Last Girls Alive (Detective Katie Scott #4) - Jennifer Chase Page 0,94
indicating with his eyes. “They each had a personal guard.”
“This is going to be more difficult than I originally thought,” said Katie.
“Let’s find the McKinzies first and then figure out what to do next.”
Katie nodded as they began to move through the crowd. She noticed that there were many people giving them the once-over.
“Did you see the looks?” she whispered to McGaven.
“Yep,” he said and kept his smile.
They meandered around for a while before deciding to go to the dance floor.
“You can dance, right?” Katie asked.
“Both my brothers and I learned from my mom when we were teenagers.”
“Bless her.”
They began to waltz slowly. It gave them the advantage of seeing most of the people in the room.
“I see them,” said Katie in McGaven’s ear. “Near the stage. Each has their own personal bodyguard.”
“I see them too.” He whirled Katie across the dance floor. “Mrs. McKinzie will need to excuse herself for the ladies’ room. Right?”
“Great idea,” she said.
“I’ll see what I can do with Mr. McKinzie.”
Both of them exited the dance floor and separated. Each going to their assignment; hopefully one of them would be able to speak with one of the McKinzies.
Katie made a beeline to Sara McKinzie as she was speaking to an older distinguished couple. She was a stunning woman wearing an elegant white dress showing off her still youthful figure, even though she was in her early forties. Her dark hair was partially in an up-twist. There was an unusual strand of pearls in a choker around her neck.
Katie watched her mannerisms and could tell with most certainty that the woman was bored and was trying to figure out the best way to make her excuses to leave the couple. This was Katie’s chance. She picked up a glass of water and made her way through the crowd purposely bumping into a few guests as she went, as if she had a bit too much to drink. Smiling and weaving, she made a beeline for Mrs. McKinzie and tripped herself up at the perfect moment to send the water in her glass in a perfect arc that spotted the front of her dress.
“Oh my, I’m so sorry. Here, I have a trick to help you get that out,” she said and guided her to the ladies’ room. The female security guard zeroed in on them, but Mrs. McKinzie waved her away.
They walked in the ladies’ lounge and restroom. It was larger than any restroom Katie had ever seen. Beautifully decorated with several stations where you could sit down and check your makeup. There were changing rooms. Attendants if you needed them.
“Mrs. McKinzie, I’m so sorry, but—”
The woman laughed with an almost musical tone as she took a seat in front of one of the beauty stations. “It’s quite all right. I was trying to figure out how to get away from the Lawsons.” She studied Katie for a moment. “You seem familiar. What’s your name, dear?”
“I’m Katie Scott.”
“Nice to meet you, Ms. Scott.”
“Actually, I’m Detective Katie Scott.”
“Detective?” she said as her smile faded.
“Mrs. McKinzie, I wanted to speak with you and I know that you don’t have to but I was hoping that you would make this exception…”
The older woman watched Katie closely—with curiosity. Her mouth straightened as her right eyebrow lifted. “Well, I find it refreshing when people just say what’s on their mind.”
With relief, Katie explained, “I’m investigating the death of two young women that were both the last residents at the Elm Hill Mansion.”
“That’s terrible. I believe I read something about that.”
The bodyguard entered the restroom and Mrs. McKinzie waved her away again.
“I have just two questions for you.”
“I’ll give you five more minutes, so I’d make it quick.” She began touching up her makeup and hair.
Several women entered and exited the lounge. No one paid them any attention.
“Why did you and Mr. McKinzie donate the Elm Hill Mansion?” said Katie.
“We didn’t want to live there anymore. It was too big and we weren’t interested in remodeling. We thought it would feel more remote. After giving it much thought we wanted to have it benefit the community, so we spoke with a couple of local councilmen and asked if there was something the county needed. They gave us some suggestions.”
“And you wanted it to be a home for foster girls.”
“Why yes.”
“What was the real reason, Mrs. McKinzie?” Katie watched the woman closely as she stiffened, indicating she might be hiding something.
“I have a feeling, Detective, that you are very good at your job.”