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“Why in the world would I?—”
“This note was found in the possession of Liliana Frederickson, who has just confessed to stealing a skeleton from the high school and planting it in the grave. This comes right on the heels of us figuring out that Harvey Collins stole bones frommymuseum for the very same reason. Both of them said they received notes, and Liliana’s in particular drew us to you, Bea,” I say at a steady pace. “I do have to wonder where you got the money to pay Harvey off, but?—”
Bea holds up her hands. “I had nothing to do with it.”
I narrow my eyes. “Bea?—”
“I swear. Why would I—what would I gain from slapping two skeletons together and?—”
“Why is your bar called Willie’s?” I ask.
Bea rolls her eyes. “It’s just aname.”
“Right, and you’rejusta Wilhelm,” I shoot back.
Her face freezes, except for her eyes, which widen into a death glare.
“You don’t think I’ve forgotten that confession, do you?”
When Bea doesn’t respond, Rory leans on the bar. “If you’re cooperative, this is going to go a lot better for you.”
“This is… ridiculous…” she says, chest heaving. “Why would I?—”
“To be recognized for who you really are,” I say without any affectation. It’s the simple truth.
Her brows screw together, her lips purse.
Rory presses, “What did you think would come of this, Bea? Seriously?”
“I… I don’t know.”
Rory and I both restrain ourselves from exchanging a look. Was that partly a confession?
“I thought… I just thought…” Bea gulps back tears. “I deserve recognition. I’m a part of the Wilhelm lineage and I always have been. And I’m tired of being an outsider to a family I’m rightfully a part of. To a legacy that I’m supposed to have.”
Being a girl with a single mom wasn’t easy for Bea. I remember it well. I guess she’s been working her whole life to make up for that. “So you planted a skeleton in the backyard of the house?” I ask.
“To prevent them from tearing it down!”
“How would that?—”
Bea lets out a grunt of frustration and runs her hands over her face. “If I could spoil the property, then I could prevent construction long enough that maybeyoucould get your act together and make it a historic landmark. Or I’d drive them away! And then they’d have to sell the property again and I wouldn’t be outbid!”
“Youput a bid in for the house when they sold it!”
“Yes! I know I might be a lowly bartender to you,Dr. Chaplin, but I’ve got the money. Or I would have, if Mr. Richie Rich hadn’t come into town and spoiled everything for everyone.” Bea’s lower lip trembles. “Aren’t I allowed to be proud of who I am? Even if I’m some unwanted child?”
We might not get along, but it breaks my heart to hear her say that. “You’re not unwanted, Bea.”
She ignores me. “Liliana was an easy target. It was obvious she hated it here.”
“She’s a child,” Rory clarifies. “Not atarget.”
Bea winces. “And when she couldn’t get the job done, I took some of the money I had aside and paid off Harvey. Just a couple grand. But that was it. That was all I did. No one was hurt. Not actually hurt. Please, Sheriff, it was all a… a…”
The door to Willie’s opens. A few more cops emerge.
Rory gives Bea a sad smile. “You’re going to have to come down to the station with us, Bea.”
