Page 49 of Murder on Charity Lane

“Goddamn.”

“Yeah. I mean, the room was part of my salary. Which mattered less fifteen years ago, when you could still rent in this town. But nowadays? Trying to find a twenty-five-hundred-a-month studio without a job? Impossible.” CJ tapped the paper on the table. “So even though I know it’s a little … whatever … I’m so grateful for this.”

Ocean looked closer and saw the word lease. “You already found a place?”

“Well, more like the place found me.” She smiled at Mrs. B. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mrs. B said, with a smug slurp of tea. “We’re lucky to have you.”

Ocean felt her smile freeze. “Oh! You’re renting Sophie’s place to CJ?”

“I know I mentioned that to you.”

“Right. Yes, of course,” she said, instead of panicking.

She wasn’t ready for this! She wasn’t ready for CJ to move across the courtyard. Were they dating? Hooking up? Seeing each other? Oh, god, was this a situationship? She didn’t know!

“Is that okay?” CJ asked.

“It’s better than okay. It’s great. You need a place and we have a place. It’s how places work.”

“Am I imagining this?” CJ asked Mrs. B.

“No, no, she’s absolutely panicking. Look at her poor face! Don’t worry, she’ll get used to the idea.”

“It’s only temporary,” CJ assured Ocean.

“I’m not panicking. I’m just surprised. It’s honestly fine. It’s great.”

“And now that that’s settled,” Mrs. B sang out, before turning her concerned gaze to CJ. “Tell us everything you remember about that night. To help the investigation.”

“If you want to,” Ocean added, unclenching her jaw. “I’m not sure what she told you, but we’re not—”

CJ interrupted with a wave of her coffee cup. “It’s fine. I don’t mind. Mrs. B explained all about the Marigold Cottages Innocence Project.”

“Oh, did she?”

“Mm,” Mrs. B said. “And CJ is sure it was an accident.”

“Of course it was an accident! Everyone loved Frank. He was a remarkable man. He was just so … kind.” CJ looked down at the foam on her coffee. “I guess that doesn’t sound like much. It’s not genius or greatness. Frank had his moments of those, too, but nothing mattered more than his kindness.”

“He sounds lovely,” Mrs. B said. “Now, then, I believe Ocean has questions?”

“You’re going to make me do this?”

Mrs. B made an innocent, fluttery gesture and Ocean sipped her coffee to control her temper. Most of her questions were for Mrs. B, and best accompanied by shouting. This wasn’t a coffee; it was an ambush. Although of course Mrs. B had rented Sophie’s studio to CJ. She loved nothing more than helping someone in need—and having an excuse to poke around in their business. And it’s not like Ocean didn’t want CJ to move in. The cottage was empty and she’d been kicked out of the Hope Ranch mansion. Still, she could’ve used a goddamn heads-up.

“Let’s start with his wife,” she said, setting her coffee aside. “Do you think Karina honestly believes she saw you push him?”

“Definitely.” CJ brushed a strand of her burnished hair off her face. “She wouldn’t lie about that. She doesn’t like me, but she wouldn’t frame me for murder.”

“Even if she did it herself?”

“She would never kill Frank. She was doing everything she could to extend his life. She’d even started him on a vegan diet. Well, she tried to. For once he dug in his heels.”

“Okay, but people do terrible things for money. Are you in the will? Maybe she wants you out of the way, so she can inherit everything?”

“I am in the will—”