be a friend,” I said. “Like Ida Belle said, given his gambling habits, he probably had access to all types of people needing a quick payout.”
“I can’t see him going to all that trouble unless he knew something was going to happen to Molly soon,” Gertie said.
I nodded. “He definitely had motive and since we know he was on-site that afternoon, he had opportunity.”
“So what’s the problem?” Gertie asked.
“I’m stumped on the how,” I said. “And unfortunately, Dexter and Marissa are a much neater fit in the how slot.”
Gertie sighed. “You know, on the television shows, no one could have done it. In our case, everyone could have done it. I’m not sure which is worse.”
Ida Belle nodded. “I hate to sound like Gertie but what now?”
I stared down Main Street and blew out a breath. “I don’t know. Maybe I need to sit on it a while.”
“Then I’ll drop you off,” Ida Belle said as she pulled away. “I’m going home and washing my SUV. A real wash.”
“I probably have some canning to do,” Gertie said.
“No, you don’t,” Ida Belle said. “It’s hot as Hades and everything is dead. You won’t be canning for months. What you will be doing is helping me wash my SUV.”
“But I hate washing cars,” Gertie said.
“How would you know?” Ida Belle asked. “You’ve never washed yours.”
“I’ve washed my car,” Gertie protested.
“Who was president when it happened?” Ida Belle asked.
“Morgan Freeman,” Gertie said.
“Good movie,” I said and Ida Belle gave me a cutting look.
“What?” I asked. “It was a good movie.”
She pulled into my drive and gestured at me. “Get out. Get on with your thinking. Somebody’s got to figure this mess out and I don’t think it’s going to be me.”
“I might figure it out,” Gertie said.
“If we’re waiting on you, we’re all doomed,” Ida Belle said. “Call later and let us know if you have anything.”
I nodded and jumped out of the SUV. I was going to head inside, take off my bra, pull on the thinnest pair of shorts and tank top I owned, then grab a beer and park my butt in my lawn chair under the oak tree and stare at the water until everything was clear. Except the water, of course. That would take a miracle.
I was beginning to think this case would as well.
Chapter Twenty-One
I was on my fourth beer and still no closer to an answer on the case when Carter dropped into the chair next to me. He pointed at the empty bag of Cheetos and the equally not-full bag of Oreos and shook his head.
“You ate dinner without me,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you don’t keep regular schedules.”
He smiled. “That’s what happens when you’re stewing over something. It’s ninety-five degrees out here and you’re collecting quite a pile of debris there.”
“This is just from the last hour,” I said. “And I probably shouldn’t admit that.”
“Impressive. We have a hot dog eating contest at the fall fair. You could win a year’s supply of wieners.”
I made a face. “Why is it always hot dogs? If it was funnel cake, I’d be first to sign up.”
“If it was funnel cake, diabetes would clog up the funeral home in a single day.”
I studied him for a moment. Something was different. His tone was lighter. His body looser.
“You made an arrest,” I said.
He smiled. “The DA will make an official announcement tomorrow morning. Dexter and Marissa have been arrested on suspicion of murder. They were transferred to New Orleans for holding.”
So many emotions raced through me that I wasn’t sure which one to dwell on. I was thrilled that an arrest had been made. That Molly’s death wouldn’t go down as just another unfortunate accident. But I was also disappointed that Silas would be collecting on a daughter he had abused. Life simply wasn’t fair.
“Was what I had on them enough for the DA?” I asked. “Or did you find more?”
“I found the longbow,” Carter said. “And Dexter’s fingerprints were on the keys to Molly’s small boat.”
“That’s damning but is it enough?”
“Ha. Get this. Those idiots were practicing her signature. I found some drafts of documents on a laptop. It looks like they were going to try to fake a will.”
“Molly didn’t have a will,” I said. “I know that for certain now. I found the attorney she talked to about it, but she never followed up. I’ll get you his information for the DA.”