“That’s not necessary.” Amanda responded as if the offer were genuine and not riddled with sarcasm. Once everyone was seated, she spoke. “Christine Lane has been identified as the person found in your home, but we have reason to suspect she may not have been the intended target.”
Dominique’s eyes widened a fraction. “What are you saying? That the killer was after me? That somehow Christine was mistaken as me?”
“You must admit that the two of you look similar,” Trent said.
“I guess, but we’re completely different people.” This was spoken with the same condescending attitude she’d demonstrated when talking about Christine the first time.
“We haven’t been able to find anyone who had reason to want Christine dead. There are also no explanations for why anyone would kill her at your house. We need to consider the possibility that you were the intended target.” As Amanda said this it crossed her mind again that the killer would have realized their mistake when they wrapped up Christine’s body, but by that point, it was too late.
Dominique shook her head. “Nah. What’s to say she didn’tinterrupt a robbery in progress when she turned up to prepare for the showing. You said the sliding door was open.”
Amanda had to admit that it was a solid argument from the attorney except that it held no merit. “There is nothing to suggest that was the case.”
Dominique angled her head, smiled tightly. “How could you know that with any certainty? You haven’t consulted with me for an inventory of my things.”
Amanda recalled all the opulence housed in that walk-in closet. Where would they even begin to catalog everything? And was it even necessary? Everything looked in order. More to the point, a fatal robbery doesn’t result in the culprits wrapping their victims in tarps. A valid argument raised more than once. “Details of the scene sway us from believing any of this pertained to a robbery.”
“The details of which I assume you’re not at liberty to share?”
“Correct,” Amanda confirmed.
“Well, if this person came for me, they failed big-time. It’s tragic they got Christine in my place, but I’m still not sure how this brings you here at this hour.”
“This killer will know they got the wrong person by now.”Technically, from the moment they wrapped Christine’s body in a tarp…“The threat on your life may not be over,” Amanda stressed.
“Then you believe they’ll come back for me?” Dominique looked at Blackburn, who smirked at her. “As you can see, Detective, I’m perfectly safe.”
And arrogant…“For now. But whoever killed Christine is to be taken seriously. She was shot three times. Twice to the chest, once to the head.” Amanda felt comfortable disclosing that much if that was what it took to convince Dominique of the threat hanging over her.
Blackburn shifted his position on the couch and cleared his throat. “Dom, that sounds like an execution.”
“I’m perfectly safe, darling.” The worddarlingdripped off her tongue like thick caramel.
“I’m not so sure you are,” Blackburn said, and it had Dominique firing him a hot glare. “Can you protect her?” He was looking at Amanda as he asked the question.
“Unreal. If you think I’m going to be okay with a babysitter, you’re sorely mistaken.” Dominique flushed and crossed her arms.
“Don’t be foolish, Dom,” Blackburn petitioned. “This is your life we’re talking about.”
“That’s right.Mylife. And it’s always in jeopardy.” She turned toward Amanda and Trent. “I’m a defense attorney. The job entails making enemies. If I didn’t have them, I wouldn’t be doing my job right.”
“And that makes you feel safe and secure while you sleep at night?” Amanda raised her eyebrows, skeptical.
“It’s just par for the course.”
Trent took out his notepad and pen. “Do you have any names for us?”
“I have a lot. At my office. I don’t bother myself with keeping track.”
“We’ll need those names,” Amanda stated firmly.
“I’ll get them for you. Just not right this minute.”
It made sense Dominique wouldn’t have a list handy, but she didn’t even seem shaken by the request. Moving on,Amanda turned her focus elsewhere. Additional due diligence. Blackburn wasn’t a big man. Through obscured glass he could be taken for the size of a woman. “Mr. Blackburn, where were you on Friday night?”
“You can’t seriously think that…” Dominique chuckled. “There’s no way Joel wants to kill me.”
“She’s right, though there are times I could strangle you.” He gave her a mischievous smile.
