by Cindy Bell
“And Celeste came in and caught you. Finally, you couldn't take her remarks anymore, so you snapped,” Wendy supplied with confidence in her voice.
“No, no,” Suzette shook her head quickly. “I didn't run into Celeste until I came out of the room. She was in the hallway. Looking for me of course. She made some terrible comments about smelling alcohol on my breath. I told her she was full of it, and I hadn't drunk a drop. She insisted that she was going to catch me in the act, and went into the room to find the bottle of alcohol.”
“That probably made you angry enough to go in after her,” Brian suggested and stepped a little closer to her. “So, maybe you followed her in.”
“No,” Suzette said firmly. “I went back to the banquet hall. I never went back in that room.” Wendy and Brian exchanged glances. “Look, you don't have to believe me,” Suzette continued. “But no matter what Celeste did to me, I wouldn't have killed her. She might have been a terrible mother-in-law, but Chris still loved her, and I would never hurt him like that.”
She turned on her heel and stalked back into the bar.
Brian shifted closer to Wendy and spoke in a whisper. “Do you believe her?” he asked.
“The question is do I believe her or do I believe a camera?” Wendy frowned. “Can cameras lie?”
“Not usually,” Brian said with a shake of his head.
“Let's take another look at that video,” Wendy said. “Maybe we missed something.”
“Okay, it's worth another try,” Brian agreed.
Chapter Eight
When Wendy and Brian got back to the security office the door was slightly open. Wendy pushed it open the rest of the way. There was no one inside. This struck her as odd, considering there had just been a murder, and potentially a killer on the loose. All of the monitors were on displaying live feed from the cameras, but no one was monitoring them.
“I think I can pull it up myself,” Wendy said and started tapping at the keys.
“No, not like that,” Brian warned and pulled her hands away from the keyboard. “Trust me, cameras I know.”
Wendy stepped back and allowed Brian to sit down in front of the monitor. With a few quick keystrokes the video of Suzette walking into the room where Celeste was killed began playing.
Wendy leaned over his shoulder and watched the video intently. As expected, Suzette emerged from the room and began walking down the hallway. The time stamp was shortly before Wendy had discovered the body. There was no hint of the video footage being tampered with. Wendy frowned.
“How is this possible?” she asked. “Suzette insists that she wasn't there at that time.”
“She's obviously lying, Wendy. I know you like to give people the benefit of the doubt but I really think the video speaks for itself.”
“Wait,” Wendy leaned over his shoulder a little further and pointed at the monitor in front of them. “Look at that. Can you pause it?”
“Look at what?” he asked and tapped on the keyboard to pause the video.
“The clock,” Wendy said as she pointed to the clock at the end of the hallway. “It has a different time than the timestamp on the video. The video says one thirty-five and the clock on the wall says about ten minutes past one.”
Brian grunted quietly as he compared the two, then he nodded slowly. “You're right it does.”
“So, what does that mean?” Wendy asked. She was getting more confused by the moment.
“Maybe the clock doesn't work,” Brian suggested. “We should go check it out.”
“Good idea,” Wendy nodded. “The sooner the better. I can't even imagine what Anne is going through.”
“Wendy, from what everyone has been saying about Celeste it sounds like she was giving Anne a really hard time. Don't you think it's possible she had something to do with this?” he asked as he stood up from the chair he had been sitting in.
“Did you see her on the video?” Wendy shot back impatiently. “How did she get in the room, if she's not on the video?”
Brian was silenced by her words. After a moment he nodded. “Let's go check out that clock.”
As the two slipped out of the security room, Wendy noticed Marcus hurrying down the hall towards the room, his thick, muscular frame walking as quickly as he could. She pulled Brian to the other side of the hallway before they could be spotted. As they were making their way towards the short hall that contained the room where Celeste was killed, voices drifting from an alcove near the banquet hall drew their attention.
“What do you mean they saw you on camera?” Chris asked heatedly.
Wendy pulled Brian back around the corner of the hallway so that they couldn't be seen.
“I don't know, they just said I'm on camera walking into the room and…”
“Unbelievable Suzette, seriously,” he growled.
“What?” Suzette asked innocently. “You know I had nothing to do with your mother's death, Chris. Is that what you're thinking?”
“No,” he snapped back. “I'm thinking that if you hadn't been sneaking around drinking, maybe you wouldn't be in the crosshairs of a murder investigation right now.”
“But it's not true,” Suzette snapped.
“Do you think that really matters?” Chris argued in return. “Everyone knows you two were fighting. Everyone knows that you're a drunk. That's all that's going to matter to the police.”
“I'm not a drunk,” Suzette protested.
“Look Suzette, my mother might have been nuts, but she got one thing right. You aren't happy unless you have a drink in your hand, and even then you're pretty miserable,” he shot back with frustration.
“Maybe I wouldn't be if you had stood up for me once in a while, Chris,” she replied tearfully. “Even Rowan tries to stand up for Anne. But you, you never said a word.”
“You don't know that,” he hissed in return. “You have no idea what I've done for you, Suzette.”
Wendy glanced over at Brian as she heard those words.
