of the door. “I’m guessing you don’t really work at Digital Delights.”
“I’m a friend,” I said. Slick Danny told me not to let on about being a PI. Couldn’t let it get back to Montebella I was here. Not until I had the facts. “I can’t tell you more than that.”
“You sounded different on the phone. Where’s your southern accent?”
“Oh no, that was my partner. He calls for me.”
Her eyes widened. “Didn’t realize you were gay. You don’t seem like it. Although that would make sense—”
“G-Gay? We’re not g-g-gay,” I said. “We’re…friends.” Was she trying to trick me?
Evania smiled, her teeth bright white. “You a stalker, Mike? You like thin, married blondes?”
“N-n-no. I don’t go out with married women. Blondes are okay. Not too crazy about skinny, but if she’s nice—”
Evania snapped her fingers. “Hey, Mike, focus here. What’s your interest in Sandra?”
“Huh?” I scratched my head. “I just want to help Sandra, uh, Mrs. Montebella, that’s all.” Why couldn’t Slick Danny have come? He knew I was no good with people.
“You can help her?” She moved so close our bodies practically touched. Evania’s spicy perfume tickled my nose, and I took a step back.
I nodded. “I think so.”
“Why would you do that,” she asked, arms crossed over her chest. “Why do you care?”
“I know she’s innocent.” What else could I say?
She looked at me for a long time. “I must be crazy,” she muttered. “Lord, save me from tall, handsome men.” She moved behind her desk, pointed me to a chair.
I sat.
“So what do you want to know about her?” she asked.
I glanced at my notebook, reading the questions Slick Danny had scribbled.
“What did she do for you? She seemed to spend a lot of time here.”
“Sure did. One of our best volunteers. I wanted her to join our board.”
“Know why she was interested in the Leukemia Society?”
“Brother died from it. Broke her heart. She wanted to be his marrow donor, but she wasn’t a match. Tragic, really. That woman could have been bitter, but instead she volunteers here. Even became a marrow donor couple years ago. Know how painful that procedure is?”
“Uh, no.” I looked at my notebook. Stick to the questions Slick Danny said. Don’t get distracted. “Was organizing walks one of her duties?”
“Yeah, she helped with some of that. Raised money for us by throwing big dinner parties. Visited patients waiting for transfusions. Did office work on occasion. Why? How’s that relate to murder?”
“Not sure it does.” I checked my notes again. “I heard she was arrested for trespassing and assault. Makes some people think she could be capable of murder.”
“Oh, puleez.” Evania shot to her feet. “Mr. Blontine, there was no assault. The police came to break up a march she was involved in. They started pushing the protestors around. Sandra stood up for them. Mouthed off a little. Got herself arrested. She didn’t do anything. That’s why the charges were dropped.” She sat back down, smoothed some papers on her desk. “I don’t know what your interest is in Sandra, but if you can help her, I’d be grateful.”
I nodded. “Do you think her husband could have something to do with it?”
She frowned. “Richard is capable of anything. She should have left him a long time ago. But, you know, they’ve got children together. Took me a long time to leave my bum of an ex for the same reason. A woman doesn’t want to break up her family, you understand?”
“Sure.” I didn’t, but I’d take her word for it. Women’s motivations are not my strong point.
“You married? Got kids?”
“N-no.” I couldn’t help stammering around her. Something about her husky voice.
“Not surprised, Mike. Just a tip—women do not like being run out on.”
I stared at my shoes. Man, I was a jerk.
“I’m no good with women,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.
Silence hung between us for more than a minute.
Evania sighed.
I looked up.
She flashed that big-toothed smile again. “Well, Mr. Blontine, today is your lucky day.”
* * * *
Tuesday, 1:48 A.M.
It was way past midnight, but I didn’t leave the office. I’d been at my computer since my meeting with Evania, looking up facts on leukemia. I’d had an idea how certain pieces fit, but I needed more information to be sure. “Come on, Mike,” I said to myself, “think.”
Pushing back from my desk, I grabbed a Coke from the vending machine in the hall. I’d already downed several, but one more wouldn’t hurt.
I paged through the Montebella file, re-examined the crime scene folder, and replayed the conversations with Evania and Freedmont.
I kept thinking, DNA doesn’t lie.
DNA DOESN’T LIE.
I sat up straight. But what if it did?
* * * *
Tuesday, 6:57 A.M. to 9:17 A.M.
I woke slumped over my desk, my clothes looking like an unmade bed. I checked the clock. Still too early for Slick Danny to come in. I needed to bounce my thoughts off him. See if he read it the same way. In the meantime, I went back over my notes and wrote down some questions.
At 9:17, Slick Danny still hadn’t come in. Couldn’t wait any longer. I’d make a phone call. If my ideas turned out to be facts, I’d be making another call real soon. Reaching for the phone, my palms began to sweat. I dialed Evania Peterson’s number, let it ring.
* * * *
Tuesday, 3:11 P.M.
Late that afternoon, I zipped across town in my uncle’s SUV. I pulled to a curb outside Freedmont’s condo, waiting for Jules and the other officers to arrive. Before I could turn off the engine, Freedmont came out the door with two big suitcases in hand. He lugged them to his car, opened the trunk.
Where was he going?
Throwing the car in gear, I barreled into his driveway, then rolled down my window.
“Hi,
