Page 118 of State of Alert

“Do you think there’s any chance that Jada killed her mother?”

Trina’s mouth fell open in shock. “God, no. Jada is the sweetest girl you’ll ever meet, and besides, wasn’t her mother killed while Jada was with us?”

“That doesn’t mean she couldn’t have arranged it.”

“She’s fifteen years old, Lieutenant! Where in the world would a fifteen-year-old girl find someone to commit murder for her?”

“I don’t know, but kids are savvier than we give them credit for being. Anything is possible.”

“Thatis not possible. Jada would never be part of something like that.”

“How about Zoe?”

“I don’t know her very well, but I can’t see it with her either. Both girls were just trying to live their lives, which was the cause of the nonstop fighting with Elaine.”

“Had you heard of a particular escalation in recent days or weeks?”

“It was always bad, but from what Jada said, it was much, much worse since Zoe started dating her boyfriend.”

“This has been very helpful.” Sam pushed her card across the table. “If you think of anything else, even something that might seem like a minor detail to you, please call me.”

Trina picked up the card and examined it. “You give out your cell number to people you don’t even know?”

“It’s part of my job.”

“It’s cool that you’re still doing this when you don’t have to.”

Sam never knew what to say to that. To her, shedidhave to. Police work was in her DNA. “Thank you again for your help.”

“I hope you find the person who killed Elaine. She was a complicated person, but she didn’t deserve to die that way. No one does.”

Trina walked them to the reception area, where they said their goodbyes.

“Impressions?” Sam asked Freddie as they walked out to meet Vernon and Jimmy.

“I got a buzz off the confrontation between the two couples in the restaurant and how Elaine never spoke to Trina again, as if it was her fault Jada had wanted to move out.”

“I got the same buzz.”

“Where to next?”

“I want to see Elaine’s therapist. See if she can see us between appointments.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Dr. Colleen Barker’s office was in Woodley Park, about two miles from Freddie and Elin’s apartment. When Freddie called her, she said to come now because she was on a two-hour break.

She had short red hair, green eyes and pale skin that looked like it would burn like crazy in the sun. She wore a dark green tunic with black leggings and invited them into a warm, cozy space with plush chairs, a sofa and a coffee table that made it look like a random living room rather than a psychiatrist’s office.

After gesturing for Sam and Freddie to have a seat on the sofa, she sat in a deep purple chair and crossed her legs.

There was something so soothing about the office and the woman who worked there that made Sam want to settle in and share her troubles with the good doctor.

“Did Frank sign the release allowing us to speak with you?”

“He did, and let me say… I was so very sorry—and truly shocked—to hear about Elaine’s murder. Are you getting any closer to figuring out who did it?”

“We’re making some progress. We’ve heard a lot about the difficulties she was having with her daughters.”

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