Maybe she’s involved in Jasmine’s death. Meanwhile, could you check out the half sister’s alibi?”
“I don’t think—”
“Since Gabrielle O’Reilly was in Coquitlam two days before the murder, and she and Jasmine argued, her activities should be investigated. God knows I can’t count on the police to do it,” Marie said. “Maybe Gabrielle brought the pistol from home and stalked Jasmine until she saw her chance. That would explain how she learned about Noel and his van.”
“I can’t do this anymore, Marie, I’m sorry.”
“But you’ve put my brother in deeper shit than he was before, so can’t you please help him out a little more?”
Casey did feel guilty about that. “What if Gabrielle has an alibi and I make things worse?”
Lou wandered toward the guinea pig cages.
The line was silent a few seconds. “It makes me sick to say this, but then we’d have to look at coworkers’ alibis.”
“No way, Roberto’s a friend.”
Lou turned to her.
“David Eisler isn’t anyone’s friend,” Marie said.
“Do you have a reason for suspecting Eisler?” She watched Lou’s eyes widen.
“After I had lunch with Jan today, yeah.”
Casey had shared a few coffee breaks with Eisler’s administrative assistant. She knew that Jan loathed her boss.
“The day Jasmine died,” Marie said, “Eisler didn’t come to work until noon, and Jan didn’t know where he’d been. Apparently, he’s been disappearing a lot lately.”
“That doesn’t make him a killer.”
“It doesn’t rule him out either. When he showed up at your place, something was obviously bothering his conscience.”
“Then tell your brother’s lawyer about it.”
“We need more than one person working on Noel’s behalf. He might have to sell his house to pay legal fees as it is. We really need your help, Casey.”
“Let me think it over.”
“Fine, but while you do, also think about what’s happening to the life of an innocent man.” She hung up.
Casey retreated to the window seat.
“What does she want you to do?” Lou picked up Ralphie the guinea pig.
“Check out Gabrielle O’Reilly’s and David Eisler’s alibis. It seems that Eisler’s pulled a few disappearing acts from work lately.”
As Lou stroked Ralphie, the critter began cooing. “Are you going to do it?”
“If I do, it won’t be for Marie or Noel, but for Jasmine.” She paused. “Noel told me some things about her past and, well, she deserves whatever justice we can get for her.”
“What kind of things?”
Casey took a deep breath, and then told him about Jasmine’s sexual abuse and the estrangement from her adopted family.
Lou kept stroking the guinea pig. “I had no idea.”
“Maybe Noel’s the only one who knew. Anyway, if I can help find her killer then maybe I should.”
“What if Marie’s only interested in making sure that people look at everyone except her brother? If you prove that Gabrielle and Eisler aren’t killers, who will she tell you to go after next? Wesley and Roberto?”
“What’s so wrong with establishing their innocence?”
Lou rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. “Casey, you’ve worked with Roberto and Wesley a long time. If you start checking into their alibis, you’ll create bad blood.”
“Shouldn’t the search for truth count for something?”
“Sure, but it’s not your job to find it.”
“The police think they have their man, and Noel can’t afford to hire a PI. Will it really matter if I ask a couple more discreet questions?”
Lou’s eyes narrowed. “It will if that question freaks out a murderer. What if someone fires a bullet through Summer’s window?” Lou placed Ralphie in Casey’s lap.
“You’re right.”
“Can I stay the night?” he asked. “I’m too beat to drive.”
“You don’t need a reason, and thanks for coming with me tonight.”
He headed for the bedroom. “I’d do anything for you, you know that.”
She did know and was grateful. As Lou left the room, Ralphie nestled in her lap. Casey touched his fur and began to pat him. His soft cooing made her smile. Ralphie had never cooed for her before.
“Maybe things will work out, huh, Ralphie? Maybe I can prove Noel’s and Roberto’s and Wesley’s innocence, and then things can get back to normal. What do ya think?”
A warm wet puddle seeped into her jeans.
ELEVEN
THE MOMENT CASEY SPOTTED THE warring groups of kids exchanging dagger stares, she knew this would be a bad shift. The freckled boy who’d been stealing glances at the pretty, leather-jacket girl over recent shifts was now sporting a crimson face and staring at the ground. The object of his affection stood behind her brother, preventing Casey from seeing her face. What had happened?
As usual, the jackets ambled toward the M10 bus in front of their rivals. The brother, whom she’d learned was called Mo, maneuvered his sister to the head of the pack. The girl’s large sullen eyes met Casey’s and then looked away. Behind them, the ball-capped bunch jogged up the steps and sought their usual seats at the front.
As Casey headed for a spot midway between the groups, she scanned the passengers’ uneasy expressions. Marie perched on the edge of her seat, near the jackets, and watched every move they made. The tension swirling around these kids was so strong that one could almost feel an electrical charge.
A couple of elderly passengers bristled in their seats across from Casey. The lady in the aisle seat gripped her cane with both hands and murmured to her friend. The women shook their heads at the group in front. From his driver’s seat, Lou turned and gave Casey a wary glance. She returned a don’t-like-this-either look. She noticed that he didn’t look at Marie. Neither of them had spoken to her this morning, nor had Marie asked for Casey’s decision about helping Noel, which was just as well. She still hadn’t made up her mind.
As the freckled boy rummaged through his backpack, he glanced at the pretty girl.
Mo sprang into the aisle. “Scott, you freak! How many times do I gotta tell you get your ugly eyes off her!”
Casey and Marie both stood.
“Sit down right now,” Marie said to Mo.
Scott moved down the aisle as his hands curled into fists. “She’s the one who asked for my notes.”
“Liar!” Mo charged forward until Casey blocked his path.
“Both of you, sit down. Now!”
The boys glowered at each other.
“Hello?” Casey waved at Mo. “Are you listening? If you don’t do as I ask, you walk home, understand?”
Mo’s friends started to rise.
“I said sit down!” Marie ordered.
The sister remained seated, her pensive eyes focused on the boys. As Scott and Mo stepped closer to each other, Lou slowed the bus. Standing sideways in the aisle, Casey held out her arms until her fingertips touched their chests.
“The driver’s pulling over; last chance, guys.” If they were listening, they didn’t show it. “Did you hear—” Casey found herself sandwiched between the grappling boys. Someone tugged on her jacket. Spittle landed on her
