Free The Devil You Know (Sarah Woods Mystery Book 15) by Jennifer L. Jennings

immediately.”
    “Is that so? Well, then I suggest you go tell him and we’ll see.”
    She didn’t leave but I could tell her brain was going a mile a minute. “Why do you think it's the family? I mean, why couldn't it have been the maid or something? Maybe she had a reason to kill your mom.”
    “You're trying to blame Lucita?”
    “Whatever her name is, I don't remember. The point is, after the hospitality my family has shown you, you treat us like this?”
    “First of all, it’s your father who has been hospitable, not you or the rest of your family. Although, I will say your husband was very sweet last night when we shared that bottle of wine.”
    As I’d expected, that comment elicited an outburst.
    “I think I’ve heard enough.” She got to her feet, gave me one last dirty look, then she stomped out of the library. Seconds later, I heard her footsteps going up the stairs.
    I did not envy Brett. He was about to get an earful and I felt kind of shitty about it. It certainly wasn’t my intention to cause a rift in their marriage. But if Olivia had just kept her cool and talked to me, I wouldn’t have used that card. But maybe this was for the best. George wanted me to create some drama, and that's what I've done.
    I fully expected Olivia to approach her father and complain about me. Perhaps she might suggest that he kick me out of the house for being disrespectful. I wish I could be a fly on the wall for that conversation.
    .
     

Chapter 16
     
     
    After my talk with Olivia, I retreated to my bedroom, locked the door and called Carter.
    “You’re not making many friends,” he said as soon as he answered. 
    “No. Everyone will hate me by the time this weekend is over.”
    “Well, Olivia went to talk to Miles and Sue-Ann. They’re planning to tell George.”
    “The fact that they are going on the defense tells me something,” I said. “They have guilty consciences.”
    “I agree. I’ll keep an ear out but, so far, nobody has actually admitted to pushing Josephine down the stairs.”
    “Well, whoever did it, is being extra careful but we also have to accept that maybe no one is guilty. I hope George realizes that this situation could backfire on him in a serious way.”
    “That’s not our concern,” he said. “We have a job to do.”
    “I know. Anyway, there's something else we might want to consider. On the night of Josephine's death, Lucita claims she went home around seven-thirty. She has a husband but no kids. Is it possible she came back to the mansion later that evening?”
    “Why?” he said. “You don't think she's involved, do you?”
    “No, but it's not a bad idea to check her out. We never thought to do a background check on her.”
    “I can do that. As for the other thing, Lucita would’ve had to punch in the alarm code to get back inside. I'll contact the security company to find out.”
    “Good. It pays to be thorough.”
    “I’m on it.”
    I wasn’t sure what to do next. I thought about going to knock on George’s bedroom door but maybe he was sleeping. At 4:15, there were still two and a half hours until dinner.
    I decided to stay in my bedroom and wait it out. Maybe someone would come knocking on my door.
    No one ever did.
     

Chapter 17
     
     
    A few hours later, I still hadn’t heard back from Carter.
    By 6:15, I decided to exit the bedroom and see who might be hanging around downstairs.
    I was surprised to find Jeremy and Margaret sitting at the kitchen counter drinking tea.
    “Where is everyone?” I asked.
    Margaret chortled. “Up in George’s room, having an intervention of sorts.”
    “An intervention?”
    Margaret finally took a sip of her tea and swished the liquid around in her mouth like mouthwash. After she set the cup back down on the saucer, she leaned back in her chair and offered me a sly smile. “It appears you have caused some upset around here. My niece Olivia is trying to convince my brother that you should not be welcome in this house