wants to know if you had anything to do with Andrea’s death, or know anything about it.” Death sat on the sofa in an outfit the same color as Sissy’s, with the addition of a jaunty hat. “She doesn’t want to admit she might’ve made a mistake hiring you, but she doesn’t completely trust you, either.”
Casey snapped her head toward Sissy. “I had nothing to do with Andrea’s murder. You can ask the detective. She’s already ruled me out.”
“I know she has. But some of our residents are inquiring. You show up, and immediately one of our people is dead. It’s my duty to check in with you.”
Casey felt sick. “I understand they might be wondering. But tell them to ask the cops if they doubt me. The police can prove it wasn’t me.”
“Can they prove you don’t know anything about it? That you weren’t a part of it at all?”
“A part of— Look. I’m sorry you don’t trust me. I’m sorry I didn’t have references.” She was, in fact, sorry she’d ever even considered coming to Florida, let alone the Flamingo. “But I knew none of these people before coming here, or anyone associated with them. And I don’t know anything about who it could have been last night. I certainly didn’t see them, or I would have said something by now.” She rubbed her forehead. “Believe me, I would leave right now if it would make everyone feel better, but there’s no way the cops will let me go before they’re done investigating.”
“Because they still think you did it?”
“No! Because I’m the one who found Andrea. Remember? I tried to save her?”
Sissy looked down at the handkerchief she was twisting in her hands. “I know. I know you tried.” She wiped her nose. “It’s just…I’ve made some bad decisions. I want people to know that this time the bad things didn’t happen because I hired you.”
Casey reached across the table and laid her hand on Sissy’s. “It wasn’t me. You can stop worrying about that.”
“Just…be careful, okay? Some of them are angry. They’re sending a petition around to have you kicked out.”
“Who is?”
She hesitated. “Krystal.”
“I knew she was trouble,” Death sighed, “from the moment I first saw her luscious bod.”
“She’s in shock,” Casey said. “She just lost her best friend.”
“Still,” Sissy said. “It’s awful.”
“It’s a way for her to deal with her grief.” Not a good way, or productive, but Casey really couldn’t blame her. “Are many people signing it?”
“That’s the thing. They aren’t. Those who took your classes yesterday don’t believe you would’ve done it, and those who didn’t meet you won’t sign it without knowing more. I mean, sure, she’s gotten a few dozen signatures, but those are mostly from the retirees who live in the other two buildings and wouldn’t set foot in an exercise class to save their lives. They just want a scandal. It’s why they moved to Florida, really, besides the beach and the eternal summer.”
“Not eternal,” Death said. “Poor choice of words. Perpetual summer. That would be better.”
“So what about the rest of the day?” Casey said. “Do I stay holed up in here?”
“It’s up to you. It might be good to show your face around a bit, so people see you have nothing to feel guilty about. If they know your face, they can’t just blame some anonymous person. But…” She hesitated.
“What?”
“I don’t want to put you in danger. What if…someone comes after you?”
“Would Krystal do that?”
“There’s no telling. She’s never gone after anyone before—physically, that is. I mean, she has physically, but not violently. I mean…Oh! I’m saying this all wrong.”
Death snorted. “She’s saying Krystal might bed you, but probably won’t kill you.”
“I think I understand.”
“Good,” Sissy and Death both said.
Sissy got up and pushed her chair in. “I suppose I need to get some things done. Andrea’s family is flying in from Oregon. They can’t take her…her body away, of course, until the investigation is done, but they feel they should be here, and they’ll be packing up her apartment.”
“Of course.” Casey walked Sissy to the door. “Have you canceled my personal training sessions for the afternoon?”
“Oh!” Sissy’s hand flew to her mouth. “I forgot about that. I had Maria put a note on the aerobics door, but not on the one to the weight room. I’ll have her do it right now.”
“No, actually, I would like to keep the appointments. Can I do that?”
“To show your face around?”
“Partly. And to give me something else to think about.”