Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1)
Page 34
“What do you mean?”
“Nine white patchouli candles, the human gestation period is nine months. Your brother’s goal was to frame you for these murders. Your favorite scented candle, color, and flowers. The clothing was yours. You liked Disney Princesses didn’t you?”
“Yes. I was nutty about them when I was a child.”
“Was Bianca?” Murphy walked towards the table.
“Yes, but as Robert… he feared ridicule. But why? Why would my brother do this? I’ve taken care of him all these years. He couldn’t work. He was too unstable.”
“Robert didn’t have a constellation,” Charley stood, rubbing her mouth. “Bianca does.”
Vega squeezed her brows. “What? I don’t understand.”
“Dr. Vega, your middle name is Lyra, a constellation. Bianca is a moon of Uranus.” Murphy parked his hip on the edge of the table. “Carina is a constellation in the southern sky. Visible to the naked eye. Bianca won, Dr. Vega. She has a moon and star formation.”
Charley grasped Murphy’s elbow. “Let’s go.”
Rochelle Vega laid her head on the table sobbing. “He killed children because of a stupid constellation?”
Murphy stood. “He didn’t have one. It’s a girl thing.”
Charley and Murphy left the room.
Doobie approached them. “Well?”
“Escort Dr. Vega home,” Charley said. “We have no reason to hold her.”
“Do you think she had anything to do with it?” Doobie scanned their faces.
“I hate to say this, but, no. During Delaney’s kidnapping, she was in Florida. Have the investigators check Dr. Vega’s alibis during the other kidnappings and murders. Make sure they’re concrete.”
“What do you think, Murph?” Doobie said.
Murphy shook his head. “I don’t believe Dr. Vega knew anything. I’d still investigate. Get a warrant for her laptop, hand it over to Scott Grae, see if anything is there.”
Doobie nodded his head. “We’re on it.”
“I don’t understand why Bianca murdered children over a constellation.”
Charley smiled. “She didn’t.”
“But, you said…”
“She murdered the children due to the late term abortion. She framed her sister because she has hated her all the years for being so special she had her own constellation.”
Murphy nodded. “Ah.”
A commotion rumbled from the entrance doors.
“Charley,” a man called out, running to her.
“Hey, Scott.”
Scott grabbed her, swinging her around and kissed her. “I was so worried. You okay?”
“Oww, oww, oww, a tad tight, Scott. The vest works.”
“I heard. That’s why I’m here. I had to see for myself.” Scott glanced past her shoulder. “Hey Doobie… Murph.” Latched tight around her waist, Scott clung to her. “I’m glad everyone is okay.”
“We’re good.” Without fanfare, Murphy stepped next to her, clutched her shoulder, and jutted his head towards the entrance. “C’mon, let’s go home.”
“Okay.” She slipped away from Scott.
With his hand on Charley’s back, Murphy led her to the door, and exited. They strolled along the sidewalk in silence. Murphy slowed the rhythm of his steps to a stop. He stepped in front of her. No words, he searched her eyes. “Charley… uhm.” He swallowed hard. “Uhm… you seem sad.”
Charley’s body slumped. “I’m tumbling from a five month high. It’s draining.” Her eyelashes fluttered, forcing the flood puddled in her eyes. She sniffed and fixed her eyes on the ground. “Not sure I want it to be over.” She glanced at him.
Murphy smiled. “Tell me, Agent Faraday, is there anything else I can do for you?”
Charley’s eyes captured his, searching. “Help me catch Tangerine.”
“I’m all yours.”
END OF BOOK ONE