Page 90 of Seven Deadly Sins

Lucy glanced over to see a middle-aged woman with rollers in her hair peering over the hedge. “Hey.”

“I see you’ve got a man living with you. I saw him leaving the other day. Your father?”

Nosy old broad. “Old family friend.”

She nodded. “I saw a man about my age, then an older one. Lucky gal.” She grinned and bustled back into her house.

Lucy heaved a sigh. Nosiness got a person killed.

She climbed the steps to the woman’s porch and picked up the pruning shears the woman had set on a small wicker table. Then, she raised her hand to knock.

~

Harper stared at the woman in front of her until the woman squirmed. She folded her hands on the table and leaned forward. “You mean to tell me that you’ve never asked questions when your husband goes somewhere?”

She shook her head. “It’s not a wife’s place to ask questions.”

For crying out loud. Harper fought not to show how she felt about women living under a man’s thumb. “Did your husband ever mention a Carl Landry or Robert Thompson?”

She glanced at her chest. “I’ve used Doctor Landry for a…” She waved her hand in front of her. “Was contemplating a nose job but couldn’t justify the expense. There’s really nothing wrong with my nose other than a slight flair.”

They’d gotten horribly off topic. Harper glanced at Liam.

He cleared his throat. “Did the doctor ever say anything alarming? In regard to sin, perhaps?”

She shrugged. “He mumbled something about pride once, but I didn’t think anything of it. Why would a plastic surgeon have a problem with his job?”

Good question. Harper believed it was so he could find his victims easier. “You’re free to go ma’am. We aren’t finished questioning your husband.”

Liam opened the door for the woman, then turned back to Harper. “This isn’t going anywhere.”

“We still need to question the wives, just in case. We have one more, then can start with the husbands.” She doubted any of them would give any worthwhile information.

“I’ll get us some coffee.” Liam left her alone.

Covering a yawn, she glanced at the mirror. Seconds later, Chief Donnelly entered the room. “I agree with you, Detective. We can’t skip over anyone. If the men won’t talk, we’ll keep them in holding overnight. Let them stew about their future.”

“Yes, sir.” She glanced past him as Annie escorted the man’s husband into the room. Right behind her was Liam with the coffee. “Would you like anything Mr. Washington?”

He shook his head. “You have no right to retain me.”

The chief scowled and marched from the room.

“Have a seat, sir.” Liam put a hand on the man’s shoulder. “We’re only asking you a few questions.”

“I want a lawyer.”

Harper sighed and pushed a table phone to him. “We’ll wait.” She sipped her coffee and Liam leaned against the wall as Mr. Washington placed the call. Then, they waited half an hour, in silence as thick as Arkansas clay, until the man’s lawyer arrived.

“Why is Mr. Washington being questioned?” The lawyer took a seat next to his client.

“Because we strongly believe he’s an accomplice to murder.” Harper gave a cold smile.

“What? No! I would never…” Mr. Washington glanced from her to Liam to his lawyer.

“But you were aware of Mr. Thompson’s beliefs, correct?” She arched a brow. “How he wanted to make the world a better place?”

“Of course. I believe the same, but I’ve never killed anyone.”