CHAPTER SEVEN
BELLA
Bella walked up to the elaborate Gold Coast townhouse and jogged up the steps. She had made several attempts to contact Kara Edwards. Since Rosemary mentioned that she was involved with Collier, and had a part in Taylor’s shooting, Bella had wanted to bring Kara in for questioning. But after several attempts, it became clear to her that Ms. Edwards was avoiding her.
Bella rang the doorbell and knocked on the fancy, French doors. After a minute or so, she was sure that Kara wasn’t coming to the door. Bella turned to walk away, thinking that she would have to show Kara Edwards that she wasn’t playing games with her. But, just as she was about to go down the stairs, the front door flew open.
An irritated, “What?” came from the doorway.
Bella turned toward the door and came face to face with the very woman that she’d wanted to see. “Kara Edwards?” Bella asked, even though she already knew who she was.
“Yes.”
“Miss Edwards, I’m Detective Devereaux from the Chicago Police Department. I’d appreciate a moment of your time.”
Bella noticed the instant change in Miss Edwards’ demeanor as soon as she announced her office. It went from irritation to anxiety. “May I come in?” Bella asked, even though she was already stepping through the door.
“Sure… yes. P-please, come in, Detective.”
“Thank you,” Bella replied as she stepped past Kara.
As she walked across the vestibule, Bella marveled at the elegance of Victor’s former press secretary’s townhome. If nothing else, the woman had style.
Kara walked ahead of Bella. “Right this way, detective.”
Bella followed Kara into an office. When she hurried around a large desk and sat, Bella knew that Kara was attempting to assert her authority. That was obvious. It was a ploy, but a ploy that worked on most. It was the very reason why Bella preferred to conduct her interviews in the police station. But since she couldn’t, she chose to remain standing.
“Miss Edwards, it has come to my attention that you and Collier Sanders were close.”
Bella watched Kara’s reaction while she waited for an answer.
“Yes, I was familiar with Collier. We both worked for the governor.”
Bella smiled and stuffed her hands into the pockets of her slacks. “Now, Miss Edwards, I didn’t ask if you were familiar. I asked if you were close.”
Anxiety flashed in Kara’s eyes for fraction of a second. “No, Detective, Collier and I were not close. He had a job to do, and so did I.”
“Did you speak to him the night of his death?”
Without the slightest hesitation, Kara responded, “No.”
“Miss Edwards, had you spoken to Collier Sanders the night that Officer Taylor Montgomery was shot?”
Before she could stop herself, Kara frowned at the mention of Taylor’s name. “No, I did not, Detective. What is all this about?”
Bella could see rays of annoyance emanating from the woman. She was obviously bothered by the fact that Bella was questioning her. But Bella couldn’t give zero fucks.
“Again, Miss Edwards, did you speak to Collier Sanders either the night of Taylor’s shooting or the night of Collier’s death?”
Kara stood from her chair. The tips of her fingers were turning white from pressing them aggressively into her desk. “I said, no,” she responded in a slightly elevated tenor.
“Cell phone records say otherwise,” Bella calmly revealed.
Kara walked from around the over-sized desk and gestured toward the door. “I think it’s time for you to leave, Detective.”
Bella nodded in agreement and walked toward the door. She turned to Kara, and just before walking out, she said, “I’ll be taking your official statement tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. Don’t show, and there’ll be a warrant issued for your arrest.”
“I’ll bring my attorney,” Kara snarled.
