He raised an eyebrow. “Maybe, but I haven’t been apprised about alibis or the lack thereof.”
“It’s okay. I didn’t expect you had.”
“The only reason I know about the autopsy results is that Mel slipped me a text from her personal phone to mine.”
“She did?” I asked. “She’s awesome. Wasn’t telling you kind of risky?”
“Yes. But we’re good friends.” He cleared his throat. “Also, and this is strictly unkosher, she said she would be willing to talk with you about it.”
“Wow. She told me a few days ago she wouldn’t be able to, since I’m not family.”
“If Mel says she’ll do something, she’ll do it. And she won’t use her work phone.”
“Okay, thank you. I’ll look for her message. I won’t tell a soul.” I wanted to rub my hands together, though. “Did I tell you about the alpaca farmer I met? Her name is Ceci Shaterian.”
“The name sounds kind of familiar, but I can’t place it.”
“She had to sell out of her property in Oxnard at a loss because of Agrosafe spray drift.”
“Ugh,” he said. “Selling must have been hard on her.”
“For sure, and she hates Walter for it,” I said. “If he had been the murder victim, Detective Gifford would want to look into Ceci’s alibi, for sure.”
“What happened to her animals?”
“They got sick from the spray but survived. Ceci and her husband have new property in the foothills now. Liz and I went up there this morning to visit the alpacas.”
Jason peered at me.
“Ceci invited me.”
“Now you’re going to tell me it’s a pretty drive.”
“It is! Anyway, it turns out Paul’s sister, Taylor, volunteers with the animals there.”
His mouth dropped open. I hurried on.
“Which I swear I did not know. Taylor said Paul had been trying to befriend somebody he worked with, asking her over for meals, trying to look out for her. It had to be Zoe.”
“Because of her addiction.”
“Yeah,” I said. “They both work—or worked—at the Green Artichoke. But Taylor told me the person wasn’t really having it.”
He blinked, as if processing this new bit of information. “You’re thinking Zoe might have poisoned a meal Paul took home from the restaurant. But . . . why, Rob? Why would she want to kill him?”
“I don’t have a clue. But if I dig some more, maybe I’ll find one.”
Jason set his forearms on the table and leaned toward me. “No digging. Call Gifford. Let him dig. Okay?”
“I guess.” I drummed my fingers on the table.
“No guessing, Rob. I really, truly don’t want you to get hurt. One of the people we’ve been talking about is capable of taking another person’s life. Which is a step way, way beyond where pretty much any of us would ever dream of going.”
“I know. I’ve had contact with other killers, remember. You’re right. I’ll leave it to the cops.” A yawn escaped me. “And right now I’m going to leave you to your bed and go find mine.”
As I drove home, blessedly without anyone following me, I thought about Zoe. I hoped she wasn’t involved in Paul’s death. I couldn’t figure out why she would be. If Zoe had crossed that line Jason spoke of, if she’d taken the one extra step to end someone’s life, Zoe’s life would also be ruined. And it would devastate Liz.
Chapter 43
Back in my lovely room by nine, I did my due diligence. I found Nolan Gifford’s card and tapped his number into my phone.
“OMG, thank goodness he didn’t pick up,” I said to the walls. I’d had entirely enough chastising today to last me the rest of the year—and it was only February. I sent a quick text saying I was e-mailing him. I was just as happy typing what I’d promised Jason I would tell the detective.
Detective Gifford:
I ran into Paul E’s sister, Taylor, at Ceci
Shaterian’s alpaca farm today. Taylor said Paul had been befriending a dishwasher at work lately, asking her home for meals. Paul and Zoe worked together at the Green Artichoke, as I’m sure you’re aware. I didn’t ’t mention what Taylor said when we talked earlier because I didn’t think it was important, but I’d rather let you decide if it is or isn’t.
I also went with my recently engaged friend,
Alana Lieberman, to Katherine Russom’s wedding planning office today. Katherine works out of her father’s home. I happened to see a photograph of Walter Russom and Jimmy Lightfoot of the casino in Santa Inez on the hallway wall. I’m sure you already know of their connection.
I stared at the screen. Gifford surely didn’t need to know Alana and I had also gone to the casino. Was there anything else I owed him? My mission adventure? Probably, for what it was worth.
I walked around the mission grounds in the late afternoon today after the museum closed. While I was there, a dark SUV parked in the lot. I believe someone in light-colored pants was following me. I felt threatened and finally made it to my car and drove away. Sorry, didn’t get a plate number of the vehicle. Katherine Russom drives an SUV and was wearing light-colored pants earlier.
Oh, and Alana’s mother says Walter is dating widow Sydelle Moore, mother of his intern, Tommy. This might sound like gossip, but again, better to let you decide. FYI, I saw Tommy Moore at the library wearing light-colored chinos. Walter Russom’s bodyguards also wear khaki pants.
I hope you are able to resolve the case soon.
Best,
Robbie Jordan
There. I tapped Send and was done with it. If that wasn’t acting like a responsible citizen, I didn’t know what was. I opened the window, poured an inch of bourbon with a splash of water, and settled in on the bed to call Abe. I missed him wicked bad, as a college friend from Massachusetts used to say.
Strike two. He didn’t answer. Rats. I didn’t bother with
