“Do you, perhaps, limit yourself to the sports page of the papers?”
“I’ve been known to read the comics.”
She gave him a chilly smile. “That explains why you aren’t aware of the Dear Aunt Cornelia column. It happens to be one of the most widely syndicated advice columns in the country. It started in theAdelina Beach Courierand it appears six days a week in the Home and Hearth section. That comes right after the society page.”
“I only read the Society page when I’m working a case that involves that crowd, which is, frankly, as seldom as possible,” he said.
Her curiosity spiked. “You’ve conducted investigations in society?”
“I was a homicide detective for a few years,” he said. “I know you’ll be shocked to hear this, but rich and famous people kill each other, too.”
“Were you good at your job?”
“Yes, I was, but like you, I found the work frustrating.”
“Why?”
“Rich and famous people kill each other but they rarely go to prison.”
She nodded. “Money equals power, and power leads to corruption.”
“Often enough to be annoying.”
“Where did you work when you were in the police?” she asked.
“Started in Seattle. A couple of years ago I moved to L.A.”
That jolted her. “You were a police detective in Los Angeles?”
“For a while.”
Her spirits sank. “I see.”
He eyed her warily. “Is there a problem?”
“No, no, of course not.”
His jaw tightened. “There’s a problem. What is it?”
“I don’t want to insult you—”
“Go ahead, I’m used to it.”
She cleared her throat. “It’s just that the Los Angeles Police Department is rumored to be in the pockets of the studios and the tycoons who run the city.”
“I no longer work in L.A. I was fired.”
It was her turn to watch him closely. “Do you mind if I ask why?”
“I arrested the wrong man.” He tapped the letter. “Let’s return to your case. I assume you did not contact the Adelina Beach police about the blackmail threat?”
“Absolutely not. That letter practically accuses Aunt Cornelia of murder. My employer’s career and her reputation would be ruined if it got out that she was in any way linked to a homicide.”
“Have you considered the possibility that your employer might have been involved in the death of the Jennaway woman?” Sam asked.
“No. I’m sure Miss Dewhurst did not murder anyone.”
“What makes you so certain?”
