“We don’t announce people who aren’t charged with a murder,” he said. Then he turned and stared at me. “Why do you think your friend is even cleared? Maybe she killed Robert Meade.”
“She didn’t. And she told you what happened. She dropped him off at the back gate to Summer Break. Then she went back to the bakery.” Meg put her hands on her hips. She didn’t want her uncle to see that she was shaking. “Can’t you examine footage from the camera on the back gate to see if he went onto the property alone?”
He took off his baseball cap with a Bainbridge Island logo on the front. “The camera to the back gate broke a month before the murder, and the repair guy is supposed to fix it this week. If he shows up. Jolene says she’s been trying to get him out here for a couple of weeks.”
“I can’t believe you think Natasha might have killed him.” Meg’s voice was almost a whisper. She teased, “Have you even met Natasha?”
“Of course I know that sweet girl is unlikely to have done the murder. However, I don’t have proof. Meade had his hand on her throat, financially, that is. His lawyer has verified the loan.” He moved to get into the truck.
“Did you check the street cameras? They should show a dry Natasha driving her car away at the same time that the gate was accessed. And parking her car at the bakery.” Meg pointed out the best-case scenario.
“Why would being dry help Natasha’s cause?”
Meg closed her eyes. She’d said one thing too many. She shouldn’t know about the medical examiner’s report. “Because Meade was held underwater until he drowned. Natasha would have been wet and besides, she doesn’t have that kind of strength.”
“Tell me you didn’t break into the morgue.” He leaned against the truck, waiting to hear the whole story before arresting her for interfering with an open investigation.
“I didn’t break into the morgue. I haven’t even been to Port Orchard since I moved back.” Meg held up her hand, three fingers extended, as if giving the Boy Scout salute. “But that’s a way to clear Natasha, right? Checking the street cams?”
He didn’t respond for a while. Finally, he nodded. “I’m going to check the street cameras. One, because it’s a good idea. And two, I hate even thinking anything bad about that girl. But I need a favor from you. You need to stay out of this investigation. It’s not safe. Robert Meade wasn’t a good man. He had a lot of enemies, which is one of the reasons I haven’t figured out who killed him. I might as well throw a dart at a board filled with suspects.” He looked her in the eye. “Promise me?”
Meg nodded, hoping that Uncle Troy wouldn’t see that she had both hands behind her back and her fingers crossed.
CHAPTER16
Know your victim, find your killer.
Meg called her mom after she’d finished breakfast. “Hey, I’m meeting Irene from Sunday school for coffee this morning. Do you want me to come by and get the mailings to take to the post office?”
“I already dropped off a load before I opened this morning, but if you want to take the rest this afternoon, that would be lovely. I have something tonight.”
“A nap? I called you yesterday, and you were napping.”
“I was not.” Mom paused but didn’t explain what she’d been doing. “Anyway, I need to go. Someone came in.”
“Then why didn’t I hear the doorbell go off?” Meg asked, but her mom had already hung up. She must be mad that Meg had caught her napping.
Setting down her phone, she looked at this week’s plan. Work was back down to normal hours. She’d already finished the assignment for Lilly, but she was still in Los Angeles for the book events. Maybe she’d head over to the campus this week and see if there was someone with whom she could talk about a late financial assistance form. She might have to wait until next fall to enroll, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t take a night class or two during the next year and get back into the swing of college. She had only two years left to finish. Unless she picked a major with a lot of specific classes. She needed to talk to someone. She blocked off time on Tuesday to drive over to campus. She’d take Watson with her and drive to Summer Break for the assignment exchange first. Then it wouldn’t matter when she got back.
And if they got touchy about Watson being in the administration building, she’d take him back to the car or make an appointment for the next week. At least she’d have the course catalog as well as the summer and fall schedule.
With that planned, she realized she needed to leave now if she going to be on time to meet Irene. She packed a bowl, water, and treats in her backpack, then clipped a leash on Watson.
Irene was already seated when Meg arrived at the bakery. She waved, then went up to the counter and ordered coffee and water for Watson. “I have his bowl,” she told Natasha. “I need some tap water.”
“Are you meeting with her?” Natasha inclined her head toward Irene.
Meg heard a twinge of concern in her friend’s voice. “I met her at church yesterday, and we agreed to meet for coffee. Why?”
“No reason,” Natasha lied and gave Meg her fake smile. “Just be careful.”
“You’ll tell me later, right?” Meg said, lowering her voice. Maybe Irene did know more about Meade’s death than she’d thought.
Natasha nodded. “It might be old news by then, but you should probably know.”
Just like the Bainbridge Island gossip train, Natasha’s clues were late and did not provide what Meg needed. She took her coffee and Watson’s water and went over to learn more about Irene.
“Thanks for meeting me,” Irene said as she glanced over to where Natasha was helping the next customer. “Making friends here on the island is hard.”
