“What could be on it?” She asked challengingly.
I studied her, positive she was just enjoying pushing my buttons. She wasn’t a stupid person. I had no doubt she knew perfectly well why I wanted to see that dress. Her obnoxious attitude didn’t deter me though. It just made me more determined to get my hands on that dress. “I’m sure you already know this, but I need to check it for blood spatter.”
She lifted her penciled brows. “Pardon?”
“You’re the only person in the wedding party who changed their clothes at the reception.”
Her mouth thinned. “Are you insinuating that I murdered Archie?”
Aanndd we’re off!
“To the contrary. I’m attempting to rule you out. Your dress will be one step in doing that, Mrs. Raiden.”
She leaned forward, her cheek twitching. “I’m not a murderer.”
“I’m not saying you are.”
“Then why are you so obsessed with me and my dress?” she hissed.
Sighing, I leaned back in my chair. “Because you saw the deceased right before his death. You were alone with him.”
“Yes, but he was breathing when he left me.” She scowled. “You know that because you know he had a fight with my husband.”
“That’s true, but I don’t know that you didn’t run into him again.”
Through clenched teeth, she said, “How dare you.”
What was it about the Raidens that made them think they were above the law? “If your dress is of no consequence, I don’t understand why you’re being so obstinate about giving the dress to the police.”
“I have personal reasons.”
Judging from the stubborn set to her jaw, she thought telling me that should be enough to get me to back off. She was mistaken. “I need to inspect that dress, just as I visually inspected every other person in the wedding party. I think it’s ridiculous that you would make me get a warrant simply to rule you out.”
She widened her eyes. “A warrant?”
“To be honest, I may not even need a warrant. Mrs. Raiden, you’re flagrantly refusing to hand over something the police are requesting. This situation falls under exigent circumstances. If I reasonably believe the evidence I’m seeking might be destroyed, I don’t need to get a warrant first.”
“You’re a bully.”
I frowned. “No I’m not. But I can’t just rule you out without taking the steps necessary to rule you out. It doesn’t matter who you are.”
She sputtered, “This is ridiculous. My dress has no bearing on your investigation and is of no importance whatsoever.”
My hopes that she’d be an easier interview than her husband sank like theTitanic. She was every bit as difficult, if not more. “Just telling me the dress isn’t important doesn’t work for me. I need to visually inspect the dress.”
A muscle tensed in her jaw. “My reasons for not handing the dress over are personal.Embarrassing. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“I understand you’re uncomfortable. I’m sure you must have your reasons for making this so difficult. I have no desire to go spreading anything around that might embarrass you. But I need you to be candid about why you’re refusing to cooperate with me.”
She scowled, adjusting her big hat. “Good Lord, I could use a drink.”
Frankly, that was the last thing she needed. She smelled like a distillery as it was. I was sure being drunk wasn’t helping her logic and reason. “There’s a bottle of water for you there.” I pointed toward the small bottle Deputy Sam had put there for her.
She turned up her nose at the water. “That wasn’t quite what I had in mind.”
“I’m sorry. Obviously, this is a police station. We don’t serve booze.”
She sighed. “How much longer is this interview thing going to last?”
