Pete thumbed through the pages, noting the hotel and frequented eateries.
“I can give you names of the people I was with if you need them.”
“Not right now.” He looked up at Jenna, who hadn’t reclaimed her seat. “What were you doing there?”
She crossed her arms under her well-rounded chest, which was, at the moment, at Pete’s eye level. “An internship. I’m working on my master’s in social work.”
He forced himself to keep his gaze on her face, wishing she’d sit the hell down. “Impressive. But isn’t three weeks rather short for an internship?”
“I was supposed to be there for twelve, but my mother became ill. She’s in the hospital.”
“I’m sorry. What’s wrong?”
Her eyes registered an even higher level of worry. “What isn’t wrong? My mother’s been in poor health since before I was born. She’s getting older and her issues are getting worse.” Jenna brushed an arm over her face and returned to her chair. “I spoke with her doctor today and we hope she can come home in a few days. Once I get her squared away, I hope I can go back and finish what I started in Chicago.”
“You’re under a lot of stress.”
“Almost as much as being questioned in connection with a murder.”
The faint upturn at the corners of her mouth told Pete her words carried a dose of ironic humor rather than anger. He nodded. “I imagine so.”
Nineteen
Present day
Seated on opposite sides of Franklin Marshall’s desk, Pete watched Zoe process the story, her emotions vivid on her beautiful face.
“I gather her alibi checked out?”
“It did. The night of the murder, Jenna was having dinner with a half dozen colleagues almost 500 miles away.”
Zoe locked her gaze on his. “She works at your dad’s assisted living facility. Why haven’t you mentioned any of this to me?”
Pete drew invisible circles on the desktop with an unclicked pen. “It’s ancient history. Jenna’s a good kid. She managed to finish her degree while caring for her mother. She got married to a nice guy. Has a beautiful baby. I think she’s redeemed herself for her past transgressions. You of all people should appreciate that.”
The last sentence stung. He saw it in Zoe’s face and immediately regretted saying it.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “No. You’re right. I have the lousy-judgment-in-men thing in common with her.”
“And you’ve both eventually found good men.” He gave her a grin, hoping she didn’t disagree after his bout of foot-in-mouth disease.
She feigned anger at him, but those lips he loved gave her away, tipping into a reluctant smile. “I can’t argue.”
He again grew serious. “Jenna testified against Landis in his first trial and paid for it dearly. The local media was hard on her, more so than his other mistresses.”
“Why?”
“She was the most recent, I suppose.”
After a thoughtful pause, Zoe said, “That’s why she was so upset at Golden Oaks this evening.”
“That. And the fact Pop fell while she was on duty. She feels responsible.” The memory of his father stubbornly cradling his arm and of his lady friend Barbara’s worried eyes as she told about him losing his balance added to a weight pressing down on Pete. “He’s getting worse.”
Zoe reached across the desk and placed a hand on his. “He’s not gonna get better,” she said gently. “Alzheimer’s doesn’t work that way.”
“I know. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
She caressed the back of his hand with her fingertips and appeared on the verge of saying something but retreated into silence.
“What?” he urged.
She hesitated. “I’ve been thinking about our wedding…”
“It’s not much more than a week away. I’d be surprised if you weren’t.”
His teasing tone failed to bring even a hint of a grin. “I’d like Harry to walk me down the aisle.”
The announcement caught Pete off guard. “Oh.”
She looked at him, worried creases marring her forehead. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”
“I assumed you’d asked your brother.”
“He’s another possibility. But we haven’t bonded as much as I’d hoped.” Her gaze lowered. “I’d also thought of asking Franklin.” Her voice trailed off into the stillness of the office.
Pete covered her hand, sandwiching it between his own. “I think Pop would love to give you away.”
Her eyes came back to his, speaking volumes without her saying a word. If he’s able.
Only a week to go before the wedding, and his father’s ability to do something as simple as escort his future daughter-in-law down the aisle was a big question mark. A lump wedged in Pete’s throat. He blinked, surprised at the heat behind his eyelids, and released Zoe’s hand to scrub his face. “Speaking of Scott, have you called him yet about helping us move?”
“Oh, crap.” She reached back to tug her phone from her hip pocket. “I’ll do that now.” Rising, she swiped at the screen and walked away from Pete as she waited for the call to connect.
Pete’s gaze wandered to the boxes and books waiting to be loaded into his vehicles. He thought about even more boxes at his house, also awaiting transport, and tried to figure out the logistics. Franklin’s stuff was going home with them tonight but would have to go into a new office tomorrow. Zoe couldn’t maintain the coroner’s office as a mobile unit, especially when both vehicles and her pickup were needed for Saturday’s big move.
Scott must’ve answered the phone. Zoe kept her voice low, so Pete couldn’t make out the words. He had mixed feelings about
