1 Death on Eat Street by J.J. Cook Read Free Book Online Page B

dragged me in here and acted like I murdered Terry. Surely I deserve to know who you’ve arrested,” I argued.
    Detective Latoure took a deep breath and glanced at my father. “It will be out in the media later today anyway. I guess it doesn’t matter. We’ve taken a waitress from the area into custody. We think that she was Terry’s Bannister’s lover at one time. Her name is Delia Vann.”

SIX

    “Delia?” I couldn’t believe it. “You arrested Delia?”
    “She fits.” Detective Latoure shrugged. “They used to be lovers. Separated on bad terms. She has no alibi, and she was at the shopping center when the medical examiner thinks Bannister was killed.”
    “What about his partner who was stealing money from him?” I demanded.
    “He has an alibi. We feel sure Delia followed through on a threat she made against Bannister for keeping some of her possessions when they broke up. We have a witness who can testify to that.”
    Miguel nodded. “Bannister’s partner, right?”
    “Maybe. Let us handle the police work.”
    “You know this waitress she’s talking about?” My father sounded like he couldn’t believe it. “Where did you meet her? Your mother was right. This is no life for you, Zoe.”
    “Never mind that, Daddy.” I turned to Miguel. “Will you represent her instead of me?”
    Miguel looked surprised. “You really
know
this woman well enough to believe she didn’t kill Terry Bannister?”
    “Yes. She’s a wonderful person. Will you represent her? I know I can trust you to do a good job.”
    “The down-and-out waitress with a heart of gold.” Detective Latoure snorted. “I love that fable.”
    “Zoe, who’s going to pay for Miguel to represent this woman?” My father’s words implied that it wasn’t going to be him.
    “If I have to, I can sell my shares in Bank of Mobile,” I bluffed, hoping he wouldn’t call me on it. That bank had been in our family for a hundred years. I hadn’t even wanted to touch those shares to get my food truck business going.
    “You
wouldn’t
!” His face turned pale. “The bank is your family legacy, Zoe. You’d lose that for this woman?”
    “If I have to. I’d rather borrow the money from you to pay Miguel. I’ll pay you back when I get the business up and running.”
    “What do you know about Delia Vann?” Detective Latoure appeared intrigued.
    “I know she’s had unfortunate circumstances,” I said. “And I know she’s a good person. That’s all I need to know.” I hoped they wouldn’t ask me what those circumstances were, since I didn’t know her complete history. Maybe I’d only known her a short while, but I had a sense about people. I always knew who was good and who was bad. I was usually right at the bank when they hired someone new.
    It was a knack I’d inherited from Uncle Saul. The rest of the family scoffed. I knew it was true.
    It also occurred to me that Delia may have been talking to me at the bus stop when the real killer was putting Terry’s body in the van. I told Miguel and Detective Latoure about my theory. Detective Latoure said she’d look into it.
    “I’ll talk to her,” Miguel agreed. “No promises until then—money or not. I only represent people I think are innocent.”
    “So you thought all along that I was innocent?” I took a step toward him but stopped short of hugging him. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. “Thank you so much, for me, and for Delia.”
    Miguel picked up his briefcase. “It’s been a pleasure.”
    As he left, I turned to Detective Latoure. “When can I have my food truck back? Today is lost, but I can be ready for tomorrow.”
    “I’ll check with forensics. I think they already know Bannister wasn’t killed in the food truck. The ME thinks he was stuffed inside because it was convenient.”
    I know it sounds terrible, but the first thought that came to my mind was that it was going to take a boatload of disinfectant before I got behind the wheel again. I could