“We do have Ms. Russom in custody,” the detective acknowledged.
“Sir?” The officer holding the handcuffs looked at Gifford, who gave a little shake of his head.
“And the fingerprints?” the detective asked Zoe.
“Paul brought the container to work dirty and was going to put his dinner in it. I washed it and handed it to him. I hate dishwashing gloves, so I don’t wear them. That’s how my freaking fingerprints got on the container, I swear. I’m telling the truth.”
The detective lowered his chin, as if he didn’t believe her.
“Look, sometimes Katherine texted me and she kept those kind of clean,” Zoe went on. “For explicit stuff, she used Snapchat, and she’s dumb enough to think the messages disappeared. They don’t if you save them right away. I copied all of them instantly and saved them on a thumb drive. I can prove it.”
Gifford gazed at her. “Ms. Stover, are you willing to accompany us to the station to give a statement?”
“If I have to.”
“We would appreciate it. I withdraw the accusation regarding arrest. For the moment.”
The officer gestured toward the nearest cruiser. Zoe turned a pleading face toward Liz. “You believe me, don’t you, Mom?”
“Of course, sweetie. I’ll be there at the station when you’re done.”
Zoe gave her a sad smile. “Tell my boss I won’t be back tonight.”
I watched as the officer shielded Zoe’s head from the top of the opening into the back seat. The door clicked shut.
Gifford turned to me. “I’m not going to ask why you’re here, Ms. Jordan. And I gather you, ma’am, are Zoe’s mother?”
Liz nodded, her eyes full. “I’m Elizabeth Stover.”
“Did either of you have any inkling about what Zoe said?” he asked.
“Are you kidding?” Liz asked. “Of course not.”
“Me, neither,” I added. “Seriously, all I knew was what I told you this morning, what Cody didn’t finish telling me.” I was sure he couldn’t see my crossed fingers behind my back.
Chapter 54
After the cruiser drove off with Zoe, and the other officers left, too, I gave Liz a long, hard hug.
She finally pushed back and wiped her eyes. “Robbie, you believe her, don’t you?”
“Yes,” I said. It was the only answer I could give her, and it was a true one. “I do. I hate to think Katherine is that evil, that manipulative, but between her and Zoe? It’s Katherine all the way. Heck, for all we know, Walter and Katherine worked together to murder Paul.”
“Zoe’s been through some tough stuff.” Liz stared at the ground. “I had no idea she’d been clean so long. I mean, it’s not even two months, but I don’t think she’s let off using for more than three weeks since she started.” She looked up. “Maybe she’s on her way back?” Her voice shook.
“I’m sure she is, and she sounded determined to stay that way. Come on, let’s go around front where it’s light.” I picked up the bag Liz had brought for Zoe and handed it to her. “I’ll tell the manager Zoe won’t be back tonight. You take this to your girl and wait for her.”
As we walked, Liz said, “I need to call a lawyer, too.”
“That’s probably a really good idea.” I stopped. “Wait a sec. You are a lawyer, Liz.”
She shook her head. “Robbie, I write wills and do estate planning. I don’t practice criminal law, but you can bet I know some excellent people who do.”
“Good.”
Liz gazed at the ground for a moment, then looked up. “Robbie, would you come to the police station with me? I’m not feeling very clearheaded at the moment.”
“Of course. I’ll meet you there, okay?”
“Thanks.” After another quick hug, she climbed into her VW and putted off.
I glanced at my hand, still clutching both dessert bags. Oh, well. I went inside the Green Artichoke and spied Debbie. She hurried over to where I stood in the entryway.
“Everything okay? We saw police lights out back.”
“I think everything’s going to be fine.” I worded the next part carefully. I didn’t want talk to start up among her coworkers about Zoe almost being arrested. “The authorities simply want to ask Zoe a few questions about something she witnessed regarding Paul’s death. She asked me to let her boss know she’s sorry, but she won’t be back tonight. Can you tell the manager, please?”
“Sure. You be well, now. And come again soon.”
“Thanks. You take care, too. I’m going home tomorrow, but I’ll be back, for sure.”
“Good.” She turned away.
“By the way, Debbie, they have Paul’s killer in custody. I thought you’d want to know.”
She turned back. “Really? Who is it?”
“I can’t say.” Or didn’t think I should right now.
“Whatever. Bless you, Robbie. I’ll let the gang know.”
Chapter 55
Fifteen minutes later I sat with Liz on a bench in the police department front lobby. It being Santa Barbara, this was no stark, depressing space. Instead, every doorway and window was arched, reminding me of the county courthouse. Mosaic tiles lined the peach-colored walls, and several tall plants decorated the corners.
Still, the window to the interior was thick, and visitors needed to speak through a slatted metal disk in the middle of the tinted glass to communicate with the uniform inside. The air in here smelled faintly of cleaning solution mixed with traces of fearful desperation. Of all the reasons to be in a police department lobby, few were happy ones.
“Are they going to let you go in to see Zoe?” I asked Liz.
“I think so. I don’t even know why they’re still holding her.” She worried a cuticle on her thumb.
“I’m sure they have more questions for her, and Gifford is going to need to see that thumb drive, where she saved Katherine’s messages.”
“I guess.” She rose
