Renee stood straight, tray still in hand.“Yes.That’s my dear, sweet Gary.”
The words came with practiced softness.She placed the tray down, crossed to the fireplace, and lifted one hand to the frame.Her fingertips caressed the edge, then rested briefly against the glass near Gary Beaumont’s cheek.
“He always hated that picture,” she said.“Said the vest made him look like an old man.But I told him it made him look honest.”
Connor watched without touching the milk.
Renee returned to her chair and sat with her knees together, hands folded.“Now, what can I do for you?”
Selena took out her notebook.“We wanted to ask about your connection to Sandra Holt.”
“Oh, Sandra.”Renee’s smile relaxed.“I’ve known Sandra since high school.We were inseparable back then for a few years.Not quite as pretty as you and Jessie were, mind, but we had our day.”
Selena’s pen paused.“You know me and Jessie?”
“Everybody knew Jessie.”Renee tilted her head.“And you, of course.Though you were younger.Always so serious, even as a girl.”
Selena studied her.“Do I know you, Renee?”
“Oh, no.Not properly.But I tutored your sister in mathematics when you were children for a little while.”
A memory rose.Diane at the kitchen table, scowling at worksheets.A young woman with tidy hair and a soft voice showing her how to carry numbers.Selena standing in the doorway, bored and curious, waiting for Diane to be free.
A small smile touched Selena before she stopped it.“Wow.I never put that together.”
“Your mother and father were such a lovely couple,” Renee said.“Very kind to me.Your mother always made sure I left with a little extra money for gas, even when I told her not to.”
“Thank you,” Selena said.
Connor shifted in the chair.“Renee, where were you the night Warren Holt died?”
The warmth in the room changed.
Renee looked from Connor to Selena, then gave a light laugh.“Oh.Sounds like I’m a suspect.What fun.”
Connor leaned forward.“Two men are dead.”
Renee’s smile vanished.“Of course.I’m sorry.I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Selena looked at Connor until his eyes met hers.Calm down.The words did not need to be said.
Connor sat back by an inch.“Where were you, Renee?”
“At home.Here.”She gestured at the room.“Sorry, only my cats as witnesses, I’m afraid.”
“How many cats?”Selena asked.
“Three.Aggie, Pearl, and Mr.Claws.”
Connor’s mouth tightened as if he thought the names were another game.
Selena kept her voice even.“Did you know Victor Schmidt?”
“Of course.Terrible what happened to him.Just terrible.”
Connor cut in before Selena could ask more.“Where were you two nights ago, when Victor was killed?”
Renee blinked.“You think they’re linked?”
