“I didn’t know Zelda’s husband died.”

“Oh, yes. A car accident. Died instantly.”

“I’m sorry to hear it. Did Zelda give you her new phone number or address?”

“As a matter of fact she did. What did you say your name was?”

“Leo. Leo Nash. I’m studying law at UCLA. I’m home for the summer. I grew up just a few blocks from here.” I point toward the back of her house. “Over on Pastora Street. My professor assigned us this project over the summer. I was hoping to interview Zelda. The project really wouldn’t be complete without her input.”

“Yes, yes. I can see that, especially with her finding the body and all. That’s just so terrible. That girl has been through so much. Finding her neighbor, her husband dying, then her witch of a mother-in-law turning her out into the street. Just terrible. You stay there. I’ll be right back.” She closes the door and shuffles away.

I look back across the street. That would explain why her phone no longer works and maybe why she didn’t show up for our appointment. I hope this neighbor comes through for me with a valid address or a work or cell number.

The old lady returns with a pad of paper. “She wrote her info down here for me just in case. I’ve been collecting her mail, but she hasn’t been by in a while to pick it up. I was just about to give her a call.”

I take a pic of the tablet with my cellphone. “Thanks. I really appreciate your help. I’ll let her know to contact you. What was your name again?”

“Dorothy Kuczynsky. But you can call me Dot.”

“Thanks, Dot.” I start down her steps toward my car. “Have a nice day.”

“You too. I hope you get a good grade on your project.”

I turn and give her a wink. “Me too.”

Chapter 21 Cora

While Leo’s out talking with Zelda, I’m meeting with Dylan Newman about his relationship with Cassandra. I’m glad I’ve got something to keep my mind off the shit with Leo. I feel so stupid. I thought we had…I don’t know exactly what I thought we had going. The one thing I do know is that I wanted it. I wanted Leo. And I really wanted to have sex with Leo. But he’s made it incredibly clear that isn’t what he wanted, like maybe I pressured him into what happened last night. Was it all in my head? Did I read more into his dates and kisses than he intended? Was I too fast for him?

I shake my head in the empty office. No. There is no way I read him wrong. He was as into me as I was him right up until he…Oh, my God. That’s it. I get it. I get why Savannah’s been so pissed at him. He used her, then dumped her, and now he used and is dumping me. He got what he wanted even though technically I’m still a virgin. This has to be some kind of record. Wow. I feel really stupid for not seeing this sooner. I mean, the signs were right there out in the reception area all along. If only I paid attention.

Whatever.

I’m going to take from this what I can and move on. Lesson learned. Orgasms achieved. Virginity intact. And I’m closer than I ever was before to finding out who really killed Cassandra and freeing Beau. That’s going to be the big takeaway here. If I get anything from my time here, it’s that.

“Knock, knock.” Dylan stands awkwardly in the doorway, looking a lot like he did when he hung out with Beau. He might even be wearing the same clothes.

“Hey.” I get up from my desk and give him a hug. “How are you?”

“I’m okay. You look good.” He starts to rub my head like he used to when I was a kid, then pulls the gesture. “How’s Beau?”

He gets points for asking about my brother, but loses them and more for not already knowing the answer to that question.

“He’s hanging in. Why don’t we go into the conference room, where there’s more space?”

“Sure.”

He follows me out into reception. I catch Savannah chewing on the end of her pen and blatantly checking Dylan out. I motion for Dylan to go into the conference room ahead of me. Savannah mouths He’s cute, go for it. I ignore her, close the door, and take a seat next to Dylan.

“So what’s this all about?” he asks.

“Well, you know I’ve been looking into Cassandra’s murder.”

He nods slowly. I can tell this is a subject he doesn’t want to talk about.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me that you went out with Cassandra?”

His leg jiggles under the table and he doesn’t look at me. “Where’d you hear that?”

“Come off it. We’ve known each other too long.”

“Does Beau know?”

“No. And I plan on keeping it that way, but I need you to tell me everything you know about what was going on with Cassandra around the time she was killed.”

“I don’t know how I can help you.”

“You wouldn’t be helping me. You’d be helping Beau.”

Staring at the table, he bobs his head like a child learning his punishment. “Okay. What do you want to know?”

“For starters, how did you and Cassandra start going out?”

“Beau told me they broke up.”

“Did he tell you why they broke up?”

He glances up. There’s angry defensiveness in his gaze and posture. “No.”

“You didn’t ask?”

“I did, but he wouldn’t tell me. I didn’t push.”

“So Beau told you they broke up. Then what?”

“I called Cassandra. She invited me over.”

“Wow. You didn’t waste any time.”

He bolts up in his seat. “Look, I know what I did was shitty. I don’t need you to tell me what an asshole I was.”

“Fine. As long as you get it.”

“Is this why you called me? So you can make sure I learned my lesson?”

“No.” I sigh and sit back. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still in shock finding out about you and Cassandra. I’m still trying to process it.”

To his credit, he bows his head. “I’m not proud of it.”

“I heard she was having some difficulties. Know anything about that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Strange things happening around her apartment. I heard she had to call the police.”

“There was an incident of vandalism, an incident with her cat, and some things missing. Probably kids. I’m the one who called the police. She didn’t want to, but I figured a woman living alone was an easy target. It was better for her to document it in case they caught them.”

“You called the police?”

“Yeah. An officer showed up and talked to Cassandra for a while. I had to leave for work, so I wasn’t there. She said the officer was nice. He gave her his card and told her to call him if she had any more trouble.”

“Did she call him again?”

“Once or twice, I think. Maybe. Things between us sort of ended right after that.” His leg pistons under the table, making his whole body shake.

“And how did you feel about that?”

He picks at an invisible spot on the table with the side of his thumbnail. “What do you mean?”

“Did you mess with her after she broke up with you so she’d keep calling you?”

His gaze jerks to mine. “What? No. Of course not.”

“Not even a little?”

“No.”

I want to believe him, but Leo’s words combined with the vibes I’m getting off Dylan make me wonder if he’s telling the truth or not.

His gaze drops to his tightly clenched hands on the table. “I didn’t hurt her. I could never…”

“Rape her repeatedly and kill her?”

“No. God, no. I loved her.” He turns to me, his eyes filled with tears. “I was in love with her when Beau asked her out. Did he ever tell you that?”

“Beau wouldn’t do that to a friend.”

“He did do it. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to be with Cassandra the minute they were over? She was supposed to be mine.”

“You told Beau you were in love with Cassandra?”

“He knew I liked her.”