“She’s in custody. She’s not being particularly cooperative, so I decided to let her hang out in a cell for a while.”
“She told me everything,” I said. “Or most of it, at least.”
“Do you want to give me a statement now?” Garrett asked. “We can wait until you feel up to it.”
“No, I can do it now. I don’t want to forget anything.”
Garrett took notes while I recounted what I remembered—everything from my arrival at the gallery to waking up in the hospital. I told him about the tea Gina gave me, the argument I’d overheard between her and Curt, and everything Gina had said about Edwin and the other murders.
“I don’t know how many women she killed, but I got the impression it was several at least,” I said. “Edwin probably painted the locations of all of them.”
“I bet if you go through his paintings, you’ll find them,” Theo said. “Or at least more clues as to where they left the bodies.”
“That’s one of the first things we’ll do,” Garrett said. “We’ve already secured the gallery and the Morris residence.”
“I also don’t know how Gina killed Edwin if she was out of town when he died,” I said. “Unless the newspaper was wrong about that.”
“She claims she was visiting her sister,” Garrett said. “We’ll interview the sister and see what she says about it. I’m betting Gina came back early from that visit, and the sister lied to give her an alibi.”
“What about Curt what’s-his-name?” Theo asked.
“Oh, he’s happy to talk,” Garrett said, and I didn’t miss the under-current of disdain in his voice. “He just wants to stay out of prison.”
“I don’t think he knew Gina was trying to kill me,” I said.
“That’s what he told us, too,” Garrett said. “It’ll be up to the prosecuting attorney to sort it all out.”
“You know Ihadto break into Gina’s house, right?” Theo asked. “I didn’t have a choice.”
Garrett held up his hands. “I don’t know a thing about that.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Like I said, just doing my job.”
“Oh, shit,” Theo said. “Do Josiah and Zachary know we found her? I totally forgot they were out looking.”
“Yeah, Luke called them. They’ve been busy keeping their wives from coming down here to make sure Penelope is okay.”
Theo grinned. “That tracks.”
“I’ll let you get some rest,” Garrett said. “We might have some follow-up questions, but I’ll let you know.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Really. I feel like I keep saying it, but thank you so much.”
With a smile, Garrett nodded, then turned to Theo. “Take care of her.”
“Always,” Theo said.
Always. That word hung in the air, like the last note of a song. A sad song.
Because Theo wouldn’t always be there. And that reality was breaking my heart in two.
Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes as Garrett left. I didn’t want to cry, especially in front of Theo. But the tidal wave of emotion crashed over me, leaving destruction in its wake.
“Hey.” He pressed his palm to my cheek. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling sick again?”
“No.”
