“Casey,” Theo said, putting his hands on her shoulders, “Marcus’s poisoning was no accident. He was deliberately given contaminated food.”
“Bull. Mother said you lied about the timing of Dad’s death to get me involved so I’d lead you to the money. This is just another pathetic attempt.”
“No.” He relaxed his grip. “Haven’t you wondered why Marcus was the only one who got sick?”
“He wasn’t the only one, there was—”
“Simone Archambault, yes. She was with Marcus and saw him in the hospital. That’s why I needed to talk to her. I think she disappeared because she knew something about Marcus’s murder. It would explain why Darcy killed her.”
“Darcy?” Casey’s heartbeat quickened. “Are you saying he killed dad?
“He always denied his involvement. Claimed he’d gone to Paris only to talk to Marcus, but I spoke to the waiter who served Marcus and Simone.” Theo paused. “The waiter told me he was paid to give Marcus a special salad dressing, as a joke.”
“Who paid him?”
“He wanted more money before he’d give me a name. I agreed, but then the waiter’s body showed up in the Seine. He’s the suicide victim you mentioned in Paris.”
“Oh, god.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if the idiot had tried to extort more money from Darcy in exchange for silence.”
A police cruiser headed toward them, at last. Theo had his back to the vehicle.
“Did you confront Darcy about Dad?”
“There was no point without proof, which I now have. It’s why I had to see you.”
“What’s the evidence?”
The cruiser pulled to a stop. The ladies rose from the bench and waved Casey over.
“Listen, I won’t be long,” she said to Theo. “Could you wait?”
“Actually, I think I know where Darcy might be,” he checked his watch. “I’ll call you soon.”
As Casey watched him head down the street, she wondered if Theo had told the truth about Darcy. Either way, both of those guys were bad news.
Twenty-three
FEELING A LITTLE revived after a nap, Casey sat on the yoga mat, legs stretched out, feet flexed, and arms high over her head. She took a deep breath and then bent forward until her hands gripped her calf muscles. The seated forward bend was supposed to help a distracted mind relax. Right now, she’d use any help she could get.
Stan hadn’t been happy to hear about the purse thief’s escape. The yelling hadn’t bothered her—she’d expected that—but his decision to put one of the part-timers on the case sure had. His excuse was that the suspect might recognize her, even though she’d assured Stan that the kid hadn’t looked at her as he ran.
She’d studied the suspect’s file again to see if she’d missed something, but there was nothing new. Maybe she’d stake out Vancouver Technical Secondary tomorrow and the bus stop nearest the school.
Casey still marveled at the suspect’s speed; “a regular track star,” Wesley had said. Casey sat upright. Wait a sec, the kid did have a smooth, efficient running style. She recalled how he’d pumped his arms when he ran, how he’d kept his head up and shoulders relaxed. The guy must have had some track and field training. She knew a little about running, thanks to Greg’s fifteen-hundred-meter races in high school. This was late May, still track and field season, wasn’t it? Greg’s track meets had usually been in spring. Tomorrow, she’d check out Van Tech’s sports field.
The phone rang. Casey rolled out of her shoulder stand and hurried to answer it.
“This is your mother. Darcy wants to talk to you.”
“He can talk to Detective Lalonde.” Casey’s jaw clenched. “A woman named Simone Archambault was murdered last night and Theo thinks Darcy has something to do with it. Maybe you can persuade Darcy to turn himself in. After all, he is your boyfriend, isn’t he?”
A long pause. “Theo told me what happened last night. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
She wasn’t denying her relationship with Darcy—god. “Gee, thanks. So what does Darcy have to say about it?”
“He says Theo killed her and he wants to tell you what he knows to clear his name. Darcy says he has proof Theo did it and he wants you to give it to the police.”
The tension in Mother’s voice made Casey nervous. “I can understand why he doesn’t want to see them, so why don’t you take the evidence to Lalonde?”
“I suggested that, but he was adamant that you meet him at the house.”
“No.”
“Casey, listen to me. Darcy said he’d hurt Summer if you didn’t show up.”
Casey inhaled sharply. “What?”
“I’m sorry, but his search for the money is making him desperate. I’m suggesting you go, but that you have Detective Lalonde meet you there.”
“I don’t—”
“Please, Casey, for Summer’s sake, and Rhonda’s and mine, I’m begging you to meet him at six. Call Lalonde.”
“Why can’t you?” The question was barely out of her mouth before Mother hung up.
Fear coursed through Casey. Had Darcy threatened Mother? Forced her to make the call? Casey checked her watch; almost four now. Lord, she didn’t want to go there and especially not alone. She needed to talk this over with someone she could count on. She dialed Lou’s number and sighed with relief when he answered.
“How was your meeting with Simone last night?” he asked.
“It didn’t happen.”
After she described events, Lou groaned. “I don’t believe it.”
“There’s more.” Casey hesitated. “Mother just phoned and begged me to meet Darcy at Dad’s house in two hours.”
“You’re not going, are you?”
“I have to. She said Darcy would hurt all of us if I didn’t, but she did say I should bring the police, and I was wondering if you’d go with me, kind of as second pair of eyes.”
“Have you told Detective Lalonde yet?”
“That’s my next call.”
“Casey—”
“You wouldn’t have to face Darcy. I’m just looking for a little moral support. We’ll take off the second Lalonde shows up.”
“You know I’d do anything for you,” he said, “but—”
“Great, I’ll pick you up in an hour.”
She hung up before he could finish turning her down. She wouldn’t have much time to convince Lou that she needed his help to do this and that she was running out of courage fast.
After wolfing down a mini microwave pizza, Casey hurried downstairs and found Rhonda stirring something garlicky on the stove.
“Summer will be back from Whistler soon,” Rhonda said. “Want to have supper with us?”
“Thanks, but I just ate and I’m on my way to see Lou.”
“You’ve been avoiding me all day.” Rhonda glanced at her.
“Sorry, but I’ve been really busy.”
“Do you know if the police have arrested anyone for that poor woman’s murder?”
“No.” Late last night, after she’d told Rhonda about Simone, they’d cried. She hadn’t wanted to rehash the whole thing again today. “But I did learn one interesting bit of news.” And Rhonda wasn’t going to like it. “Darcy and Mother are lovers.”
“What a lot of bull crap.”
