Page 68 of The Summer Request
“Yes.” Zora paused. “He still had a key and…well, he let himself in and came out screaming a moment later.”
Michelle leaned forward. “Did Lou hurt her?”
“No. She was already gone.”
They were silent for a moment. Michelle looked at Lisa. Her face was twisted, and her lip was quivering. She was no longer in charge of this conversation.
“What happened to Justine?” Michelle asked as gently as she could.
“We’re not sure,” Zora said. “Lou had sent Justine an email asking if he could borrow the house for an investor’s visit. Justine would have said yes, normally, but she wasn’t checking her email or responding to him. He assumed she was busy and just showed up.”
“Sounds like Lou,” Michelle muttered under her breath.
“He was in a hurry and ordered dinner to be delivered for him and his guest when he got here, a lobster delivery. After Lou ran out of the house in a panic, the delivery boy showed up a minute later.”
“Wait, Zora,” Lisa interrupted. “Was the delivery guy someone named Sam Beverly?”
“I’m not sure. I have the videos if you want to see him. Why?”
“No reason,” Lisa said. “We, uh, met a Sam Beverly here.”
“It could be,” Zora said. “I never spoke to him. Lou sent him away before making an anonymous 911 call.”
“Why anonymous?” asked Michelle. “What was he trying to hide?”
“I think he was worried it would look suspicious,” Zora said. “He has no idea I have access to the cameras. Though I’m guessing he figured it out when he realized you were visiting.”
Lisa let out a long “Ooh.”
“That makes a lot of sense,” Michelle said. “But how can we be sure Lou didn’t hurt Justine?”
“He was in the house for less than thirty seconds,” Zora said. “The police found no signs of a struggle.”
“What happened, then?” Michelle asked.
“We don’t know. We’re still waiting on the autopsy.” Zora took a deep breath. “The police said it looked like she was in the middle of making a smoothie in the blender and just collapsed.”
Michelle sat back. “Poor Justine.”
“Poor Justine,” Lisa repeated, nodding solemnly.
“I’m so sorry Lou came after you like that,” Zora continued. “I think he’s afraid the videos will get out and make him look guilty. I should have told you about it, but I didn’t want to spoil your trip and – ”
“It’s not your fault,” Michelle said. “That’s just Lou.”
“I’m still sorry,” she continued. “I miss her every day. I wish I’d done everything differently.”
“You were a wonderful friend to her,” Lisa said. “Don’t be sorry. She loved you.”
“She loved you very much, too. I’m sorry the trip ended this way.”
Michelle shook her head. “Don’t be. We had the most wonderful time, Zora. Thank you.” She paused. “We won’t bother you anymore tonight. Thanks for all of your help.”
“We can talk tomorrow?”
“Sure. Goodnight.”
Michelle ended the call and looked at Lisa. “Well. There it is.”
