Page 5 of The Veteran

“It’s a possibility, but it’s too early for us to have a working theory.”

Detective Lee shot him a disapproving look, as if he shouldn’t be sharing that kind of information. I sent them both a sunny smile, hoping it would ease her tension, but she didn’t soften at all. If I was reading her correctly, proper protocol meant a lot to her.

“Did you see anyone in or around the house as you arrived home?” Lee asked.

I sighed, knowing I wouldn’t be much help on that front. “Not other than the usual people coming and going. There’s always a lot of foot traffic in that area.”

Her lips thinned. “Was your routine today the same as normal?”

“Yes.”

“What about Jessica’s?”

I considered the question before answering. “Jessica didn’t have much of a routine. She painted and went for long walks. Sometimes she’d hardly sleep for days and then she’d crash for a week. I’m not sure what she was up to today. She was sleeping when I left in the morning.”

Hanson consulted his notepad, rolling a pen between his ink-stained fingers. “Did Jessica have a boyfriend?”

“Not exactly. She had an on-again off-again relationship with another artist.” Their theatrics had been one of my least favorite parts of living with Jessica. They seemed to thrive on drama. When I found someone special, all I would want was to be at peace with them. As soon as the thought passed through my mind, I felt bad for having it. Jessica may not have been my friend, but she’d been a decent person and I shouldn’t judge her. Especially not when she was dead.

My chest seized.

Dead.

Jessica was gone, her spirit returned to the cosmos, and I’d never see her smile again, or hear her painting at night while I was trying to sleep. I blinked rapidly against the rising swell of emotion.

“Do you know if Jessica had any enemies?” Hanson asked, drawing me out of my introspection.

I ran through a mental Rolodex of all the people I’d heard her mention over the months we’d lived together. “She didn’t get along with everyone, but I wouldn’t say she had enemies.”

“Come on.” Hanson leaned forward. “Someone wanted her dead. There must have been a reason.”

My mind blanked. “Honestly, I have no idea. I don’t think there’s ever a reason to really want someone dead.”

“Yes, well, not everyone shares your attitude.” He passed me his notepad. “Write down the boyfriend’s name and whatever contact details you have for him.”

“He’s not—” I shut up when he glowered and meekly wrote the information he wanted, then pushed the notepad back across the table.

“Who disliked her?” Lee asked.

I bit my lip, hating the fact they were asking me to point fingers. “Mostly other artists. Her paintings were popular, and people get jealous.”

“Did she have any family?”

“Parents and a brother.”

Hanson pushed the notepad back over to me and I scrawled their details.

“Okay.” Lee folded her hands one on top of the other. “Now, I’d like to know if you have any enemies.”

My mouth dropped open. “M-me?”

“Yes.” She met my gaze coolly. “It’s possible that Jessica was targeted because she lives with you. Or that you were the intended target.” She looked me up and down. “Superficially, you resemble each other. Similar height, similar hair and eye color. Your hair is longer than hers, but some people might not notice that.”

My stomach rolled. “You mean she might be dead because someone thought she was me?”

“Take a breath,” Hanson said, his tone no doubt intended to be soothing but falling short of the mark. “It’s only a possibility we’re considering. Does anyone have it out for you?”

I inhaled shakily, resisting the urge to issue an immediate denial. I could think of three people who might want revenge against me, but they were safely tucked away in prison. Other than that, no one came to mind. I treated people well. I couldn’t imagine anyone would hate me.