Page 59 of A Seer and Present Danger

“Did he work exclusively with Kenny?” I asked.

She nodded, then stopped. “Kenny helped move product, but if Hugo found a really good piece, he’d handle it personally.”

“You mean sell it on the black market?” I asked.

She blinked and her eyes cleared. She focused on me and seemed to notice Jules was there too.

“I’m sorry. We’re closed. I have a terrible headache. I’m going to go home.” She pushed onto her feet and swayed.

Futures flickered urgently:

Gail driving distracted

Gail running off the road

Gail rear-ended by a van

“Let me call someone to take you home.” I helped her sit down again. I expected her to resist, but she didn’t.

“On it.” Jules put her phone to her ear and wandered toward the door.

“Gail?” I asked softly. “Did you kill Kenny?”

She shook her head. “I didn’t kill Hugo, either. Do you think the police will believe me?”

“I think they will listen to everything you say and they’ll be fair. You should have a lawyer with you to explain anything you don’t understand.”

“I have a lawyer. A divorce attorney. Do you think she’ll help?”

“Let’s give her a call. Is she in your phone?”

She found her purse (spilled out on the floor next to her desk), retrieved her phone, and called her attorney. It sounded like the attorney had a colleague who could handle this sort of thing.

Jules came back. “Lochlan said he’d be here soon and can take her to the station.”

We stayed with Gail, but she’d retreated back into herself, staring at the blank screen.

Once Lochlan came in, he took over with the kind, gentle energy I’d expect from someone who was used to working with injured animals.

He assured us he had it covered, and Gail looked okay with his help, so Jules and I left.

“That was interesting,” Jules said.

“She didn’t act like she’d killed them,” I said. “But she could be lying.”

“She could be.”

“It looked like real grief though. It looked like Kenny’s death caught her by surprise.” I sighed. “I don’t think she did it.”

“Well, Myra or Hatter will be talking with her soon. In the meantime, who should we talk to next?”

“I don’t know. I suppose Buzz and Aggie since they were there that night? If Vandre shows up, we could talk to him.”

Jules’ phone pinged and she checked her screen. “Shoot. I need to be at the Rookery to sign for a delivery. Do you have time for a detour?”

I looked at my watch. “My shift is in a half hour. If you can take me home, I’ll have just enough time to get ready for work. We can catch up later if you want.”

“I want. Are you sure you’re okay to drive?”