makes their day.”
“Ugh. Shut up. I’m not famous.”
“Whatever you say.”
“I say I’m not famous, so that’s the end of it.”
“Okay.”
“Stop being insubordinate.”
“I can’t. It’s too much fun.”
She glared at him on the way out of the elevator and followed the signs to room 311. “She’d better be here, or I’m gonna be pissed.”
“You’ll be pissed either way.”
“True.” He amused the hell out of her, not that she could ever let him know that when he was already out of control. It was her own fault, but she wouldn’t have him any other way.
Chapter Eleven
Sam knocked on the door of 311, where a dry-erase board announced that Mandi and Sarah lived there.
A young woman with wet dark hair came to the door, her eyes bugging when she recognized Sam.
“Famous,” Freddie whispered under his breath, earning an elbow to a gut full of steak bomb.
Sam showed her badge. “Lieutenant Holland, Detective Cruz, MPD. We’re looking for Mandi McLeod.”
“I’m Mandi. Is this about my mom?”
Sam thanked her lucky stars that they’d gotten lucky to find Mandi somewhat easily. “It is. Could we come in for a minute?”
“Sure.”
She stepped aside to admit them into a cluttered space with clothes and towels strewn about, books stacked on desks and colored lights strung on the wall. Mandi pushed aside a pile of clothes and gestured for them to sit on one of the narrow beds.
Sam had commuted to school, so she’d missed this part of college life, which was fine with her. Communal living had never appealed to her.
“Did you figure out who killed my mom?” Mandi asked.
“Not yet. I’m somewhat surprised to find you still at school. I’d think you’d be with your family.”
“I hadn’t spoken to either of my parents in months, not since I found out what they did.”
“They?”
“My brother and I believe my dad knew what she was doing. How could he not?”
That was an interesting development. “How did you find out about the scam?”
“When the FBI and IRS began investigating her and word started getting out that she might’ve stolen from people we know.”
“Before that, you had no idea?”
“None. And then the list of people she stole from began to go public… Friends, friends’ parents, our godparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, people my brother and I have known all our lives. We were shocked and disgusted and… We were so hurt. How could she do this to people we love? People who loved her? Our entire lives imploded, Lieutenant. Everyone turned on us. It’s been a nightmare.”
“Have you been in touch with any of those people?”
She shook her head, her eyes filling. “My own aunts and uncles won’t take my calls. The girls I played soccer with in high school hate me because my mom stole from their parents. It’s the same for my brother. None of the guys he played baseball with will talk to him. He and I have been frozen out by everyone who matters to us, even those who weren’t scammed. We’re guilty by association, I guess. I’ll have to get loans to finish my senior year of college.”
“Your parents don’t help you?” Freddie asked.
“Their assets were frozen by the government. And besides, after this, I don’t want anything from them. I’m working two jobs and holding down eighteen credits while everyone I care about, except my brother, acts like I’m dead to them. That’s my life now.” Hurt and bitterness crept through every word she said. “My mother was dead to me before yesterday.”
“How did you find out about her death?” Sam asked.
“My father called late yesterday afternoon, a few hours after he found her. I couldn’t imagine why he’d be calling me. I knew something bad must’ve happened for him to reach out. He knew I wanted nothing to do with either of them.”
“I’m surprised you took the call,” Sam said. “Or that you hadn’t blocked them both.”
She blinked but failed to stop tears from spilling down her cheeks. “I should’ve blocked them, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. They’re still my parents. And when he called me, I just wanted to hear his voice.”
Freddie got up to get her some tissues from a box on the bedside table and handed them to her.
“Thank you.” She wiped her face. “I know it was weak, but I love my parents and hate them too. I hate what they did and how they ruined our lives with their greed.”
“Do you know of anyone who might’ve been angry enough with your mom to kill her?”
“I know tons