“Detectives,” she said. “This is a…”
“Surprise,” Collin said, from over her shoulder. She hadn’t heard him move, let alone approach her.
“Morning,” Carter said. “Mind if we come in?”
She stepped back, bumping into Collin. He set a hand at her waist, but seemed reluctant to move and let the pair in.
“Sorry to bother you so early,” Jess said. “Especially when you have an event going on.”
“But we have a couple of follow-up questions,” Carter finished.
Helia frowned. “I don’t know what more I can tell you, but I’m happy to help. Can I get you both coffee?”
“This isn’t a social call, Helia,” Collin grumbled. She looked up at him, but his eyes were fixed warily on the two detectives.
She frowned at the expression on his face. “I know it’s not social. But since I had nothing to do with Justin’s death, if I have answers to any questions they have, I’ll help. His mom deserves that.”
Collin’s gaze dropped to hers. They stood inches apart, his hand still resting on her hip, the heat of his body curling around her. His eyes held steady, but she didn’t fool herself. His mind was working a mile a minute. On what, she didn’t know, but after an uncomfortable stretch of silence, he nodded. A slight tightening of his lips the only evidence of his unease.
She dragged her gaze from his, then cleared her throat. “So, coffee? Tea?”
Jess and Carter shook their heads.
“Okay,” she said, leading everyone into her small sitting room. She and Collin sat on the sofa, his thigh flush against hers. Carter sank into the one chair, while Jess leaned against the wall, setting the backpack she carried on the ground.
“What can I help you with?” she asked.
Carter pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, then handed it over. “Do you recognize that knife?”
She took the device and studied the image. Collin’s weight shifted as he leaned closer to look as well.
“It’s part of a set,” she said, handing the phone back. Both the blade and the handle were covered in suspicious stains, and her skin crawled at the idea that it might be Justin’s blood.
“So you recognize it?” Jess asked.
She nodded. “It’s in the kitchen, or the rest of the set is. Akin had a sous-chef, Marcel Laurant, who worked here two summers ago. It was his,” she said. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “It always seemed weird to me that he left it. Knives are a critical part of a chef’s trade. They tend to have their favorites and guard them almost religiously. But it’s a beautiful set. Unique. We assumed it was meant as a thank-you for Akin.”
“Can you get us Marcel’s information?” Carter asked.
She nodded. “It’s in the computer in the main building. I can get it for you when we’re done here. Was that knife used…”
Jess ignored her lingering question. “Who would have access to the set?”
Helia shrugged. “Pretty much everyone who works here. The last time I remember seeing them was about a month ago, and they were in the drawer that holds extra knives.”
“You’ve touched them?” Carter asked.
Collin shifted beside her, bringing his entire side flush against her body.
She frowned. “I guess, maybe once or twice. They’re beautiful pieces. The scrollwork is delicate yet solid. But if, or when, I did, it hasn’t been for a while.”
“Why?” Collin asked. Carter’s and Jess’s gazes shifted to him.
Rather than answer, Carter tapped his device again and handed it over.
She wasn’t sure she wanted to take it this time, but Collin had no qualms. He plucked the phone from Carter’s hand and studied the screen. She watched his face rather than read over his shoulder. The corners of his eyes tightened before they narrowed. His nostrils flared a hint. And even through his beard, she saw his jaw clench.
“Collin?”
