“Oh my God, no, Dez never told me. I’m sorry,” Carmen said reaching out for Helen's hand.
“Your sister never mentioned it to you?” Marcus asked.
“No, Marcus, she didn't,” Carmen said sadly, and then she turned to Helen. “How did she die?”
“They found her dead in her office. They don't know how she died. They were still investigating,” Helen replied sarcastically.
“How is Frank taking it? I know he must be crushed.”
Once again Helen looked curiously at Carmen. “Frank's dead, too. He took Suzanne's death very badly. He was frustrated with the police not being able to tell him how she died. I guess it got to be too much for him, because he went to her grave site and shot himself.”
“I'm sorry for your loss, Ms. Watts. Can you tell me how long after his wife died did your brother commit suicide?” Marcus asked.
“Two weeks.”
“Two weeks?” Marcus asked, and he looked at Carmen.
“I believe it was the day before Desireé was murdered,” Helen said.
“Helen we're sorry to have bothered you. I am so sorry. Frank was a good man.” Carmen paused. “Did the police ever talk to you about any connection to their deaths, and Desireé’s murder?”
“No.”
“I wouldn't think they would,” Marcus said as he stood up. “Sorry to have bothered you, Ms. Watts.”
“Why not?” Carmen asked. “Why don't you think they would ask about a connection?”
“Because Frank committing suicide wouldn't appear to have any connection to Desireé,” Marcus said and started for the door. “Let's go, Carmen. We've taken up enough of Ms. Watts time.”
Reluctantly Carmen stood up and followed Marcus to the door. They apologized once again, and said good night. Once they were in the car and drove off, Carmen asked Marcus why he rushed her out of there?
“Because it was time to go. Helen couldn't tell us anymore and all we would have done by continuing to ask questions is upset her.”
“Okay, I guess you're right. But you do think there's a connection, right?”
“Could be a coincidence.”
“It's more than a coincidence, Marcus. I'm sure of it.”
“Is that what your years of investigative experience tells you?”
“Well,” Carmen smiled.
“Look, Carmen, it may be just a coincidence, maybe not.”
“Well what are we gonna do now?”
“We investigate, Carmen. The best thing to do is to find out more information about how they died.”
“How are we gonna do that?”
“I know a private investigator who does works for me sometimes. Ex-cop, still has some contacts in the department. I'll talk to him; see what he can find out. You have any idea why Desireé wouldn't tell you that Suzanne was dead?”
“No. I wouldn't think she would keep something like that from me.”
“What are you doing tomorrow, Carmen?”
“Nothing. Why?”