So you dont have any alibi at all? Karen asked.

Maybe you could check my phone? he suggested. Cant you use it to track where I was?

Jessie and Karen exchanged exasperated looks.

I wish, Jessie said. Stay here for a minute, Davey.

She and Karen went to the far corner of the room where he couldnt hear them.

I dont see how we dont bring him in, Karen began. Hes got motive and no alibi. Hes not even sure hes innocent.

Jessie couldnt disagree on the merits. But that didnt stop her from making the case against it.

If we arrest him, its going to get out, she said. Blabber will scream that the killer has been caught. And that will make it doubly hard to get that search warrant stay lifted. Otis will argue that we have no reason to go back to his place if we have a suspect in custody.

Jessie, Karen implored. We cant not arrest a suspect because it might hurt our chances of arresting a less credible suspect.

I dont think Otis is a less credible suspect. I think hes just better at putting barriers in our way. Now, if you think that pathetic creature over there was responsible for this, Ill back you and we can take him in right now. But if you have any doubts, lets hold off. We can put a monitoring bracelet on the guy if need be. But we both know hes not going anywhere and I dont think hes a threat to anyone else other than himself.

Karen looked at her with an inscrutable expression that Jessie suspected shed used many times on her husband and son. Finally she seemed to crack.

Fine, well hold off for now. But he doesnt leave this house and we have him fitted with an ankle monitor. And if nothing new breaks with another suspect by this time tomorrow, we haul him in. I cant lose my job because I let a guy skate on your hunch.

Thank you, Jessie said.

Dont thank me just yet. I dont see any way to get at Otis.

I may have an idea, Jessie replied. But I have to pursue it on my own. Would you be willing to go back to the station and work with Jamil, see if theres groupie footage of Humbert Humbert performing like Avalon said?

So I get the grunt work and you go on a secret mission, Karen said. Cant you tell me anything about it?

Trust me, Karen, for your own safety, I cant say a word.

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Hannah thought she looked hot in a jailbait kind of way.

She gave herself a final once-over before running out to the guest parking lot to meet Elodie and hopefully, Rico. She had on the plaid miniskirt, which she couldnt kneel or bend over in without risking an indecency charge.