Chapter 19 #2
I nodded and held up a picture, gulping.
“Bear with me. At first we thought the specifications were giving accidental credit to all the engineers. But when we looked closer, we found that most of the altered specs give Owen credit for work done by both Charles and Kyle. If no one uncovered the mistake, Owen would be five hundred thousand to a million dollars richer. The hotel lobby security cameras captured this photo when the third suite was booked. You can see it was indeed Armond who booked it.”
Catalina rolled her eyes. “What are you getting at? These things are unrelated. If Armond booked the suite, then he was obviously hiding something.”
“We think he was the original killer.” I shrugged and placed another photo on the table.
“This one is of the parking garage security on the day Margery died. Though whoever tampered with her car wore a mask, Armond shouldn’t have been in the parking garage at all.
He said he took the day off, but if you look closely there, you’ll see him in the garage before he puts his mask on. ”
“Well, that solves it then,” Catalina said, clapping her hands. “Really, great job. I guess maybe Armond killed himself?
“No.” Charles shook his head sadly.
“Why would Armond want Margery dead? He had no reason, but he was working with someone who did and was hoping for a hefty payout. Owen, did you know Margery and Armond knew about the issues on the specs? I mean, if they turned you in, that could get between you and up to a million dollars, right?” I asked.
Owen raised his hands. “No, I swear. I didn’t ask either of them to alter the specs.”
I hoped the dishonesty inhibitor had kicked in. From my understanding, it should have a fairly instant effect. The group sat in silence for a moment, eyes shifting from one person to another. I propped my phone against my dinner clutch as if I’d absentmindedly placed it there.
“You all realize she’s accusing me of murder,” Owen broke the silence, and I sensed his anger turning into rage. I chill washed down my spine.
“Well, it’s no secret you wanted a new boat, Owen.” Lance growled at him with furrowed brows. “But I didn’t realize you wanted it that badly.”
Catalina’s voice shook as she spoke up, her fear now through the roof. “Now hold on a moment. What would any of this have to do with Kyle? Owen didn’t kill anyone. You all know him. He’s a good person.”
“But what about his wife? Maybe she needed the money. I mean, if Owen had a sudden windfall, it would be hers as well, right?” I asked as I placed a final photo on the table. It was only a guess, but if I was right, it would explain everything.
Owen grumbled something under his breath as a server returned to the room to refill a few drinks.
As they walked away from the table, the server tripped and fell face first onto the floor.
His tray of glasses and carafes flew across the room and crashed into the closest wall.
If we hadn’t planned it ahead of time, I’d have had a mini heart attack.
Charles dashed over to help the server to his feet.
Ashley clapped her hands over her mouth and watched.
Lance pushed his chair away from the table to help Charles and the server.
Then Owen followed suit. I turned my body and pretended to be engrossed in the scene.
But I kept my camera rolling, with my phone casually in my hand, aimed at the table.
It took a couple of minutes to clean up, then the group returned to the conversation. I replayed a bit of the video as I pretended to be responding to some texts.
“We were all going to look at the photo Jane placed on the table. Where did it go?” Charles asked.
“The photo of my ‘wife’?” Owen made fake quotation marks with his fingers. He leaned back and folded his arms across his chest.
We all looked around the table, but the photo was missing. But I caught the thief on my screen.
“I know who has it.” I said and turned to Ashley. “You might as well hand it over.”
Ashley’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”
Catalina narrowed her eyes and looked toward Ashley's bag. Then she reached over and pulled the crumpled photo. “I think this is what they wanted.”
She shook her head and glared at Ashley. It was the photo we’d taken of Catalina the night before.
I directed my attention toward Ashley and Owen.
“Last night, a server accidentally dropped a tray right when I took Catalina’s picture with Charles.
I didn’t realize what was going on in the background until I looked more closely.
You hide your wedding ring on that long chain you wear well.
But I noticed you pull it out and play with it when you’re nervous. ”
Catalina handed me the crumpled photo, and I placed it on the table and pressed it flat. Partly behind a pillar, Ashley and Owen huddled together, and Owen kissed her cheek.
“Okay, fine. We’re married. We didn’t want anyone to know, since Owen was on the panel that interviewed me for my job. But who cares? I mean, I’ve done a good job.” Ashley threw her napkin onto the table and stood up. “I’m out of here.”
“Ashley, it’s okay. You didn’t kill anyone…” Owen patted the chair she sat in next to him. “Right?”
“Ugh.” Ashley pressed her lips together and clenched her fists but sat next to Owen.
On the other side of Owen, Catalina scowled, her fear dissolving into disgust. “You’re really something, you know that. I’m done. The gig is up. I can’t believe you’re married! It’s over—I’m telling them everything.”
“No!” both Ashley and Owen shouted in unison.
“Owen told me if I changed the specs to give him credit for the SaferLoc components, we’d make a ton of money.
If caught, we’d claim it was an honest mistake.
You said you loved me.” Catalina stood and tossed her water at Owen.
“You didn’t say you were already married.
Was I next on your list of people to kill? ”
Owen looked between Ashley and Catalina but said nothing.
“I have some photos from the hotel manager that might help. Ashley, I noticed you were in the lobby when Armond reserved the third suite. He’d probably only do it if he’d been told Charles wanted the reservation.
I wonder who told him that?” I showed her Armond’s photo from when the third suite was reserved.
Ashley stood in the distance, watching. “Of course, you had already dragged him into the whole mess by convincing him to kill Margery for what she knew.”
“What?” Ashley’s face grew pale. “I… what?”
“Well, you were the one who needed the money. The guys who came and harassed Kyle were looking for the person in room 512—your original room, which you must have told them was where you would be. You borrowed money from the wrong people, didn’t you?
So when Margery found the doctored specs, you had to get rid of her, and Armond was happy to help you for a cut.
He’s been dying to retire for the last year.
” I shook my head. “Of course, you had to kill him to keep him quiet.”
“You don’t understand,” Ashley screeched. “If I didn’t get the money, they were going to hurt me… or Owen.”
“What?!” Owen hopped up from his chair.
“Oh, give it up, Owen. You’re in as deep as I am. My dear husband here is the one who spiked Kyle’s drink. You just had to make sure he didn’t tell anyone about the rooms being switched. Seriously, Owen. Or were you jealous of my pretending to flirt with him?” Her face twisted in rage.
“And you obviously killed Armond.” Owen threw his hands up in frustration. “Is that those guys were after you for money? Did you drug Armond with something you bought from them? Or were you only trying to cover your gambling debts?”
“I knew it,” Lance muttered under his breath. “Armond was doing something sneaky with our funds.”
The argument they'd had before Armond's death suddenly made sense.
“Detective Laurence, you’re good to come out now,” Charles called toward the curtains.
The detective and several officers emerged from behind the curtains and took both Owen and Ashley into custody.
“I can’t believe that worked,” I whispered to Charles as we stepped out of the way of the officers leading the couple from the room.
Darcy joined us as we watched the dust settle. “What some people will do for money.”
“I never thought anyone from Haven Corp would do such a thing.” Charles said, “Jane, thank you so much. This wouldn’t have happened without your help.”