Page 28 of Murder on Charity Lane

Ocean

We KNOW Hamilton!

Sophie

CJ’s upset but okay

I wasn’t sure if that was true, but I texted Ocean privately to reassure her, then Detective Enible entered the room and closed the door behind himself, a little harder than necessary.

“Sophie Gilman,” he said.

“I gave my statement to the police officer,” I told him, “and have nothing to add.”

“Whoa,” Enible said. “This hostility is new.”

“I gave my statement,” I repeated. “But it’s nice to see you again.”

He chuckled. “And you’re looking lovelier than ever. I just want to check your statement is correct. You were outside with Mr. Perez until you heard a scream. You entered to find CJ Moore and then Pax Heron checking Mr. DeYoung’s condition.” He flipped through his notepad. “At that point Karina DeYoung was at the top of the stairs, and moments later Jane Sheffield and Helene Kagant joined her?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you know where they were at the time of Frank DeYoung’s death?”

“I don’t, sorry.”

“Great, thanks. That’s a big help.” He lowered his notepad, like we were just chatting. “So what are you doing in Hope Ranch? It’s a long way from the Marigold Cottages.”

I stood from the couch. “Okay, then. It’s time to head home.”

“Throw me a bone, Sophie,” Enible said. “That’s not—”

“Nicholas?” I prompted.

“Right!” He rose beside me, his hand touching my lower back. “Let’s go.”

“Oh! Are we leaving?” Angela shoved her feet into her heels. “Me, too! I don’t have anything to add to what Sophie said.”

Enible considered me from beneath his shaggy brows. “Of course, Ms. Gilman. Say hello to Anthony Lambert for me.”

I almost said, “Okay!” but Nicholas steered me toward the door.

“If you’d indulge me one more minute, Mr. Heron?” Enible asked Pax.

Pax swallowed. “Oh, sure. No problem.”

I almost told him he didn’t have to stay behind, but Nicholas was already ushering me away from the foyer and the crime scene. If it was a crime scene, and Frank DeYoung hadn’t simply stumbled. Which he had, given his age and drinking and the fact that of course CJ hadn’t shoved him and—and I found myself blinking away tears, remembering his easy, confident warmth as he’d assured me that I already was a playwright. I didn’t need to prove myself to anyone.

When we stepped outside, the comfortable cool night air chilled me to the bone. I found myself trembling, so Nicholas wrapped his jacket around me. I calmed as I caught his familiar scent in the collar.

“Sophie, you’re such a femme forte!” Angela said, trotting after us. “First you ignore the detective’s questions, then you walk out on him. I need strength like that.”

I flushed. “I, um, wanted to go home?”

“I thought you were soft, but damn you are a boss bitch.” She unlocked her car with a twee-toot. “See you next time.”

After she pulled away, we climbed into Nicholas’s car. His headlights swept across the olive trees as the pavers wobbled under his tires.

“Boss bitch,” he said.