The sooner he was behind bars, the sooner she could lay her sister to rest in peace.
Chapter Thirty-Three
904 Williams Avenue, 9:00 p.m.
CJ accepted the glass of wine. “Thank you.” It felt good to sit down and just relax. Edward’s home truly was like a refuge. One far away from the madness that had plagued most of her life. As soon as she had arrived, he’d served a decadent dinner and then ushered her here to the parlor for wine.
After what she’d been through today, it felt particularly good to be here with him. She’d tried to track down Juanita Lusk after going over the autopsy findings with Braddock and his partner. No luck. She would be at the North Huntsville clinic tomorrow morning, CJ had learned. She would catch her there.
A false positive on a pregnancy test was possible, but not nearly as likely as a false negative. The confusion only added to the complicated layers surrounding Shelley’s death.
Uncovering the real story was paramount if she was going to find Shelley’s killer.
Tonight CJ needed this time to relax in a safe place. Tomorrow she would need all the strength and courage she could summon to carry out her plan. Though a bit sketchy, it was the best she could come up with. Ricky was dead. The idea of using his murder to her advantage wasn’tsomething she was totally comfortable with, but the bastard owed her sister. If his murder could help CJ solve Shelley’s, then at least he would have been good for something.
The thought had guilt bearing down on her, but she refused to be swayed. She would tell Tyrone that Ricky had given her evidence against him, evidence she would exchange for the truth about Shelley’s murder.
If that didn’t get a reaction, she wasn’t sure what would.
Braddock wouldn’t like it, and Edward surely wouldn’t.
That was exactly why neither one could know.
“I’ve been thinking about the memorial service,” Edward said, drawing her attention back to the here and now. “Would you like to host it here? I’m certain you’ll wish to invite only close friends. My staff is at your disposal.”
He’d already offered to take care of all the arrangements. And CJ appreciated that more than he could know, but Shelley had lived in the village. Those who knew her were there.
Tyrone Nash was there.
As much as it grieved CJ to admit the fact, having the people in the village attend the memorial service would allow her to ask more questions. Perhaps learn something new. That had to be her priority.
“Whenever I come to Huntsville ... for anything ...” She swallowed back the emotion crowding into her throat. “You take care of me. Of everything. This is something I need to do myself.” That hadn’t come out right. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate your offer, but you’ve done far too much for me already.”
He cradled his elegant, stemmed glass, the red wine an exquisite merlot, as he digested her words. She had been so lucky to find a good friend like him. He’d taught her so much. Set her life on a course far different from that of what she’d come from. Turning down his generous offer felt like a betrayal.
“The decision is yours to make, CJ.” Patience warmed his eyes. “The offer is merely that, an offer. It’s not necessary to explain your reasoning.”
But it was. She owed him too much to pretend otherwise. “I think it would be best to have a very informal gathering at the house in the village. Shelley had friends there.” And the truth was, CJ had no friends here or in the village other than Edward.
And maybe Braddock, though she wasn’t convinced he counted. “I still have questions. The people there may have the answers I’m seeking.”
“Why don’t we discuss the questions you have?”
He would attempt to talk her out of pursuing the issue. She knew him too well. Though she was a grown woman, he still treated her like a little girl sometimes. She should appreciate that he cared so much, and she did, most of the time.
“You said the police believe Banks may have been responsible for Shelley’s death.”
“That’s one scenario. But there are questions,” CJ reminded him. “Neither Shelley’s nor Ricky’s murder was Tyrone’s usual MO.” They’d been over all this. Edward simply didn’t want her to keep digging. “I don’t want to risk that whoever did this to her will get away with it.” She needed him to understand that. “I need to know for sure.”
He didn’t respond right away. His words and logic would be carefully chosen. “I do understand. But what you’re doing is very dangerous, CJ.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully. “And distracting. You’ve been here almost a week now. You must know that your attending is going to be anxious as to when you plan to return to Baltimore. No matter that he’s agreed to this arrangement; it simply won’t do to push his patience.”
All true. “I am keeping those points firmly in mind. I don’t want this to drag out any longer than necessary. I am fully aware that could prove detrimental to my future in Baltimore.” She took a deep, bolstering breath before sharing what she could with him. “So, I have a plan. First, I have to talk to Juanita and find out about the lab test.” She shook her head. “I know it really doesn’t make sense. Shelley’s dead. What difference does it make, right?”
Edward didn’t respond, he no doubt understood that the question was rhetorical.
CJ stood, stretched her back, and walked over to the grand fireplace. She sat down on the hearth, her favorite place whenever she visited in the winter. “I need to understand what Shelley was feeling.” She shrugged. “What was going on in her life those last few days? Maybe it’s irrelevant, but Ineedto know. I want the police to determine who killed her and arrest that person. I don’t think any of that is unreasonable.”
“Practical questions. Rational reasoning.” His voice sounded somewhat distracted. “Do what you must. But please be careful.”
