Page 103 of State of Suspense

They walked next door to knock on Leslie’s door.

A woman Sam didn’t recognize came to the door and did the usual double take when she recognized Sam.

She showed her badge. “I’d like to see Leslie Forrester, please.”

“Come in.” She led them to the same formal living room they’d used the last time they were there.

They waited ten precious minutes before Leslie appeared in the doorway. “Have you found the person who killed my Tom?”

“Not yet, but we’re working hard on the case. We just met with Ralph and Laurel Sellers.”

Leslie grimaced at the mention of their names as she took a seat across from them. “I’m sure they had nothing but good things to say about us.”

“Laurel asked for you and the girls. She said her heart went out to you.”

“That’s nice of her.”

“I wondered why Tom was unwilling to provide receipts from the vet when demanding ten grand from the Sellers.”

“He felt it was none of their business.”

“But he still expected them to pay without proof of how much it cost?”

Leslie sighed. “I said the same thing, but he was adamant that Snowflake’s medical treatments weren’t their business. He was unusually unreasonable when it came to Ralph Sellers.”

“How so?”

“The guy infuriated him from the get-go. It was a case of instant dislike.”

“And he never said why?”

“I don’t think even he knew why he detested Ralph. He just did, and then after their dog attacked Snowflake, Tom was out of his mind with rage.”

“Why did Tom ask for ten thousand from the Sellers when the surgery only cost five?”

“He said we deserved something for the pain and agony we’d endured seeing Snowflake through a complicated recovery, not to mention the trauma to the girls, who witnessed the attack.”

“Ralph said that Tom liked to act like he was in charge around here. Is that true?”

“Tom stood up for what was right in all aspects of his life.”

“Did that annoy the other neighbors?”

“Sometimes. For instance, our homeowners’ association prohibits boats on trailers in driveways. Our neighbor across the street used to have his boat in the driveway all the time, saying it was temporary, but then it would be there for weeks. Tom didn’t like that, and he told him so.”

“How did that go over?”

“The man said his wife had breast cancer, and he had bigger things to worry about than whether his boat was pissing off his neighbor. He shut the door in Tom’s face. Tom felt bad about that confrontation. I took a meal over to them a week or so later, and they were very appreciative. Things have been fine with them ever since. And they eventually moved the boat.”

“Did he have trouble with anyone else that you know of?”

“The golf pro at the club.”

“Do you recall his name?”

“Tristan O’Walsh.”

“What was the issue?”

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