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Amanda was curious if the tragedy was Felicity’s loss of life or his loss of a lucrative author. Cynical, but the thought entered in all the same. Blame it on being witness to so many selfish people who were more grieved by how another death affected their lives. After several seconds passed in silence, she prompted, “Mr. Moss, are you okay?”
“I am. It’s heartbreaking is all. Her career had just skyrocketed. The bestseller lists, the movie…” He flicked a finger toward the hardcovers. “We just had an intimate gathering a couple of days ago.”
“We heard about that,” Amanda admitted.
“She’s going to be a tough one to follow. The Romeo Killer was by far her best work. The world is fortunate she gifted us that before she left.”
Amanda bristled. “She didn’t exactly leave of her own choice, Mr. Moss.”
He held up his hands. “Not what I meant by any means.”
His strong reaction calmed her some. “What can you tell us about The Romeo Killer?”
“What? Why would I ruin it for you?”
Again, she was presented with the opportunity of admitting that Felicity Kelley’s murder had elements that seemed undoubtedly connected to the book—but did she want to advertise that fact? As she’d thought before, she wished for more plot points before edging there. “If you could just answer the question, however you wish.”
Ian tugged on his jacket again and angled his head. “Do you believe it’s connected with her murder?”
“Please just tell us a bit about the book—the killer’s motive, for example.” Amanda hoped he’d oblige.
Ian rubbed his forehead. “He’s a bleeding heart… the killer. He had his heart broken by a beautiful woman and essentially set out on a killing spree targeting other successful and beautiful women.”
The victimology suited Felicity Kelley on both scores, and the publisher’s words had just moved Luis Navarro up to prime suspect. They had to push him more, find out if he knew about Felicity’s budding relationship with Kristopher Black, for a start. “Thank you for sharing that.” It’s more helpful than you know, she resisted the urge to add.
“Right. Of course, of course.” He waved a hand of dismissal now, as if his divulging that part of the plot hadn’t bothered him. “You can find the highlights on the back cover, even, but he’d stab the women and leave a Queen of Hearts playing card in their throats.”
A few beats of quiet, which Ian broke.
“You knew that much?”
“We did,” Trent said.
“Do you have any idea who may have done this to her?”
“The investigation is still young, Mr. Moss.” Though her mind was screaming Luis Navarro’s name and begging that this man would tell them more about the book. She had this feeling that wasn’t going to happen. She preemptively tried another tact. “Can you think of anyone who might have had an issue with her?”
“She was adored, well, obviously. Look at her success. This attracted some questionable characters. Kristopher said he was getting some emails for you, and I am assuming it’s those types of messages he’s pulling together?”
“You’re rather intuitive, Mr. Moss. It has crossed our minds we may be looking at a fan who became a stalker and escalated from there. Any names come to you?” Amanda asked.
He shook his head. “Kristopher would definitely be the best point of contact in that regard.”
“Before we go, we understand Felicity was working on a new novel for Garrison & Marrow,” Trent said, taking his eyes from the tablet. “Can you tell us what it was about?”
A slight grin, then, “Certainly not off the top of my head.”
“Even though she was probably one of your highest-grossing authors?” Amanda countered.
“We’ve been blessed with many, Detective. It’s why our house is one of the largest in the world.”
Amanda wasn’t in the mood to hear the promotional brochure. “Would it be all right with you if Melody Schmitt, Felicity’s editor, told us what it was about? She was concerned about violating confidentiality.”
“Do you think it might help you figure out who killed her?”
He certainly was a curious man, but that likely came with his position. He’d be expected to have all the answers. “We’re just covering all the bases.” She pressed on a smile.
“Hmm. I suppose that given the circumstances, an exception can be made. Though, of course, we’d still require you both to sign a confidentiality agreement.”
