Page 180 of Little Sunshine

If this is all because he’s a disgruntled guest who got tossed from one of the casinos and now he’s having a power trip, I’m going to be pissed.

They both sat, but it was the unfamiliar one who spoke. “I’m Officer Boden, this is Agent Nash. We’d like to ask you some questions, starting with your whereabouts last night.”

“Why?” Wes shot back.

“Because we’re asking.”

Wes answered for me again. “If this is about comparing social calendars, that could’ve been done without picking my client up at his place of employment. So I’ll ask again, why?”

“A body was found this morning.”

“And? It’s Vegas. Bodies are found all the time.”

The familiar man leaned back in his chair, his expression stoic. “Do you recall telling Veronica Rogers that her time was up?”

My gut prickled.

“What about that if you see her again, she’ll regret it?”

It was nearly imperceptible, but Wes sat up a little straighter. “What is this about?”

“Veronica Rogers was found dead this morning.”

Fuck.

Mila. She’s going to be a mess.

Wes asked the question before I could. “How’d she die?”

“Stabbed,” Officer Boden shared. Wes leaned forward, but the officer just shook his head. “They don’t think they’re related.”

“That’s what they always say.”

Agent Nash shot me a suspicious look. “Want to explain why you were seen threatening her twice yesterday and then she was killed that night?”

“I’m sure I don’t have to point it out to you,” Wes said, “but part of my client’s job is security. He kicks people out of the casino all the time. Including telling them not to return, or they’ll get hit with trespassing charges. Something they would surely regret. How is this different?”

“Because the victim was his girlfriend’s mother.”

“Yes, tumultuous family relationships are very sad.” Wes gave a slow shake of his head. “That is why my client should be comforting his girlfriend during this difficult time.”

“You know,” the familiar agent said, “most people in this situation would have verbal diarrhea while they fought to clear their name. There a reason why you’re not saying anything?”

Wes fielded that one, too. “Because he pays me a hefty retainer and an insane billable hours rate to do it for him.”

“Where were you last night between the hours of seven and ten?” the officer asked.

Wes nudged me.

“Moonlight until almost eight and then home with my girlfriend,” I answered.

“Can anyone verify this?”

“Security cameras at the resort, my car GPS, and the security cameras at my house.”

Officer Boden scowled, his eyes cutting to the agent next to him.

The agent didn’t look fazed by my tripled-up alibi. “But you’re a man with money, correct? You come from an esteemed family and have a trust fund, yet you work a demanding job you don’t even need. Is telling people they’ll be charged with trespassing really that satisfying to you?”

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