Page 77 of Puzzle for Two

“That’s why we talk to people,” Zach said. “So we can eliminate them from our inquiry.”

“You think I never saw a cop show? You don’t question people toeliminatethem. You question them to trap them into admitting their guilt. And you questioned Zora knowing full well she’d been sedated and was in total shock.”

“First of all, I’m not a cop. Secondly, no one was trying to trap your sister-in-law. Our assumption was she knew Alton better than anyone else. She might have some ideas, some insight into who wanted Alton dead.”

“If anyone killed my brother, it was Rusty Jordan. Period. End of story.”

“Rusty Jordan has an alibi.”

“Rusty Jordan destroyed my business just to get back at my brother.”

This was a new, and in Zach’s opinion, unlikely angle on the acquisition and ultimate dissolution of Pacific Playhouse.

“How would destroyingyourbusiness get back at your brother?”

Ransford didn’t seem to have an answer for that. He said instead, “There was no reason to dissolve the company. We had plans to reorganize after the bankruptcy. It was nothing but spite on Rusty’s part.”

“But after all, your company was still in bankruptcy at the time of the acquisition. I can’t see what part Jordan could have played in that.”

“I didn’t say he forced us into bankruptcy. But he pretended the acquisition was a chance for a vertical or horizontal integration with Old Timey Fun, Ltd., when the truth is, it was just a financial ploy to take over and liquidate our assets.”

It was possible, of course. It was also possible that Jordan had attempted to bail out the brother of his college roommate, but determined there was no salvaging Ransford’s company. Zach would have to see the financials to be able to determine either way. No doubt as to what Ransford believed, though. And if anyone was holding a grudge, it was he.

Zach tuned back in to hear Ransford still building his case against Jordan. “He’s been jealous of Alton ever since they were college roommates. Everything Alton had, Rusty had to have. Alton was a toymaker, so Rusty became a toymaker. He even married a woman who looked like Zora.”

Zach considered that. “Did Rusty have feelings for Zora?”

“Maybe.”

“Did they date or anything?”

“No.Wedated.”

“Who? You and Rusty?”

Ransford goggled at him. “What? Of course not. Me and Zora!”

“You and Zora dated before she married Alton?”

Ransford said bitterly, “I introduced them. Like an idiot.”

Zora was nearly ten years older than Alton, so there was an even greater age gap with Ransford. Zach couldn’t help thinking she had to have changed a lot through the years.

“I can see there are hard feelings, but I’m not sure how any of this makes Rusty Jordan look guilty. If anyone—

Zach stopped, but not in time.

Ransford’s already red face turned puce. “Me? You thinkIhad something to do with Alton’s death? You’re even stupider than the police!” Ransford brushed past Zach on his way to the door.

“Mr. Beacher—”

Halfway out the door, Ransford stopped and turned. “Come near Zora again, Slick, and you’ll find out whether I’m capable of murder.”

Chapter Twenty-One

As the glass doorvoompedshut on Ransford’s heels, Brooke said, “That went well, Slick.”

“Not so much,” Zach replied.

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