“I’m divorced,” Quinn said. “Was it a robbery?”

“No.”

“Oh my God. Someone murdered her? Why?”

“We were hoping you might be able to shed some light on that subject for us,” Hicks said. “When did you last see her?”

“I saw her at fund-raiser for local school music programs back in September.”

“You were together?”

“No. She was with Mark Foster. Marissa and I were friends. We dated off and on. It wasn’t serious.”

“Do you know if she was serious with Mr. Foster?”

“No,” Quinn said dismissively. “Marissa enjoyed the company of men. She was a delightful date. But she only let you get just so close and no closer. I always imagined she’d been hurt badly by someone—presumably Haley’s father.

“Haley!” he said, realization dawning. “Oh my God. Where is Haley? Was she ... ?”

“She was taken to the hospital,” Hicks said. “We don’t know the extent of injuries at this point.”

“Oh, no. That just makes me feel sick.”

“So Marissa and Mark Foster were dating?” Mendez asked, steering them back on point.

“They were friends.”

“Like you were friends?” Hicks asked.

“Not exactly. Mark occasionally needs a date for a function. Marissa was happy to step in.”

“I don’t understand,” Mendez said.

“I don’t think Mark really dates women,” Quinn said.

“He’s gay?”

He shrugged. “In the closet. That’s my impression. He’s a nice guy. It’s nobody’s business.”

“But there might be some members on the board of McAster who wouldn’t be happy.”

“It may be a liberal arts school, but not everyone on the board takes that word ‘liberal’ to heart,” Quinn said. “You know, it wasn’t five months ago the Supreme Court ruled homosexual activity between consenting adults in the privacy of a home is not protected by the Constitution. Men like Mark have to be discreet. I think Marissa was his beard.”

“And you don’t think she was serious about anyone else?” Mendez said.

Quinn shook his head. “No. Marissa was a free spirit. She enjoyed her life. She enjoyed her daughter. She didn’t need a man to complete her emotionally.”

“What about financially?” Hicks asked. “She has a nice place out there. Had to cost some bucks. Was she that successful as an artist?”

“She did well as an artist, but I don’t think she needed the money,” Quinn said. “I think she has family money.”

“What do you know about her family?”

“East Coast. Rhode Island, I think. She never spoke of them. It seemed to be a sore subject.”

“Were you her attorney as well as her friend?” Mendez asked.

“No. Steve helped her set up a trust for her daughter. That’s been the extent of her business with us.”