Page 34 of Little Last Words

“What are we looking for, then?” I asked.

“As far as my analysis goes, I’d say the blade is about two or three inches in width and at least five inches in length. The wound is a little more than an inch deep.”

“Anything else I should know?”

“There was an empty granola-bar wrapper found by the window in the back yard, the same window where the screen had been removed. Foley spoke to the deceased’s mother again yesterday. She visited her daughter two days prior to the murder, and the screen was on the window.”

“People don’t always notice things like that, though,” I said. “How can she be certain?”

“She opened a few windows the last time she was visiting because she thought the house was stuffy. Foley showed her a photo of the granola-bar wrapper, and she said there was no way it was her daughter’s. It was peanut butter flavor, and neither Penelope nor Sadie like peanut butter.”

“We’re right by the ocean. The wind whips around our place sometimes. The wrapper could have come from anywhere.”

“Or the killer decided to have himself a quick snack before entering the house. Who knows?”

“Were you able to get any prints off the wrapper?”

“Nope.”

“What about the blood in the bathtub?” I asked.

“Everything I’ve tested so far is a match to the victim, including the blood on her daughter’s nightgown.”

There was a good chance the killer had worn gloves.

I leaned against the wall and crossed one leg in front of the other, thinking. “I want to be involved in this case, but Penelope’s mother isn’t interested in hiring me. At first, I thought it was because she has faith the police will be able to solve it, but now, I’m not so sure.”

“What are you saying?”

“I believe Penelope’s mother thinks she knows who killed her daughter, and she’s taking steps to prove it herself.”

“How’d you come to that conclusion?”

“It was the way she acted when she was at my house the morning Penelope was found. I asked her if she knew who killed her daughter, and she didn’t give me an answer.”

“Been a few days since then, and now she’s had some time to process. Might be worth a second conversation. Who knows? Maybe she’d be more receptive the second time around.”

“I’m not sure she’s interested in seeing me again.”

He grinned. “I might be able to help you there.”

“How?”

“Funeral’s this afternoon. Ask me, seems like the perfect opportunity to speak to her again.”

CHAPTER14

Islipped into the back of the chapel just as the funeral proceedings were getting underway. The room’s occupancy was over capacity, leaving me no choice other than to stand at the back, which was fine by me. From my vantage point, I could critique the crowd, assessing the behaviors of all those in attendance.

The pastor offered heartfelt opening remarks, and then he turned it over to Angelica. She looked pale and stressed as she approached the podium, and her black dress was so loose it looked like it was about to slip off her body.

Angelica recalled some of her favorite memories she’d shared with her daughter over the years. Some were meaningful, others witty. Through it all, she kept her composure. When emotions stirred up, she bit her lip to keep them at bay, and it worked.

After her talk was over, we made brief eye contact as she walked back to her seat, the look in her eyes revealing how she was feeling—angry. I was uncertain whether her ire was directed at me or if it had to do with something else, orsomeoneelse.

Next to speak was Penelope’s father, Sergio, a short, plump, rosy-faced man, whose thick gray hair had been slicked back and sprayed to immovable perfection. Unlike his wife, Sergio stopped several times during his remarks. He used a tissue to dry his tears as he cleared his throat, taking a moment to gather himself before starting again. The longer he spoke, the more I found myself choking up. I’d almost decided to step outside for a moment when I turned to see a man standing next to me. He was tall, six-foot-four, at least. His button-up shirt was wrinkled, his tie crooked, and his coarse brown hair was wild, like it had been caught up in a whirlwind.

Given he reeked of whisky, I took a scissor step to the right, trying to create some distance between us.