Holden paused. “And?”
“Her real name was Rosie Thorpe. She used to be an investigative journalist and did a lot of undercover work, but she crossed the line of ethics too many times and burned all her bridges, so according to her old bosses, no one would hire her.”
“If she couldn’t publish any of her findings at any legitimate newspaper or magazine, then what was she doing investigating the hospital?”
“My IT person linked her to articles that she blasted on conspiracy and exploitative sites on the internet. She also had her own site under a pseudonym with some serious firewalls. She got good exposure.”
“Shit. It explains the less than ethical methods of getting information from people.”
“Exactly.”
The question still stood…who’d killed her? “I don’t like Clara still being in that house.”
“If you hadn’t offered to stay last night, she wouldn’t have been there. Was she okay?”
Guilt cut through Holden’s chest that Jesse was in the dark about everything that had happened recently between him and Clara. He just needed to tell his best friend. But not over the phone. And he needed to talk to Clara first. “Yeah, she was okay.”
“Good.”
“You’re looking into the hospital staff, aren’t you?”
“We’ve been interviewing the staff this morning, starting with the running club. Briar Winslow was at the bar, then went to Helen Monroe’s house. Malcolm Trundle was at home, but no one can verify that. We’re just heading to Deborah Fuller’s house now.”
Holden straightened. “I want to be there.”
“No. This is a sheriff matter—”
“I don’t fucking care. It involves Clara.”
Jesse growled. “Holden—”
“I’m leaving now.” He hung up, grabbed his shit, and ran to his truck. He wanted to be in on at least one of these interviews. He wanted to hear what Deb had to say, not only about last night but also about the night Scarlett laced the brownies.
When he reached Deb’s house, Jesse pulled up behind him almost at the same time, his deputy, Luke, in the passenger seat.
Jesse climbed out of his car, his jaw set. “You can come in if Deb say it’s okay. If she says no—”
“I’ll go.” But Deb liked him, so that wasn’t happening.
He said a quick hello to Luke before moving to the front door, not missing Jesse’s exaggerated huff.
When Deb opened the door, she gasped. “Oh my…am I in trouble?”
Jesse shook his head. “No, ma’am, but we were hoping we could ask you some questions.”
“Oh, yes, sure.”
Jesse shot him a glare. “Holden Forbes is invested in this case and would like to listen to your interview. But say the word, and we’ll send him away.”
Holden gave the older woman a kind smile. “Hi, Deb. I hope that’s okay.”
She returned his smile. “Of course. I don’t have anything to hide.”
Jesse sighed before stepping inside, Holden and Luke following.
“Have a seat,” Deb said, gesturing toward the round dining table. “Can I get coffee for anyone?”
“No, thank you.” Jesse sat and waited for everyone else to take a seat before asking his first question. “Deb, I need to know where you were last night between the hours of eight and midnight.”
