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"Hmm, I might be able to do that."
"I'll be there in a few minutes," he said as he hung up his phone. I turned to Jen.
"That's my friend," I told her. "He's a paramedic and I trust him."
She nodded but I could tell she didn’t want to involve anyone else. When Daniel tapped on the front door a few minutes later I let him in. I remembered Thor was still outside and I brought him in the back door, gave him his dinner and joined Jen and Daniel.
Jen rehashed what she had told me. Daniel’s eyes never left hers. When she finished, he told her to get a good lawyer. She agreed and I locked up behind her when she left.
"She didn’t do it," said Daniel. "The motive that cops think she had is no motive at all. She understood Michael shutting everyone out. He wanted to just die and get it over with. He didn’t want anyone there to see his ending."
I didn’t answer. Daniel and I left with Thor by my side. If not Jen Perry, then who committed the murder? Marianne Andrews was the only one left. I wondered if she knew Michael had terminal cancer. Or was it one last gotcha by Michael himself?
I thought of Jacob who was well into his second week behind bars. I knew what my next step was.
Chapter Twenty Four
The next afternoon I took my break in the visitor room at the jail. Jacob’s walk transformed to a shuffle. By the time I left I hoped his spirits would be lifted. I flashed a smile in his direction.
"Laila, it is good to see you. How are things at Roasted Love?"
I briefly told him about hiring Claire. "I have some good news for you, Jacob."
"That will be a relief. My friends have been visiting, but all they’ve done is tell me to hang in there."
"I think the police should question Janie," I blurted.
His face fell in disappointment. "What could she have to do with Michael’s murder?"
"Maybe plenty."
I told him everything I knew so far, including Janie’s story about James Simms asking her for favors. I didn’t leave out Jen Perry’s visit at Roasted Love the night before or my suspicions about Marianne Andrews.
"I think that when Janie told me she saw James talking with Eddie, she herself had actually met the Senator again. I don’t think Eddie is involved with James Simms at all. She just wanted attention put on someone else."
I leaned back in satisfaction. With visible relaxation on Jacob’s face, I still felt he was afraid to get his hopes up too high. I added that Daniel knew his guilt was being questioned at the precinct. That perked him up.
"They have been treating me a little better," said Jacob. "I thought it was because of my winning personality." A hint of the old Jacob came through.
"I’ll be back, Jacob. Don’t give up. And, by the way, Jacob, don’t shuffle when you walk. It makes you look old."
Before I left the building I stopped at the front desk and asked to see Daniel’s friend, David Singer, the cop. The receptionist caught him as he came from the Chief’s door. I introduced myself and asked if we could talk.
"I finally get to meet the astute detective," he said. "I’ve heard a lot about you, Laila. We’ll go in here."
He ushered me into a small alcove that I presumed was where criminals were interrogated. There was a dark wood table with nicks in it and two folding wooden chairs. It wasn’t a room intended for comfort. David was immediately likable. I spilled everything I had put together on Janie and her connection with James Simms. I let him know that I already knew about Michael’s terminal illness. I added that to let him know Daniel had told me everything David told him.
"I think Janie should be questioned. She’s scared silly over something. I think James Simms is threatening her in some way."
"I’ve wondered about the Senator. But what you are saying may be a hard sell with the Chief. James Simms has a lot of influence around the precinct."
"Are you saying it is better to bring an innocent man to trial than ruffle a rich politician?" My voice rose. I didn’t want to come across as an out-of-control female. "I know Jacob Weaver did not murder Michael Simms." My voice had returned to an even tone.
David quickly answered. "Of course not. I want to put together everything you have said so I can convince the Chief to take a different look. He is a fair man and I know the truth is everything when it comes to getting the right person. It doesn’t matter who that person is."
"Okay," I said. "Please do convince the Chief. Jacob shouldn’t spend another night in this place. You have an innocent man locked up. Besides, we need him at Roasted Love, where he belongs."
"Don’t worry, Laila. You’ve given me a lot of new insight into this mess. We questioned Jen Perry, too. She could e
