“So ex-actress runs an embezzlement scam under the guise of a conservation charity. Possibly with the help of her husband,” Cooper summarized. “What does any of this have to do with James Finnigan?”

Neil shrugged. “Maybe nothing. But Genevieve has been filming this video series all over the zoo for months, doing some behind-the-scenes shit—day in the life of a veterinarian, zoo’s deadliest snakes, whatever. A month ago or so, James starts showing up at these sets. He’s a keeper there, so I figure it’s no big deal. Lots of the personnel get involved, help out. Arthur doesn’t normally come along to those things, but one day he swings by early to pick Ginny up and sees James. I’m telling you, I thought the guy was going to have a heart attack. Just white as a sheet.”

“He didn’t say why?” Cooper asked.

“He didn’t say jack shit for the rest of the day. Just stood there like he was waiting for a bomb to drop. After that, James started coming to every single shoot. Genevieve’s second shadow. He’s everywhere she is.”

“Harassing her?” Park asked.

“I don’t think so. They hardly ever spoke.”

“And what did Genevieve think was happening?” Park pressed.

Neil frowned at him. “I’m her PA, not her pen pal. She’s not going to confide her feelings to me.”

Cooper bristled, feeling a surge of defensive anger for Park at Neil’s dismissive tone, but tamped it down quickly, reflexively. It would be seen for what it was—a weak spot—and Cooper remembered not to reveal his weak spots to Neil at the same deep, instinctual level a solider remembered to duck when a door slammed. “What about Arthur and James, they ever talk?”

“I couldn’t even catch Arthur looking at James. They acted like the other didn’t exist. And aside from turning up at every shoot, Arthur went back to being his usual self. That is, until the fight.”

Cooper glanced at Park, surprised. “Arthur and James fought?”

“No, Arthur and Genevieve. Yesterday, Arthur just snapped. We were in the museum, overseeing setup for the gala, and Arthur comes in. He’s raving. I’m telling you he’s normally a real quiet guy, standoffish but really...controlled. Not then. Absolutely lost it. Said they were leaving. Going back to California. Forget the fucking gala. There wasn’t a moment to lose.”

“And?” Cooper prompted.

“And she says hell no. She tells him she’s leaving before the gala over her dead body. They scream some more, but in the end, they stay.” Neil tapped on the table thoughtfully. “How was he killed? James.”

“He was cut—” Cooper’s voice cracked embarrassingly and he cleared his throat. “Lacerations to the abdomen.”

Neil stared at Cooper oddly, seeming to turn that information over for a long moment. “Strange,” he said finally. “I had my money on poison.”