Page 61 of Inherited Light
“Thanks for all your help,” I said as she headed back to the counter.
I gazed at the choices in front of me and inched my way to the wall to check the kit suggestions. Once I had an idea of what I needed, I worked my way across the floor, reading the descriptions on each wedge and pillow. Some of the pillows had diagrams while others left it to your imagination.
I focused on Cat’s face and then her body. As my need to be with her grew, I grabbed the pillows we would need. If I had anything to say about it, by tomorrow, she would know I would be by her side forever.
I peeked at Cat as I put the truck into park. She stared out the window, but I could tell she hadn't relaxed any since we left the shelter. I had no sooner returned with the kit from Maplewood when Noah called me. He asked me to drive Cat down to the station regarding the Xavier investigation.
I put my hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure it's just a formality, Cat. You spent time with him and maybe you have insight or knowledge of someone who may have held a grudge."
She shook her head. "I don't. I would remember."
"Sometimes we don't recall some tiny detail hiding in the recesses of our mind until we're asked the right question. Take a deep breath and relax. You've done nothing wrong."
She nodded as if she needed to convince herself as well as me. I lifted her chair from the back of the truck and opened her door, scooping her out and into the chair until she was settled. She waited while I locked the truck so I could hold the doors.
The counter facing us had to be at least five feet high, which wasn't a problem if you weren't in a wheelchair. I took her hand and addressed the charge officer, "I have Catalina Chávez here to see Noah Jonas."
"He's waiting," he said, motioning me down the hall. "You know where to find him."
"See, no problem," I said, letting go of her hand so she could push the chair herself.
“Or maybe I’m wheeling toward my incarceration,” she mumbled.
I rubbed her shoulder as we made our way down the hall until Noah stepped out in front of us, effectively stopping her chair.
“Hello, Ms. Chávez. I would like to speak with you about the continuing investigation regarding Xavier Carellton. You’re not under arrest nor do you need a lawyer. What I need is information. Any information you might have about him could be helpful,” Noah said, shaking my hand as he spoke.
I rested my hand on her shoulder. “She’s been worried since you called. Why now, Noah?”
He motioned us into the room, so we followed him in. He swung a chair away from the table so Cat could sit next to me and he took the seat across from us.
He set his notebook down and opened it to a blank page. “We’ve had a turn of events in the case. Ms. Chávez’s—”
“Please, just call me Cat,” she said, breaking in.
I had to work hard not to grin at the request. A few weeks ago, she introduced herself to everyone as Lina.
“Of course,” Noah said. “As I mentioned, we’ve had a turn of events. Cat’s prints were found on the murder weapon.”
Cat jumped backward and her chair tipped at a dangerous angle. I caught it right before she flipped. She hadn’t even righted herself before she spoke, her voice warbling. “I didn’t kill him! I didn’t. You have to believe me,” she said, her whole body shaking.
I put my arms around her soothingly. “Shhh, he said you don’t need a lawyer, which means he doesn’t think you killed him. Hear him out. We’ll deal with whatever happens together.”
Noah looked concerned. “Do you need some water, Cat?” he asked, but she shook her head.
“No, I’m sorry. You took me by surprise. I didn’t think I would be accused of doing this.”
Noah frowned. “You’re not being accused. While your fingerprints were on the hammer and the box, there’s no way you could have killed him from a wheelchair. You also wouldn’t have been able to get to his apartment when your van had been disabled.”
She nodded almost continually as he spoke. “I don’t remember touching them, ever. Honestly.”
“She never touched the box or the hammer, Noah, at least not while I was with her, and by the next morning it had already disappeared.”
His lips were in a grim line. “I believe there are two lines of manipulation going on at the same time. The first applies to the van. I think the tire was most likely slashed by Xavier the way Lorenzo suggested. I think he planned to be the knight in shining armor and rescue you after you closed the gallery. However, Lorenzo thwarted his plan, so he fell back and planned to wait. The second applies to the attack at your home and the murder of Xavier. I believe the person who attacked you is the murderer. Once you were unconscious they put the hammer in your hand and your hand on the toolbox itself for good measure. Since you were unconscious neither of you would know it happened. It’s likely you were attacked just to get the fingerprints on the weapon, but the attacker had no idea your van had been disabled, and therefore killing Xavier would in no way implicate you.”
I waved my hand. “Wait, so you’re saying whoever killed Xavier is trying to frame Cat? It doesn’t make any sense.”
He sighed. “We’re still working on the logistics of why. Why would the suspect think Cat would be able to kill Xavier especially after being knocked out? None of it makes sense. The team is hoping you’ll be able to remember something to give us a lead. Something about Xavier or the people he hung out with.”
