A Fatal Fortune by Joy Patrick

Author:Joy Patrick [Patrick, Joy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-14T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

“I told you,” Castor said flatly, “you are a citizen. This is not your case. We’ve got our suspect in custody, and that’s that.”

“No, that is not that,” Vivian shot back. It was the following morning, and she was standing in front of his desk alongside Ben and Peggy. Scylla was visiting with Gus in the holding cell. “We have a strong suspicion that Ginny wasn’t killed in her shop.”

“Oh?” he guffawed. “What, you think they drowned her in a bucket of gelato somewhere else and then brought her to the shop? Maybe you’re not as smart as they all say you are.”

“The coroner’s report will show whether she actually inhaled any of that gelato or not,” Vivian continued. “If there’s none in her throat and lungs, that means she was killed elsewhere and dumped back at her shop to throw us off. Which also means there could be clues about where the real murder scene was … and knowing that will let us examine that scene for more clues about who was responsible for this.”

“No, you won’t be examining anything!” Castor snapped. “You got a little taste of fame and thrills from that thing last year, so now you’re determined to make this case all about you as well, even if it means creating a bunch of wild theories and tangents for us to chase down.”

Vivian leaned down to his face level, speaking through clenched teeth. “First of all, ‘last year’ was the murder of my uncle. So, it definitely wasn’t some fun thrill ride for me, and badge or not, you shouldn’t be suggesting otherwise.”

Castor swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down comically. “All right, point taken. But for the rest of it …”

“For the rest of it,” she spoke over him, “a woman’s been killed, a man is being accused of her murder, and it seems to me like thoroughness would be crucial in a situation like this one. Even if it means things will take a little longer.”

“But we got him, though!” Castor whined. “The hairs, the boots, the lack of a proper alibi! We can let this town relax now and have a nice rest of the season!”

“You want the town to relax when the real murderer could still be out there?” Scylla ranted from the doorway. “Maybe I should spread the word about that, huh? Tell the rest of the ‘googans’ that you don’t care at all about safety? That you’d rather let a killer run free and protect your precious reputation than do any legwork at all on this? Even if these nice people are offering to do it for you?” Her expression turned serious. “You know how many followers I’ve got on social media, pal? Enough to make sure something like this goes viral! Enough to make sure no tourist ever spends a dime on your stupid little hick town ever again!”

“She’s got a point there, Doug,” Peggy said mildly. “By the time she’s done with you, you’ll make the mayor from Jaws look positively competent.

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