Page 109 of Murder By the Millions

“She was very happy.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I also heard you chatted with Shayna’s friend Ulla.”

Interestingsegue.“Did Shayna tell you?”

“Ulla did. Every detail. She wasn’t lying to you. We’re through. Neither she nor I will be telling Shayna about the affair. What’s past is past.”

“I think you should inform Detective Armstrong.”

He cocked his head. “Why does he need to know?”

“Because he’s wondering if you had motive to kill Jason Gardner.”

“Me? Murder Gardner? Get real.”

“The police came across your cuff link at the crime scene.”

“What the blazes are you talking about?”

“A cuff link with a cursive capitalIon it, to be exact.” I still didn’t know if Zach had verified the letter was anIor aJ,but I figured a small distortion of the truth was allowable.

Iggie’s cheeks puffed up. Warm air leaked from his mouth. “I was never there.”

“So you say.”

“My friend Ed Smith heard a dog that night.”

“Yes, I know.”

“I don’t have a dog.”

“The murderer didn’t necessarily bring a dog to the scene. It could have been one of many in the neighborhood.”

Iggie worked his tongue along the inside of his cheek. “Yeah, fine, I’ll talk to Armstrong. Please …” His gaze was filled with remorse. “Please keep my relationship with Ulla on the down-low.”

I murmured, “Okay.”

Reika completed her pitch and left her post at the lectern. Finette jumped into the spot Reika had vacated. The audience applauded politely as Reika collected Amira, who was sitting dutifully at the end of the first row, and she took a seat beside a weathered, silver-haired man in the middle of the row. He pecked her on the cheek, making me wonder if he might be Roy.

Finette spoke into the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen—”

“My turn.” Patrick leaped to his feet again.

She shot him a dirty look but quickly forced a smile. “Yes, Mr. Hardwick. Please come forward. You have three minutes.” She left her post, caught sight of me, and lasered me with a look.

Because I’d brought cookies? Or because she’d learned I’d visited her great-aunt?

Remaining the object of her wrath, I proceeded along the right side of the room. Vanna still seemed nervous. Why hadn’t she made an appointment at the mayor’s office, where she wouldn’t have dozens of other people pleading for a moment of his time?

I sidled to Tegan. “How’s your sister doing?”

“I’ve never seen her so edgy. I’m not sure what the whole story is.”

“And you? Winston is handled?”

She brushed her hands together. “Done and done. His attorney made him realize he was grasping at straws. When my attorney threatened to sue him, he caved. He signed papers this afternoon and FedExed them. As of tomorrow, I’m free!” She studied my face. “What’s up?”