Val became wedged between a rock and a hard place. She wanted to help find who really murdered Julia. Julia had saved her by giving her this job—she would always be indebted to her. But if she embarked on this journey, she could lose the job Julia gave her and the ability to look into her murder. Blythe would have every reason to fire her if he found out that she had got involved in this case with Jack and Thomas. Plus, what else might Blythe do if he discovered that she was also searching for evidence?

“Val, you’re the only person I trust right now and if something isn’t right, and I’m not just being paranoid, I don’t want to be the next person who has my teeth ripped out and gets chopped into bits. If Blythe has something to do with this, then the murderer is still out there.” Gwen appeared scared, making it obvious she shared at least one of the same worries as Val. “He knows I overheard his discussion with Gavin. You should have seen the way he looked at me when he noticed. And Val, you should be concerned too. Because, how do I say this… he just doesn’t like you.”

21

The restaurant was not only small, it was crowded. Fortunately, Val, Gwen and Jack were seated at a table in the far corner that offered some privacy. Dinner menus, three glasses of water and a basket of papadums, with a dish of chutney, sat on the table. Val reached into the basket and pulled one out. She picked this place because she thought Jack, with his British background, would appreciate curry. The Taj Mahal served authentic Indian cuisine. And it did so superbly.

Gwen didn’t waste any time and quickly began explaining about Dr. Blythe’s odd behavior with the newest skull. Jack listened closely, showing little emotion. No more than a disgusted shake of the head. When she was finished he shared his own information.

Though there were three victims, Julia was the one they were focusing on. It was her death that led to Colin’s arrest and the police to conclude he was involved in the other murders. But all the people in Julia’s life needed to be ruled in or out as suspects. “Your Dr. Blythe is quickly springing to the top of list,” said Jack. “His uncooperative behavior, with outright refusal to speak to either of us, has raised a few red flags.” But, Jack explained, it was mostly his supposed relationship with Julia that was the concern. A number of her reports described the re-examination of Blythe’s autopsies. If he knew about these, and what she’d written about him, this could certainly be a motive to kill her.