Page 17 of Mystic Justice
‘I guess we were both ready to bump uglies with someone else. Someone we could maybe love likethat.’
‘Did you end things or did she?’ I pressed.
He shook his head. ‘I honestly can’t say.’ He paused and frowned. ‘Me, I think. There was a girl here I had my eye on.’ He shrugged. ‘Anyway, it all fizzled out.’
‘Where were you last night from 9pm until 1am?’
Dewy’s green skin was tinged with grey. ‘I would never hurt her. Never.’ His tone was insistent but I wondered if he was giving himself thinking time because he didn’t have an alibi.
‘Just answer the question,’ Channing demanded.
‘We worked until 2am this morning.’ He looked at Peter. ‘You saw me leave, right?’
Peter nodded. ‘Yes.’ He turned to me. ‘We do a lot of work in the Palm House through the night because it saves us bothering the Common realm folk in the day. Last night Dewy worked until just gone 2am. We chatted a little after his shift, and the CCTV camera footage will show him leaving probably close to 2.15, well after your window.’
‘And what time did his shift start?’ I asked.
‘Eight o’clock, after the Palm House closed,’ Peter confirmed before Dewy could answer.
Dewy nodded emphatically. ‘You’ll see me coming in on the cameras. I didn’t leave the Palm House until my shift was over. You’ll see. It wasn’t me – I would never have hurt Moss.’
We would follow up with the cameras but for now I believed him. Which meant we were back to square one: my least favourite square.
According to a quick scan of social media, the bar where Moss had worked didn’t open until 5pm due to some refurbishment work. There wasn’t much we could do until then, so we left the Palm House and returned to our cars. Annoyingly, it was still too early to press Kate for any results from the autopsy.
‘Head back to the office,’ I said to Channing. Mindful of the time and my growling stomach I added, ‘Take an hour, grab some refs.’
‘Refs?’ Krieg asked, eyebrows raised.
‘Refreshments,’ Channing answered. ‘It means a lunch break.’
Ignoring their byplay I continued, ‘Once you’ve had a break, type up a report for Thackeray. Later on this evening I’ll go to Botany.’
Channing cleared his throat. ‘With respect, ma’am, I would like to attend the questioning too.’
‘It’s after your shift has ended,’ I pointed out.
‘The job doesn’t stop because the pencil pushers say so.’ He lifted his cleft chin. I was pleased to see a little more backbone from him.
‘Fine. We’ll meet outside at 5pm. Full uniform still on.’
‘Got it. And ma’am?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thanks.’
‘Channing,’ I called to his back as he walked to his car. He turned. ‘You did really well today.’ Looking incredibly youthful, he grinned at me and climbed into his car.
‘What about me?’ Krieg breathed into my ear. ‘Did I do really well?’
I half-laughed, half-huffed, ‘Mostly you distracted me.’
A slow smile crossed his face. ‘Glad to hear it. Now it’s time for your refs too. Come on, I’m taking you out for lunch.’
‘And Loki!’ my bird chimed in. This time he settled on Krieg’s shoulder.
‘Sure. You can come, too.’
