The Paper Caper by Kate Carlisle

Author:Kate Carlisle [Carlisle, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2022-07-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Pity is for the living, envy is for the dead.

—Mark Twain, Following the Equator

After ten minutes of staring at the tiny tufts of white waves skimming the dark surface of the Bay, I felt cleansed enough to move on. Those two women were toxic!

Replaying the creepy conversation between Ella and Ingrid, I seriously wanted to hurl. They were so corrosive and I was very worried about their intentions toward Joseph. And Tom, too. And I had to wonder about Leland.

I took another minute to breathe in the sea air and channel my own kooky mother, who would’ve instructed me to align my chakras, be in the moment, and absorb the sights and sounds and scents around me.

The marine layer had burned off and the sun was beginning to warm the air. The sky was crystal clear and the Golden Gate gleamed gloriously in the sunshine. The briny mist was refreshing. Life was good.

I stepped back inside the living room and saw Derek sitting at the far end, talking on the phone.

Inspector Lee stood near the open door to the kitchen, talking quietly to George and Roley. She lifted her chin to acknowledge me, but continued her conversation with the two agents.

From here I could see one edge of the crime scene tape that stretched across the archway.

I walked over to Derek, who still sat in the occasional chair facing the couch and the wall of windows. He spoke quietly to someone on the phone, but as soon as he saw me, he ended the call.

He stood and wrapped his arms around me. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost,” he murmured in my ear.

“Something like that,” I muttered, and held on to him for a few more moments.

“We’ll talk about it later.”

“Oh, you bet we will,” I said, nodding. “But first, I need to tell you that I think Leland saw me listening in on the conversation between Ella and Ingrid.”

“Did he say anything to you?”

“No, but he might say something to those two women. Oh, and Edith the housemaid may have seen me up there, but I think she’s harmless.”

“Careful, darling.” He gazed at me, not smiling. “Those could be famous last words.”

I cringed. “I hope not.”

At that very moment, the front door opened and Joseph stepped inside.

Derek stood and pointed to the body still lying on the floor. “Be careful.”

“Oh Jesus,” Joseph whispered. “Oh my God.”

Kneeling next to the body were two crime scene guys dressed from head to toe in hazmat uniforms, complete with hoods and booties.

Inspector Lee stepped to the door of the kitchen. “Mr. Cabot?”

“Yes.” He froze. “You’re the police.”

“Yes sir. Be careful here.” She pointed to the narrow walkway next to the wall. “Stay behind the yellow tape.”

One of the CSI guys stood and held the crime scene tape out a few inches. He pointed to the living room. “It’s okay, sir. There’s enough room for you to walk through here.”

“Yeah, okay. Thanks.”

Derek moved quickly to the edge of the foyer and reached out to guide Joseph into the living room.

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