Page 129 of Murder on Charity Lane

“You know they weren’t sleeping together or any such nonsense.”

“Out!” she screamed. “Get out!”

Ocean made placating noises as she ushered Mrs. B around the side of the house. She opened the passenger door for her, then took her place behind the wheel and said, “I hope you enjoyed yourself.”

“Well, of course. Though I’m not sure we learned anything.”

“You think?” she said.

“Except that it’s terribly easy to upset her.” Mrs. B clicked her seat belt. “Which means she might blurt an uncomfortable truth the next time we chat.”

Ocean didn’t bother responding to “the next time.” Too busy checking for the flash of police lights on the road ahead.

59

SOPHIE

When Lily-Ann came to see me at work, I met her in the break room because I didn’t want her to reorganize my office. She took the wooden chair and crossed her legs. Her block-heel sandals were handmade, and probably cost more than my monthly rent, so I looked them straight in the eye as I said, “So what do you think about going easy on Karina?”

“Because CJ asked you to?”

“Yeah, she doesn’t want to get her in trouble.”

Lily-Ann smoothed her skirt on her knee. “Despite the fact that she blames CJ for Frank’s death?”

“Despite everything. I guess CJ thinks it’s disloyal to Frank to stir up more trouble for Karina while she’s in mourning.”

“Mm. We’ll see. However, the reason I stopped by was to ask you to learn more about Jane Sheffield.”

“Oh, sure. I didn’t even know we still considered her a suspect. What do you want me to find out?”

“Nothing in particular, you’re just well-placed to make the inquiries.”

“Okay, but what about my ice cube theory?” I’d been meaning to ask her.

“I wasn’t entirely aware you had one. You mean the ice you spotted on the stairs after Frank died?”

“Yes! Yes, Lily-Ann. Sherlock would take one look at that ice and crack the case.”

“Or he’d conclude that Frank dropped his drink when he fell.”

“Maybe,” I admitted. “But he’d still find some crucial detail that we’re overlooking, that’s all I’m saying. Like why was the cash in a Trader Joe’s bag? Do rich people even shop there?”

“We have enough trouble focusing on the most mundane facts, Sophie. We don’t need to speculate.”

“Everything seemed to fall into place last time.”

“Last time.” Lily-Ann straightened on her chair. “Yes, well, Piotr’s sister has been calling me again. And making insinuations. She thinks he’s innocent.”

My stomach knotted. “Wh-why?”

“Because that’s what he tells her.”

“There’s no, like, evidence, though?”

“No.”

“Then screw them, Lily-Ann. He tried to murder you.”