Page 53

Ellery and Rob had grown close over the past months. Not as close as they would have been if Rob hadn’t been romantically interested in Ellery. Rob played by the rules, but his desire for more was always there, and it occasionally put a strain on their friendship. That was because of Jack. Jack was well aware of Rob’s feelings. He insisted he trusted Ellery, but he also admitted he was jealous.

And, honestly, Rob was just Ellery’s type—in a world that didn’t contain Jack Carson. So Ellery was always careful, always mindful, he was not sending mixed messages.

He dropped into the chair across from Rob, leaning forward, and folding his arms on the desktop.

“Welll, you couldprobablytell me a few things that would be helpful. If you were so inclined.”

Rob shook his head, but it seemed to Ellery that was not so much anoas resignation.

“How long had she been dead?”

Rob cocked his head, his green eyes studied Ellery quizzically, but he answered “Not long. She was still warm and rigor hadn’t set in.”

Ellery mentally mined his store of mystery novel-based forensic knowledge. “Less than three hours?”

Rob nodded approvingly. “You’re getting better at this. I’d say even less than that. Frankly, I think it’s a very good thing you didn’t arrive on scene any earlier.”

“Yikes.”

“Yeah. Speaking of dangerous run-ins, what happened to your jaw?”

Ellery grimaced. He was hoping the ice might have mitigated some of the swelling. At least he no longer sounded punch drunk. “I tried to break up a fight.”

“Nora and Mr. Peabody going at it again?”

Ellery laughed and then winced.

“Let me take a look.”

Robert rose, checked him out with brisk but kindly efficiency. “You’ll want to use ice to control the swelling. You’re probably going to have a bruise for the next week or so.”

“Good thing I don’t have another photoshoot lined up.”

Rob thought he was kidding. “Any loose teeth.”

“No. Thank God.”

“You should probably stick to soft foods for the next few days. Would you like a script for the pain?”

“I’ve got stuff at home.”

Rob retook his seat behind the desk. “The good news is your mother saw to it you drank your milk and ate your veggies.”

“She did, yeah. Is there any doubt that September was killed by being hit with a hammer?”

“No. She died from blunt force trauma. Three blows, I’d say, and the first probably did her in. Someone wasveryangry when they struck her.”

“Was she hit from behind?”

“Yes. I’d say she was carrying a tray of drinks from the kitchen into the living room when she was struck. The drinks tray, ice bucket and cocktail glasses were on the floor of the living room.”

“I couldn’t see that from the doorway.”

Robert raised his eyebrows, but added, “She was wearing a flowy white negligee. Her face was made up.”

Ellery’s heart sank. “She wasn’t justexpectingcompany, the company had arrived.”

“That’s the way it looked to me.”