Her Frozen Cry (Detective Amanda Steele)

“Eve Kelley had papers served to New Belle for intellectual property theft on Friday. New Belle was founded on Reborn, a restorative night serum, which Eve claims Alicia stole from her back in college.”

“People claim a lot of things. If someone murdered Kelley because of this lawsuit, someone is wanting to bury something.”

“Could be. Also could be that someone doesn’t want New Belle destroyed,” she said.

“Or their financial windfall messed with.”

She hesitated to agree. Again, it would bury Tony Bishop, as the main beneficiary of Alicia’s will.

“There’s another possibility here,” Trent interjected.

Malone faced him. “I’m all ears.”

“Alicia made an arrangement that Eve would have final bid on purchasing New Belle. One of the other bidders could have found out and decided to kill both women. Alicia for her dishonesty, and Eve for her participation.”

“Not sure about that.” Malone adjusted his posture, putting his right leg out in front of himself.

The hate mail.She and Trent had just discussed how they should have taken it more seriously. “When we first visited Eve, she was concerned about some threats she’d received.”

“And I’m just hearing about this now?”

Amanda held up her hand, lowered it quickly under his glare. “Alicia received threats too. People in positions of success and authority attract this type of attention. We had other leads to follow before, another mysterious death to unravel.”

“The first, it would seem in a long series or…?” Malone’s lips set in a firm, straight line.

If he was goading her into saying serial killer, he’d be disappointed. “We had no reason to believe Alicia’s murder was anything other than an isolated incident. We’re still not sure. Eve’s death could have been natural.” Not that I believe that for a hot second! “If Eve was murdered, even poisoned with pentobarbital as well, the killer could be someone within the circle of the two women. The killing could be over. Another theory could be one of the bidders is behind the murders.” The only person it seemed to truly rule out was Seth Rossi. He’d have no reason to want Eve Kelley dead.

“How many others are there?”

“Just two others,” Amanda said.

“I think it’s a long shot, but in case you’re right, one might be in danger—or both.”

Trent turned to her. “What if Malone is right? And the other bidders aren’t safe?”

Her heart bumped off rhythm as adrenaline pumped through her system. She hoped that supposition was so very wrong.

“Sounds extreme, but it is possible,” Malone said as if he were agreeing with something he hadn’t been the first to suggest. “You mention threats. Go. See if the other bidders received any. Then ferret through them all to see if it takes us to the killer.” He waved a hand toward the door. “Go. Mush-mush.”

What Malone was suggesting was unorthodox, as normally the suspicious death in front of you received all the attention. Malone was asking them to postpone the usual procedure. She squared her shoulders. “And what about notifying Eve Kelley’s next of kin?”

“I’d offer to do it, but I know you prefer to handle those.”

She did, and she didn’t. But insights could be gained. “We’ll do it.”

“Figured you’d say that. There are just two bidders, talk to them, get it done. At least you might get a better idea whether you’re barking up the wrong tree with them or not.”

“And tracing Kelley’s last steps?” Trent asked.

“After the notification. Which comes after speaking with the bidders.” Malone put it out there with a bite.

Amanda tried to establish eye contact with the sergeant, but he wasn’t having any part of it. Something was going on with him, but she wasn’t going to find out what right now. And she didn’t really want to pick this fight. If she won and her insistence on doing everything by the book resulted in more death, she’d never forgive herself. Though by the time she and Trent finished following Malone’s marching orders, they’d probably have to wait until tomorrow morning to investigate Eve Kelley’s last movements. “Okay, we’re on it.” She led the way from the room.

Trent caught up to her, leaned in. “I know Malone’s the sarge, and he ultimately calls the shots but…”

“I know.” That’s all she said, and all she was going to say on the subject. She had a lot of thoughts on the way Malone was acting lately, though. He didn’t seem as focused, and he was more hardheaded than usual.