“There’s proof of who killed Cora Wall.”
Kency’s gaze bored into me. “How’s that?”
“I saw something in a tree. Something that looked like Birda Grice’s watch.”
Kency shook her head. “And Birda flew into a tree and planted it there?”
“No, it came off when she strangled Cora.”
Kency stared at me blankly.
“I know it sounds crazy, but there is proof on the camera. That’s why it was stolen.”
Kency gave me a patient if not exhausted smile. “Why don’t you get some rest tonight? We can talk about this in the morning.”
Seeing as nothing I said would change her mind, I relented. “Fine. We can discuss it then.”
Kency and her men left me alone with Ruth and Alice to clean the mess. We picked everything up, which took about an hour, and then sat in the living room.
“Blissful,” Alice said quietly, “you shouldn’t be alone tonight.”
“What if the perp returns,” Ruth seconded. “I reckon you’ll need a place to stay. You’re welcome at my house.”
I smiled at both of them. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll remain right here.”
They exchanged concerned looks.
They worried about me, and that was sweet. It reminded me that I had a family in Haunted Hollow. It wasn’t a family made up of blood, but they were still my family all the same.
“It’s fine. Really.” I smiled widely. “I promise.”
“I don’t like it,” Ruth protested.
“The thief has what they want—the camera. But I don’t remember seeing Birda enter with it tonight.”
“She didn’t have it,” Alice said. “I would’ve noticed. I do have my glasses on, after all.”
“So if Birda didn’t take it, who did?”
The three of us exchanged a look. I raked my fingers through my hair and bolted out of my seat.
“Devlin Monk!”
“The reporter?” Alice said.
I nodded emphatically. “Yes. Oh, why didn’t I see it before? He was wearing a big watch that night, too. It must’ve flown off in the struggle.”
“But why?” Alice said. “Why would he kill Cora?”
“Cora was engaged to his great-uncle,” Ruth said. “At Cora’s viewing Ross told me Devlin was his only family. So he would be all set to inherit. But if Ross married Cora, then Devlin couldn’t count on receiving any money.”
“But Cora broke things off with Ross,” Alice argued.
“But what if Devlin didn’t know that?” I pointed out. “He would still be thinking that Cora and his uncle would marry and he’d be cut out of inheriting.”
Alice blinked for a moment. “Well, Blissful, I think you’re right. But what do we do about it?”
I considered our options before saying, “We get that watch. Make sure it’s Devlin’s.”
