“Ash already thinks the car didn’t have anything to do with Brown’s murder,” I said to Eddie as I spooned up the last of my cereal. “If I tell him this, without anything to back it up, he’s going to laugh in my face.”

Since the sky was clear and the air warm, we were out on the deck, me on one lounge, Eddie on the other. Normally he sat with me, but today he was focused on the ducks paddling around in the water next to the boat, and that lounge was three feet closer to the ducks and therefore far better.

“I know the waterfowl are more interesting than I am, but a little opinion here would be helpful.”

Eddie gave me a quick glance over his shoulder and went back to his ducks.

“They’re not your ducks,” I said, trying not to sound sullen. “And if you’re going to ignore me about this, I’ll talk to someone else.” Not Rafe. He was far too busy these days. Aunt Frances had, once upon a time, listened to me babble, but she was still in the newlywed stage and I didn’t want to distract her. Kristen? Also a newlywed, and busy with the restaurant. Who else could I . . .

“I’m so stupid.”

“Mrr.”

“You didn’t have to agree so fast.” I picked up my phone and started texting.

Minnie: When would you have a minute to talk about the investigation? I learned something last night.

Tabitha: No time like the present.

Almost before I finished reading the message, my phone rang. “Hal can’t get over his old downstate shift schedule,” Tabitha said. “He’s up by five thirty every morning and if I’m going to criticize him all day like he claims I do, I have to get up at the same time. What did you learn?”

“It’s about Brown’s brother.” I told her everything I knew, then said, “I’m not sure there’s enough in that to talk to Ash or Hal.”

“Agreed. So what’s the next step?”

Excellent question, and one I hadn’t thought about because I’d been too busy ruminating on brotherly motives. In addition to the speeding car I’d described to her, I’d also filled her in on everything else I’d learned, from visiting the city offices to Brown’s bike club, and I was ready for a direction. “Not sure. What do you think?”

“Ariella Tice,” she said promptly. “That young woman who used to work at the city, the one who thinks life is so unfair.”

I felt obliged to defend someone I’d never met. “Well, it is.”