Chapter 33
The Queen of Swords takes a logical approach and makes decisions based on facts.
DANNY
Cal didn’t say a word when she saw me, but I have never seen anyone—man, woman, or beast—as enraged as she was. Her face turned all kinds of shades of red and purple.
She sat down at the picnic table and closed her eyes. She didn’t speak for a few minutes. When she looked up, she smiled at me. It was not a nice smile.
“Hello, Danny.”
Her face had returned to its natural color. “You have a lovely little place,” she said sweetly. “Does Uber pick up here?
“You seem pretty angry with me and Marci.”
Cal shrugged. “Marci and I have been through a lot together. We’ll get over it.”
“How about us?”
“Doubtful.” She shook her head. “Marci drove away with my purse in the car. Would you please call an Uber for me?”
I sat in a chair beside Cal. She moved her chair away from me.
“I apologize for the way I acted at your house. My pride was wounded. I don’t take rejection well.”
“Oh, you’re psychic? You knew that I was going to reject you?”
“It seemed obvious.”
“Actually, Danny, your fear was ungrounded. I had planned to ask you to stay the night. Now I’m glad I didn’t. It’s obvious a relationship between us would not work out.”
“So, now you’re psychic? Why wouldn’t a relationship between us work out?”
“Danny, I’m not some young girl you can mold and manipulate into the kind of woman you want and need. I am a mature, independent woman who does not need a man to complete me.”
“Whoa. What’s that all about?”
“All men your age want a trophy girlfriend. You prefer beauty over brains.”
“That’s an unfair assessment of me. Mind telling me what’s gotten into you?”
“Please just call an Uber.”
I open the app and schedule an Uber. “They are an hour forty-five out, Cal. It’s July 4th.”
“Fine. I can wait.”
She opened the picnic basket and fixed herself a plate. The food smelled terrific. I dished up a large helping for myself.
“This is amazing. Did you make this?”
“No. Marci.”
I sighed. It was going to be a very long wait for Uber.
“You and Marci are lucky to have each other. My best friend is very angry with me right now.”
I saw Cal hesitate, and then keep eating.
“Yeah, Biz is furious because I don’t believe you’re guilty.”
I glance at Cal out of the corner of my eye. I can tell she is listening. “When she found out I asked the IT department to track Juliet, she was livid. I’ve had to ask Eagle to continue investigating on the side. I think she’s close to finding Juliet. She has a few leads.”
Cal stopped eating and faced me. “Why would you do that? Help me, I mean.”
“I told you. I believe you are innocent.”
“Why?”
“During the interrogation, when Biz threw that photograph of Paul on the table, you recoiled in horror. You didn’t fake that reaction. Therefore, I concluded you were not the murderer.”
“What if I had paid someone to do it?”
“I thought of that. Your bank account didn’t show any unaccounted-for payments. None of your friends or colleagues acted suspiciously when we interviewed them. There was no chatter on the street about someone hiring a contract killer to kill Paul.”
Cal looked uncomfortable. “You went through my life with a fine-toothed comb.”
“Yes, we did.”
Cal was silent for a minute, then, a genuine smile played across her face. “Thank you, Danny.”
I have an inkling that a heretofore impenetrable wall is starting to crumble.