Page 164 of Collect the Pieces

“Maybe to convince your father to talk you into getting back together with him?” the cop suggests.

“That seems a bit far-fetched.” I hesitate. Danieldidsay he spoke to my father about us getting back together.

Investigator Thomas uncrosses his legs and sits forward. “What’s wrong, Ms. Cedarwood?”

“Uh, yes. Actually, Daniel said he spoke to my father and my father told him to speak to me.” I shrug. “My father knows I’m seeing someone else.”

The night my father handed Jigsaw the keys to his Cadillac springs to mind, along with a few other interactions they’ve had but I don’t want to share any of that with the police. “He wouldn’t try to interfere in my love life. Daniel should’ve known that.”

The older one stares at me, then casually slides his gaze to his partner. “And were you aware that both Mrs. Penny and Mrs. Baker had sizable estate funds managed by Mr. Muldoon’s firm? Not to mention his grandmother’s estate.”

My blood runs cold.

I barely stop myself from gasping. My fingers dig into the velvet arms of my chair.

“No,” I force out.

Muppet-Brows gives me a measured look. “That doesn’t strike you as… unusual?”

My pulse roars in my ears.

“I…I don’t know. They were both elderly…” My gaze strays to the other side of the parlor. “Unfortunately, I see so much death. I’m not a good judge of what might be consideredunusual.”

The older cop nods slowly. “I can understand that, Ms. Cedarwood.”

The younger cop scribbles something in his notebook. Then, without looking up, he says, “Do you think Mr. Muldoon is capable of harming someone for financial gain?”

The question punches the air from my lungs.

They suspect Daniel murdered these women.

“I—” My gut is screamingyes. His lack of empathy and compassion. The way he could tear me apart with so many cruel words. The way he talked about money like it was the only thing that mattered.

“I don’t know if I’m the best person to ask. I told you we didn’t have a good relationship.”

The older cop’s eyes narrow. “That wasn’t your first answer, was it? What’s your gut reaction.”

“Daniel’s a jerk,” I whisper. “I…I want to say no he wouldn’t harm anyone, but…I really don’t know.”

The older detective nods slowly. Like he expected that answer.

“Thank you for your time, Ms. Cedarwood,” he says, standing.

I barely register them moving toward the door.

Is Daniel capable of murder?

Not just murder, but preying on three innocent, elderly women for something as banal as money? When he already comes from a wealthy family?

Yes, I think he is.

CHAPTER FORTY

Margot

“I gotthe gist of your conversation,” Jigsaw says once we’re safe inside my apartment.

“Oh?” I kick off my shoes and head straight for the bedroom, my mind spinning.

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