Murder didn’t always come with a lifetime charge. It could but it was unlikely to in this case. Still, it was obvious from the way Bliss had spoken of Cat, that she was no friend.

  Kass returned to her office to pick up some things and look over the files in more detail.

  While she was going through her desk, her boss appeared in the doorway. "What's this I hear about you picking up a case I never assigned you to?"

  Kass glanced up, surprised at how fast the news had travelled. "Cat James. She's been accused of murder."

  "Isn't she a friend of yours?"

  She was surprised that he’d remembered that, but then Cat had once threatened him, just casually, nothing too serious but evidentially enough that he remembered her.

  When Kass didn't answer immediately and instead continued looking for a document in her desk, he added, "Well you're off it. I didn't assign it and that's one hell of a conflict of interest anyway."

  Kass's head jerked up. "She needs representation."

  "Then I'll assign someone else. You're off it. Got it? Not another word. And escorting a criminal out of an interrogation room by yourself? Don't do that again." He held up his hand and then he left before she could argue.

  Kass stared at the other case files on her desk. She'd been almost all caught up before she'd left, now she was behind again. She'd make it up on the weekend though. The more pressing matter was what to do about Cat.

  She was still deliberating when Benji poked his head into the room.

  "Benji, can you find out who got assigned Cat James's case. I'm just a little worried. She's a difficult client."

  He gave her a grim look. “Already did. He gave it to Patricia.”

  Kass sighed. Well, at least Patricia was a good lawyer and unlikely to be intimidated by Cat. But she could also be very straightforward and hard on her clients and was unlikely to get any cooperation from Cat either.

  Benji cleared his throat. “I’m supposed to take her the files.”

  Kass looked down at the folder in the middle of her desk. “I haven’t even had a look through them yet,” she lamented more to herself than to Benji.

  Benji licked his lips and then got a thoughtful look on his face. “I mean, I was about to go get coffee. I could do that first and then pick it up when I get back. You want anything?”

  Kass gave him a grateful smile and a nod. “Yeah. A black’s fine. Thank you Benji.”

  Kass took photos off all the files first, then she sat down and started to read through every little detail. It wasn’t an air tight case but it didn’t look great. A lot would probably depend on what Katrina had to say but then witness testimony could be easily shoved under the table but either side. It was clear from Nolan’s previous files what Cat’s motive would have been. The guy had had several domestic calls out to his house. And then there was the recent death of his stepdaughter. The evidence might not look rock solid but a jury was likely to eat up the story. The only way Kass could see Cat getting off was by making an argument for vigilante justice. It had been done before, not often but enough to argue for precedence and that would probably still carry some jail time.

  Benji returned with coffee sooner than she’d have expected and when she looked at her watch she realised just how much time had flown.

  She thanked Benji for the coffee and handed over the file.

  Benji didn’t immediately leave.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning but her brother’s back in town.”

  “Huh?” For a moment she didn’t understand who he was talking about, then she clicked. “Sirius? Sirius is back?”

  He nodded. “He’s her brother right and you’re all friends, and that’s why you tried to take the case? I saw his ship docked in the harbour while I was getting coffee. Figure he probably doesn’t know his sister’s been arrested yet.”

  “Yeah, that’s a good point. Thanks Benji.”

  He nodded and then he left.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Sirius was back. It was a few days early. She hoped that wasn’t a sign of anything bad. She didn’t see how he’d know about this yet though. And she probably should tell him. Maybe he could get through to Cat, if getting Cat to talk was even a good idea. It was important for Cat to cooperate with her lawyer though. Right now Cat was as likely to dig her hole bigger as she was to climb out of it.

  Amanda should probably be told too but if the cops were already looking to talk to Katrina, as Bliss had said, then she’d know soon enough anyway.

  The port was closer and the idea of a walk appealed to Kass. That and seeing Sirius. She couldn’t lie to herself about that. It had been a whirlwind of a few days. She could use a friendly face, even if she couldn’t tell him everything. Maybe he’d know something about Nolen, such as why Cat had fixated on that man specifically. It wasn’t like he was the only guy with a history of domestic call outs in Little Rock. Kass made a decision. She left her office and headed in the direction of the port.

  Amanda was working with a horse in the paddocks when a cop car pulled up at the end of the drive. The lone cop parked on the road and then made his way up toward the house. Amanda dismounted and met him halfway up.

  “What can I do for you officer?” she asked politely. Had she been caught on camera at the morgue after all?

  “I’m looking for a Katrina James.”

  His request caught her off guard and she frowned. “What for?”

  “She’s a witness in an investigation.”

  “An investigation for what?”

  “Homicide.”

  “Whose?”

  “Nolan Perninski.”

  Amanda’s frown deepened. She didn’t recognise the name.

