CASEY WALKED INTO MAINLAND’S LUNCHROOM and spotted Roberto talking to an eighteen-year-old clerk by the coffee urn. When Roberto noticed Casey he waved, but kept yakking while the girl smiled at him with adoring eyes.
“Good, you haven’t gone to class yet,” Stan said as he caught up to her. “Amy said you’d be grabbing a coffee before you left.”
“The rockhound didn’t show up last night,” Casey answered.
“I know, I read your report. Did the undercover guy ride with you?”
“Yep.”
Stan had told her that the New Westminster police would only let Casey on the M6 if an officer was present and she wore a Kevlar vest. It had taken time to convince authorities that the rockhound and shooter were two different people, but they’d finally agreed to let her do her job, despite concerns that the shooter would try again, a worry Casey shared.
“Amy just took a message for you.” Stan handed her a slip of paper. “She said the caller sounded upset.”
Casey scanned the message. “Oh lord, it’s from Gabrielle O’Reilly. She wants to meet me at Birch’s trailer to talk about Jasmine.” The last thing she needed was another confrontation. Gabrielle hadn’t left a phone number.
“Shouldn’t she be calling the cops?” he asked.
“Not if she’s the killer.” Casey poured milk in her coffee, aware that Roberto was moving closer to her.
“Is that possible?”
“She’s one of my top three suspects. Even if Gabrielle’s innocent, she’s afraid her affair with Birch will get back to her mother.”
“Sorry to butt in,” Roberto said, looking at Casey. “Did I hear you say that Jasmine’s half sister wants to meet you?”
“This is a private conversation.” Stan stared at him. “Shouldn’t you be changing oil or something?”
“I’m on a break.” Roberto rubbed his hand on his coveralls and turned to Casey. “You said the sister’s having an affair with Birch?”
Since she owed no loyalty to Gabrielle or Birch, Casey brought him up to speed.
Roberto gave a low whistle. “If Jasmine knew her ex was mixed up with Gabrielle, she would’ve gone nuts.”
“As far as I know, she never mentioned Birch’s love life to anyone, so maybe she hadn’t a clue.” Casey placed a lid on her coffee. “On the other hand, something had been bugging Jasmine those last couple of days. Maybe that was it, or at least part of the problem.”
“You want some company to Birch’s place?” Roberto asked. “I could take a late lunch.”
“I’m not sure I’ll even go.” If little Jeremy was there, though, she’d sure like to see if he was okay.
“If you do, call me. I want to help.”
Was this Roberto’s way of telling her that he’d forgiven her for questioning his alibi, and for all the suspicion and misunderstanding she and Marie had caused? Or was he bored and looking for a little excitement? Roberto would love boasting about confronting a female desperado. Regardless of his motive, though, she could use the backup.
“If the half sister’s trouble, don’t go,” Stan said.
“Don’t you want to hear what the woman has to say?” Roberto asked her.
“I’m curious,” Casey replied, “but Gabrielle has serious anger issues. Besides, I have Birch’s address and could cross-check it for a phone number.” Phoning Gabrielle instead of talking in person, though, would mean not seeing Jeremy.
“If you give me the address, I could meet you at Birch’s place,” Roberto said. “I’ve calmed many a she-beast in my time.”
He didn’t know about Winifred, didn’t realize how violent things had become. “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”
First, she’d need to check out Gabrielle’s alibi. If Gabrielle’s employers confirmed she was at work that day, then maybe she’d see her.
Lou joined them as Stan said, “Casey, I know you can handle yourself, but this is different, okay?”
“What’s going on?” Lou asked.
“Gabrielle.” She handed him the slip of paper.
Lou frowned as he read the message. “It sounds like a trap. Isn’t Birch finished work by then?”
“No, while I was interviewing people on his mail route, I learned that he never finishes before one-thirty.” Casey checked her watch. “I’m late.”
She rushed out of the room, aware that Lou and Roberto were keeping up with her.
“Shouldn’t you tell Corporal Lundy about this?” Lou asked.
“Yes, and I’m popping by the detachment after class.”
“What if I can get someone to take my shift so I can be there too?” Lou asked. “Safety in numbers, right?”
“I’d love it if Gabrielle turned Birch in,” Roberto said, “which is why I want to be there.”
“We don’t know if this is about Birch at all,” Casey replied.
She stepped outside as Marie pulled into the lot. Casey hurried to her Tercel. As she slid into the driver’s seat, Marie called her name. Casey tossed her purse on the passenger seat and placed her coffee in the cup holder. Roberto and Lou stood near the driver’s door, watching her until Marie nudged between them.
“Noel and I want to talk to you about what was in Jasmine’s letters,” Marie said. “To see if there’s anything that could help his case.”
“I have a copy of the last seven, which I have to take to Corporal Lundy in a couple of hours. Nothing in them incriminated Noel.”
“What letters?” Roberto asked.
As Marie filled him in, Casey shut the car door and rolled down her window.
“Maybe Gabrielle wants to talk about them,” Roberto said to Casey.
Marie frowned. “What’s this about Gabrielle?”
“Nothing.” Casey started the engine.
“Don’t give me that.” Marie looked at the men. “Something’s going on. I can tell from the glances between you three.”
Lou leaned in and kissed Casey. “Let us know what you decide.”
“Decide what?” Marie demanded.
Casey shifted into reverse and released the hand brake.
Marie lunged forward and gripped the window frame. “I’m talking to you, damn it!”
“Come on, Marie.” Roberto peeled her hand off the frame. “Let the lady leave.”
“I have a right to know what’s going on when my brother’s life is at stake! What are you people keeping from me?”
Casey glanced up at the admin building and saw Stan standing at the open window in his office. Given how loud Marie was getting, she figured he could hear most of what was being said.
“Give it a rest, Marie.” Lou frowned.
“No!”
“If anything comes of it, we’ll tell ya,” Roberto added.
Marie glared at Lou and Roberto. “She sure has you two wrapped around her finger.” She turned to Casey. “It’s not enough to play Mainland’s hero. Now you’ve got to turn the men against me too? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“Marie!” Stan shouted. “In my office, now!”
As she stomped toward the building, the guys wandered off. Casey rummaged through her purse for gum and found the slip of paper with Gabrielle’s work number. Before she could talk herself out of it, she put the car in neutral and made the call. A receptionist answered on the second ring.
“Good morning,” Casey said, her tone businesslike. “Is Gabrielle O’Reilly in?”
“I’m sorry, Miss O’Reilly’s out of the office today. May I help you?”
“Well, that’s just bloody marvellous. We were supposed to schedule a meeting, but I haven’t heard from her. Do you know where she is?”
“No, I’m sorry, I don’t.”
Casey sighed loudly. “I’ve scheduled three appointments with her over the last six weeks and Miss O’Reilly canceled all of them.”
“I-I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say.”
“Can you answer me one simple question before I decide whether to pursue this matter legally?”