Casey followed him out of the room. The guy had a point. On the other hand, what if he’d killed Jasmine and didn’t want the truth coming out?
At the front door Eisler said, “Don’t let Marie bully you. She’s not thinking rationally.”
“I know.” That wasn’t the problem: it was the guilt she’d feel for turning her down.
Eisler lowered his voice. “What if her brother really is guilty? Think about it. The police aren’t fools.”
“I realize that, and thanks for coming by.”
When Casey returned to the living room, Marie was running her hand over the sofa cushion. “You could help and watch out for Casey at the same time. No one would have to know about your involvement, Lou. It’d be our secret.”
Lou stood and gave Casey a hug. She didn’t know why, except maybe to prove something to Marie.
“Eisler sure looked ticked to see us,” Marie said to her. “If you’d been alone, I bet he would have asked you not to say anything about his visit. The jerk wouldn’t want staff knowing he’d been thinking about Jasmine.”
“Maybe.”
“So, will you at least talk to Noel?” Marie got to her feet. “Then you can decide if you want to help.”
“Why me?” She watched the way Marie’s mouth twisted, as if reluctant to let the words out.
“Everyone knows you’re a good investigator. You have the highest arrest rate, and you’re resourceful and thorough.” Her lips began twitching as if about to go into a spasm. “Look, I know we’ve had our differences, but my brother’s future and my kids’ safety are at stake, so will you please help us?”
“I don’t know. I’m working double shifts, I’m behind at school, and Summer needs me at home more. Things aren’t going great for her.”
“I could take some of your shifts. Could you at least chat with Noel and make a decision then?” Marie pleaded. “That’s not too much to ask, is it?”
Casey didn’t appreciate the petulant tone. “I’ll think about it.”
“Well, if your commitments are more important than an innocent man’s entire future, I can’t fight that kind of selfishness.”
“She’s not selfish.” Lou slid his arm around Casey’s waist. “She’s covered for you at work this past week, and is taking care of Jasmine’s pets like you asked. She’s also looking after this huge house and parenting a cranky teen who misses her mom. Worse, you could be putting a bull’s eye on her and Summer.”
“I’m sorry.” The words caught in her throat. “I don’t know what else to do.”
Casey took a deep calming breath. If she turned Marie down, the woman would be hell to work with. Security functioned better with strong co-operation and communication among team members. Besides, she was curious to hear Noel’s take on who killed Jasmine. Casey rubbed her temple. Deep inside her skull, a headache had begun to form.
“Look, I’ll talk to your brother and then decide what to do.”
“Thank you.” Marie removed a slip of paper from her purse. “This is Noel’s cell phone number.” She handed the paper to Casey. “One more thing. I’m really worried about Jeremy. Could you drive by Birch’s place and see if he’s okay? He lives in Coquitlam, not far from Jasmine’s apartment.”
“How do you know?”
“I drove Jasmine out to his trailer one day because he wouldn’t bring Jeremy back when he was supposed to. The trailer park’s easy to find.”
Pushy broad. “How am I supposed to do that without being recognized by Birch? He saw me at your house.”
“Like I said, you’re smart and resourceful.” Marie handed her another slip of paper. “Here’s Birch’s address and mail route. I checked off the addresses I’ve already been to.”
The front door opened and slammed shut. Summer stomped past the living room entrance. Cheyenne galloped into the hallway to greet her.
“Summer?” Casey called.
“I have to go.” Marie started to leave. “I’ll give Noel your phone number.” She hurried out of the house, as if afraid Casey would change her mind.
Casey stepped into the hallway and found Summer slumped against the wall just before the kitchen entrance.
“What is it, Summer?”
“Grandma’s bugging me to live with her again. She thinks my friends are a bad influence just because Tiffany and Ashley got caught smoking.” Summer rubbed Cheyenne’s head. “The principal practically forced me to say I saw them doing it.”
Casey said, “Were you smoking too?”
“If I was, you would have gotten a phone call on Friday.”
“There’s no need for the snarky tone. So tell me, have you tried cigarettes before?”
Summer avoided eye contact. “No.”
She never had been a good liar. “The truth, please.” Casey rubbed her throbbing temple. “I promise not to scream in shock.”
“I tried it once, but it nearly made me puke.”
“How did your grandmother find out about the incident?”
“She lit a cigarette in the car and I asked her why she smoked, and she said it relaxes her.” Summer scratched Cheyenne’s ears. “I told her Tiffany said the same thing, and then Grandma started asking questions and she, like, totally freaked.”
Casey rubbed her forehead. “Why didn’t you tell me your friends smoked?”
“They didn’t want me to.”
Wonderful. She should have remembered that twelve-year-old girls with absentee mothers made secrets and acting out inevitable. Hadn’t her own rebelliousness escalated after Dad kicked Mother out of the house? “You know you don’t have to listen to your friends, right?”
“Yeah.” Summer peered at her. “Are you sure I won’t have to move in with Grandma?”
“You’re staying with me, kiddo. We’re a team.”
Casey hugged her, well aware that Winifred’s wants weren’t as troubling as the impact of devious peers. Summer’s old friends wouldn’t have asked her to keep secrets, but clearly these girls did.
“Never do what anyone—especially friends—tell you to if it makes you uncomfortable, okay?”
“’Kay.”
Casey thought of Marie. They weren’t even friends and Marie was pushing her into an uncomfortable—maybe even dangerous—situation. “So,” she said, stepping back, “how’s the math homework coming?”
“Not good.” Summer shrugged. “Can you help me?”
“I have to work on an essay, so how about we work together?”
