Assault and Batter(54)
“If I wanted someone with influence over the man to intervene for me, I would have called your mother, Suzanne.”
I didn’t like that implication, but again, I let it slide.
“Gabby, you called us, remember?” I asked. “If we’re here talking to you, we can’t track down Jude’s real killer.”
“I wanted you to be the first to know about my decision,” Gabby said, softening for just a moment. “We have been friends for a long time, so I thought it only right to tell you first.”
“What’s going on?”
“I just wanted you to know that if you two or the police fail to find the killer in the next twenty-four hours, I’m shutting this place down and starting over somewhere else,” she said. “I’m selling the business, and my house as well. I just can’t stand living under this cloud of suspicion, and if it doesn’t go away quickly, I’m not going to have any choice.”
“Gabby, you don’t mean that,” I said.
“But I do,” she answered as she looked fondly around her shop. “This has been a good life, but I won’t stay if I feel as though the folks in April Springs are constantly whispering behind my back. I’ve given my life to this place. It makes me so sad that instead of being there for my nephew, I was here sending out e-mails to customers I thought might like what I had to offer.”
“Hang on a second,” I said. “You were working while you were here?”
“Yes, I had to do something, didn’t I? Why does it matter?”
“Let me see your computer,” I said.
“What’s going on, Suzanne?” Grace asked.
“Hang on. Let me check something first.”
Gabby led us in back to her office and showed us her computer. “What good is this going to do?”
“You said that you emailed customers that night,” I said. “Did any of them respond to you?”
“Suzanne, I have very selective clients. They know that if they want something I’m offering, they have to respond quickly, or it will be gone. Of course I chatted online with several of them, but no one actually saw me here.”
“Maybe they didn’t have to,” I said. “Call up your account, and go to the Sent Messages file.”
She looked unsure of where I was going with it, but Grace got it instantly. She winked at me and smiled, but we weren’t out of the woods yet.
“Here you go,” she said after a few moments.
“May I?” I asked.
“Go right ahead. I don’t have anything to hide from you.”
I studied her e-mails, taking particular care to look at the time of each of them. After a minute, I looked at Gabby and said, “I’m calling the chief.”
“Why?” Gabby asked. “Did I do something wrong?”
“On the contrary. You were here chatting with customers during Jude’s time of death. You’re in the clear, Gabby.”
“Is it really that simple?” she asked, clearly not believing me.
“Once the chief confirms that the folks you chatted with vouch for you, I can’t see a problem with your alibi. Gabby, working may have just saved you.”
“Then what are you waiting for? Call him, Suzanne.”
I called the chief and explained my theory to him.
“I’ll send someone over to verify all of this,” the chief said. “In the meantime, nobody should touch that computer.”
“Absolutely,” I said. “We’ll all be here.”
He added softly, “That’s good work, Suzanne. I didn’t even think to ask about emailing after she told me that she was alone and that she didn’t see anyone the entire time.”
“Don’t give me too much credit. I just picked up on it during a casual conversation.”
“Still, it was a nice catch. Jake would be proud.”
I felt a twinge at that, but I swallowed it quickly. “Thanks.”
“What did he say?” Gabby asked me as soon as I hung up.
“One of his people is on their way. We’re not supposed to touch anything in the meantime.”
Grace promptly reached out and touched the computer monitor. “Call me a rebel,” she said.
“I’ll call you whatever you want me to,” Gabby said as a smile came tentatively forward. “I don’t know how to thank you two enough.”
“Thank her,” Grace said as she pointed to me. “Suzanne is the real sleuth in the outfit.”
“You’re a team,” Gabby said, “and I’m thanking you both.”
“We’re just happy to help,” I said. “So, does this change your plans in any way?”