I swallowed my last cheese cube. “Are we supposed to know what that means?”
She shifted on her feet as she gazed around the room, then lowered her voice. “Basically, it made it a lot harder to earn money. Half my downline has quit—half!” She shook her head. “I’m losing money like I’ve sprung a leak, so yeah, I’m a little upset.”
I raised a brow and didn’t bother to hide my smirk. “Yeah, but you’re one of the company’s top sellers. Surely you can handle a setback like this?”
She glared down at me. “I wish. But Pearl and Ralph pressure everyone to live large and lavish. They say it’ll attract more people to join the company if they see what a good life Potent Potions consultants live.” Her shoulders sagged. “I’ve spent all my money, as fast—” She shook her head. “Faster than it’s come in. They promised me that my business would grow every month. And it did.” The bags under her eyes suddenly looked darker as her face fell. “Until last month. After the policy change, my numbers have been in a nosedive, with no signs that it’ll get better anytime soon.”
Peter looked around, then spoke in a hushed voice. “Did you express your concerns to anyone?”
Peyton nodded, the corners of her mouth sagging. “Yeah. I brought it up with Pearl herself. She told me to stop panicking—that it was just an adjustment period and that I had to set a good example for my downline. That if they were leaving, it was because they could sense that I was freaking out.” Her wide eyes searched our faces. “But what was I supposed to do? I wasn’t able to pay my mortgage—I might lose my house!”
Daisy wagged her tail. Truth.
I frowned—this lady was in a bad situation. I found it ironic that their top seller was barely making enough to get by, yet everyone here acted like they were on the road to riches. I chewed the inside of my cheek. I’d need to have a serious word with Heidi about what she’d gotten involved in—I didn’t want to see my friend lose it all too.
Peter scratched at the stubble on his chin. “I understand that you were upset—enough to kill Pearl over it?”
Peyton snorted. “What would that get me? I need the business to pick back up again. With Pearl dead and the company in turmoil, who’s going to want to sign up under me to sell potions now? And my downline is where I make all the money!”
Daisy whined. Truth.
Guess Peyton wasn’t our killer, but this meant there were plenty of consultants who were likely hemorrhaging money and might have killed out of anger.
She pressed her eyes shut for a moment before opening them and looking around. “I need a drink.”
“One more question.” Peter licked his lips. “Do you know anyone else who’d want to hurt Pearl?”
Peyton let out a humorless laugh. “Look around you—there’s a couple thousand right here. The policy change rubbed a lot of people's scales the wrong way.”
I crossed my arms. “Then how come yours is the only name we were given?”
She shrugged. “I was the only one brave enough to speak up to Pearl.” She seemed to deflate. “Or stupid enough. Lots of women are afraid to come forward or challenge leadership.”
Peter edged closer. “Why would they be afraid?”
Peyton grew grim. “This community? It’s tough. You’re either in or you’re out. And when it’s your whole life—your job, your family, your best friends—getting ostracized is like losing everything.”
13
PETER AND JOLENE
Peter, Daisy, and I jogged down the steps away from the hotel toward the winding path that led through the lush landscaping. Finally. It felt good to get out of the stuffy lobby and back in the cool night, with the sea breeze rustling the leaves.
We stopped at the bottom of the steps and stood in silence. I waited for him to speak, but as the moment stretched on, I darted a quick look at Peter. As he looked up at me, I looked away, toward the hotel, not quite able to meet his gaze.
It was quiet now outside. I jerked my chin toward the hotel. “Protestors are gone.”
“Hm?”
I turned toward Peter and waved a hand. “There were a bunch of ladies protesting Potent Potions before—former consultants, I think, from some of their signs. Hotel security must have escorted them from the premises.”
I frowned, and our eyes locked as we no doubt had the same thought—a disgruntled former consultant would definitely have had a motive for murder. We both turned away.
“I’ll have our people look into it.” Peter’s voice came out flat.
I nodded as I kicked a smooth rock away.
“You can go home for the night. I’ll stick around and help get statements.”
I nodded and swallowed against the lump in my throat. The tension between us pained me. I’d felt so close to Peter before—now we seemed an ocean apart.
“Okay.” I spun to go. “‘Night.”
“Jolene.”
I froze, took a deep breath—my heart hammering in my chest—and slowly turned to face Peter. Daisy sat beside him, her long nose pointed to the sky, looking up at her partner.
Peter shoved his hands in his blue trousers and shrugged. “I’m not going to tell anyone your secret.”
I gritted my jaw and held very still. So he hadn’t told everyone at the station. I guess I’d already figured that, since the new chief had wanted me on the job and Bon hadn’t protested much. But I had been wondering if Peter would take action to get me kicked off the case.
I nodded, my tone wry as I said, “Thanks.”
His eyes grew hard. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with
