Page 53 of Kiss Her Goodbye

“Which they accessed how?”

I remember Daryl’s cell phone gadget and immediately fix my gaze on the flagstone patio.

“Door was ajar,” Roberta states point blank.

Her older brother throws up his arms in disgust.“So help me God, Birdie, I’ve been able to tell when you were lying since you were three years old.Stop covering for him.You’re a parole officer.You know better.”

I just get a hand on Daryl’s arm to keep him from lurching out of his chair in outrage.

Meanwhile, Roberta and her brother remain locked in a staring battle that most likely goes back decades.Neither appears willing to surrender anytime soon.As minute passes into minute, I sneak a glance at Daryl, expecting to see him gnashing his teeth at Detective Marc’s accusations.

Instead, Daryl’s gazing straight at Roberta, his look a mix ofdeep frustration and poignant longing.My own breath catches in my throat.But of course.Happily married Roberta had gone out of her way to state her relationship with Daryl was strictly professional, both in and out of the ballroom.

But Daryl, ostensibly unattached, still vested in his former PO’s life Daryl… To judge by the expression on his face, he would die for her.Which then makes me wonder if he’d kill for her as well.

Daryl must feel the weight of my stare.He glances over, flushes hotly.I don’t say a word.There are moments of discovery that demand comment and others you take with you to your grave.I understand completely which category this falls into.

“Clearly Sabera was here,” I interrupt, tiring of the family drama.“Do you think she’s already abandoned ship, or do we have some hope of her return?”

“I have no idea.”

“Well, did you find any personal belongings, food in the fridge, toothpaste on the countertop?You know, basic living stuff?”My own voice is getting cranky.I’m hot, and this man has denied us AC.

“We don’t even know Sabera Ahmadi was the one staying here.We have the crime scene unit scouring the apartment for evidence now.Which is what you do in an official police investigation—you rely on evidence.”

I snort out loud.“Yeah, and how’s that working for you?”

“Ms.Elkin, you know I can take you in for obstruction—”

Second snort.“Obstruction?I’m the only reason you’ve finally made progress.Or do official police investigations not worry about those kind of things?”

“Now, see here!”Detective Marc grows increasingly rankled, while beside me, Daryl relaxes.I pat his shoulder in support.

“Do you think the numbers and letters are code?”I prod.“Because they certainly look like some kind of riddle to me.I noticed random phrases here and there.Two halves of one whole.Chin up.Oh, anda key that has no lock.Hmm, haven’t we heard that somewhere else recently?Also, did you catch the whole‘Tell Zahra I love her,’cuz that sounds ominous.Oh, yes, and provides further support that Sabera was the one staying here.Well, how do you like that.I found some evidence after all.”

Detective Marc makes a strangling sound.Roberta crosses her arms over her chest and openly smirks at her brother’s discomfort.

“The scarf matches the one from the double homicide video and the description Aliah gave to us as belonging to Sabera,” I continue.“Come on, what does it hurt to confirm one tiny little detail?”

Detective Marc glares at all of us, but finally nods once.

“So your point stands.”I turn my attention to Roberta.“Based on the bloody scarf, Sabera was probably injured when she exited the crime scene.Meaning…”

“We don’t know if she left the area before or after the men were killed,” Detective Marc offers abruptly.

“What do you mean—”

“TOD not that precise.Based on the time stamp on the video, things were happeningaroundthen, but the precise sequence of things… Again, some more investigative work and, oh yes,evidence, would be required.”

I frown.I can tell from looking at Roberta’s and Daryl’s faces they are equally troubled.“So to review: Sabera was in the same vicinity as the two murdered men.She was also injured in some fashion.That can’t be just coincidence, right?Three people from the same country, in the same area, encountering violence.”

“Hate crime?”Roberta speaks up.“Especially given the horrific nature of the killings?”

“Someone attacked her plus the two other men,” Daryl tries on.

“But why would Sabera be there, in what you described as a dangerous section of town?”I want to know.“Especially three weeksaftershe disappeared.What happened in between?”

“Maybe she was attacked first,” Roberta considers.“Was kidnapped or something like that?As well as the other two.”She shrugs.