the bill for. She’d lived off my father’s charity five years too long.”
Had Toni ever met such a horrid human being? She didn’t think so. “Ms. Evans, where were you last night at around ten o’clock?”
“I was here with a couple of girlfriends. We were having a party, sort of a celebration.”
“And what were you celebrating?”
“My upcoming wedding. My bridal gown was delivered that day. I’m getting married in May to Todd James. I’m sure you know who he is.”
Toni shook her head. “No, sorry, I don’t.”
Jennifer Evans looked at Toni in surprise. “Todd is CEO of one of the largest lobbying firms in the nation.”
“Congratulations,” Toni said.
“Thanks. I’m excited about it. Anyway, the three of us were here together until around two this morning.”
“Two? Nobody had to go to work?” Drew asked.
“Of course not. None of us work. We’re what some would call rich bitches.”
Toni stood. She had heard enough. “We need the names of those other two women, Ms. Evans.”
“Certainly, Detective Oliver.”
“And by the way, I know you said you and Maria didn’t get along, but do you recall when the last time you talked to her was?”
“Yes. A few weeks ago.”
Drew lifted a brow. “Why?”
Jennifer shrugged. “She heard I was getting married and called to congratulate me.”
“That was nice of her,” Toni said.
“I figured she was going to ask for something, so I hurried her off the phone.”
“Like what?”
“Maybe an invitation to be a part of my wedding party. But that wasn’t happening. In fact, I hadn’t even sent her an invitation to the wedding.”
Toni couldn’t help thinking that if Maria hadn’t been killed, she would have dodged a bullet.
“WHAT DO YOU THINK about that group, Toni?”
She glanced up at Drew and shook her head. “Rather interesting.”
Before leaving Jennifer Evans’s residence, her friends—the other two rich bitches, Amy Stamper and Monica Wright—had shown up. The trio had known each other since high school, and had even attended college together in Boston. Amy and Monica looked like fashion models. Amy had red hair and green eyes, and Monica was a blonde with blue eyes. They were attractive women, but it didn’t take long for Toni and Drew to see they were just as self-centered as Jennifer. Toni thought dealing with Jennifer had been bad enough, but the two other women, both of whom had that same air of entitlement, had been too much to deal with. But at least they’d verified Jennifer’s alibi.
After leaving Jennifer Evans’s place, they had called it a day and returned to headquarters. That had been an hour ago. Drew had dictated his notes for the clerk to transcribe. Because she had recorded her notes in her phone, all she’d had to do was send them to herself as a document. Since her technique was less time consuming, she had dropped it in the electronic file when she finished, keeping a paper copy for her records. Now she was back to setting up her desk. It was something she was determined to finish before leaving for the day.
Drew had been right. Most of the other detectives had already left for the day. He had introduced her to two men who’d stayed late to work files. Both were veteran detectives who’d been on the force for over thirty years and were looking toward retirement. They were friendly and welcomed her to the team, telling her if she ever needed anything to let them know.
She had also met Joanie Felder, the dispatcher, in the ladies’ room. The woman, who appeared to be in her mid-forties, welcomed her on board...and then proceeded to talk her ear off. It soon became obvious she was the department’s gossip—she knew something about everybody. After making sure the six stalls were empty, Joanie filled Toni in on everything Joanie felt she needed to know. There was no doubt in Toni’s mind that Joanie would have eventually given her the scoop on Drew if another woman hadn’t entered the bathroom.
“How did your first day go?” Drew asked her, interrupting her thoughts.
“I thought today went well. However, I feel I should be asking you that since I’m technically on probation for thirty days.”
He lifted a brow. “Only thirty? Better not let anyone hear you say that. Standard around here is sixty, and on some occasions, even ninety.”
She smiled and pretended to zip her lips. “Mum’s the word.”
Toni decided now was a good time to bring up something she’d noticed. “When you introduced me, you didn’t say anything about us knowing each other before