Page 93 of Dead Man's List

Laura shook her head. “You get a deal first, then you tell them that. Any other questions, Detectives?”

“Do you know a guy with a neckbeard?” Connor asked.

Veronica laughed, a shrill, hysterical sound. “No. Why?”

“We think he killed your husband and your lover,” Connor told her. “He also killed a young woman and her mother. They were unfortunate loose ends. She was only nineteen.”

“Sucks to be her, then,” Veronica muttered. “I don’t know anyone with a neckbeard.”

“What about a tan Chevy Suburban?” Kit asked.

Again, Veronica shook her head. It had been worth a try.

Kit figured she’d try one more question. “Do you know who’s on the blackmail list?”

Veronica met her eyes. “No. I truly don’t. I have everything to gain by telling you, but I don’t know. Can I go now?”

“In a minute.” Kit turned to Laura. “I’ll ask the prosecutor to contact you with a possible deal for the information about how the scam started. If we can figure out just one person on that list, we may be able to figure out who killed Brooks Munro. I really hope your client wants to help us.”

“She will help you only if she can protect herself in the process,” Laura said. “That’s how it goes, Detective. Surely you’re not so naive as to believe otherwise.”

Kit just smiled, the barb missing its target. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me naive, Counselor. It’s kind of nice. Thank you.”

Laura looked irritated once again. “Take my client back to her cell. Veronica, I’ll see you tomorrow morning for your arraignment. Say nothing to anyone. I’m serious.”

Veronica nodded, then turned back to Kit and Connor. “What will happen to Walter’s body?”

Kit softened her voice. It benefited no one for her to be cruel to Veronica at this moment. It might even leave the woman with a favorable impression that could be useful later. “If no one claims his body within thirty days, he’ll be cremated and his remains held for three years. At that time, he’ll be buried in a mass grave with a service. It’s nondenominational. I’ve been to a few. They aren’t fancy, but they’re respectful.”

Veronica swallowed. “Same with Brooks?”

“Only if you can’t claim his body,” Kit said. “You, as his legal wife, are his next of kin. You’ll be contacted so that you can make decisions.”

“What abouther?” Veronica said, trying for a sneer, but it fell flat when her voice cracked.

“Munro committed bigamy. She isn’t his legal wife. You will have the final decision.”

Veronica’s face tightened in satisfaction. “Thank you, Detective.”

Kit nodded once. “You’re welcome. We are sorry for your losses, ma’am.”

Veronica gave a curt nod and followed the uniformed officer from the room.

Kit was gathering her things when Laura spoke, her tone icy and bitter.

“It won’t work, you know. You, being nice to her. You’re just trying to get her to open up and talk to you. I should think you’d be ashamed of yourself, but you don’t have shame and you don’t have compassion. You only care about what you want.”

Kit kept her voice soft, even though she was angry inside. Most of her anger was aimed at the defense attorney, but some of it was aimed at herself. At one time, Laura’s words had been true and that stung.

But they didn’t have to be true forever. People could change.I can change.

Ihavechanged for the better.And at least some of that was due to knowing Sam Reeves.

“I can be nice and still hope she tells me what I want to know. Kindness isn’t a zero-sum. You were…nicer the last time we worked on the same case.” Then again, Kit hadn’t been seeing Sam the last time she and Laura had crossed paths on a case. She’d chalk today’s venom up to jealousy. “I hope we can have an amiable working relationship in the future. Have a good evening.”

Connor followed her out and into the observation room.

Sam was smiling at her as she came in. “That was nice, Kit.”