And I jump on it. “I’m taking a wild guess, but will you be out of town that weekend? I know you travel a lot for your food blog.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything else.
I think back to her demeanor when she showed up at the bar. She was a mess. She’d gone out in a thunderstorm just to ask me if I was sleeping with her husband. A woman doesn’t do that unless her marriage is in a pretty rough place.
So I add, “I feel like I’m not the only one who wants to know who Ben really is and what he’s done.”
She tenses at my words. “If I refuse to help you, what will you do?”
It’s a question I expected. Hoped for. “I’ve been thinking about my options. The police aren’t much help since they don’t like looking into closed cases. But there’s the media. I could find one of those podcast groups that love to dig through old cases.”
I don’t have to know Camille to know she would hate to be dragged into the public spotlight like this.
“How do you intend for us to see what evidence you think Ben is getting?”
I try not to look shocked by her question. Honestly, I felt like it was a very slim chance she would consider helping me.
“We need to figure out how to make sure you’re home too, but without him knowing. You can set some cameras up.” I motion to Deacon behind me. “We can teach you how to prepare so you see what he’s seeing. That you’re recording it.”
She’s shaking her head. “Ben tracks me. My phone, my car, credit cards. There’s no sneaking up on Ben. He watches my every move.”
My head tilts to the side as I consider her words. Being tracked is nothing new. Before my parents died, my mom followed my every move using Life360, but my friends and I worked hard to make sure she only saw what we wanted her to. “What if he watches my every move instead, thinking it’s you?”
Chapter 18
Hank
AFTER THE ALIBI
Tuesday, October 13
“Hey, Hank.” Camille’s voice is scratchy.
“Hey, just calling to check on you and to let you know Detective Sullivan came by yesterday. They’re finished at your house.”
“Oh! So soon?”
“Yeah, it’s doesn’t take too long, especially since they would have focused on Ben’s office. I have a service going over there to clean up behind them. Dusting for prints makes a huge mess. Hopefully they can start tomorrow, but at the latest on Thursday. Should be done either Friday or Saturday and then you’ll be free to go home.”
“I don’t love being at my parents’ house, but I don’t think I can go back there, especially until they catch whoever did this. Did the detective tell you if they had any leads?”
I lean back in my chair, turning it so I can look out the window. “No.And he won’t be able to tell us much. He’ll risk his investigation otherwise. So for now, we’ll be in the dark until they’re ready to make a public announcement.”
It’s a long few seconds before she responds. “Do you think they have a suspect?”
“I think they’re looking at everyone associated with Ben.”
She’s quiet on the other end of the line so I change the subject. “There is one thing I wanted to ask you about. The 1970 Mustang parked near the garage. Is that Ben’s?”
Another long pause. “Yes. He bought it not long ago.”
Staring at the traffic going by outside my window, I consider this and find it doesn’t match up in any way with what I know about Ben. But I’m not pushing it with Camille.
“I hate to pile anything else on you right now, but Detective Sullivan needs to interview you formally.”
“What do you mean, ‘formally’?”
“It just means it will be done by appointment, not like at the scene on Sunday. He’ll have prepared questions. You’re Ben’s wife. You’re the one who found him. It’s expected they will want to speak with you, more than once probably. There is no reason for us not to be helpful.”