  Gemma joined them then, having heard the cop arrive from in the house. Not a lot of traffic went this way. She was holding baby Kate who appeared to be napping.

  “A cop?” she remarked with some disdain. “What does he want?”

  “He wants to talk to Katrina,” Amanda answered, studying the cop carefully.

  “She may have witnessed a murder or the lead up to it,” the cop explained.

  Gemma snorted in disbelief. “Katrina? Witness to a murder?”

  To the cop, Amanda said, “She’s at school.”

  The cop checked his watch. “Does she come home straight afterward.”

  “Usually,” Amanda replied.

  He nodded. “I’ll wait then. Are either of you two familiar with the name Nolan Perninski?”

  Amanda shook her head.

  “Perninski?” Gemma frowned.

  Amanda turned her head sharply. “You know him?”

  “I think that’s one of Lily’s friend’s last names. I remember because it was like a double p. Something like Penelope or Penny or Perri maybe?”

  The cop made some notes. “Does she come over here often?”

  Amanda shook her head.

  “Not really,” Gemma answered. “I think she was the one whose dad came and dragged her back home during Lily’s sleepover though.”

  “What do you mean by dragged?” The cop made some more notes. He had several more questions for them so Amanda invited him inside for tea.

  At some point Gemma went upstairs to nurse the baby.

  Eventually the younger kids all arrived home together. Katrina and Salem and Sasha were all chatting as they entered the house.

  “Katrina,” Amanda called her into the kitchen. “Can you come here a mo.”

  Katrina appeared in the doorway.

  “This cop’s got some questions.”

  The cop gave her a pleasant smile. “It won’t take long, I promise. And you don’t have to talk to us. Anything you say may become a matter of public record and may be used-”

  “Hold on,” Amanda interrupted. “You’re reading her her rights? Do you consider her a suspect?”

  “What did you do?!” Salem exclaimed from the doorway where both he and Sasha were eavesdropping.

  Amanda gave them a direct look. “Go do your homework.”

  The two younger kids ducked out of sight. Amanda suspected they hadn’t gone very far though.

  “No, no, no, just a witness,” the cop clarified. He faced Katrina as she took a seat at the table next to her mother. “Now, what can you tell me about your aunt Cathryn? Are you two close?”

  “Aunt Cat?” Katrina hesitated.

  “Yes, your aunt Cat. Were you with her last-”

  “Salem! Sasha! Go upstairs now!” Amanda called toward the hallway. This time the patter of feet running up the stairs could be heard. Before Katrina could answer, Amanda then turned to the cop. “What is this about really?”

  The cop directed his reply at Katrina, who was looking quietly worried. “Your aunt is suspected of killing Nolan Perninski.”

  “No. She wouldn’t!” Katrina shook her head.

  “Where were you Monday night?”

  “I...”

  “Were you with your aunt? Did you go to Nolan Perninski’s house?”

  “Give her time to answer,” Amanda chided him. “What evidence do you have that Cat killed this man?”

  Calmly, the policeman replied, “We have her fingerprints at the scene of the crime, hers and Katrina’s.”

  Amanda studied his expression for a moment and then she turned to Katrina with a questioning look on her face.

  Under the gaze of both her mother and the policeman, Katrina finally blurted out. “Okay, yes we were there at his house, but she didn’t kill him. When we left he was alive.”

  “Are you sure?” the policeman asked.

  Katrina hesitated then with a decisive look on her face she replied firmly, “Yes.”

  It was a little too firm. Amanda suspected her daughter was lying. She didn’t challenge her though, not in front of the cop. She’d ask her later. In fact, she decided, it was probably best Katrina didn’t say anymore to the cop.

  Amanda turned to the policeman, “There, you’ve got your answer. Maybe it’s best you go now.”

  “Why were you there?” He said to Katrina, pushing his luck. “What was the point of the visit?”

  Amanda butted in before Katrina could answer. “I said you’ve asked her enough questions. You want to ask anymore you come back when there’s a lawyer present and when you’ve been invited.” She gave him a firm look.

  He opened his mouth as if to speak and then he closed it again and gave a simple nod. In silence he stood up and started to head for the door.

  Katrina suddenly blurted out, “It’s because we wanted to know if he killed his daughter.”

  The cop turned. “What?” he asked softly.

  “He did,” Katrina replied stubbornly, ignoring her mother’s look. “I saw it in his head. He murdered his own daughter, made her fall into a glass coffee table and then he disposed of the body in the woods.”

  “Katrina...” Amanda whispered in a gentle warning tone.

  “But Aunt Cat didn’t kill him. We were just getting enough evidence to go to the cops with it.”

  Amanda stood up and faced the cop. She positioned herself between her daughter and the policeman. “Out. Now,” she commanded at him.

  He did as he was asked.