The halls were buzzing with activity, but no one paid me much attention as I took the right hall toward Jodie’s office, a large space she shared with five other officers.
I stood in the office doorway a moment as I searched for her. This room was even busier than the hallway and the parking lot, with at least twenty officers inside, most of them in uniform but a few of them not, some on a phone, some looking at something on a desk, or conferring with one another. Jodie wasn’t at her desk and I didn’t see her anywhere else, but I happened to lock eyes with Creighton as he talked on his desk phone. To be polite, I waved. He hurriedly hung up and marched toward me.
“You have a second?” he said as he took my elbow.
“Uh, sure,” I said as I gently pulled my elbow from his grip.
He blinked. “This way.”
I followed him deeper down the hallway and into an interview room. I’d been in it once before, being interviewed about a crime. The familiarity of the space and the memory of my last time there got under my skin and I was briefly bothered that Jodie hadn’t done anything to prevent me from having to go through those few moments of terror. The past was the past. I pushed away the irritation and told myself to get over it.
“You talked to Matt Bane last night?” Creighton said.
“I did,” I said. It would have done no good to lie.
“What did he say?”
“Not much, really. He was surprised to see me. He’d come into the store early yesterday morning. He was very friendly.”
Creighton nodded. He wasn’t angry that I’d spoken to Matt, or at least he wasn’t showing any anger.
“Why did you want to talk to him?”
“Well, like I said, I’d met him earlier and he was nice. His old girlfriend and his new girlfriend came into the store yesterday too. I felt a strange bond. I was curious.”
Creighton nodded. He was always so intense, but so was Jodie when she was working. It was probably a necessary trait to becoming a cop. He didn’t understand my curiosity, but I wasn’t sure I did either. Fortunately, he didn’t push it.
“So, you chatted about the weather?”
“No, Creighton. He told me thanks for stopping by and that he was innocent. Didn’t Linus tell you?” I crossed my arms in front of myself.
“Linus doesn’t hear well—that’s why I’m asking.”
I nodded. “Well, the weather didn’t come up once.”
A tiny flash of irritation crossed his eyes. “I’d made Matt Bane off-limits for visitors.”
I had to play this one right, not be defensive, which would have been my natural inclination. If I pointed out the difference in the department’s policy and Creighton’s need to be in charge of the entire world, this might end badly.
“Sorry. We thought it would be okay,” I said. The apology didn’t sound all that sincere, but at least I’d said the word, bitter as it had been in my mouth. And I uncrossed my arms just to make it better.
“You and Jodie?”
“Yes.” I hated getting her in trouble, but it would have been worse to deny it. To move the blame off her, I followed up with a sheer gut reaction. “Creighton, I was actually hoping to talk to him again.”
“Of course you were.”
“Really. When I left yesterday, he was distraught. I was so concerned about him that I didn’t sleep well last night. I’d like to make sure he’s okay.”
“He’s an alleged killer, Clare. You just met him, right?”
I nodded.
“You’re caught up in all the Hollywood stuff. It’s great to have the festival in Star City, but some of us get carried away. That’s what’s happening.”
I clenched my jaw for a moment. I took a deep breath through my nose. Reluctantly and with great effort I finally said, “Maybe.”
Creighton had a judgmental way of lifting one eyebrow that always sent a surge of anger through me. I tamped it down now, along with the other anger that had already been simmering. If I blew, I’d ruin whatever this was or might turn into in the future. I didn’t want to waste time being angry at Creighton and I didn’t want him angry at me. I just wanted us to be able to live in the same small mountain town and be civilized toward each other.
I took it like a champ, that eyebrow lift, and thought that if I really managed to hide the boil building inside me, I might want to consider an acting career myself.
A ridiculously long moment later, he said, “All right.”
“All right?”
“I’ll let you talk to him.”
I blinked. “That was not the answer I expected.”
“It was pointed out to me by the few in positions that might be higher than mine that my rule of no visitation for Mr. Bane is not an official policy, that it was inappropriate for me to attempt to have such a rule enforced.”
Despite my feelings for my ex-boyfriend and the fizzle of anger I still felt, I didn’t want to cause anyone any problems. It did not give me happiness to see that I might have somehow contributed to something troublesome for Creighton, or anyone else for that matter.
“Sorry, Creighton,” I said more genuinely this time.
“No need to be sorry. I’m still the boss to almost everyone. I just wanted to know if he said anything important.”
“No, nothing important.”
“You’ll let me know what the two of you discussed when this next conversation is over?”
“Of course.”
“All right. I’ll take you to him.”
I had to walk double time to keep up with Creighton’s fast strides. He was tall, though not quite as tall as Seth, and everyone got out of his way. Creighton was wider, built more like the wrestler he’d been in high school than the basketball player that Seth reminded me of. I suspected Seth would have probably sat on the bench more than played if he’d had any inclination to go out for basketball instead of spend all his time with his nose in books or playing baseball. I hadn’t asked him about all his high school extracurricular activities yet, and I suddenly wondered about his trim but muscled chest and arms and how he’d acquired them. Had geology interested him in high school or not until college? How did I not know these things?
