“Roberto doesn’t have a credible alibi and Wesley’s gun killed her!”
Casey shook her head. “Marie, let’s go.”
“What’s your alibi, Marie?” Ingrid asked.
“I was doing the bloody laundry!”
When the group laughed, Marie swore at them and stomped outside.
Casey’s mind whirled. Marie couldn’t be a killer, could she? Sure, Jasmine hadn’t told Marie everything, but if Marie was guilty, then why keep asking for help? Had she hoped Casey would prove her brother’s innocence and leave it at that?
Pain flared up deep inside Casey’s head and she winced. Damn, not a migraine. Not now. She stepped outside into the cool October sunshine. Marie was yakking at Lou in the parking lot; something about filing a complaint with human resources. Gee, that would really help.
When Lou saw Casey, he walked toward her. She hadn’t seen or spoken to him since Saturday night. He’d only stayed for two hours. Both of them had been tired and neither had had much to say. Truth was that they’d hardly talked since Thursday’s excursion to the Silver Groove four days ago. Usually, he called every day, but not yesterday.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Okay. And you?”
“All right. Are you coming bowling tonight? A few of us are getting together.”
“I’ll try.”
Marie looked from Lou to Casey, then back to Lou. “It sounds like you two haven’t seen each other in ages.”
Casey ignored her.
“Did I tell you how much Noel enjoyed lunch with you on Saturday?” Marie said, glancing at Lou.
Casey shrugged. “It was just a goodbye lunch. Since I’m out of the picture, he and I won’t be meeting again.” And that’s exactly what she’d told Lou. Taking his hand, she headed toward the M10.
“Noel was hoping to call you socially.” She trailed after them. “I mean, you two hit it off and he needs all the support he can get.”
Casey noticed Roberto walking toward a bus.
“Hey Roberto!” Marie called out. “Did you know that my brother asked Jasmine to marry him?”
Roberto strolled toward them. “She showed me the ring and asked me not to say anything.”
“When did she show it to you?”
“The day before she died.”
Marie grimaced. “Were you jealous?”
“For shit’s sake, Marie.” Roberto’s eyes narrowed until they were almost squinting. “Jasmine and I were just friends. How many times do I have to say it?”
“Your dentist alibi doesn’t hold up.”
Casey wanted to ask if he had a key to Jasmine’s place, as Noel claimed, but this wasn’t the time.
“We’re done here.” Roberto charged toward the garage.
“Time to go, Marie,” Lou said. “Let’s hope you’re more tactful with the kids.”
Marie stomped toward the M10 bus.
TWENTY
CASEY PULLED INTO HER PARKING spot at home and tried to ignore her growing migraine. The aspirin she’d taken earlier had dulled it a bit, but the pain was returning with a vengeance. Neither her goose egg nor today’s uneventful shift on the M10 was the cause; it was the escalating tension among Mainland staff.
Word had gotten around about this morning’s nastiness between Marie and coworkers and now most employees were avoiding Marie. Some even glared at her. A few colleagues gave Casey sympathetic nods, while others had steered clear of her as well. Judging from Marie’s blazing eyes and pinched lips, their behavior ticked her off. Casey didn’t see much hope for a truce. There were too many questions and too few answers. Here she was, reduced to looking over her shoulder every five minutes, running from danger like a scared rabbit.
A sharp pain exploded in her head and her vision blurred. Casey scrunched her eyes shut. Oh, crap. She usually didn’t get migraines this severe, but when she did the only remedy was medication and sleep.
Casey stepped out of the car. Her open door tapped Winifred’s green Buick. Man, would the old crone never leave? Casey had told her about the shot and the caller’s warning Friday night, hoping the news would send Winifred packing.
Winifred was at the stove, stirring something beefy-smelling in the soup pot. Casey’s stomach grumbled. As she started toward the hallway, Winifred said, “My lawyer thinks we have a strong case for obtaining guardianship of Summer, especially since some bloody maniac’s trying to kill you.”
Casey’s jaw clenched as she turned around. “We’ll see what Rhonda says about this.”
“I don’t care what she says. We wouldn’t be in this mess if she hadn’t killed someone, and if you didn’t go around making people want to kill you.”
“What a nice thing to say. No wonder Summer doesn’t want to live with you.”
Winifred spun around. “How dare you talk to me that way.”
“How dare you try to take a child who doesn’t want to be with you.” Casey’s patience evaporated. “And why are you still here?”
“Someone has to keep this place from becoming a condemned pigsty.” Winifred turned to the pot.
Casey’s heart pounded in her chest. “You’re no longer welcome in our home, Winfred. I want you out by the end of the day.”
“I will not be ordered about by you.”
Lou knocked on the door and peered through the window. Grateful for the distraction, she waved him in.
Lou looked at the scowling Winifred. “Nice to see you again, ma’am.”
Winifred huffed as Casey led Lou down the hallway, up the stairs, and into her apartment.
“Winifred’s talked to a lawyer.” She shut the door. “The old bat’s going after full custody.”
“You need to tell Rhonda.”
“I know.”
The guinea pigs started whistling. Wincing at the noise, she placed her fingertips on her temples.
“Are you okay?” Lou asked.
“Migraine.” She headed for the refrigerator. “There’s still a beer in the fridge, if you want.”
“No, thanks. You need to rest, so I won’t stay long.” He joined her in the kitchen. “Let me help.” He took the lettuce and carrots from her. “How’s Summer doing?”
“She’s enjoying your mom’s big-screen TV.” Casey rubbed her temples again. “I called her before I came home. Summer wanted to know if Rhonda had phoned, and then asked if she could call the prison. I said no because I want to talk to her mom first.”
“Is she okay with that?”
“Not really.” Casey sat on the cushioned seat in the bay window.
Lou glanced at her phone on his way to the cages. “Your message light’s blinking.”
Casey pressed the button. Two seconds later, Rhonda’s voice filled the room. Casey froze. Lou spun around.
“Sorry I took so long to call back,” Rhonda said, her voice weak. “I caught a rotten bug. Anyway, you said Summer needs to talk to me. I hope my baby’s okay.” Her voice cracked. “I’ll call between seven and eight tonight. Make sure Summer’s there. Bye.”
“She sounded shaky,” Lou said.
Casey looked at her watch, but couldn’t see the time through her tears.
Lou gave her a comforting hug. “Tough to hear her after all these weeks, isn’t it?”
She nodded and pulled a tissue from her pocket. Ralphie stood on hind legs, propped his paws against the wire, and whistled so loudly that Casey covered her ears. Lou gave him a piece of carrot.
