“No, but my men tell me someone is spreading rumors about a psychic assassin who murders people in their dreams.”
“It should be obvious Oxlade was not murdered by supernatural forces,” Sam said.
“Sure,” Brandon said. “A ghost or a spirit wouldn’t need a hammer. But we both know that little fact won’t stop the rumors or the headlines.”
“True,” Maggie said.
“My men are checking to see if the hammer came from the toolshed here at the Institute or the one at the hotel,” Brandon said. “If that’s the case it would be a useful lead. The officers are looking for the bloody clothes, too.”
“Has there been any progress on the Nevins case?” Maggie asked.
“No,” Brandon said. “Unless something new turns up, it will go down as natural causes. Nevins’s next of kin is an elderly aunt back East. She said she couldn’t afford to come out West to claim the body.”
“No one is going to bury Beverly Nevins?” Maggie asked.
“When I struck out with the aunt, I managed to track down Nevins’s roommate. Pamela Springs is driving from L.A. today to pack up Miss Nevins’s things. She said she can’t afford to pay for a funeral. Looks like the county will have to handle it.”
“How did Pamela Springs react when you told her Nevins was dead?” Sam asked.
“Seemed sad but not exactly shocked to hear Nevins may have overdosed. Apparently there was a history of heavy drinking and sleeping pills.” Brandon checked his watch. “I’ve got to be on my way. If anything comes up, give me a call.”
“Sure,” Sam said.
Brandon started to leave, but he paused. “A word of warning, Sage. The Guilfoyles suggested I put you at the top of the suspect list.”
“Figures,” Sam said.
“What?”Outrage slammed through Maggie. “How dare they suggest such a thing? What possible motive could Sam have?”
Brandon snorted. “Back in detective school they made a point of telling us that the first suspect is the one who discovered the body.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Maggie said.
“You’d be surprised how often it proves true,” Brandon said.
He turned and headed toward a group of officers gathered around the front of the guest villa.
“This is unbelievable,” Maggie fumed.
“No, it was predictable,” Sam said. “Brace yourself. The Guilfoyles just spotted us. They’re headed our way and they look annoyed. This kind of publicity probably isn’t what they had in mind when they asked Oxlade to lend his name to the conference.”
Maggie started to respond, but she stopped because Dolores and Arthur were suddenly right in front of them. Sam was right. They were furious.
Dolores glared at Sam. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Mr. Sage?”
“Found the body?” he offered.
“You’ve ruined us,” Arthur said, his voice tight with rage. “You’ve destroyed the Institute.” He swept out a hand in a gesture meant to encompass the entire estate. “We got through Nevins’s death, but there’s no keeping this one out of the headlines.”
“Even though you did predict it?” Maggie asked softly.
Sam glanced at her, frowning, but he didn’t try to shush her.
“What are you talking about?” Dolores demanded. She sounded uncertain. Wary.
“At the end of the reading last night Mr. Guilfoyle announced the Traveler was abroad on the grounds of the Institute,” Maggie said. “Hunting.”
Arthur stared at her, dumbfounded.
