“Would that be Susie Derwin?” a young brunette reporter asked, and shoved a microphone toward Dena. “They went to Rancho Almagro High School, didn’t they?”
“No comment,” Dena said.
“They were an item once, right?” a burly guy asked.
“Excuse me. Are you his lawyer?” another female reporter asked, and indicated to a photographer that he should take a photo of her.
Dena ducked her head, ignored the question, and continued to propel Zeke toward the parking lot. Almost at the car she turned around. “Mr. Cabrera will work with the police department and allow full access to Three C’s Estates. He declines all questions at this time.”
“Do they suspect there are more bodies buried there?” one man asked.
Dena stared at him. That was a question she wasn’t prepared for. Damn, she hoped not.
“Mr. Cabrera has vowed he will find the murderer of both young women and has offered a twenty thousand dollar reward for clues that will lead to solving this crime.”
Zeke stared wide-eyed at her. His lips parted momentarily then snapped shut.
“Well that’s generous,” the brunette said. She smiled at Zeke then began to advance toward Dena. “May I have your name and your—”
“Thank you for respecting my client’s privacy. Good day,” Dena said. She waved, and then hustled Zeke into her car.
“Twenty K, how generous of you,” Zeke said dryly as he buckled himself in. He shook his head.
“Look, nobody is going to come forward,” Dena replied, and took a quick look behind before backing out of the parking space. “But if they did, it would be worth it—”
“Yeah, I suppose.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the seat.
On the drive back to Three C’s, Zeke fell asleep. Shock could do that. Dena knew all about that. He hadn’t had to make bail. He’d given his statement but didn’t seem to want to rehash it with her. All he’d said was it was taped. She understood the physical toll an emotional trauma could take on a body. All she’d done in the weeks after they’d found Carli’s body was cry and sleep. Now she couldn’t sleep at all, but that was because her mind was too active. She glanced over at him. She had questions for him and wanted to use this time they had alone. Who knew when the opportunity would arise again? She coughed a couple of times and he opened his eyes.
“So, it’s okay if I stay for a day or two?” she asked, and pulled up in his driveway.
Zeke nodded. Then he turned to face her and frowned. “Even after being shot at?”
“Especially after being shot at—”
“And after all of the stuff this morning?”
“Absolutely.” She parked, turned off the ignition.
He pursed his lips. “Okay. You can have the same guest room.” He climbed out of the Mustang and leaned against the closed passenger door.
She locked the car and walked around. “You okay?”
“Yeah, but listen Dena, you have to promise me you won’t go back over there again.” He jerked his chin up and in the direction of the hotel site.
“I know.” She kept her expression serious. “I promised Detective Quimby that I’d stay away. I explained about my friend.”
Zeke pushed a hand through his hair and stared at her. He squinted. “You told him?”
“Yeah, I figured it would come out soon enough, so why not?” Several straight vertical frown marks formed between his eyes, then another deeper one creased across his forehead.
“He didn’t think it was odd, that you’re my girlfriend?”
“Well, see I don’t think he ever believed that,” Dena said. Then she grinned at him. “He knows it’s not true now. Did he question you about me?”
Zeke shook his head slowly.
Good old Quimby. “I can’t get into any trouble,” she said. Just in case he needed reassurance. “I mean I didn’t lie to the authorities. They know what I do for a living, and why I’m down here.”
It was quiet for a while, and then Dena slipped an arm through his. “Besides, Stanton had rushed to your place without just cause. He was out of line. I explained to Quimby that I said I was your girlfriend to change the subject, calm him down.”
Zeke remained silent. He sure was a brooder. She looked up at him again. “Stanton’s going to be chewed out for that, for sure.”
Zeke shook his head again. “Poor Stanton, he loves his work. Don’t know why he’d act like that.”
Then he slid his arm out of her hold and walked inside.