Free Deadly Accusations by Debra Purdy Kong Page B

asked, watching Lou free himself from Marie’s grasp.
    â€œNo.” She straightened up. “The kids are at staying my mom’s until the shooter’s caught. I think it was Birch. The asshole must have found out that I’ve been checking into his alibi.”
    Cheyenne settled on the floor by Casey’s feet. In a way, she was glad Marie was investigating on her brother’s behalf. The cops’ interest in Noel was troubling; using his own vehicle to murder someone mid-morning and abandoning it near his house was too stupid to believe. On the other hand, angry people did stupid things. Had Noel been angry with Jasmine about something?
    â€œI talked to a couple of retired folks on Birch’s mail route,” Marie said. “They saw him at ten in the morning on the twenty-eighth, but so far I haven’t found anyone who saw him at ten past eleven, when Jasmine was shot.”
    â€œI wonder if the bullets in your house came from the gun that killed Jasmine,” Casey said.
    â€œThey couldn’t have.” Marie wrung her hands together. “They found a handgun under a bush near Noel’s place the day after the murder. No word yet on whether it’s the murder weapon.”
    Casey glanced at Lou. Marie hadn’t told her this at the reception on Wednesday.
    â€œBirch is trying to destroy my brother’s life because Noel caught him stalking her a couple of times and told him to get lost.”
    â€œYou think Birch took a break from delivering the mail to shoot his ex-wife?” Casey asked. “Then planted the gun and abandoned the van he stole the previous night?”
    â€œAbsolutely. He could have hidden Noel’s van by the church and dumped it near his own car after the shooting. Traffic wouldn’t have been heavy at that time of day, and he could have thrown a jacket over his uniform. The whole thing probably took less than twenty minutes.”
    Lou crossed his arms. “It would have required a hell of a lot of luck, what with traffic and potential witnesses.”
    â€œMaybe someone did see something, only we haven’t found that person yet, which is why I’m here.” Marie turned to Casey. “I need your help clearing my brother’s name.”
    â€œHe hasn’t been charged with anything, though.”
    â€œI know that, but they’ve questioned him twice now. I have a horrible feeling that it’s only a matter of time.”
    Casey frowned. “How do you know?”
    Marie gave her an impatient look. “You’re not the only one who knows people in the police department. Anyway, we really need your help.”
    Alarm ricocheted through her. A loud knock on the door offered a quick escape. Casey left the room, opened the door, and saw David Eisler jiggling car keys in his hand. What the hell was Mainland’s VP doing here? How did he even know where she lived?
    â€œI apologize for not calling first, but I was in the area.” His Adam’s apple bounced up and down. “There’s something I wanted to ask you.”
    He couldn’t do it at work? “Come in.” She led him into the living room, where Marie was leaning close to Lou and murmuring something undecipherable. “We have a guest.”
    As Eisler entered the room, Marie and Lou’s expressions froze. Surprise and displeasure flickered across Eisler’s face. Cheyenne wagged her tail and sniffed Eisler’s pant leg. Eisler looked at the dog with disdain and edged away.
    Casey said, “Have a seat.”
    â€œThanks.” He nodded to Lou and Marie and sat without letting his back touch the chair. “I apologize for not attending Jasmine’s funeral.” His tan developed a reddish hue. “I heard it was a nice service.”
    â€œIt was,” Marie said, scrutinizing him.
    Eisler lowered his head. Casey caught Lou’s puzzled face and returned a haven’t-got-a-clue expression.
    â€œI’m