Page 57 of Death on Riddle Road

Only Clara appeared on TV, so likely his face-paling was because of her.But I’d take my share.Only fair.

Her smile never faltered.

“We hope you can help us with background.Robbie Dorrio, the son of Jaylynn Carnell Dorrio, has asked us to ask you for help in clarifying some elements, since you were friends with her.”

Not precisely accurate, but if it got us in the door, close enough.

It did not get us in the door.But he did set the bag down.

“You’ll have to excuse me.My wife is particularly sensitive to discussion of crime and such.”

Was it good of him to be protective of his very pregnant wife’s feelings?Or wimpy to hide behind them?

I stepped in as bad cop to Clara’s good cop.“We’d hate to distress her by needing to return multiple times, because we really do need to talk with you.”

The implicit threat hung in the air for three beats before he sighed and said, “Fine.I’ll talk to you — but not here and not now.”

****

Both our phonesdinged as we got back in the car after Evan Ferguson agreed to meet us for lunch the next day.

I drove, Clara checked the incoming message.

She was already typing a response when she said, “It’s Kit, sending us the transcript.”

“Even for Kit, that’s fast.”And far better than including a bow.“Hey — don’t start reading it without me.Let’s go to my house and read it there.”

“We could stop at the café on the way for a little afternoon pick-me-up.Sort of like tea without the tea.”

“In other words, pastries.”

“Exactly.”

We’d go past my house to get to the café, then have to double back.

“Great idea.”

****

We had crumbson both phones and on the trial transcript printout we’d shared to make notes, though Kit sent us each an electronic copy.

The prosecution was succinct and straightforward.

Derrick was having an affair with another woman.

Derrick wanted his son and likely would not have earned custody since he was cheating.

Derrick knew his wife’s routines and habits.

Derrick knew the location was isolated.

Derrick could count on his wife coming to his aid if he called her late at night.

Jaylynn received a call from a burner phone in the correct timeframe to get her to that location at the time an area resident called in about possibly hearing a shot.The burner phone was never traced.

The timing meant Jaylynn couldn’t have asked her sister or mother to take care of Robbie, which meant she’d have no reason to inform anyone where she was going or why.Because of Robbie, she wouldn’t have gone out to meet just anyone — cue the evidence of her car being pulled over, which indicated she’d gone there deliberately.She had no money to stir greed as a motive and no known enemies.

Woven into the testimony was an undercurrent that Derrick had a sense of entitlement from childhood that could answer theWhy the heck didn’t he get a divorce like a sane person?question.