Bailed Out (The Anna Albertini Files #2) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,38

of grapes into a bowl and set it on the table. “Kami is in New York at graduate school, Kylie is in London on an externship, and Katrina is still in Malibu learning how to surf.” She shook her head. “I’ve always loved the free spirit of my twin, but I don’t get how she doesn’t settle down with some security.”

“Anybody else in the family who might’ve wanted to hurt Danny?” I asked.

“Everyone,” she said easily, looking at her sister’s bruised face. “But our folks are traveling through Europe with a group of friends and have been for a month, and any distant cousins we have don’t live here. If I were you, I’d look more into that motorcycle gang Danny kept hanging around with.”

“Club,” I said absently. “They’re motorcycle clubs.”

“Whatever,” Krissy said. “But for now, how about you leave my sister alone about it? She wasn’t involved, and she has some healing to do.” It was said as a question but sounded like an order. A big sister order.

Kelsey shifted on the sofa. “She’s just trying to help her sister, Kris.”

“I get that,” Krissy said. “However, Danny Pucci was into some dicey shit, and the last thing you need is for his enemies to come after you.”

Kelsey paled. “That’s true. Although I don’t know anything about what he was in to.” Her gaze shuttered. “Except for Tessa. He definitely seemed to still be into her, even though it sounds like she wasn’t on the same wavelength, according to you, Anna.”

“I hope not,” I said, meaning it. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of this.”

“It’s my own fault,” Kelsey said.

“It is not,” Krissy and I said in unison.

Then Krissy sighed. “Since you’re talking to Anna, you should tell her everything, Kels.”

My stomach clenched. “Everything?”

Kelsey ducked her head and stared intently at her pillow. “Fine. Your sister is lying to you, and I told the police the full story. But it doesn’t mean she killed him, you know?”

I couldn’t breathe. “What do you mean that Tessa is lying? She never lies to me.”

“She’s probably embarrassed,” Kelsey said, still not looking at me. “The whole thing is embarrassing, and if she feels half as stupid as I do about Danny, then I’m sure she wouldn’t want you to know they were on a date last week and got into a big fight at Dunphey’s Bar. He came back with a split lip and said Tessa hit him, and he also had fingernail scratches down his neck.”

So that’s what Detective Pierce left out of the pink file folder. “Are you sure it was Tessa?” I asked. My sister didn’t lie—especially to me.

“Yeah. Danny told me that.” Kelsey plucked at a string on the pillow. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I said, angry with a hint of hurt. “I don’t know the right way to ask this, but is it possible Danny lied to you? I mean, he knew you weren’t happy he was talking to Tessa, and it seemed like he enjoyed causing pain.”

She swallowed. “Yeah, it’s possible. But there’s something about Danny, you know? I mean, there was something about Danny. No matter how mean he got, he could turn on the charm in a second and convince you that he’d change. That you could help him be a better person. He really wanted Tessa back, I think.”

Until Tess told me otherwise, I believed her story. So the question was, who’d hit Danny? “Was he interested in anybody else? With the fingernail scratches, maybe there was another woman?”

“It’s possible.” Kelsey pressed a hand to her temple. “Krissy? Would you toss me the Advil?”

Krissy gave me a look. The look. The ‘’it’s time you left’’ look.”

I patted Kelsey’s hand. “Thank you for talking to me. Really quickly, before I leave, could you tell me about this group of guys Danny worked and camped out with?”

“No.” Krissy finally made a move from the kitchen. “My sister already told you she doesn’t know anything about Danny’s friends, and enough is enough. Somebody murdered him, Anna. If it was somebody he was in business with, Kelsey has already told you all she knows.” She opened the door.

I smiled at Kelsey and stood, heading for the door. “Okay.” There wasn’t anything else I could say.

Krissy waited until I was on the porch before speaking again. “Tell Donna hi for me. And again, if you really want to pursue this, talk to the Lordes motorcycle gang.”

“Club,” I said, turning and heading down the steps. “Thanks, Krissy.” Oh, I