Page 119 of State of Denial

Sam sifted through them until she found one of Marcel helping Eloise with her homework. “See that?” She pointed to the hand that held the pen and then to the photo of him holding a brush.

“What about it?”

“He was left-handed. The autopsy report said there was gunpowder residue on hisrighthand.” She found the reference in the autopsy report, highlighted it with a marker and then looked up at him.

“Holy crap. He was left-handed.”

“We should confirm that with his mother,” Sam said.

Freddie put the call on speaker and dialed the number he had written in his notebook.

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Blanchet, this is Detective Cruz. I’m sorry to disturb you, but I have a question for you. Was your son right- or left-handed?”

“He was a lefty,” she said. “The only one in our family.”

“That’s very helpful. Thank you so much.”

“Of course.”

“I’ll be in touch.”

Freddie pushed the button to end the call. “Someone put that gun in his right hand and pulled the trigger, which eliminates the murder-suicide angle.”

Sam was oddly relieved to realize Marcel hadn’t turned on his wife and kids. “Now we just have to figure out who wanted them dead.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Sam met up with Dr. Trulo outside the room on the third floor where the grief group met. “How’s Shelby?”

“A little better. She was talking a bit when I checked on her an hour ago, which is a marked improvement from last night.”

“Thank you so much for helping her.”

“I wish I could say it was a pleasure, but it’s such an upsetting thing for them.”

“For sure. Avery has to be reeling right along with her.”

“He is. That his work could’ve endangered his loved ones sits heavily on him.”

“I can’t imagine how he must feel. I’ll stop to see them after I leave here.” Sam was resigned to getting home even later. “Big crowd tonight.”

Trulo glanced toward the room, a buzz of voices echoing in the hallway. “Gets bigger every month. We may have to find a new place to meet at this rate.”

“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” She liked having the meeting upstairs from the office, so it wasn’t yet another place she had to go in a day.

“I’ll keep an eye on it. Don’t worry.” He held the door for her as they entered the room and were greeted by a sea of familiar faces.

Sam was pleased to see her sisters among the attendees. She went to hug them. “Glad you made it.”

“It was touch and go until the last minute,” Tracy said, keeping an arm around Angela, almost as if she might bolt if Tracy let go.

“I’m not sure I’m up for this,” Angela said, “but Tracy convinced me to give it a try.”

“I’m glad you did,” Sam said. “And if it’s too much, you can leave. You’re not under any obligation to stick it out.”

“Good to know. Thanks.”

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