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"Because it proves where he was before the murder, and that he wasn’t at the studio or thethe knife," Sean said

"But if he killed the girl in a jealous rage--" Helena began to say, then obviously reht not be her biological son he meant the world to her husband She flushed "I’m just afraid that’s how the police will probably see it," she ht’ve been at the studio Who knows it well enough to hide there and escape and to do it without tracking blood anywhere," Sean said evenly

"Someone could have planned this?" Eddie asked in horror

"Someone would have to have planned it Someone who knew the studio, like I said, but also your son’s schedule, the movie and special-effects business, and either knew about evidence or studied police and forensics procedure," Sean told hi to have to dig until we find it"

"We’ll dig We’ll dig into anything and everything Everything" Eddie repeated the last word fervently

"I’ll need to visit Alistair toet home, and I need to check in to my hotel"

"You can just stay here, you know," Eddie offered

"Eddie, you ements for us Actually, I wouldn’t mind some time alone, until et checked in I put your luggage in the little Prius outside I figure you can use that while you’re here"

"Great Thanks, Eddie"

Eddie groped in his pockets and came out with a handful of keys He dropped several; they all bent down to retrieve theht hi woirl who spoke to ghosts, or so Eddie said

He paused for a , and in a way a woman like Helena would never understand Those eyes of hers! Blue as the sky and framed by rich dark lashes Her face was a classic oval that no a and naturally wavy He couldn’t avoid noticing that her body was shapely, lean, athletic--with curves in all the right places Curves that weren’t exposed by a low-cut neckline or contained in sausage-skin pants

Startled by his assess to tell himself that it was so positive because he really disliked Helena--he stood again, glancing at her apologetically

"I’ all over the place"

"No, I’m sorry I dropped the keys," Eddie muttered

"It’s understandable, Eddie," Madison said "And I’ competently all day, I swear it," Eddie insisted, half-hurinned "We know We drove with you"

"All right I’ll talk to you tomorrow," Eddie said

"As I said, I’ll see Alistair," Sean told hi?"

"Definitely, and he’ll be glad to see you--and Madison, too Will you come and assure him he has friends?" Eddie asked her

"Yes," Madison said "Of course I will"

Eddie nodded, his expression grateful "They’re giving Alistair a sedative tonight Doctor says he’ll sleep for hours" He looked at Sean again "If the cops could just understand what this has done to hi…they’d know he couldn’t have done it"

Helena put a hand on his shoulder "Are they keeping the studio closed, Eddie? What about the work you have going on?"

"We’re still down to

"You have soon you for their livelihood, dear," Helena said softly "Like Madison"

"I’m okay hatever you choose to do," Madison told Eddie "As I’m sure everyone at the studio is"

Eddie alh the studio once o on as usual, even if your son had been accused of irl died horribly on your property Oh, Sean, I’ your team ant to search the place, too?"