I couldnt tell you for certain, he said. I was a bit of a social butterfly, moving from group to group, chatting, making sure everyone was having a good time. There was a period where I went off for a little private time with a lady friend in the pool house. But I think that was earlier, closer to two-ish.

Would you be willing to let us check your phone so we can verify your movements using GPS? Karen asked.

He smiled warmly at her.

Id be willing but it wont help much. You see, Im an investor in a company that has developed a new kind of dampening technology. It was so promising that I became an early adopter. It prevents location data from getting delivered. I think its going to change the world of privacy. Eventually everyone will be able to turn their dampener on or off, depending on whether they want their location known or not. The ability to add it to individual phones isnt there yet. But I had them set up a digital dampening net that covers my entire property. So theres no GPS data to reference.

Jessie seethed silently, unable to believe her ears. The GPS signals didnt work. Neither did some cameras. The crime scene had been interfered with. This guy had guilty written all over him and yet he seemed nothing but cool and calm.

You do realize that while that may be an exciting technology, Karen said with more diplomacy than Jessie was currently capable of mustering, it makes it much more challenging to eliminate you as a person of interest.

An irony Im now aware of, he noted. Still, Im sure that between guest interviews and security footage, youll find its easy to keep tabs on me. I was in public spaces for most of the night.

Well need the name of your lady friend, Karen said.

You see, Detective Bray, he said remorsefully, thats why Matilda asked you to sign the NDA. It wasnt for any nefarious reason, just so no one goes blabbing about my sex life to a competitor. If thats going to get out, I want it to be on Blabber.

Jessie immediately tensed up at the reference.

Whats Blabber? Purcell asked, speaking for the first time.

Jasper Otis smiled broadly, exposing his brilliant white teeth.

Normally Id be offended, Detective, he said. But considering that youre way outside our preferred demographic, I suppose I should be relieved. Blabber is the highest-trafficked gossip site on the web.

Jessie couldnt help but butt in.

Its also the website that just recently had scumbags making harassing phone calls to me and showing up to take photos of me entering the building where I used to live.

Otis smiled at her without a hint of remorse.