Page 18 of One of Us Is Guilty

‘What would you talk about with her?’

‘Just to say hi, or I might ask her how the campaign was going or how her day was, that kind of thing. Just out of politeness, you understand. She worked for Patrick – we weren’t friends or anything.’

‘Was your husband close to her?’ I asked.

She leaned back in her chair, said, ‘She was an employee, nothing more. Patrick can’t even remember the name of his father’s current fiancé. He’s not big on personal details. She was a hard-working PA, and that’s all.’

‘Where were you on the night she was killed?’ I asked.

‘I was at home.’

Another straight shot. Only this line seemed like it was practiced. It was short, clipped. No details. The kind of shut-down answer that might have been suggested to her by Buchanan. There was a lot more digging left in this hole: What did you do at home that night? Did you watch TV? Did you cook? Did you order food? What did you eat? Was Patrick with you? If so, was he there the whole night? What time did you go to bed? Were you on your phone that night? Did you make any calls?

These and a million more questions came to mind.

‘Did you ever visit Molly Green’s apartment?’ asked Harry.

She leaned forward, opened her mouth to speak, but then hesitated. Her eyes fell on Clarence briefly; when she looked up again she seemed to have found her answer somewhere on the floor.

‘No, I’ve never been to her apartment.’

I could’ve probed further, Harry too, but a first meeting with a potential client was not the place to push back.

‘We will have some more questions for you once we know more about the case. In the meantime, if you have any contact from NYPD, you must call us immediately,’ said Harry.

‘I will. Patrick has worked so hard to get where he is now. I don’t want anything to upset that. But more importantly, someone murdered that young girl. I want that person found. I want justice for Molly. Thank you for your time. It was a pleasure to meet you both,’ she said, then stood and left.

When the door closed, Harry said, ‘Well?’

I’ve been a conman all my life. I can spot a lie a mile away. Nobody bats a thousand, but I got pretty close.

‘What doyouthink?’ I asked.

‘I think we should take her on as a client. There’s no guarantee she’ll even be charged. We don’t know enough about the case, and for now there doesn’t even look to be any evidence against her or her husband apart from rumor. Let’s do it,’ said Harry.

I nodded, said, ‘Okay.’

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s it.’

‘Wait, doyoubelieve her?’ asked Harry.

I shook my head, said, ‘I don’t know. Everything about the case tells me she’s not the person responsible. Particularly the injuries to the victim. I just— I don’t know. I can’t seem to read her. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. It’s clear Buchanan and his associates have already drilled her on how to answer questions. She’s had practice. Maybe that’s what’s sticking in my throat. For right now, let’s see where this goes. I need some air. Tell Buchanan we’re in.’

EXTRACT FROM PROSECUTION FILE – VICTIM – MOLLY GREEN

DOD – FEBRUARY 17TH(estimated).

Notes on Security Camera 2 – victim’s building (rear service entrance), compiled by Detective Lorraine Carey.

All time logs correspond to timestamp on security footage.

20:43 – Female, mid-20s, curly black hair, long mauve coat, black calf-length boots, approaches the service door. Female is positive match for VICTIM (MG). She opens the security door with a key fob. Door opens outwards. She hesitates. Turns around.

20:44 – Male, mid-thirties, dark suit, dark overcoat, light hair swept back, joins the female at the door. Male is probable ID as Patrick Vanderpool (PV). He looks around. Puts his hand on her lower back. They enter the building. Door closes.

22:18 – Male, probable ID as PV, exits the building through the service door.