on her paws, and some of it was Wanda’s. Of course the cat did scratch her a little when she initially tried to take it from the apartment, but then she decided to leave it there.”
That answered one question I’d had. The cops had, indeed, tested the DNA found on the little cat’s paws. Amazing, considering the huge backlog in the official DNA testing system, that they’d already gotten results. Or maybe they were still simply guessing.
“That doesn’t make her a killer,” I stated. “Just so you know, I’m starting to look into other potential suspects, and—”
“I was sure you would, dear. Thanks. And feel free to run any ideas by me.”
“Well, I did go see Margaret’s ex-husband, Paulino Shiler, today. He’s on my list, but I didn’t find him a particularly good suspect. And I’ve been told about someone else Margaret was arguing with—a contractor who did remodeling in some of the condos. His name is Rutley Harris, and I figured I’d track him down tomorrow or the next day.”
“Yes, Wanda mentioned him as a possibility. One other place you could look, if you’re so inclined, is at a couple of the other members of the condo association’s board of directors. And they could lead you to some of the other people siding with Margaret on the pet issue—and those against her. Although I still find that too insubstantial a motive for murder.”
“People kill for all kinds of dumb reasons,” I reminded Esther—unnecessarily, since defending people in criminal matters was the major part of her practice. “And murder because of a threat to a family member isn’t necessarily an insubstantial motive. Pets are relatives people choose, after all.”
“You’re right, dear. I can really identify with that now. Did I tell you that I’ve adopted a kitten? Her name is Sacha, and I had to laugh when Wanda started telling me about Lady Cuddles and her escapades around the condo complex—besides hanging around the murder site. My little Sacha isn’t quite that elusive, but I do find her in the oddest places in my home, like in cabinets beside my sink and in shoeboxes in my closet. She’s gray with light stripes rather like a tiger’s.”
“She sounds wonderful,” I said warmly. “You’ll have to introduce me to her one of these days.”
“Gladly.”
“And I’ll follow up on those ideas of yours to help clear Wanda.”
“I’m sure that you already thought of finding other people at the condominium complex to interview, Kendra. There’s nothing especially unique in that.”
“I appreciate all suggestions. Let me know if you think of anything else.”
When we had said our good-byes and hung up, I made a quick call to James Jerome. “I’d love to get together with you again soon,” I told him. “I’ve been following up on the people you suggested, but maybe you could point out more people who were Margaret’s friends and enemies around the complex. Wanda’s solidly in the cops’ radar right now, and I’d love to get her out, if possible.”
“There’s an emergency board meeting on Tuesday evening,” he told me, “and all residents are invited to attend. I can get you in as a guest. It would be a great way to introduce you to more people on both sides.”
“I’ll be there!”
Chapter Eleven
I COULD HAVE spent all of Monday drooling in anticipation of the delightful evening to come . . . with Dante.
But first I had pet-sitting to do. And all of my charges took priority over my own emotional—and physical—expectations.
I brought Lexie along with me first thing, and we visited all of my standard morning animals—Abra and Cadabra, the cats; Stromboli, Beauty, and some other adorable dogs; and, of course, Py the python. Where appropriate, Lexie came inside with me to assist in pet care and play.
Then we headed toward Doggy Indulgence. As always, I wanted to indulge my Lexie while I did my legal work.
Plus, I wanted to see Darryl. If possible, face him alone in his
That answered one question I’d had. The cops had, indeed, tested the DNA found on the little cat’s paws. Amazing, considering the huge backlog in the official DNA testing system, that they’d already gotten results. Or maybe they were still simply guessing.
“That doesn’t make her a killer,” I stated. “Just so you know, I’m starting to look into other potential suspects, and—”
“I was sure you would, dear. Thanks. And feel free to run any ideas by me.”
“Well, I did go see Margaret’s ex-husband, Paulino Shiler, today. He’s on my list, but I didn’t find him a particularly good suspect. And I’ve been told about someone else Margaret was arguing with—a contractor who did remodeling in some of the condos. His name is Rutley Harris, and I figured I’d track him down tomorrow or the next day.”
“Yes, Wanda mentioned him as a possibility. One other place you could look, if you’re so inclined, is at a couple of the other members of the condo association’s board of directors. And they could lead you to some of the other people siding with Margaret on the pet issue—and those against her. Although I still find that too insubstantial a motive for murder.”
“People kill for all kinds of dumb reasons,” I reminded Esther—unnecessarily, since defending people in criminal matters was the major part of her practice. “And murder because of a threat to a family member isn’t necessarily an insubstantial motive. Pets are relatives people choose, after all.”
“You’re right, dear. I can really identify with that now. Did I tell you that I’ve adopted a kitten? Her name is Sacha, and I had to laugh when Wanda started telling me about Lady Cuddles and her escapades around the condo complex—besides hanging around the murder site. My little Sacha isn’t quite that elusive, but I do find her in the oddest places in my home, like in cabinets beside my sink and in shoeboxes in my closet. She’s gray with light stripes rather like a tiger’s.”
“She sounds wonderful,” I said warmly. “You’ll have to introduce me to her one of these days.”
“Gladly.”
“And I’ll follow up on those ideas of yours to help clear Wanda.”
“I’m sure that you already thought of finding other people at the condominium complex to interview, Kendra. There’s nothing especially unique in that.”
“I appreciate all suggestions. Let me know if you think of anything else.”
When we had said our good-byes and hung up, I made a quick call to James Jerome. “I’d love to get together with you again soon,” I told him. “I’ve been following up on the people you suggested, but maybe you could point out more people who were Margaret’s friends and enemies around the complex. Wanda’s solidly in the cops’ radar right now, and I’d love to get her out, if possible.”
“There’s an emergency board meeting on Tuesday evening,” he told me, “and all residents are invited to attend. I can get you in as a guest. It would be a great way to introduce you to more people on both sides.”
“I’ll be there!”
Chapter Eleven
I COULD HAVE spent all of Monday drooling in anticipation of the delightful evening to come . . . with Dante.
But first I had pet-sitting to do. And all of my charges took priority over my own emotional—and physical—expectations.
I brought Lexie along with me first thing, and we visited all of my standard morning animals—Abra and Cadabra, the cats; Stromboli, Beauty, and some other adorable dogs; and, of course, Py the python. Where appropriate, Lexie came inside with me to assist in pet care and play.
Then we headed toward Doggy Indulgence. As always, I wanted to indulge my Lexie while I did my legal work.
Plus, I wanted to see Darryl. If possible, face him alone in his
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