Page 50 of Jane's Story
“I know who has it.” I said and turned to Ashley. “You might as well hand it over.”
Ashley’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”
Catalina narrowed her eyes and looked toward Ashley's bag. Then she reached over and pulled the crumpled photo. “I think this is what they wanted.”
She shook her head and glared at Ashley. It was the photo we’d taken of Catalina the night before.
I directed my attention toward Ashley and Owen. “Last night, a server accidentally dropped a tray right when I took Catalina’s picture with Charles. I didn’t realize what was going on in the background until I looked more closely. You hide your wedding ring on thatlong chain you wear well. But I noticed you pull it out and play with it when you’re nervous.”
Catalina handed me the crumpled photo, and I placed it on the table and pressed it flat. Partly behind a pillar, Ashley and Owen huddled together, and Owen kissed her cheek.
“Okay, fine. We’re married. We didn’t want anyone to know, since Owen was on the panel that interviewed me for my job. But who cares? I mean, I’ve done a good job.” Ashley threw her napkin onto the table and stood up. “I’m out of here.”
“Ashley, it’s okay. You didn’t kill anyone…” Owen patted the chair she sat in next to him. “Right?”
“Ugh.” Ashley pressed her lips together and clenched her fists but sat next to Owen.
On the other side of Owen, Catalina scowled, her fear dissolving into disgust. “You’re really something, you know that. I’m done. The gig is up. I can’t believe you’re married! It’s over—I’m telling them everything.”
“No!” both Ashley and Owen shouted in unison.
“Owen told me if I changed the specs to give him credit for the SaferLoc components, we’d make a ton of money. If caught, we’d claim it was an honest mistake. You saidyou loved me.” Catalina stood and tossed her water at Owen. “You didn’t say you were already married. Was I next on your list of people to kill?”
Owen looked between Ashley and Catalina but said nothing.
“I have some photos from the hotel manager that might help. Ashley, I noticed you were in the lobby when Armond reserved the third suite. He’d probably only do it if he’d been told Charles wanted the reservation. I wonder who told him that?” I showed her Armond’s photo from when the third suite was reserved. Ashley stood in the distance, watching. “Of course, you had already dragged him into the whole mess by convincing him to kill Margery for what she knew.”
“What?” Ashley’s face grew pale. “I… what?”
“Well, you were the one who needed the money. The guys who came and harassed Kyle were looking for the person in room 512—your original room, which you must have told them was where you would be. You borrowed money from the wrong people, didn’t you? So when Margery found the doctored specs, you had to get rid of her, and Armond was happy to helpyou for a cut. He’s been dying to retire for the last year.” I shook my head. “Of course, you had to kill him to keep him quiet.”
“You don’t understand,” Ashley screeched. “If I didn’t get the money, they were going to hurt me… or Owen.”
“What?!” Owen hopped up from his chair.
“Oh, give it up, Owen. You’re in as deep as I am. My dear husband here is the one who spiked Kyle’s drink. You justhadto make sure he didn’t tell anyone about the rooms being switched. Seriously, Owen. Or were you jealous of my pretending to flirt with him?” Her face twisted in rage.
“And you obviously killed Armond.” Owen threw his hands up in frustration. “Is that those guys were after you for money? Did you drug Armond with something you bought from them? Or were you only trying to cover your gambling debts?”
“I knew it,” Lance muttered under his breath. “Armond was doing something sneaky with our funds.”
The argument they'd had before Armond's death suddenly made sense.
“Detective Laurence, you’re good to come out now,” Charles called toward the curtains.
The detective and several officers emerged from behind the curtains and took both Owen and Ashley into custody.
“I can’t believe that worked,” I whispered to Charles as we stepped out of the way of the officers leading the couple from the room.
Darcy joined us as we watched the dust settle. “What some people will do for money.”
“I never thought anyone from Haven Corp would do such a thing.” Charles said, “Jane, thank you so much. This wouldn’t have happened without your help.”
Chapter 20
CharlesandIwalkeddown Fifth Ave., watching shoppers carrying bags filled with holiday treasures. A deep chill tainted the breeze, and the last of the remaining fall leaves swirled through the air. “Do you feel relieved at all now, Charles?”
“I suppose so,” he replied. But the vacancy behind his eyes told me there was more on his mind. “Those two were on a rampage. I’m glad no one else is going to get hurt, but I feel responsible. I should’ve been more cautious with employees.”
