Page 42 of Evidence of Deceit

“Yes. Why?”

Tap, tap, tap.

“So, did you kill him because you wanted a divorce and he didn’t want to give you one?”

Claire’s mouth fell open. “Ki—kill?”

Earle broke in. “What’s this about, detective?”

“Mr. Willis died from anaphylactic shock from ingesting bee pollen.”

“That’s impossible,” Claire exclaimed. “Keith would never have anything to do with bees, honey, or pollen. Besides, he always had an EpiPen with him, just in case.”

“There were no EpiPens found in the room.”

“I don’t believe that. Keith was meticulous about his allergy.” Visions of Keith packing an EpiPen in his suitcase flitted through her mind. He always had one with him.

“Hmmm.” Detective Steven’s phone rang. He listened to someone and hung up. “I’ll have more questions for you later.” They got up and followed him out. “Oh, and make sure you’re available for further questioning. So, don’t leave town.”

Were the police going to charge her for Keith’s murder? On what evidence? Where was the mystery man? He could verify that she never went up to Keith’s room. And what was that about a second visit to Keith’s hotel room? Who was there? Another woman? The killer?

They followed Detective Stevens through the bullpen. Was everyone staring at her? Did they think she was a murderer or even capable of murder? What did she care?

Earle didn’t say a word. Claire refused to believe Keith was dead. He was always larger than life. He was a bully for sure. She may have wished him dead. But did he deserve to die? Especially like that?

Chapter Twenty-Two

Sam and Claire walked through Joe’s front door just as he finished lunch. He had been furious when Sam asked him not to go to the station with Claire, but he understood why. She didn’t need his anger there.

He took one look at Claire’s pale face and vacant stare and led her over to a chair. He turned to Sam and asked, “Jesus, what the hell happened?”

“Get me some coffee, and I’ll tell you.”

Joe brought in the pot and cups and handed Sam a cup. Claire shook her head and stared at the wall.

Joe cocked his head. “Well?”

“Well,” Sam huffed. “We have work to do. Keith died from anaphylactic shock from bee pollen, which he was allergic to.”

“EpiPen?”

“None found.”

“Damn. Who else knew about Keith’s allergy?”

“Me, his father, my parents,” Claire whispered. “No one else that I knew of. Keith didn’t confide in a lot of people.”

Claire looked at him with the saddest eyes he had everseen. It broke his heart, but Keith’s murder was not looking good for Claire.

“They have Claire on tape at the hotel two times,” said Sam.

“Two times?” This was news to Joe. He knew about the kidnapping, but when would she have gone back?

“Yeah. The afternoon she was kidnapped and brought there, we know about. Then there are tapes that show her arriving there the next day around 8 p.m.” Sam took a sip of coffee. “We need to find this mysterious man who brought her there. I’m hoping Phil has found a clue in your security tape.”

“What about the second time?”

“Earle is trying to get a copy of the hotel tape.”

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