Page 18 of Whispers of Sin
“It was a few weeks before we ended things,” Michael recalled with a slight shrug. “Bella asked me to close the blinds in the bedroom one night. She said that she’d caught her neighbor staring into the room. Those cottages are pretty close together. I’m sure it was nothing, though. I never saw anything strange.”
“Adeline Murphy.” Sylvie recalled the neighbor’s name from the statements that had been included in the criminal reports provided by Detective Hartley. The woman claimed to have not seen or heard anything on the night in question. According to Adeline, she’d been at home alone that evening watching television. “Is that the name of the woman who Bella caught looking into her window?”
“I don’t know,” Michael responded, his tone implying that he honestly hadn’t cared enough to ask. “I don’t live in that part of town.”
“I didn’t realize there was a difference in neighborhoods when it comes to Harbor. You make it sound as if the area where Bella lived wasn’t safe.”
“No, no,” Michael said in disagreement. “Nothing like that, but Bella lived off her wages from the art gallery. She wouldn’t take money from her sister. Bella was independent. A little too independent, if you ask me. Lorelei and Robert had offered to pay for Bella’s college degree many times, but she always refused their money. If she’d taken it, she would have been able to buy one of the condos that Robert’s firm built overlooking the bay.”
“Would Lorelei and Robert have wanted a say in Bella’s life had she taken the money?”
Michael hesitated, giving away the answer.
“Were you in town on the night that Bella was killed?” Sylvie already knew the answer, but she wanted to see if Michael changed any of the details from his initial statement.
“My alibi was cleared by the police,” Michael responded defensively instead of just answering her question. “You can ask Caleb.”
“Detective Hartley?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t realize the two of you were close friends.”
“Caleb went to school with my older brother.” Michael’s phone must have vibrated in his coat pocket. He pulled it out, looked at the display, and then pushed his chair back. “Listen, I really need to head back to work. Is there anything else that you wanted to ask me? I really do hope that you catch whoever killed Bella.”
“I think I have enough information for now,” Sylvie said with a small smile. “I appreciate you meeting me. I’ll be in touch should I need clarification on anything else, if that’s alright.”
“Sure.” Michael stood, not bothering to push his chair back in underneath the table. “Good luck.”
Sylvie remained seated for a while longer. Emily had kept an eye on them the entire time that she’d been behind the counter. Was her intense interest merely curiosity or something more? Sylvie was leaning toward the latter.
Chapter Nine
Brooklyn Sloane
December 2023
Monday — 6:11pm
Themoonhunglowover the Chesapeake Bay, casting a ghostly silver light on the water’s surface as the grand mansion stood sentinel high up on the shoreline. Elegant holiday wreaths adorned the imposing front door, while white fairy lights entwined themselves around the eaves and gables like shimmering garlands of snow. The lavish residence seemed to command both land and the bay, as if it were a beacon to those ships passing by through the night.
Brook came to a stop after having driven up the long driveway, not exactly sure where to park given the vast expanse of the paved area. Even in the cold embrace of December, it was evident why the Jamesons cherished their picturesque corner of Maryland.
Had Bella resented her sister’s lavish life?
Brook had been pleased with the interviews that Theo and Sylvie had conducted earlier today. They’d discovered some solid leads that could open doors to parts of the investigation that they hadn’t realized existed, and the next few days would be a whirlwind of incoming information. Add in Piper Zimmer’s case, and today had been more than fruitful.
Detective Hartley had agreed to collaborate with S&E Investigations. Brook wasn’t quite sure she had convinced him that the unsub was a woman, but he’d finally come around to agreeing that the chains used to keep the translucent bags over the victims’ heads were women’s belts.
It was progress.
Her one request was that he not share her profile with the press. Seeing as Harbor was quite small when it came to the community, he graciously went so far as to reassure her that such information would be kept close to his chest.
Brook took a moment to tighten the belt of her coat a little tighter after she’d stepped out of her car. It was difficult to brace herself against the biting wind when it seemed to gather strength from the surface of the water. She grabbed her purse, slammed the car door shut, and then proceeded to walk up the lighted entrance.
The path was like walking through a winter wonderland. Every footfall was literally cushioned by plush red carpet, woven with delicate patterns of snowflakes. The carpet, meticulously chosen to complement the festive ambiance, added a touch of luxury to the already opulent entrance. There were even matching snowflakes, intricately crafted with shimmering silver and gold glitter, that had been hung from the ceiling of the porch so that they swayed gently in the cold breeze.
The grand wooden doors featured an exquisite display of ornate wreaths made with holly leaves and crimson berries amongst the sprigs of mistletoe. Nestled within the wreaths were clusters of twinkling LED lights, casting a warm and inviting radiance upon the entrance.