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?Between the two police officers walked Sheryl Homes with a manila folder clasped in her hand.
32. Rule Line
Sheryl Homes
?As I strode into the room after Detective DeSt
adler and looked at the assembled suspects, I saw a look of pure relief appear on Mark’s face. I am sure he did not expect the police escort.
?I glanced at DeStadler, who gave me a nod, and moved to the center of the room.
?“Thank you for meeting us, all of you,” I began. “This has been a terrible situation. Three people have died due to greed and avarice—”
?“Ms. Homes,” DeStadler warned her curtly. “When I agreed to this I said no dramatics.”
?“Hmm?” I said. “Right, right. Sorry.”
?I started to pace. “In reviewing the clues that we have found, I have convinced the police that someone in this room—perhaps more than one—is our murderer.”
?“Yeah,” Allen piped up, “and the evidence points to you and Watkins. The police have arrested you like four times, right?”
?DeStadler gave me a look, as if to say, “See?”
?“Be that as it may,” I went on. “Please sit down. There are some discrepancies between what each of you told the police and the evidence that has been uncovered.”
?Everyone found a seat, except the two uniformed officers who stood at the door and Charles who said, “I, for one, find this entire process ridiculous.”
?“Really?” I told him and opened the folder I carried. “So you were aware that the victim, Randall Lawrence, had secret accounts where he funneled money from your clients?”
? “Funneled money?” Charles frowned. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
?“That’s odd,” DeStadler announced as I handed him a page from the folder. “Because Ms. Homes had a forensic accountant go through those accounts. According to him, a month ago a transfer was made into an account you own in the Cayman Islands.”
?Charles went pale. “That was just…business. I didn't know it came from…I mean…it was a deal that we were working on. I just assumed the money was from a legitimate source.”
?“I’m sure,” I chided. “Were you aware Randall kept detailed records of money he ‘acquired’ from clients through illegal means?”
?“I didn’t know anything of the kind!” Charles grimaced. “I was merely the legal side of the business. It was my job to handle contracts—”
?“You do realize,” I pushed, “that if any of the financial reports or forms you signed off on for the IRS are incorrect, you would also be liable?”
?“Yeah,” DeStadler added, “and they frown on people hiding money.”
?Charles began to sweat profusely. He ran a hand over his face.
?“I believe—” he said haltingly, “—that I will sit down after all.”
?Winsley spoke up. “I fail to understand why you have us all here! I know I have done nothing—”
?“We asked you here because we found something of yours,” I chirped and gave a nod to DeStadler, who pulled from his pocket a plastic bag that contained the jade silhouette pin.
?A murmur went through the room.
?Winsley’s hand went to her lapel to touch the pin on it.
?“That can’t be mine,” she denied.
?“That is why we asked Mr. Blake to join us.” I turned to face the red-haired man. “Is there something you wish to tell us about the pin Ms. Cunningham is currently wearing?”
