“How did Gerald seem?Did he appear desperate?Like someone who might have thrown himself down the stairs?”
Sam shook her head, but her stomach fell at the thought.Had she pushed Gerald to kill himself?“He seemed scared and shaken up.But that’s it.”
“Who knew that you were meeting him?”asked the lieutenant.
Sam hesitated.Charlotte had, of course.And Aiden.Although neither of them had any reason to murder Margaret or Gerald.Still, she mentioned them.
Phillips nodded.“Anyone else?”
Sam shook her head again.
The middle-aged woman who’d been examining Gerald’s body called to Phillips.He briskly excused himself and stepped aside to speak to her.Sam waited.Neither of them seemed to realize she was still within earshot.
“I’m Dr.Sarah Chen, the county medical examiner,” said the woman.After Phillips had introduced himself, he said, “What do you think?”
“His injuries are consistent with a fall from that height.He’s exhibiting a broken neck and head trauma.”
Phillips said, “Does it appear to be an accident?Suicide?Homicide?”
“There’s bruising on his upper arms consistent with being grabbed or pushed.There are also defensive wounds on his hands.I noticed scraped knuckles and a broken fingernail.”
“So he fought back,” said Phillips.
“Briefly.Someone pushed him.He tried to stop himself, but couldn’t.He fell backward down the stairs.”
Phillips turned and seemed to remember Sam was there.She said, “Did you need me to stay to finish our conversation?”
“We’re done,” said Phillips curtly.“But I’ll be in touch.”
Aiden and Sam headed up to the parking area.“You okay?”asked Aiden.
“I’m okay.But I feel awful about what happened to Gerald.I did overhear the medical examiner saying Gerald’s death was definitely murder, so I won’t worry I drove him to kill himself.But still.”She paused.“Who could have done this?Obviously, Gerald wasn’t the one who murdered Margaret.So who did?”
Aiden shook his head.“Gerald must have known more than he was letting on.”
“Or the killer thought he did.Gerald specifically mentioned Dylan and Claire.But was it someone else?Why wouldn’t he have let the police know?”
Aiden said, “Maybe he wasn’t sure.Maybe he’d seen something that didn’t quite click, but wanted to check it out for himself before making any allegations.”
Sam sighed, leaning against his car.“I feel like I shouldn’t have left him alone.He was obviously a target.”
“He was at a bank.Generally, that’s a pretty safe place.And he was a target because he knew something.Not because of anything you did.”Aiden’s face was concerned.“Do you want me to come in with you after I drop you back home?Talk this out?”
Sam shook her head.“Thanks, but no.I think I need some time to just decompress.Maybe get distracted by Arlo.”
“Arlo sounds like a great distraction.But call me if you change your mind.I don’t have anything going on right now.”Aiden carefully didn’t mention the supper they’d planned that night.He probably wasn’t sure it was something they should still do.Sam, at this point, felt so depleted that she wasn’t sure either.
