The Finalist by Joan Long

Author:Joan Long [Joan Long]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Level Best Books
Published: 2022-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

Nick had discovered a hand towel—the hand towel matching the set in the victim’s bathroom. He found it smeared with blood and crammed inside Risa’s kitchen cabinet. “Risa murdered Alex,” he told the group loudly.

She almost laughed. His accusation was ludicrous. “That’s not funny. I didn’t kill him, Nick.”

“Really? Because, based on the evidence, you did.”

Her chin dropped, and she leapt out of her chair. “Are you serious? I did not kill Alex.” Glancing at Jackson, Lily, and Sylvia, she saw a mix of shock and contempt. At least Trent would believe her. Wouldn’t he?

Trent’s face was grim. He pursed his lips and didn’t come to her defense.

Nick held up the evidence like it was a trophy he’d won. “I found Alex’s missing towel. It was in her kitchen, wrapped around this .9mm Glock.”

Risa shook her head. “I have no idea how that towel got in my kitchen—or the gun either—but I didn’t put them there. I. Didn’t. Shoot. Him.”

Nick dropped the towel to his side. “That’s what you say. Can you prove it?”

“No, not until you find the real killer. But why would I want Alex dead?”

Lily coughed, redirecting everyone’s attention. “I saw Risa standing outside the Hideaway yesterday. Alex and I were discussing the contest, and she was eavesdropping. I’m afraid she might have heard what he said about her.”

“And what was that?” Trent asked.

“I don’t remember his exact words. Basically, he said she wasn’t the right person to write Wyatt’s books.”

“Which sounds like motive to me,” Sylvia said. “She was angry about not winning a million dollars.”

Risa couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “That’s not what happened. They were talking about the finalists, but I never heard Alex say I was out of it. And even if I had, I wouldn’t have shot him over it. I’m not that kind of person.”

Sylvia’s triple chin wobbled. “We can’t let a murderer wander around the island until the boat comes for us. What should we do with her?”

Jackson frowned as if sad. “She could promise to stay in her cottage, away from the rest of us, for the remainder of the week.”

Sylvia’s eyes bugged out. “What! Like that would protect me? Her promise to be good? The woman could kill me in my sleep.”

“Yes, that’s what she did to Alex,” Lily added.

Risa shrieked, “I didn’t shoot him!”

Nick grabbed Risa’s elbow, but she squirmed out of his grip. He said, “We need to tie her up. We have to protect ourselves.”

“I disagree,” Trent said.

They gawked at him, waiting for a reason.

Risa held her breath. He was finally going to stick up for her?

His tone sounded firm. “Finding a blood-soaked towel and the gun inside her kitchen seems a little too convenient, doesn’t it? I know Risa. She’s a smart woman—smart enough not to leave this stuff where we could easily find it. If she was Alex’s killer, she would have ditched the evidence someplace where it would never be found.”

“You don’t think she’s the murderer?” Jackson asked.

“No, I don’t. But even if she was, isn’t tying her up rather ridiculous? She’s not a threat to the rest of us.

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