“You’re the writer,” he said. “So tell us why.”
“A man,” Kate and Sara said in unison.
“We know that,” Jack said. “We just don’t know who.”
“I haven’t eliminated that nasty Gena as a suspect,” Sara said. “Anyone who can lie like she did could probably also kill. And she said she’s kept this secret about Roy for twenty years.”
“I can’t see her planting a tree,” Jack said.
“Of course she could!” Kate was splitting big purple grapes, removing the seeds, then putting the seedless halves on Jack’s plate.
“He can take his own seeds out.” Sara took the knife away from her.
“Sorry. Habit. Sometimes it was hard to get Mom to eat, so I fed her grapes. She liked the purple kind but hated the seeds, so I...”
There was an awkward silence and Sara looked like she was about to ask questions about Kate’s mother.
“If you want to peel them, too,” Jack said, “that’s fine with me.”
Kate gave him a look to say thanks for covering for her.
“Speaking of skinless grapes,” Jack said, “what about your old man Stewart?”
“I have no idea who you mean,” Kate said.
“Alastair?” Sara said. “He would certainly fit the bill. Lachlan upper class. Cheryl would need to dress up to be considered good enough for his family.”
“So would anyone from the Kirkwood family,” Kate said. “And Alastair had a girlfriend. Who else in this gossipy little town is considered local royalty?” There was the beginning of anger in Kate’s voice.
“Kitten got her dander up,” Jack said. “Protecting her lover.”
Kate reached for his plate, but Jack held on to it.
“Okay!” he said. “Sorry. I thought of him because he’s always hanging around. I seem to see him at least four times a day.”
“Give me a break,” Kate said. “He’s never even been inside the house. What about Dan Bruebaker?” She repeated what Alastair had told her, that Dan had been obsessed with Cheryl.
“I hope you two realize that we are completely ignoring Verna,” Jack said.
“Arthur Niederman,” Sara said. “I meant to look him up.”
“I did.” Kate looked at Jack. “While you were trying to hurt poor Gil, I found him and pinned his address on the bulletin board in the kitchen.”
“That was fast work,” Sara said.
“I did have some help.”
“My mom?” Jack asked.
“Yes.” Kate was smiling.
“Isn’t there a song about wanting a gal like the one who married dear ol’ dad?” Jack said.
“Eww,” Kate and Sara said together.
He laughed. “So what’s our next move?”
“You shower, dinner, then we’ll make plans,” Sara said. “Bruebaker and Niederman, for sure. Maybe we can find the landlord of their house. I’m with Jack and want to know who robbed the place.”
