just before the company struck it big. The only way I knew about it was Derrick’s bragging. Could he have had something to do with it? He lives in Richmond, as far as I know.”
“Richmond is just a few hours away,” Jenny said. “It would be easy enough for him to drive here, murder Derrick, and then get back across state lines before anyone even realized that he was gone.”
“How about the women in his life?” Zach asked.
“Derrick has a wife, but that’s about all I know about her. I think her name is Terry, or Cary, or something like that.”
“Do you think he fooled around on her?” Jenny asked.
I looked at her and shook my head. “What makes you ask that?”
“Hey, I’ve been an attorney long enough to realize that most men are dogs at one time or another in their lives.”
“Not Zach,” I said.
When he didn’t answer, I looked at him and asked, “Right?”
“What? Oh, right. No, I’m not a dog. But that doesn’t mean Derrick wasn’t. It’s an angle worth pursuing.”
“When did you get so cynical?” I asked Jenny.
“I’m not sure if it’s that, or if I’m just being realistic. I’ve seen some pretty dark things over the years, especially lately.”
“I hope it’s not spoiling you for a chance at finding love.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not there yet.” She looked over at Zach, and then added, “I’ve got to say, you’re not bad at interviewing people.”
He smiled at her. “Thanks. It’s not my first time.”
“I know it’s not, but that still doesn’t mean it’s not impressive. I picked up a few things myself.”
“Glad I could help. I don’t envy the detective working this case. There appears to be a lot of angles to follow up on.”
“Are you going to offer the police here your help?” I asked.
“Not directly, not with my ties to the case. But I am going to ask some questions, and maybe see if I can point them in some other directions. I called the station on the way over here, but the lead detective was out, and they aren’t expecting him back until morning.” Zach looked at Jenny. “Do you know anything about this Murphy fellow?”
Jenny and I exchanged glances and then she recounted much the same story about the detective to Zach that she had told me.
He shook his head. “That might make things a little stickier, but we’ll work something out.”
My husband stifled a yawn, and then said to me, “We’d better find a hotel room before I fall asleep at the table.”
“We’re staying here,” I told him.
“We don’t want to put you out,” Zach told Jenny.
“Nonsense. I’ve already settled this with Savannah. Don’t make me start with you.”
He held up his hands. “Then I give in. Just point me in the right direction.” Zach turned to me. “Are you coming, Savannah?”
“No, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll stay up a little while longer and catch up with Jenny.”
“Suits me just fine,” he said as he gave me a quick kiss and then disappeared into the guest room.
After he was gone, Jenny said, “Maybe you’re right after all.”
“Of course I am,” I answered. “About what?”
She laughed. “Perhaps I’m letting the people I deal with on a daily basis cloud my perception about the world around me.”
“I said that?”
She nodded. “You did.”
“Wow, I sound really smart when you say it.”
Jenny grinned. “Come on. We both know you have to be sharp to create those puzzles of yours. I have a tough time finishing them most days.”
“You do my puzzles?”
“Absolutely,” she answered. “They’re a nice way to unwind at the end of the day.”
“I’m honored,” I said, “But don’t give me too much credit. Sometimes I think they’re easier to make than they are to solve.”
“I suppose that makes sense. After all, you’ve got all of the answers, don’t you?”
“If only life were like that.”
She patted my arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.”
“I hope so.” I stifled a yawn. “In the meantime, I think I’d better join my husband.”
“That’s not a bad idea. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“What do you have planned?”
“Well, seeing some of the local sights is out. I thought we might do a little digging into Derrick Duncan’s life and see what we turn up. What do you say to that?”
“I’m all for it.”
Chapter 5
THE NEXT MORNING, I FOUND JENNY AT THE KITCHEN table drinking a cup of coffee and looking through the newspaper.
“You’re a star,” she said as she handed me the front page.
I took it and scanned the headline. SYNDICATOR SLAYING A REAL PUZZLE, it said on the front page of the Local section. There was a blown-up photo of Derrick, and below the fold, I was appalled to find headshots of Brady Sims, Sylvia Peters, and me.
“Don’t you love how clever they can be with their headlines,” I said as I handed the paper back to her.
“Wake that husband of yours up and I’ll make us all some breakfast.”
“I’d love to, but he was already gone when I got up,” I said.
“Is he always such an early bird?”
“When he’s working on a case, he barely sleeps at all. Since I’m involved in this, I was surprised he even closed his eyes.”
“It must be nice having him on your side.”
“It is, but it’s great having you there, too. Tell you what. Why don’t I cook for us this morning? It’s the least I can do.”
“Are you saying you don’t like my cooking?” she asked.
“That depends. Have you had any more chance to practice since the last time I stayed with you?”
“Hey, I’ve been trying to make partner. There wasn’t exactly a lot of time to take any cooking classes.”
“I’m not complaining, I’m just offering my services.”
“Then I’ll gladly accept. How about some blueberry pancakes?”
“Do you have the ingredients?” I asked as I headed for the refrigerator.
“I just happened to lay in some supplies yesterday,” she said with a smile.
I laughed as I started measuring the flour and other ingredients and mixing the batter. As I worked, we talked about our plans for the day.
“I don’t see any way around it,” Jenny said as the first pancake hit the griddle. “We have to go to Richmond to Derrick’s home base if we’re going to learn anything about him.”
“I’m guessing Detective Murphy isn’t going to be too thrilled about me leaving town, let alone the state.”
“I could go on my own,” Jenny offered.
“I don’t think so. There’s no way I’m going to put you in jeopardy for my sake.”
“You’d do it for me, wouldn’t you?”
