Savannah looked up and she felt a professional mask steal across her face. “I was at home asleep with Rooney and my boyfriend, Edward Morris.” She watched Joy note down those facts and saw Joy’s shoulders relax.
“That’s good, but it would help significantly if I could confirm that with someone other than Edward.”
“Of course.” Savannah considered for a moment. “My neighbor across the street waved at me through the window when I took Rooney out for a walk.”
“What time was that?”
“It was late, probably after midnight.”
Joy nodded. “Good—not perfect, but I’ll check that out. I still want to know if you can help as a consultant. It looks like your experience will be needed.”
“The timing is disastrous. How do these things always happen when I’m starting a new class? Not only that, but I have a major commission due on Saturday, and this workshop is technically challenging. I think I may have to turn this down.” She frowned and rubbed the center of her forehead. “Wait, what am I saying?” She pulled a hand from her forehead. “I can’t believe this has happened to Dennis.”
Savannah stood still for a few long moments trying to control the trembling of her bottom lip. “Working with you guys will give me a chance to help Dennis find justice. It hits me right in the heart. Of course, I’m interested, but since I knew him, you’d better get it cleared with Detective Parker. If he approves, trust me, I’ll find a way to squeeze this in along with everything else.”
Officer Williams opened her mouth to reply when her phone chirped. “One second. It’s Detective Parker. I’ll take this outside.”
Savannah watched the trim young woman leave quickly and pull the front door closed. Savannah felt strongly connected to the police department due to her involvement in several murder cases. The most personal one was the investigation into the murder of her father and his trusted assistant about nine months ago. Since then, she had developed a reputation as an effective consultant who used wildly original thinking to help find justice for homicide victims. She felt connected to each victim’s family. She understood their need for resolution and although it didn’t make a dent in the loss, it somewhat answered questions for the families.
Detective Parker had hired her personally on the last murder investigation. It was a positive sign for him to extend an offer of assistance again. The consulting fee was always a welcome addition to her perennially depressed cash flow.
Officer Williams opened the door and walked up to Savannah with her dark eyebrows lowered. “Detective Parker wants to see you downtown at the crime scene as soon as possible.”
“As soon as possible? Why?”
“The victim was propped upright on the green bench sculpture.”
Savannah tilted her head, “Yes, I know the one. Edward and I strolled through the garden last night, but we didn’t stay for the entire party. We left early. Why does he want me at the scene?”
“Detective Parker said a letter was found in the dead man’s inside suit jacket pocket.”
“So . . .” Savannah put her hands on her hips. “Oh, I remember. He was reaching into his jacket when the director pulled him away for a VIP tour. Honestly, Joy, why are you making this so difficult? What’s wrong?”
“The letter is dated ten years ago and appears to answer a request for a character reference for a permanent job. The letter recommended that the company not hire the applicant as he wasn’t capable of honest, trustworthy behavior. It’s signed by your father, John Webb.”
Frank Duffy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHERYL HOLLON now writes full-time after she left an engineering career of designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. Fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, she combines her love of writing with a passion for creating glass art. In the small glass studio behind her house in St. Petersburg, Florida, Cheryl and her husband design, create, and produce fused glass, stained glass, and painted glass artworks. Visit her online at cherylhollon.com or on Twitter@Cher ylHollon.
Shattered at Sea Page 23