I’d have to ask later, but at least those thoughts took me back to a happier place.
There were no words exchanged between Creighton and the guard who’d taken Linus’s place outside the cells, just nods and points.
“Find me when you’re done,” Creighton said to me.
“I will. Thank you.”
“Uh-huh.”
This time whatever Matt said would more likely be heard and dissected, but I couldn’t worry about it. There would be no way to speak in code. I also realized that I was being used by Creighton, that at first he might have been angry that I’d participated in disobeying his rule, but now he saw me as an instrument of his evil. Or at least a way to see if Matt would talk more. Well played, Creighton, well played.
I hadn’t really planned on talking to Matt again. My request had been a diversion, something that had popped into my head with the hope of keeping Jodie out of the line of fire—make Creighton more bothered by me than by his sister. I was there, though, once again in the claustrophobic back room with no windows and four holding cells. I’d have to say something.
“Hi,” I said as I approached the cell.
“Hey,” Matt said. He was already standing at the bars, and he no longer resembled a movie star. It was more than the wrinkled clothes and the messy hair; it was the demeanor. No swagger there. “What’s going on?”
There wasn’t much energy to his voice. He didn’t sound anxious or worried, just defeated.
I didn’t grab the chair this time as I stood on my side of the line. “I just . . . well, I guess I just wanted to talk to you again.”
“Okay. Did you talk to Howie?”
; “No, not yet.”
“Okay. Will you still try?”
“Matt, what room number were you staying in?”
“Three.”
“Do you have an iPad?”
He hesitated, but then said, “Yeah, why?”
“Anything on it that might be worrisome?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” he said, his voice up a notch from defeated to semi-curious.
Quietly, and as I watched him closely for unspoken reactions, I told him about Nell’s activities and Howie’s joining her. As he listened, he stood straighter and his face became serious and then baffled and then serious again. I didn’t really know why I was telling him instead of Jodie, except maybe to see how he reacted.
When he didn’t say anything for a long moment after I finished, I said, “Matt? What does it all mean?”
“I’m not totally sure,” he said.
“But you have an idea?”
“I might.”
“Want to share with me?”
“It would only be speculation,” he said, his voice back to defeated.
“Okay.”
He moved to the cot and sat, leaned his elbows on his knees, and ran his hands through his hair.
“As for why Howie spent the night with Nell, I don’t know. I’d like to think that it’s nothing. They know each other. He’s helped with her career too. He was staying at The Fountain. I can understand why he wouldn’t want to stay there now. Nell’s renting a big house. Howie being there doesn’t have to mean anything other than that’s where he stayed.”
“Would that bother you?”
“I don’t know. I can’t imagine anything other than being accused of murder bothering me at the moment.”
“Good point. But what about the iPad? Do you think she took it from your room?”
“Yes. There are things on my iPad. Nell wanted it,” he said.
“Things about her?”
“Some. There’s something about my sister too. Something that might make me look like I might not have wanted her around. Maybe Howie told her about that part.”
“I see.” I paused. I felt that the tide suddenly had turned, the other shoe had fallen, and whatever other clichés that ultimately meant that everything had just changed. Like Seth had said, when my subconscious told me to go in the other direction, I needed to listen. I’d made a terrible move in telling Matt what I’d seen and observed. I’d gotten carried away or something. Maybe I really had become starstruck.
“Matt, it’s time for me to bow out of this,” I said. “Time for you and an attorney to talk to the police.” I turned to leave, a sensation of wanting to flee coming over me. Whatever this was, it had just gone way beyond something I should be involved in. At least my instincts about something being wonky with Nell and the iPad were on target, but I should never have said one word to Matt about it. There could potentially be something there that might lead to a killer. Maybe not, but either way I now knew it was not my place to make any of this my business.
“Wait. Please. Now I’m really not sure who I can trust. I could still use your help.”
“Matt. It’s murder.”
“I know! My sister’s.” He stood again. “I did not kill her, Clare. I didn’t. I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but what if Howie is somehow involved? He’s the one who’s supposed to be getting me an attorney. What if Nell . . . I’m more confused than ever, and I can’t do one thing to find any answers when I’m behind bars.”
“You can request a different attorney.”
He gripped the bars and held his head down. I should have left, but I didn’t. I watched as he tapped a finger on one of the bars and seemed to struggle with his thoughts. I waited. I couldn’t help myself.
He looked up a moment later. “Please, Clare, I have another idea, a way you might find out more. It might help set me free, and might help find the real killer.”
Man, he was a good actor, if he was acting. How was anyone ever sure?
