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Delaine nodded. “I know. I heard it was you.”
“How did you hear? My name wasn’t mentioned in today’s paper.”
“Lewin Usher called me. You know, the producer who lives here in town?”
“Of course.”
“News about Helene’s death has spread like wildfire.” Delaine turned sad puppy dog eyes on Theodosia. “You of all people should know how fast the rumor mill operates in Charleston.”
“Unfortunately, I do,” Theodosia said.
Delaine reached out and gripped Theodosia’s hand. “I’m thankful it was you who found Helene. And not some unfeeling customer who might have just walked in to buy some random antique.”
“Uh-huh.” Theodosia wasn’t happy about stumbling into yet another wrongful death.
“What if nobody had found poor Helene for hours? For days,” Delaine blubbered. “Then her poor body…”
“But that’s not what happened,” Theodosia soothed. “Once I called the police they arrived at the scene almost immediately. And now they’re working the case as hard as they can.”
“I suppose.”
Drayton brought a tray with a small pot of tea and two small Chinese cups to the table. “Here,” he said to Delaine. “Try this. It should help you relax.”
“Only if you dropped a Xanax in it,” Delaine said. “But thank you anyway.”
Drayton raised a single eyebrow and retreated while Theodosia poured two cups of tea and pushed one toward Delaine.
But Delaine was still fretting. “And Helene was definitely shot to death? Not electrocuted?”
“There was a bullet wound,” Theodosia said. She didn’t want to get any more graphic than she had to.
Delaine straightened up in her chair. “Do the police think I did it?”
“Did you?” Theodosia asked. She knew Delaine wouldn’t hurt a fly, but it was typical of her to make Helene’s murder all about herself.
“No!” Delaine screeched. “Of course not. How could you even ask such a thing?”
“Actually, you’re the one asking all the questions.”
“Okay, okay,” Delaine mumbled, finally taking a sip of tea.
“Delaine, are you upset because Helene was your friend or because you think the police will view you as a suspect?”
Delaine pursed her lips. “Maybe a little of both?”
Theodosia nodded. Delaine’s answer didn’t surprise her. “I’m fairly positive you’re not a suspect.”
“That’s good.” Delaine took another sip of tea and said, “You know Helene had two cats, don’t you? Butch and Sundance. Now what are those poor darlings supposed to do?”
“I don’t know. Can you reach out to some of your animal rescue friends and maybe find them a new home?”
“I’ll try, of course. But what I really want to know is…what are you going to do?”
“What do you mean?” Theodosia asked.
“You’re the one who’s been investigating Josh Morro’s murder, you’re the one who found Helene’s body. I think…I think everyone involved is waiting to see what you’ll do.”
“Well, they shouldn’t. Because I haven’t figured anything out yet.”
