and charged out, he was red-faced and scowling. He’d glared at Casey and started to say something, but took off when Stan stepped out of his office.
“I had to tell David about the shooting,” he’d said. “He thinks you’ll be safer if you weren’t on any buses right now. I have to agree with him, but it’s not a suspension.” Stan could be diplomatic when he wanted to be.
Casey pulled into Noel’s driveway. Marie’s vehicle wasn’t there. She stepped out of her Tercel, walked up to the door, and was about to ring the bell when the door opened.
“Hello,” he said. “Good to see you.”
“You too.” Casey tried not to glance at the biceps bulging under his black T-shirt. Today, his long blond hair was tied back. Sam wagged his tail and nuzzled her hand.
Casey stepped inside. “Something smells wonderful.”
“Baked salmon. Marie said you eat a lot of salmon sandwiches, so I figured this was a safe bet. By the way, one of her kids got sick, so she bailed.”
Uh-oh. “Aren’t they staying with your mom?”
“Yeah, Marie’s spending the weekend there.”
Leaving her alone with Noel. Damn.
He shut the door. “Can I take your jacket?”
The phone rang in a nearby room.
“Go ahead,” Casey said. “I’ll hang it up.”
As he wheeled his chair down the hall, Casey opened the closet door and noticed a bicycle helmet, assorted gloves, and elbow pads on the low shelf. At the far end, a royal blue ball cap partially covering a pair of sunglasses made her freeze. The killer had worn those things.
Still, September twenty-eighth had been a sunny day. Lots of people would have worn sunglasses, and blue ball caps were common. Not many of them would have been wearing a dark jacket, though. Casey spotted a black windbreaker hanging from the rod. Her heart started to pound.
Stay calm. Don’t jump to conclusions. If Noel was guilty, wouldn’t he have gotten rid of these things? Wouldn’t the cops have confiscated them? On the other hand, Marie was the one who’d asked her to investigate. Noel had tried to dissuade her, and he’d neglected to mention the marriage proposal. Oh god, what if he’d hired someone to take a shot at her last night?
She heard Sam’s nails click on the hardwood floor. Casey shut the door just as Noel turned the corner.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “You look a bit freaked out.”
“I was thinking about something that happened last night, and was hoping to tell you and Marie at the same time.”
“Let’s go in the living room.” He paused. “Don’t you want to remove your jacket?”
“Actually, I’m a little cold.”
If she had to make a quick exit, what excuse could she come up with for leaving? Summer was at Barb’s, Lou was at work. With any luck, one of them would call; and she was expecting a call from Rhonda. After phoning the prison yesterday, she’d learned that Rhonda was in the infirmary with the flu. She’d left a message asking her to call as soon as possible.
In the large open area that was both living and dining room, Casey spotted the beautifully laid table. Crystal water goblets, wine glasses, and black plates shone below halogen lights. Noel had even uncorked a bottle of wine and put out white linen napkins with black napkin rings. She didn’t even own a napkin ring.
“This is beautiful, but you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble.” She removed her cell phone from her purse and checked for messages.
“I wanted to show you my appreciation.” He watched her. “Are you expecting a call?”
“Yes, it’s an important family thing.”
“Would you like some wine?” Noel asked.
“No, thanks.”
Casey sat on the edge of the sofa while Noel angled his chair so he could see both Como Lake and her. Grateful for the coffee table between them, she looked for signs of weapons on her host. The pockets in his trousers could hold a knife. The side pockets in his wheelchair could hide several knives and a small handgun. He might even have a weapon tucked between his back and the chair.
“What happened last night?” Noel asked.
“Someone took a shot at me while I was on one of our New Westminster buses.” Casey rubbed clammy hands on her jeans. “A minute later, I got a call telling me that this was my last warning and that I’d better stop investigating Jasmine’s death.”
“Holy shit.” Lines creased Noel’s brow. “What do you mean by last warning? How many others were there?”
“Just one, but the caller threatened Summer’s life.” Casey watched Noel’s face grow pale. Could a person fake losing the color from their face? “Only Mainland staff would have access to my schedule and they’re not supposed to give it out.”
“Maybe someone staked out buses leaving the yard.” Noel looked at Sam who’d settled next to his chair.
“I picked up the bus in Burnaby.”
“My lawyer said that Wesley Axelson owned the gun that killed Jasmine.” He raised his hands as if to ward off a response. “I’m not saying he’s the killer, but Wesley was Jasmine’s friend, and the weapon does connect him to this mess.”
Deflecting suspicion wasn’t helping things. “Has your lawyer heard anything about the silver car that was seen speeding away?”
“Not that I know of.” He scratched Sam’s head. “It’s been two and a half weeks since Jasmine died. Leads are going cold.”
The longer Noel looked at her, the more unreadable his expression became. Casey leaned back against the sofa and tried to appear relaxed.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the threat to Summer?” he asked.
“I thought Marie would.” She’d blabbed about everything else.
He watched her. “I think you’ve been avoiding me because of the marriage proposal.”
Casey felt her cheeks grow warm.
“Marie told me you confronted her about it,” he added.
She looked at those gorgeous blue eyes. “Is it true that she didn’t know?”
Noel nodded. “I didn’t want to tell her until I had an answer. As for you, well, it would have made me look guiltier.” He paused. “Do you think I am?”
What should she say?
“Your opinion matters to me,” he added.
Especially if he was a killer. Casey turned her attention to the window. Heavy clouds hung above the lake. Any moment, the rain would start to fall. “How long had you been in love with Jasmine?”
Noel stroked Sam. “I wasn’t, at least not in a starry-eyed crazy way, but I did love her and wanted to take care of her and Jeremy.”
“Was her rejection the real reason you fought that night?”
“Partly.” His expression grew somber. “She said she couldn’t cope with a handicapped husband.”
Man, evidence was mounting against this guy. “I thought I was the only one who’d experienced Jasmine’s insensitivity.”
His brief smile seemed resigned. “Let’s face it, she had bad moments. That’s what happens to abused children who don’t get therapy. She was angry and starved for love and acceptance.”
Casey shook her head. Too bad that all she’d seen was the angry, hostile part of her.
“You never said if you thought I was guilty,” Noel mumbled.
Her shoulders stiffened. “I don’t know.” She studied his crestfallen face. “Maybe I should go.”
“No, wait.” He leaned forward. “Please, we’re getting everything out in the open. I don’t want to stop now.”
Asking about the jacket and cap in his closet was a risk, but he was practically shoving the opportunity at her. Casey walked toward the trophy display across the room. “Did you win these before or after your
