“We’re from out of town,” Laura said, shaking her head. “How long did you stay?”
“Oh, that’s a shame. You really should check it out before you go,” Caleb said. “Well, let me think. We got deep into a discussion about acting techniques, so it was last call before we finally left and all went home. Probably just before two in the morning.”
Laura squinted at him slightly. “You didn’t have work to go to in the morning?”
Caleb spread his hands wide as if to indicate the apartment. “That was work you just saw,” he said. “I’m an actor. We were rehearsing for a play we’re going to be in together. Sorry, what is all this about? Did something happen at the bar last night?”
“No,” Nate put in, his voice sharper than Laura’s had been. He was clearly going for the bad cop angle, against her good cop. “We’re here conducting a murder investigation.”
Caleb’s eyes went wide with shock. Either that, or he was a very good actor. But given that he looked to be in at least his mid-twenties, and was living in Seattle rather than L.A., Laura did have her doubts. “Murder? Who?”
“Suzanna Brice,” Laura said, her voice soft. “We believe she was your acting coach.”
A hand flew over Caleb’s mouth, and tears sprang to his eyes.
Yes, Laura thought – if he was acting, then he was damn good.
“Oh, my God,” he said, his voice seeming to fail him. “I… are you serious? Last night?”
“That’s right,” Laura said. “We believe it happened just after her acting class.”
“I was in that class.” Caleb shook his head wordlessly and stood up, pacing away a few steps with his hand on his forehead. “I was literally with her last night, just… just before it happened.”
“Did you see anything suspicious?” Nate asked. “Anyone unusual that you haven’t seen before?”
It was a perfect opportunity, Laura could see, for him to make something up. Create a new suspect for them to chase after. If he was the killer, and he wanted to get away with it, he would probably do something like that. He would probably throw them a false lead to distract them so that he could either escape or convince someone to support his alibi.
“No,” Caleb said, his voice still completely raw and open. “No, I had no idea something like this was going to happen. Anything. God, she was fine when I saw her.”
“Did you have any other acting coaches?” Nate asked, snapping Caleb’s attention away from the wall he was leaning against.
“Yes,” Caleb said. “Yeah, loads, actually. I’ve taken just about every acting class in Seattle. Why?”
“Where were you the night before last, Caleb?” Laura asked.
Caleb paled again and sat down in the armchair. “You’re not telling me there’s been another one?”
“If you could answer the question, please.”
“Yes, I… the night before last, I was at my improv class. We tend to run late. Um… I don’t know exactly when we finished, but you could speak to the coach. I’m sure he’ll be able to tell you.”
Laura nodded, noting down the details of his two alibis.
“Have there been two murders?” Caleb asked. He shifted forwards to the edge of the seat, pressing his hands together in front of him. He was the picture of worry.
“I’m afraid we’re also investigating the death of Lucile Maddison.”
Caleb’s hand shot over his mouth again, and for a minute he looked like he might be sick. He shook his head slowly. “I’ve had classes with her, too,” he said at last.
“We’re aware of that,” Nate said, with an unfriendly edge in his voice.
“God,” Caleb said, shaking his head still. “What a waste. They were both so talented. Suzanna was the best, but… but I learned a lot from Lucile, too. This is just horrible. Do you have any idea who did this to them?”
“That’s what we’re trying to ascertain, Caleb,” Laura told him, with a wry smile.
He looked at her for a moment, then blinked. “Me?” he said. “God, you think I could have done this?”
“We’ll be checking your alibis,” Nate informed him. “Now’s the time to tell us if there’s anything you think we should know.”