Page 35 of Little Empty Promises

My mother blushed, raising a finger.“Flattery will get you everywhere with me … and you aren’t wrong.”

Harvey yawned, fisting a hand in front of his mouth.“I do believe it’s time for my midmorning nap.Whaddya say, Georgiana?Any part of the case you want to discuss before I lie down?”

Still undecided, I took a deep breath in.“It’s important to me that what little details we have aren’t made public knowledge until Foley decides the time is right.”

Octavia nodded.“Of course.If there’s anything you want to say, you have my full discretion.”

While I appreciated her words, I made the decision to go with a “less is more” approach.

“Since I was just hired today, we’re just getting things going,” I said.“We’re focusing most on who interacted with Cordelia in the weeks prior to her death.”

“I’d say it would be a short list,” Harvey said.“She didn’t seem to get out much, not that we noticed anyway.”

“We’re starting by talking to those she worked with at the library.I had a brief conversation with the library manager on the night of the murder, but she was in shock.Simone is following up with her today, as well as another male employee who works at the library.”

“Good plan.”

“The reason I was in the neighborhood this morning is because Phoebe witnessed an argument about a month ago between Cordelia and Rosalyn.”

“Did she now?”my mother asked.“She made no mention of it to me.”

“I don’t think she thought much of it, not until she heard about what happened to Cordelia.”

“What did she see?”

“She was sitting in her car with the window down, but she wasn’t close enough to hear what they were saying to each other.When the conversation ended, Cordelia was crying.After hearing Cordelia had died, Phoebe told Foley, and he stopped by and had a chat with Rosalyn.”

“What did Rosalyn have to say for herself?”

“She downplayed the whole thing, acting like it wasn’t an argument.She said they’d had a talk about Cordelia’s cat being in her yard too much, which irritated her dog.Maybe Rosalyn thought Cordelia did it on purpose, though it’s not like you can train a cat to pester a neighbor’s dog.Cats do what they like, when they like.”

“Phooey,” my mother said.“Zoey is the sweetest cat I’ve ever known.Doesn’t have a nasty bone in her chubby little body.”

“Where is Zoey?I heard you took her in.”

My mother returned to the table, setting a glass of iced tea in front of me.“I can’t say.She’s around here somewhere.She disappears sometimes, but she always comes back when she’s hungry or in need of attention.”

“I just had a conversation with Rosalyn in the front yard,” I said.“It was strange.”

“In what way?”my mother asked.

“She says she doesn’t recall seeing Cordelia crying that day.”

“And do you believe her?”

“I don’t.”

“Why not?”

“I asked her several basic questions about the conversation she had with Cordelia, and I could tell she was lying to me.”

Octavia crossed one leg over the other, leaning closer.“What makes you think she was lying?”

“Georgiana can spot a liar a million miles away,” my mother said.“Her precious father was the same way.If she says Rosalyn is lying, she must be.”

“What I don’t know iswhyshe lied to me,” I said.“Maybe it’s because we’ve just met, and she doesn’t know me.I get the impression there’s more to it, though.Mom, have you talked to her much since she bought the house?”

“Oh yes, we’ve spoken on several occasions.I’ve always found her to be a kind woman.A bit standoffish, but kind, unlike that rotten husband of hers.”

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