“Do you think he might have?” she whispered.
Brian put his finger lightly to his lips. Footsteps were approaching from the hallway. Wendy was sure they would be caught spying. Brian must have thought the same thing, because he suddenly pulled her into his arms, and pressed her back against the wall. He kissed her heavily as Suzette and Chris walked past them, still squabbling.
“I want you to tell me what you mean,” Suzette was demanding.
“We'll talk about it later,” Chris hissed and hurried her down the hallway.
Wendy barely heard them, she was too busy kissing Brian right back and getting lost in the warm glow that flowed through her from head to toe. When Brian finally broke the kiss he gazed into her eyes for a long moment. Wendy reveled in the intimacy of him being so close. But they both knew that there was a lot at stake at the moment.
“Did you hear the way Chris talked?” Wendy asked.
Brian's lips tensed for a moment, and Wendy realized that it might not have been the right moment to start talking about the case again.
“Yes, I heard him,” Brian nodded as he took a slight step back. “Let's check out that clock, and then I think we need to talk to Chris.”
They continued down the hall and then turned down the short hall in the direction of the room where the murder had been committed. They walked to the end and paused in front of the clock at the end of the hallway. The second hand was sweeping as it should have been.
“It's accurate,” Brian said as he compared the time on the clock to the time on his watch.
“But how can it be?” Wendy asked with confusion.
“I'm not sure,” Brian admitted. “Let's talk to Chris, and then we can check with maintenance to see if anyone replaced or repaired the clock between the time of the murder and now.”
“Good idea,” Wendy agreed. They didn't have to go far to find Chris. As soon as they stepped out of the short hallway they found him walking towards the lobby, alone.
“Chris,” Wendy called ou
t. “I need to speak with you.”
“Not now, Wendy,” Chris said and started to brush past her.
“Wait a minute, Chris,” Brian said and placed his hand firmly on Chris’ chest. “We just have a few questions for you. Wendy just needs a minute.”
Chris narrowed his eyes and glanced from Brian to Wendy, then back to Brian again. “What is this about?” he shrugged. “Neither of you is the police, I don't have to answer your questions.”
“I think it’s in your best interests to answer them,” Brian said sternly.
“Listen,” Wendy said quickly before things could escalate. “You're right, Chris, we're not the police. You don't have to answer our questions. But I think you know that Anne is innocent of this crime. Do you really want her to be locked away for the rest of her life for something she didn't do?”
Chris pushed Brian's hand away from his chest and turned towards Wendy.
“That's for the police to figure out, isn't it?” he said grimly.
“So far they have every reason to believe that Anne did this. But I think that you know something that could clear her name, don't you?” Wendy asked and locked eyes with Chris.
Chris frowned and glanced away from her. “I don't know what you're talking about,” he said gruffly.
“Yes, I think you do,” she replied and took a step closer to him. She did her best to put together a confident expression. She had no idea if it was effective or not. “I think you saw Anne when she was walking around outside, but you don't want to admit it. You know that she couldn't have killed your mother, because you saw her with your own eyes. So, what are you trying to hide, Chris? Are you the one that couldn't take a minute more of your mother's behavior?”
“Wendy,” Brian warned, as his eyes widened. Wendy hadn't intended to accuse Chris of murdering his own mother, but once she got moving she had a hard time slowing down.
“No!” Chris nearly shouted. Then he glanced around quickly and lowered his voice. “Look my mother was never a peach, but she was still my mother. I wouldn't kill her,” he said with exasperation. “That's not why.”
“Then why?” Brian pressed. “Do you have something against Anne? Are you hoping she takes the fall?”
“No,” Chris sighed. “Anne is a nice person. I don't know how my brother got lucky enough to snag her. She doesn't deserve any of this.”
“So, help her,” Wendy asked desperately as she looked into Chris' eyes. “This isn't fair, she tried her hardest to be kind and loving to your mother and your entire family. How do you think her father is taking all of this?”
Chris cringed and ran a hand across his face. He seemed to be biting his lip in an attempt to keep from saying something.
“All right, the truth is, I was looking for someone,” he said gravely. “I didn't want to come forward about it, because I don't want to cast any more suspicion on her.”
“Who were you looking for?” Wendy asked.
“It was Suzette, wasn't it?” Brian suggested as he looked directly at Chris. “You went looking for your wife.”
“Yes,” he sighed. “I saw her disappear down a hallway, but I didn't want her to think I was following her. I just wanted to make sure she was safe. She had already been drinking, and,” he frowned, “it's been an issue, especially when my mother was around. When I peeked in the window and saw her knocking back a few drinks in the room by herself, I decided to leave her alone and let her have some peace. As I was walking back around the hotel, I saw Anne. She was upset, and I knew that she would tell Suzette that she had seen me. Then Suzette would know I had been following her. So, I just walked the other way,” he ran his hand back through his short, brown hair. “I didn’t mean to get her into trouble,” he said as he lowered his eyes.
“What do you mean?” Brian said.
“Before I knew what was happening I told the police that I saw someone in the room where Celeste was murdered,” he said in a whisper. “Once I realized what I had said I told them that I thought it was Anne,” Chris confided.
