“I was upset with her,” I said. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. If you notice, I stopped those comments after a few days, once I calmed down. Check my receipts from the market. I haven’t purchased any radishes.”
“And what about these?” The inspector slid another stack of papers inserted into clear sleeves across the table. Marcus’ drawings. “We found those in your purse. Can you explain where they came from?”
Shite.Okay, this didn’t look good.
“I found those in Ashley’s bag,” I said.
“We searched her bag and never saw these drawings.”
“You searched herpurse. I found those in her travel case at her mum’s house.”
“Why were you looking through her bag?”
“She was stealing designs from under Marcus’ nose to sell to other designers so they could beat him to market. The drawings prove this, and I believe that’s why she was killed. I was trying to find the person who was buying them. That’s not something a guilty person would do.”
“Actually, it’s typical for a guilty party to attempt to deflect blame onto others. You expect us to believe this far-fetched story?”
“It’s the truth! Call Marcus Ribald – ask him if these are his drawings.”
“We’ve already done that. But we only have your word for it that Ashley stole these. A far more likely scenario is thatyoustole them and planned to plant them on Ashley, getting revenge on both of them at the same time. Only, the arrival of your friends from upstairs prevented you.”
“Morrie and Heathcliff came down the stairs a moment before me. I didn’t have time to do anything.”
“A convenient alibi. We’ll be looking into their statements. For a pretty young girl like you, I imagine they’re all too happy to fudge their testimony.”
“I can prove it.” I pointed to the date in the bottom corner. “Marcus always dated and filed his drawings. These were all drawn after I lost my internship. I wasn’t even in New York, so there’s no way I could have stolen them.”
I sat back, waiting from them to apologize, but Sergeant Wilson didn’t look convinced. “Is this the internship you were fired from because you were harassing the victim?”
“What?No. I never harassed Ashley. She was my best friend. Marcus didn’tfireme. He had one paid position, and even though he admitted I was the most qualified for the role he chose to give it to Ashley because I’m going blind.”
Something battered against the door. Inspector Hayes glanced up just as the knob turned and Heathcliff burst in. “Don’t say another word, Mina. These officers shouldn’t be questioning you without a lawyer present.”
“You’re not a lawyer,” Inspector Hayes pointed out.
Heathcliff slapped down a piece of paper. “There’s a copy of my law transcript. Your secretary has already confirmed my name on the register. This interview is terminated while I have a meeting with my client. Inprivate,” he added with a glower that could have sunk a thousand ships.
Inspector Hayes flashed him an evil glare, but he beckoned Wilson to stand. They left the room. “Twenty minutes,” Inspector Hayes hissed at Heathcliff.
“I’ll take all the time I please,” Heathcliff shot back, slamming the door so hard behind him that the wall shook. He picked up the recorder from the table and ripped the cassette out of the slot.
I fell against him, my body sagging into his. “Am I glad to see you.”
Heathcliff stiffened under my touch.You just going to have to deal with it, mate. I’m a girl and I need a hug.
After a few moments Heathcliff wrapped his arms around my shoulders, enveloping me in leather and peat and strength.By Isis, he feels so good against my body.
“I was never angry at you,” he muttered into my ear.
“I know. Heathcliff, are you really a lawyer?”
“Of course not. Morrie forged a transcript for me. Now,” he rubbed his fingers across my knuckles, sending a shiver through my arm and straight to my core. “We have a plan.”
“Of course you do,” I patted his arm. “Since Morrie’s behind this, I’m guessing it involves breaking the law?”
“Several laws, I imagine. Be ready. Quoth will come for you tonight. In a few hours we’ll catch the killer and have you back in our arms.”
“Heathcliff, do you know that Morrie and I—”
