Page 18 of Alibi for Murder
A shock wave shuddered through Allie. “Then my parents’ accident was likely no accident.” On some level, she didn’t want to know this…she wanted to let the past be just what it was…thepast. She wanted to go on with her life believing the loss was merely another of life’s tragedies, and her grandparents had picked up the slack.
Except it was too late for that. She’d already heard the words.
“I don’t see how we can continue to call it an accident,” Steve agreed. “But there’s still a lot to discover before we can confirm a conclusion along those lines.”
“Who was the lone survivor?” She already knew the answer, but she needed him to confirm her suspicion.
“Thomas Madison.”
The corroboration quaked through her. She busied her hands with pouring the coffee. She didn’t use cream, and based on breakfast this morning, Steve didn’t either.
“Why was Madison allowed to live until just recently?” She passed a mug of steaming brew to him. “Seems like a loose thread to me.”
“That’s the part that doesn’t fit neatly into what I’m hearing about this project so far. I have people digging. For now, that’s the best we can do.”
She cradled her mug of coffee and wondered what the hell any of this meant. “Potter and Fraser may not want to wait about making an arrest.” The truth was, she could be sitting in a jail cell by dark or by morning. There was just no way to know which way this was going to go.
“Fraser has requested a meeting at ten on Monday morning.” Steve shrugged. “If an arrest was imminent, I’m not sure there would be a reason for the meeting.”
She wanted to feel relieved, but then again, all the delay suggested was that their people would spend all weekend going through the things they had taken and trying to find something relevant to the murder so that they could charge her.
Allie exiled the negative thought and sipped her coffee. Better to be optimistic and to see this upcoming meeting as a good thing.
“Until then,” Steve said, “we’ll search this house again just to be sure they didn’t miss anything, and we’re going to visit Mr. Rivero again. Maybe two or three times until he will talk to us or files a complaint with local law enforcement.”
That all sounded like a good plan. She set her mug aside. But there might be one glitch. She should have broached the subject already, but things had been a little out of control until now.
“I know you said I shouldn’t worry about fees, but we really need to talk about your retainer.” She had some money saved. She had her grandparents’ insurance funds as well. Whatever the Colby Agency fee, she should be able to handle it. But if she couldn’t that was a whole other nightmare.
He looked her straight in the eye and said, “There will be no retainer or fee of any sort.”
“Wait.” She frowned, shook her head. “No. You’re here representing me and a lot more. You need to be paid your usual fee. I’m sure your agency will expect me to be treated like any other client.” No way was she having him do this for free.
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m doing this for a friend. I’ve already taken some of my vacation time so I can be right here working on your case for as long as it takes. And no worries. I’ll still have all the support I need just one phone call away. Although we’ll be spending most of our time here or in thefield in pursuit of information, I reserved myself a room at the Baymont.”
“No.” Him getting a room at a hotel was ridiculous. “Look, there’s plenty of space right here. If you insist on this no fee thing, the least I can do is put you up and feed you.”
He laughed. “That would be the most efficient choice—if you’re sure.”
“I am positive.”
“Then I’m staying here.”
Allie relaxed then. She had faith in Steve. He’d proven he could handle those agents, and he had all sorts of resources if even half of what she’d read about the Colby Agency was true.
In all honesty, she still felt unsettled by the idea of not being a paying client of the agency. But that was his choice, and she had to get right with it. Because the one thing she understood with complete certainty was that this man was likely the only way she was getting out of this nightmare free of a murder charge.
Chapter Five
Foster Residence
Ridgeland Avenue, 5:30 p.m.
Over the course of the past two hours, they had searched the house again. Allie had taken the bedrooms; Steve focused on the common areas. She had picked through every single article of clothing…every little thing.
She supposed this was why by the time she reached her parents’ room, which she saved for last, Steve had finished with the rest of the house.
“You searched your office as well?” Standing in the doorway, he surveyed the room that had belonged to Jerry and Alice Foster.
