“We have some questions for you, Mr. Kilnery.”
He sighed and grabbed a shirt and jeans from his drawers. “The dresses are mine. I do a drag show on Friday nights up at the Luxor, and I had rehearsals for tonight’s show. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to change, and then I have to get to the hospital before Rena kills me for missing this.”
He walked into the bathroom to change. “Mr. Kilnery, is it true that you threatened Dexter Cline when you were sentenced?”
“Yeah, sure did. Not one of my finer moments.” He peeked out the door. “I’m working on my rage in anger management. It’s part of my release. The first step is acknowledging I have a problem.” He disappeared back into the bathroom.
“That’s great,” I announced when Max rolled his eyes. “So then are you saying you didn’t send any threating letters?”
“Why would I do that when emailing would be so much easier?” He walked out, pulling his shirt down over his smooth waxed-looking chest. “Why? Is someone saying it was me?”
He walked out of the bedroom, and Max and I followed. “Did you know that District Attorney Cline is getting married?”
Paul grabbed a cookie and tossed one in his mouth before gesturing for us to have one. “I don’t even know the dude. Why would I care if he’s getting married?”
“He’s the one that put you in jail,” Max pointed out.
“Oh right, him. During that phase I was always high on drugs and didn’t know what the hell I was doing,” Paul sighed. “Listen, I have to go to the hospital, but if you don’t believe me, stay and search the house. I have nothing to hide. You already found my dresses.” He headed for the door and turned before opening it. “I’m trying to turn my life around. I want to be there for my sister and her baby. I won’t ruin the chance Pastor Michael gave me.”
“Pastor Michael?” I asked.
“He lobbied for my release and is helping me and the other family to come to peace through counseling. I regret my actions to go along on that ride, and I have to live with my choices every day for the rest of my life. I didn’t do anything, and if you want, I’ll take a polygraph or give you my DNA or whatever will clear me. I’m innocent of whatever you think I did.”
“Great. I’m going to take your toothbrush. I’ll leave a replacement in your mailbox,” I said, gesturing over my shoulder toward the bathroom.
“Whatever, lady, just lock up when you’re done. I need to be with my sister.”
I headed into the kitchen and grabbed two baggies. After stuffing a few cookies in one, I left some bills on the counter. I took the other bag into the bathroom and took Paul’s toothbrush.
When I stepped back into the living room, Max had the remote in his hands pointing it at the TV. “I’m sure it’s time for your daily soap operas, but we don’t have time, Counselor.”
“Unbelievable,” he growled and hit the volume, turning up the newscast. Dexter’s face appeared on the screen as the news reporter made her report.
“A source close to the family has confirmed that Dexter Cline will be running for senate in the election. Threats against him and his family won’t stop him from serving his civic duty.”
Pictures of the death threats were plastered across the screen and then moved to the corner as a picture of Amelia, Dexter, and Petunia filled the screen.
“Son of a bitch.”
Anger tore through my body as I grabbed my phone. It rang before I could even dial. I answered. “Yeah.”
“I take it you’ve seen the news?” Ms. Delany asked.
“Yep. Any idea who leaked the information?” I growled and headed for the door, uncaring if Max was following.
