Proof of Murder (Beyond the Page Bookstore Mystery #4) - Lauren Elliott Page 0,47
at this time.” Marc lowered his gaze. “It’s a pending charge. The DA said when he stopped the questioning that he’d like to see more evidence before he can make a decision on the charges. He mentioned”—Marc’s jaw tightened—“that you had pointed out a couple of holes in the investigation. Therefore, he wants us to take another look before he decides to file charges or not.”
“You mean Jeff Wilson, the DA, is here?”
“Yeah.” His eyes held a suggestion of a twinkle. “As you were acutely aware throughout the course of the interrogation, there was someone else watching from behind that glass.”
“But I thought his office was in Salem?”
“It is, but when I called last night to have the arrest warrant issued, I guess he took a special interest in learning firsthand how strong of a case we had against his star contract book expert.”
“He drove here to witness my interrogation?”
“Yup.”
“Well, I’d like to thank him for saving me the humiliation of having to appear in court this morning for a bail hearing.”
“I’m afraid he’s gone now. He had to be in court for a nine a.m. hearing.”
“Oh, I was hoping I’d have the chance to talk to him.”
“He wouldn’t speak to you now anyway, Addie. Just so you know, it’s not over yet. Ryley took the investigation team back to the house. If she finds signs of those footprints or an attempt to cover them up, a point you clearly made was missing from our case, or anything else tying you to the book thefts, well, we’ll have no choice but to pick you up again.”
Addie tilted her chin up. “Can I have my computer back now, too?”
“We aren’t done with it yet.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but knew by the look in his eyes it would be no use. “Fine, then. Am I free to go now?” Her voice had an edge to it, but she didn’t care.
He opened the door and stood back, allowing her to pass. She heard nothing more after that and raced barefoot down the hall, up the back stairs, and burst through the door behind the information desk. Jerry jumped up, his hand on his holster.
“Relax, Jerry,” Marc said from the doorway, “she’s been released. She’s not escaping.”
Jerry sat back in his chair as Serena jumped up from hers in the waiting room. “Oh, Addie, you look—”
“Don’t say it.” Addie raised her hand as she made her way around the desk. “Please, just get me out of here so I can go home and burn these clothes.”
“Can I have that blouse? I always did like the tiny pink and white polka dots.”
“It would clash with your hair.”
Serena’s gaze halted at Addie’s bare feet. “Where are your shoes?”
“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you on the drive home.”
“Okay, and then I’m staying until you’re safely tucked into bed.”
“I can’t go to bed, as much as I’d like to. I have to have a shower and then get to my shop. I can’t even think about leaving Paige on her own again, there’s too much to do.”
“Then I’ll wait for you and drive you. There’s no way you should be driving after a night without sleep.”
“Okay, sure, I’m too tired to argue. Thanks.”
“But it’ll cost you.” Serena’s eyes danced with an impish sparkle.
“What?”
“That blouse.” She grinned as she opened the door.
Chapter 15
Addie’s fingers tightened around her steaming cup of elixir. She closed her eyes, savoring the full-bodied aroma that removed the last tainted residue of the night. It was one thing to shower and put on fresh clothes, but her soul also needed to be refreshed. She sipped long and slow, allowing the nutty blend to settle on her tongue and then glide like warm silk down the back of her throat. This would no doubt go down in her memory as the best cup of coffee she’d ever had. Maybe. She set the cup down on the counter. But it definitely beat the police station swill Marc had served her at three in the morning.
“Addie?”
Addie swung around on the counter stool and met Paige’s questioning gaze.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Paige winced. “I know how much you need that coffee right now, but . . .” She leaned her blond, curly head toward Addie, dropping her voice. “Dapper Dan wants to talk to you.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know what his real name is. That’s just what I call him. I see him every morning when I take the sandwich board out to the sidewalk. I think he works