“How about you just talk to a police officer? I can get Jodie. . . .”
“She might be the best police officer ever, Clare, but I will not talk to the police without an attorney.”
“Of course not. And you shouldn’t,” I conceded. I suddenly realized I couldn’t talk to them either. I couldn’t tell Jodie anything I’d discovered. My observations might only muck up the system and get in the way of finding a killer. I’d painted myself into a corner, two corners actually if that was a way to make something worse. I should have just minded my own business.
“Please, Clare.”
“What’s on the iPad?” I said as I pushed up my glasses and crossed my arms in front of myself.
“Pictures. Recently taken pictures of me and Nell. We’re . . . well, we’re in compromising positions.”
“Oh.”
“We really did break up, but we’re still very attracted to each other.”
“Got it. How does Adele feel about that?”
“She doesn’t know. She wouldn’t be pleased. I was going to break it off with her after the festival. She’ll be upset. I’m sorry about that, but she will be. I love Nell. I wish I didn’t, but I do. Nell knows and I think she’s trying to figure it all out, but I was going to do whatever I could to make it right with her.”
“You think she didn’t want those pictures made public?”
Matt shrugged. “I guess.”
“What’s the stuff about your sister?”
Matt bit his bottom lip. “We were kind of just goofing around, and Howie recorded a video of me saying something unflattering about my sister.”
“What specifically?”
“That I wished she’d never followed me to Hollywood, that she’s a pain in my backside and my career.”
“That’s not great, but that’s not too bad. It could be worse. Why didn’t you just erase it?”
“That might seem like the obvious choice at this moment, but at the time I saw no reason to do such a thing.”
“Hmm.”
“What if Howie and Nell did something to the iPad to manipulate the stuff on it? What if they’re in on something together and want me to look guilty? Something’s not right with them.”
Or what if Matt was setting me up to believe they were up to something? Manipulation was running rampant today.
“They would do that?” I said.
“I don’t know. Was Nell so worried about our pictures becoming public or was it something else? I don’t know what possessed her to get the iPad. Why hasn’t Howie been taking care of things for me? It’s what he does—takes care of things.”
“You need to talk to the police. I don’t know why an attorney hasn’t come to see you, but you need one right away and you need to have a conversation with the police. Got it?”
“I do, Clare. I understand, but . . . and I will. I will right away. In fact, if you tell the police to go ahead and get me a public defender, I’ll do exactly as you say I should. But I’d still like you to do me a favor.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s . . . It’s a little crazy.”
“Sounds about right.”
He moved back to the cot and sat down. He reached into his shoe, or maybe just his sock. I stepped back, thinking that he must have been checked for weapons but I should be farther out of his reach just in case. But I still didn’t leave. I couldn’t bring myself to go yet.
He stood and came back to the bars, moving an arm through and holding out something in my direction. “Go to this. Take a date. Everyone who’s a part of my life will be there. This will get you in.”
“They didn’t take this when you were arrested?” I said as I looked toward the guard desk before stepping forward and reaching for the paper.
“They took my watch, phone, and wallet, but they didn’t notice
this. It’s such a secret event that I had it hidden in my sock. They took my shoes, but not my socks.”
I unfolded the paper, which was in the shape of a giant golden key: “Party. Bring this and you and your plus-one will be welcomed. Not for public notification. Dress is formal. No social media pictures allowed. We’ll be watching.” Then it listed a time, date, and location.
“Well, you’re right—this is crazy.”
“I know, but, seriously, everyone in my life will be there. You can maybe see what they’re up to.”
“It’s tomorrow night.”
“It is. It’s the party. Go. Please. See what you can find out. Even though the invitation was sent to me, if you have it with you, they’ll just ask for your name.”
“Whose party is it?”
“Can’t tell. It’s the rule.”
“Matt, I think you’ve lost sight of what’s important here. How would my going to a party help?”
“Like I said, everyone will be there. Nell, Howie, Adele, and everyone else in my life. They might be upset about the murder, maybe upset about my arrest, but they won’t miss this. No one who’s invited even considers missing it.”
“You want me to talk to them all there?”
“No, not really.” He bit his bottom lip. “I think you should observe them. See what’s going on between Howie and Nell, and Nell and Adele.”
“Do you think one of them killed Cassie?”
Matt’s eyebrows came together. “I don’t think it would be fair to accuse anyone of such a terrible crime, Clare, but someone else killed my sister. Why would it be someone random? Doesn’t it make sense that it should be someone in our circle of friends and acquaintances? And . . .”
“What?”
“Last time you were here, you said Adele came in and got the note cards.”
“Right.”
“I’ve given some thought to that one too, and I’m pretty sure I never told her about them. She would never have known to come get them.”
“Howie or Cassie told her?”
“Neither of them knew either, I thought. They weren’t in your store when I ordered them and I don’t think I mentioned to either of them what I was doing.”
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