“You were the one that told the police you saw her going into the room,” Wendy said as everything started falling into place.
“I didn’t mean to get her into trouble,” Chris said apologetically. “I just couldn’t tell them I had seen Suzette.”
“But once you knew what had happened, and that Anne was being accused you should have said something,” Wendy admonished with a scowl.
“I should have,” he agreed, his jaw muscles clenching tightly. “But how could I tell the police that I had seen my own wife in the very room where my mother was killed? How could I place her in that position of suspicion?”
“You were trying to protect her,” Brian supplied.
“Of course I was, I love my wife,” he sighed. “We have our problems. My mother was not the most affectionate person, so Rowan and I, we're a little lost when it comes to relationships. But Suzette is a good woman. She has a problem with drinking, but she's never hurt anyone because of it. She doesn't drink and drive or anything like that. How could I tell the police that my drunk wife who hated my mother was holed up drinking in the very room where my mother was killed? Who was going to believe that she didn’t commit the murder?” he demanded.
Wendy looked over at Brian. Brian was still staring hard at Chris, assessing whether he believed the man's story or not. Wendy didn't have to stare at him. She did believe him. But there was one problem. Even if the video was tampered with and they could prove it, there was still plenty of evidence that Suzette had motive and opportunity, and her judgment was obviously impaired. She was as good, if not a better suspect than Anne. There was no way Chris was going to come forward to give Anne an alibi, if it meant incriminating his wife more than she already had been.
“Look,” Chris sighed and shook his head. “I know that Anne didn't do this. Hell, it could have been anyone at the lunch. It could have been anyone who worked at the hotel. My mother did not exactly make friends easily. Honestly, I really thought Suzette had done it at first. But she told me she didn't, and I believe her.”
“So do I,” Wendy said softly.
“You do?” both Chris and Brian asked with surprise.
“Yes,” Wendy said as she looked at Brian. “Suzette had plenty of opportunity to lose it with Celeste prior to today. Why would anything Celeste had done push her over the edge today? It's nothing she wasn't used to. Besides, we believe that the video might have been tampered with. I don't think Suzette would tamper with it to frame herself for murder, do you?”
Brian nodded slowly and rubbed his chin. “The only problem is, the police aren't going to find that good enough. And I think you need to accept that with the fingerprint evidence Anne is probably their best suspect.”
“Unless we figure out who actually committed the murder both Anne and Suzette are going to remain under suspicion,” Wendy glanced over at Chris for a moment. “You said that you saw Suzette in the room by herself. Did you see Celeste in there or at any time while you were walking around the hotel?”
“No,” Chris shook his head. “I had no idea she had even gone into that room until her body was found. Like I said I just peeked in the window. Now, I really have to go,” he turned and hurried off down the hallway, leaving Brian and Wendy to consider what he had said.
“Maybe Chris did see his mother,” Wendy suggested. “Maybe he saw the way she talked to Suzette in the hallway. Maybe he decided to take the chance to finally end it all and slipped inside the room after Suzette left.”
“But he had to know that would put Suzette at risk,” Brian shook his head. “He loves his wife.”
“So he says,” Wendy pointed out. “Divorce is very expensive, especially for the wealthy, Brian. Maybe he saw it as an opportunity to get out of a souring marriage without having to worry about alimony or a divorce settlement. No one is going to expect him to share his estate with someone who killed his mother.”
“Wow, Wendy,” Brian shook his head. “I never even thought of
it that way.”
“Look, I don't believe that Anne did this, and now we know that Chris saw her walking around the hotel at the time the murder took place. I don't think that Suzette did this either, she was too drunk not to be sloppy. Besides that, she wouldn't frame herself by doctoring the video. Chris had the motive, the means, and the opportunity,” she nodded.
“But how would he get to the recording to change it?” Brian asked with a shake of his head. “I mean, he'd have to have access to it.”
“Money talks,” Wendy shrugged. “Maybe we should have another talk with the security guard before we speak to maintenance about the clock. But first, I want to find Rowan.”
“Rowan?” Brian asked. “Why?”
“Call it a hunch but I don't think Chris did this alone,” Wendy said grimly. “If he is the killer, I bet Rowan did whatever he could to help protect his brother.”
Chapter Nine
Brian and Wendy did not have to look far to find Rowan. When they stepped into the lobby there was a gathering of reporters near the front door. Rowan was standing right in the middle of them. Wendy was more than a little surprised. She hadn't expected Rowan of all people to want media attention so swiftly.
“Unfortunately, due to the circumstances of the investigation I can't offer any further information,” Rowan was speaking in an even tone to the reporters. “I just want to say that my mother was a good woman, she didn't deserve this. Whoever committed this crime should pay dearly for what they have done.”
“Isn't it true that your fiancée is the prime suspect and is down at the police station now?” one of the reporters asked.
“There was a bit of chaos after the body was discovered, mistakes have been made,” Rowan replied. “My fiancée had nothing to do with this, and her name will be cleared with time. Please understand that this is a time of grief for my entire family, including my fiancée, and that we ask for privacy.”