“Best Home Realty? You got it.”
NINETEEN
Sierra looked up when Amanda entered the Best Homes Realty office with Trent. Her eyes were wide and wet, and her complexion was pale.
“Detectives? Did you find Christine?”
Amanda felt compassion for Sierra living in limbo, but yesterday had been nonstop. “Unfortunately, we did.”
Sierra gasped a loud sob, drawing Art out from his office.
“What happened?” He walked up behind Sierra, with his hand hovering above his employee’s shoulder shy of making contact.
“Christine was found murdered at the Charmed Court listing.” To the point was always the best way to handle things like this.
Sierra looked over her shoulder at her boss and sprung from her chair, retreating down a hallway.
“You’ll have to excuse her. She’s young, and this is quite the shock.” Art rubbed his jaw.
Amanda didn’t think age had anything to do with how a person took this type of news. “We can imagine it is. No one is prepared for this. We’re sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. But, just wow, this is a lot to process. How is Riley doing? I assume she knows.”
Amanda nodded. “She was informed yesterday. The road ahead for her will be rough.”
“I can’t imagine all she’s feeling. That poor girl.” Art shook his head. “I’m going to have to figure out how to let Christine’s clients know about this. How does one even go about something like that?”
“Just be honest. You can mention Christine has passed unexpectedly, but I’d recommend leaving out the part that she was murdered,” Amanda suggested.
“I see how that might be best.”
Amanda let a few beats of silence pass before she spoke again. “Since we’re here, Detective Stenson and I would like to talk to Marcy Maxwell, if she’s in.” There was no reason to disclose talking with her was their primary reason for this visit.
Art’s face scrunched up. “Marcy? Why?”
She could take advantage of this minor detour. “What was her relationship like with Christine?” She’d take what Art told them and compare it to what Marcy might say.
“Competitive.”
Amanda’s gaze went to the agent-of-the-year portraits, and it had Art glancing at them, back at her.
“You can’t think that Marcy killed Christine over some title and a picture on the wall.” Art’s voice was low.
“I’m sure there’s far more to being agent of the year,” Amanda said.
“Well, there’s the honor and prestige that goes with it. The accomplishment is also publicized in a realty magazine.”
“Is there any monetary bonus?” If there was, it became even more understandable why the competition was fierce.
“No, but the top agent needs to have earned the most money for the firm.”
“Mr. Beasley, could you elaborate on your answerto Detective Steele’s question about Christine’s relationship with Marcy, beyond competitive?” Trent asked.
“I’m sensing the real question you want answered is do I see Marcy killing Christine? If so, then no. Not at all. But that listing on Charmed Court was a sore spot for her.”
Amanda glanced at Trent, curious if it was enough of one to motivate murder. The voicemails Marcy had left hadn’t sounded cordial. “How so?”
“The homeowner is some high-powered lawyer, who is eager to sell her home, and she demanded the best. Sierra told her that Marcy was our agent of the year last year and put her through to Marcy. This call came on a Friday, though, and Marcy wasn’t in any position to accept the call or return it.”
