Page 37 (1/2)
For the life of her, she was certain that she’d never heard such a story before
Dinner was a solemn affair When it was over, Jackson called Jake into the study, and they took out their list once again; they were down a suspect
"What about Hank Trebly? He did want to buy the property when the Donegal faested "And, he’s one rude ass"
Jake said, "Yes, but being a rude ass doesn’t ive us soator saliva," Jackson said
Jake sed, the sah, I don’t think that Toby was the intended victiunhim, and I was pretty damned skeptical of him then But he said he was over to check out noises he had heard His dog had been going crazy I believe Marty Dean was the intended victim, lured out because the killer wanted her dead for some reason in his head, and Toby stumbled on her killer"
"Sadly, that ht So…we have Ra ‘Yankee’ who hasn’t been cleared, Justin Binder Justin was here for the reenacters through his hair "What the hell a?" he asked
"The doctor and the sutler," Jake reht We’ll interview those two tomorrow," Jackson said He shook his head "I’ a clear motive The killer went after Charles--but was Charles the victi Marshall Donegal? Why go after Marty Dean either way?"
Jake thought for a moment "He wanted another kill I think that he felt coal Plantation But then, er He needed that first kill associated with Donegal, but he’s s watched He killed Marty Dean because she would do anything for a story He lured her out to a place where he could kill her and where her body es--if ever I’ve seen what alligators can do with prey In three ht have stumbled upon a foot bone"
Jackson nodded "But if the body wasn’t found, hoould that have hurt Donegal Plantation?"
"She was a news anchor People would definitely have gone insane looking for her So to find her car They’re checking the switchboard, so they may even be able to trace the call that led her out here They ht have looked forever, and it would have just added to the sensationalis Charles But I think he killed her because he had to kill her And I think that Toby just stumbled upon him"
"You know that this killer either called from a pay phone or from a prepaid cell that can’t be traced He would have purchased it with cash," Jackson reminded him
"Yes, but they may be able to find a satellite locator--at least tell us where the call originated," Jake said
"That’s possible," Jackson agreed "All right Will and Jenna will head out and speak with the sutler and his wife, John and Matty Martin We can’t afford to wait on the reports Tonight, you need to get going on the cos--"
He broke off
"Yeah, I was thinking that earlier," Jake said
"The doctor," Jackson said "Well, he was already on the list"
Ashley played chess with Frazier for a while, worried about how her grandfather was bearing up under the strain
But though Frazier was grave and obviously thinking about their problehted when he beat her
She watched the screens off and on with Whitney, Will and Jenna Frazier tired and went to bed, and Ashley walked over to sit with Beth as she leafed through azines Beth set hers down "Ashley"
Ashley looked up at her Beth’s large dark eyes were sorrowful "Ashley, I--forgive , mind you I love this place I love you and Frazier, and I love Cliff-- I don’t believe for a second that he did it--and I’ve tried, honestly, I’ve tried, but…oh, God, bodies consuators? I have to leave--just for a while There’s a crash course in vegetarian entrees being taught next week at a cooking school in New York City, and I thought I’d run up and spend a week learning soo with me, you know You and Frazier!" Beth added excitedly
Ashley thought about the dwindling coffers that held the plantation together
And she thought about Jake She was safe here; she had a govern at her house
And it was her hoing to find the twists and turns of the great riddle
"I can’t go, Beth"
"I knew you’d say that"
"But I want you to go, and learn well, and we’ll get the restaurant back up and running God knows, once we do, we can hire a full-tiuard People will flock back"
Beth kissed her on the cheek "I’ll probably leave toet out"