“If it was only a quick screw, it wouldn’t take too long,” Marge said. “But if it’s a screw with games that resulted in murder and stringing her up with cable wires on the rafters all the while looking around to make sure that no one’s watching, I’d say it could take a hell of a long time.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

WHILE MARGE WAS checking out Tinsley’s phone, Decker went back into the interview room and sat down at the table. “What did you and Adrianna talk about?”

He sighed. “Just stuff. We had a good rappaport.”

“Rapport?”

“Yeah, rapport. I don’t even know what I’m saying.” Tinsley paused. “We talked about a lot of stuff.”

“Can you be more specific?”

Tinsley blew out air. “I talked about my job…how I liked working with my hands and seeing that I’d actually done something at the end of the day.”

Decker nodded.

“She said she really liked her job for the same reason…that she felt she was doing something important.” He attempted to collect his thoughts. “She said her job was real stressful…taking care of sick babies.” Another pause. “Oh…now I remember. She said something about her job being more stressful ’cause she was in the process of getting out of a bad relationship. But she still had to work with the guy.”

“Did she mention the man by name?”

“No…only that he worked where she worked. They didn’t always bump into each other, but it was enough that when they were fighting, it was awkward.”

“I get that,” Decker said.

“Yeah, yeah, it’s comin’ back.” Tinsley was getting excited. “She said she was about to break free. All she needed was an excuse.”

“What did you say to that?”

“I think I said something dumb like…I hope I’m your excuse. She laughed.” He looked pensive. “She had a nice laugh. She was a pretty girl. I had a good time.” He dropped his forehead in his hands. “Seeing her like that…it still makes me sick to think about it.”

The man’s feelings may have been legit, but that didn’t mean he didn’t kill her. “Chuck, you’ve got a couple of choices right now.”

“I don’t like the sound of this.”

“I can either book you for tampering with material evidence and obstruction of justice. Or I won’t do anything just yet, if you agree to cool your heels here in the police station until we can check out your phone and get a timeline for where you were the day of the murder.”

“That’s a choice? Either way I’m here.”

“You’re here but not in jail.”

Tinsley thought about that. “How long do you think this is going to take?”