“That depends on you and how cooperative you are,” I said patiently.
Frowning, she rubbed her temples. “What was the question again?”
“I was asking you why you don’t want to give me the dress.”
She scrunched up her face. “I keep telling you, it’s embarrassing.”
“Okay. But I still need to know why.”
She didn’t speak for a few moments. Her face was pinched and her mouth tight. Eventually, she let out a shaky breath and said tersely, “Like any normal woman, I have needs.”
“I’m not following.”
She scowled. “You don’t know what I mean?”
“I do, but I’m unclear of how that relates to this case.”
Through clenched teeth, she said, “Well, if youmustknow, my husband doesn’t sleep with me anymore. Not that it’s any of your business, Sheriff.”
I hesitated. “I’m trying to see a connection with that and your dress. I’m failing.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Exhaling, she snapped. “I enjoy other men. Blunt enough for you?”
I grimaced. “So you’re saying you fool around with… other men?”
“Obviously.”
“I’m still missing the connection to your dress.”
“Oh, use your imagination, Sheriff. Goodness.” Her laugh was brittle. “My husband neglects me, and I seek out men who can give me what I need. Is that really so hard to understand?”
“No. But how is that connected to why you won’t hand over the dress you wore to the wedding?”
Pink tinted her cheeks. “I had a… moment… with one of the busboys. Okay?”
“During the reception?”
She nodded. “Yes. He was young, cute, and interested. How could I pass that up?”
Oookkaayy.
“And how does this relate to your dress?”
She sighed. “You really are obtuse, aren’t you? Think Monica Lewinsky, Sheriff. Remember the infamous dress?”
I raised my brows. “Oh. I see. So… during the course of this interaction with the… busboy… your dress was sullied?”
“What a nice way to put it.” She laughed, but I sensed embarrassment beneath the snarky attitude.
If she was telling the truth, she’d had a thing with some busboy and also still hit on Archie? Angela was definitely out of control with her drinking and her behavior. I studied her, trying to decide what to do with her. Regardless of what she thought of me, I didn’t actually want to humiliate her. It was possible she was telling the truth, but she could also be lying. If that dress had Archie’s blood on it, I needed to know that.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Raiden. I’m still going to need that dress. You don’t need to be embarrassed, but I do need to visually inspect the dress.”
She widened her eyes. “Why would you still need the dress? I told you why I don’t want you to have it.”
