Page 44 of Kiss Marry Kill
“What?”
His expression was pained. “Janelle got it in her head that looking at the photos somehow summoned Kimora’s spirit.” Kobe gave an embarrassed laugh.
“She told you that?”
He nodded. “I know she sounds crazy.”
“Why was she telling you all of this instead of just talking about it with her fiancé?”
“She said she couldn’t talk to Archie about Kimora, or he got this weird look on his face. He’d get very cold and withdrawn.”
“I see.”
“Janelle isn’t someone who makes stuff up. Something was happening to her.”
“I guess I still find it odd you two remained close after you broke up.”
He sighed. “That’s just how Janelle is. She cares about people, for real. Even though we split, she knew I was trying to get my life back together. That meant something to her.”
“You two weren’t fooling around or anything, right?” At his angry expression, I added, “Kobe, I have to ask these questions.”
“What do you think? You think Janelle and I were in cahoots? You think we planned Archie’s murder?”
“Stranger things have happened. A man is dead. I’m simply trying to figure out how that transpired. I have to ask questions that are awkward. It’s awkward for me too.”
“What would Janelle gain by marrying and murdering Archie? She was the one with the money.”
“True. But then again, I don’t really know Archie’s financial situation.”
“Well, we weren’t scheming. We weren’t having an affair, and we didn’t kill Archie.” His face was ruddy, and he sounded pissed off.
I waved at him, gesturing for him to calm down. “Let’s get back to talking about the reception.”
“Fine by me,” he mumbled.
“So you saw Archie and Angela together, then you also saw Michael and Archie arguing. Do you have any idea where Archie went after arguing with Janelle’s father?”
“No. I lost track of him.”
“How did you end up in the van?Whydid you end up in the van?”
He sighed. “I was near the band’s van when I heard everybody start freaking out. I was able to figure out what was happening because people were screaming Archie was dead. That he’d been stabbed. I knew I’d be a suspect because I’d had words with him.” He blanched. “Janelle… the way she was shrieking and sobbing. I’ll never be able to get that sound out of my head. I guess she really did love him.”
I took in his crestfallen expression. “She wouldn’t have married him if she didn’t.”
“I know, it’s just, I swear there was still something between us too.” He hung his head. “I guess I was just foolin’ myself.”
I gave him a minute to get his emotions under control. I realized this was hard on him. Not only was he facing possible jail time, but he’d lost the girl he loved. “You okay to continue?” I asked gruffly.
“Yes.” He straightened his shoulders.
I picked up my pen. “From what you’re telling me, you never personally ran into Archie outside after your… speech?”
“Nope.” He winced. “After I… made a fool of myself and you sent me off in the cab, I never interacted with Archie again.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sure you don’t believe me.”
“If you think I think this case is solved, you’re mistaken. You’re the first person I’ve talked to, Kobe. There are a lot of people that I need to have conversations with.”
“Then why are you threatening to arrest me?”
