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“Did you speak to anyone or see anyone who could verify your whereabouts?” Kane narrowed his gaze. “Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that a person you had a problem with died on campus and you don’t have an alibi?”
“I’d say I’m not the only person who had a beef with those guys.” Stein stared back at Kane, nonplussed. “Or who can’t prove where they were on campus at the time they died. My friend just committed suicide and I can’t stop thinking about her dying alone. It’s eating me up inside. So, no, I don’t remember seeing anyone. If that’s not good enough, arrest me for whatever you figure I’ve done, and we’ll let my lawyer sort it out.”
Jenna nodded. “Okay, that’s all for now. Thank you for your time.”
She waited for Stein to make his way back inside the library. “The guard is finding Jones for us now. What do you think?”
“He’s got motive and you can see how disturbed he is about Chrissie’s death.” Kane leaned one shoulder against the wall. “Problem is we haven’t got much to go on. I looked at his fingers: his nails are short and he has large hands. If both men will let Wolfe make a casting of their hands, he could match them against the marks on Devon’s ankles.”
“It would be a long shot and I’m not sure if it’s admissible in court. Even bite marks are inadmissible now.” Jenna nodded. “Just a minute, I’ll catch up with Stein and ask him. If he’s got nothing to hide, he’ll cooperate.” She pushed through the library door.
It took a few seconds to catch up to Stein. She beckoned him away from the other students and kept her voice to a whisper. “Would you be willing to give the medical examiner an imprint of your fingers?”
“Why?” Stein frowned down at her.
Jenna lifted her chin. “To remove you from my list of possible suspects in a homicide.”
“You saying someone murdered Chrissie?” His eyes darkened. “I loved her. I’d never hurt her.”
“No, not Chrissie.” Jenna had no choice but to reveal Wolfe’s findings. “The ME has reason to believe someone was involved in Pete Devon’s death.”
“Involved how?” Stein’s eyes narrowed.
Jenna straightened and stared him straight in the eyes. “It’s an ongoing investigation.”
“Okay.” Stein shrugged. “I’ll give you my number—call me and set a time.” He bent over to look deep into her eyes. “Trust me, if I’d wanted to kill Pete, I’d have picked something more painful. Drowning would’ve been too easy for that SOB.”
Unsettled by his encroachment into her private space, she took down his number and stepped away. “Thank you for your time.”
She hurried back to the hallway. Jones was already with Kane. His face showed the aftereffects of the fight on the mountain trail and his fall into the rapids. She moved closer to listen.
“No, I don’t like Coach.” Jones shook his head. “All he thinks about is winning. He doesn’t consider the health of the players. Take Pete Devon, for example. Instead of making him do laps in the pool every night, he should’ve gotten him to the physio for ultrasound treatment. The man is a sadist.” He indicated to his face. “Look at me, I had a possible concussion after the trip down the rapids and he still had me out training. The man’s an idiot.”
“So, you were aware Devon would be at the pool?” Kane made notes and acted as if speaking to him was a chore. “Did you see him there, the night he died?”
“Nope.” Jones lifted his gaze to Jenna. “Ma’am. You wanted to speak with me?”
Jenna waved a hand toward the garden. “Would you prefer to speak outside?”
“Here’s just fine.” Jones rolled his muscular shoulders. “Who’s made a complaint against me this time? Lyons again?”
Jenna took in his arrogant pose and self-assured stance. “I haven’t received any complaints, Mr. Jones.” She unfolded her notebook. “You were speaking about Pete Devon when I arrived. When did you last see him?”
“At the rapids.” Jones grimaced. “We don’t move in the same circles. I’m studying engineering and let’s say his ambition doesn’t go to great heights.”
“I see.” Jenna glanced at his hands. “Would you be willing to have an impression made of your fingers by the medical examiner?” She looked up at him. “We’re using the information to clear people who knew Devon from his possible homicide.”
“Sure.” Jones chuckled. “I wouldn’t have drowned him. I’d have strangled the lying piece of crap.” His expression turned to grim as he looked at her. “Him and the rest of Lyons’ followers.”
“Really?” Kane straightened from leaning against the wall. “We’ve two potential homicides and you’ve admitted before two law officers to wanting to kill them. Do we assume this is an admission of guilt?”
“Nope.” Jones frowned. “It’s a statement of truth. In case you’ve been living in a dream world, it’s common knowledge around here that Lyons and his friends have no respect for women.” He looked straight at Kane. “I explained the reason to Deputy Kane the last time we spoke and I’m not discussing it again.”
Aware that Jones’s anger was escalating at an alarming pace, Jenna lowered her voice to calm him. “Did the fight at the rapids have anything to do with Chrissie Lowe’s suicide?”
“Nope.” Jones looked away. “Lyons and his friends were making remarks about some of the girls running up there is all.” He shrugged. “Things like ‘get that fat ass moving’ or ‘great legs, shame about the face.’ I told them to shut up and they took it real personal.” He snorted. “I’d have gotten in a few punches but Court had me by the arms.” He looked sheepishly at Jenna. “Thanks for helping Deputy Kane to save me.”
Jenna nodded. “It’s all part of my job.” She cleared her throat and took a chance. “So, your martial arts didn’t help too much with the three of them?”
