No way, he insisted firmly. I was messed up, sure. But I didnt do anything like that. I walked into that bathroom and saw her in the shower. I tried to help but she was already dead. I admit I was high out of my mind. But I didnt touch that chick. Give me a lie detector test. Ive done some things Im not proud of in my life, maybe even illegal things, but not this.

And then, as if the stress of asserting his innocence had caught up to him, he suddenly leaned over to the side and vomited in the grass.

As Jessie looked at the guy, sickly and pathetic, she internally dismissed him as a suspect. Not because he might not be capable of doing something awful in a drunken stupor, but because she doubted he could keep it hidden. If he was guilty, Cord Mahoney would have already confessed by now.

Thanks for thinking of coming out here, he said to Jessie appreciatively when hed caught his breath.

Sure thing, Cord, she said before turning her attention back to the others, Matilda in particular. This is a waste of time. We need to talk to the person who actually runs this place. Thats the estate manager. Take us to Nancy Salter now, please.

CHAPTER FIVE

They left Cord to sleep it off in his valentine bed.

Matilda led them to meet with Nancy Salter, who was supposedly going to get them in to formally interview Jasper Otis. As they followed the young girl, zipping past multiple guest houses at breakneck speed, Jessie and Karen considered what theyd just seen.

I know they took Cords prints and DNA, but I doubt its going to turn up much, Jessie said resignedly.

You dont think it could be him? Karen asked.

Never say never, Jessie replied. Ive been burned too often to make that mistake. But it doesnt make a lot of sense to me. That whole wing was unoccupied. If hed killed her, he could have walked right out of there and back to the party and no one would have been the wiser. But he called nine-one-one, gave his name, and stuck around, even though he was under the influence. Plus, even though polygraphs arent infallible, the general public doesnt know that. Volunteering to take one suggests hes either confident of his innocence or a sociopath of epic proportions. He didnt strike me as the latter.

Karen was about to respond when her phone rang. The way her face fell when she saw the caller and slowed her pace, Jessie knew this wasnt going to be pleasant. She pretended not to notice and walked ahead, joining Purcell.

Can you send me those crime scene photos? she asked him. I dont want to wait for the preliminary report tomorrow to look at the body for the first time.

He nodded without speaking and pulled out his own phone. Behind them Jessie could hear part of Karens conversation.