Page 68 of The Reborn

Still, something was stirring in my chest now, wondering. Just wondering...

The doorbell rang, effectively killing that thought.

Elizabeth scrambled to run and help Olivia answer the door while I ambled behind.

We sat to eat our pizza on paper plates with some kind of earthy jazz music playing in the background. I’d come to learn that you could tell what kind of mood Olivia was in by her music selections, and tonight she was feeling good.

I cleaned up while she bathed Elizabeth and put her to bed.

When things were quiet, I grabbed a bottle of water and settled in at the dining table with my laptop. The first thing I did was start an initial search on this Christoph Donato asshole. Not much came up, but international searches always took longer, so I knew patience would be key to get any goods on him, particularly his whereabouts.

Next up, I started going over everything Detective Contreras had sent over. It was pretty much as he said, but I read over every word in his interview transcripts, just in case. Nothing incriminating jumped out, not that I thought it would. And just as Olivia had said, the only people who had keys to the studio were her, Whitney, and the leasing company.

I had to smile reading Whitney’s interview.

Det. Contreras: Do you know of anyone who’d want to harm or threaten Ms. Creed?

Ms. Blackmon: If I did, I’d harm them first before they could get to her. That’s what best friends are for. Don’t you have a ride or die, Detective?

Det. Contreras: So, that’s a no?

Ms. Blackmon: That’s a no.

Det. Contreras: Did you see anything out of the ordinary in the days leading up to the vandalism of the studio?

Ms. Blackmon: Also a no.

Det. Contreras: Just another question or two.

Ms. Blackmon: I’ve got all night.

Det. Contreras: You have a key to the studio, is that correct?

Ms. Blackmon: Yes.

Det. Contreras: Who else?

Ms. Blackmon: As far as I know, just me and Olivia. I’m not sure about the cleaning crew, you’ll have to ask Liv.

Det. Contreras: Okay. And do you live with anyone? Or would anyone have had access to your key?

Ms. Blackmon: I don’t live with anyone, so nobody would have access.

Det. Contreras: You’re sure?

Ms. Blackmon: I’m sure. I loaned it to another teacher one Saturday so she could get in to teach, but she gave it right back. Other than that, it’s been in my possession, and I don’t have people over other than Liv. Sadly.

Det. Contreras: And which teacher borrowed it?

Ms. Blackmon: Sofia.

Det. Contreras: Got it. Thank you very much for your time. If you think of anything else that may help, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ms. Blackmon: Will do.

I could just picture Whitney bantering with the good detective, but he could handle it. If anything, he probably liked it.

I already knew the cleaning crew wasn’t anything, so I scrolled to Sofia’s interview. She answered all of his questions, including about her ex-boyfriend. She also verified that she had borrowed the key to the studio one weekend to help with classes, then returned it the following Monday. So, all in all, not much to go on there. I made a mental note to look deeper into all the employees at the leasing company.

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