“Going out with Ellsa is always a bad idea,” she paused, her eyes popping in realization, “Ellsa! She’s the one capable of this!”
“You are reaching Kris.” Carson said.
“All her ideas aren’t bad. She was behind my meeting Dale,” Ellie defended.
Audrey arched her eyebrow at Carson, “When did you hook up with Ellsa?”
Ellie chuckled uneasily, “Hook up? Really not the words to use considering the last time we saw her.”
Carson shook his head, “I didn’t. She gave Ellie my name, but I’ve never met her before.”
Audrey’s mind was running a mile a minute. She’s been in this line of work too long to dismiss anything to coincidence. “Do you think…?”
Ellie spoke cutting her off. “Ellsa couldn’t be capable of doing this. For all we know we are both been targeted. We both spent five minutes with both these guys.”
Carson was beginning to feel a little hopeful, but he knew it wouldn’t get any better for Ellie. Accusing Ellsa is as good as accusing her. “What about Taylor and George? Did Ellsa date them too?”
“No.”
“Yes,” Kris corrected. “In high school, Mr. and Mrs. Jabari didn’t want them to go on dates alone so we’d always go on group dates. And whether Ellie wanted to or not, she had to go because Ellsa was going.”
“Yeah, to date Ben.”
“She dated Ben to make George jealous. What she didn’t count on, was you and George falling for each other.”
Ellie dropped in the chair, her face in her hands. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”
“You would have broken up with him so that Ellsa could have him. I was being selfish on your behalf.”
She raised her head, exposing her wet eyes, “And Taylor?”
“He was the quarterback of the college team and she was the head cheerleader. You were the girl in overalls always covered in paint, what do you think?”
Carson pulled up a chair and sat next to her. He took her hands and held them in his. “Ellie, this doesn’t mean Ellsa is the killer. All we know right now is that these murders all surround you.”
“The red headed bitch could be the killer. She’s got the means and the motive!”
Carson glanced at her, “Kris, Gwen couldn’t have done this.”
“Why because she’s a cop?” Ellie stood up, pushed the stroller out, “I’m going home.”
Kris stood up and went after her, “I’ll look after her Dale.”
When the door closed, Carson banged his fist on the table and cursed, “Damn it!”
“What’s with the cop thing?”
“Her parents were killed by a cop and the department covered it up. That’s why she left me.”
“Carson, I’m so sorry.”
“Yeah,” he said, opening the door, “Lets find this guy before I lose my wife again.”
Carson walked into the room to find Kris in a screaming match with Gwen. He pulled her back and away from Gwen. “Hey, I thought you guys left?”
“She came back with me, as backup.”
Carson looked at her. For a second he thought it was Ellie until he looked her over and she spoke again.
“I leave you two to live your life in peace and six months later, this bitch wants to put her behind bars for being a murderer.”
“Hello Ellsa. Long time no see.”
She pulled her lips in a sarcastic smile, “I’d say I missed you, but I’d be lying.”
Kris pulled Carson’s hand roughly off her. “Did you know they issued a warrant for her arrest? Two minutes out the door and some cop comes looking for her.”
“What?” Carson roared. “Why the hell would you do that Richard?”
“We found her blood in the last crime scene.”
“How is that possible, her DNA isn’t even in the data base?”
“It is, but the charges were dropped. We were hoping Audrey could find that out.”
“So you can cover up for your friend and pin it on Ellie?” Kris accused.
Carson watched Audrey’s fingers run wildly over her keyboards all the while wishing the charges weren’t associated with someone getting hurt. “What are you doing here Ellsa?”
“Just call me the buffer. She might have her judgment clouded because she thinks you are all friends, but I don’t. My sister isn’t going to be a scapegoat.”
“Where is she?”
“She’s waiting for someone outside.”
“I’ll go get her.”
“No need,” Daniel announced, walking into the room with his arm around Ellie as she carried Stacey-Ann. He was dressed in a dark suit and was carrying an expensive leather briefcase. “My client is here on her own volition.”
Carson stepped closer, “Client? Ellie what’s going on?”
Daniel moved to block his way, a cynical smile on his face, “You can’t speak directly to my client.”
“Get out of my way before I move you!”
Ellie stepped into view from behind Daniel, “This is getting ridiculously out of control.”
Ellsa hushed her, “Ellie let Daniel do his job.”
“So does this mean I get to interrogate her?” Gwen asked, sarcastically.
“No. I’ll do it.” Richard spoke, giving Ellie a calm smile.
Daniel took Stacey-Ann from Ellie. “Actually none of you will. Right honey?” she giggled and clapped her hands. “Say no honey.” He tickled her, making her squeal and giggle louder.
“It’s like an angel singing,” he said, tossing her up and making her giggle even more.
“Her blood was found at the crime scene, we have to interrogate her.” Richard pushed.
“What?” Ellie exclaimed. She rushed to Carson and all he could do was hold her.
Daniel put a hand on her shoulder. “I know. And you still can’t question her.”
“Why not?”
He pulled a paper out of Stacey-Ann’s grasp. She had pulled it out of his inner jacket pocket. “This is a court order that mandates you to discharge Gwen Johansen from the case.”
Richard took the letter from him, “Why?”
“She’s biased and hates Ellie. My client married her ex-lover. I wouldn’t put it past her to manipulate the evidence against her.”
“That’s a lie.”
“The judge doesn’t seem to think so, the evidence was too compelling.” Daniel rubbed in. “Sex tapes are entertaining, pictures on the other hand are just dull.”
Ellie went rigid, disgusted by the revelation, and in reaction Carson held her tighter. This wasn’t what she envisioned her married life to be. She knew Dale was a man of the world, but she didn’t need evidence to remind her.
Richard’s demeanor completely changed. He wasn’t calm anymore, he was pissed off. He glared at Gwen and Carson before he turned back to Daniel. “How did you get the court order so fast and how did you find out about the evidence and the warrant? That information was only disclosed half an hour ago.”
“I have friends in advantageous places Agent Beckett, you should get yourself some.”
Richard gave him a tight harsh smile and then he turned to Ellie. “Answer just this one question, what were you arrested for?”
“Don’t answer that!” Daniel demanded.
“It’s okay Daniel. It was a bad prank. Some student hid for a week and we got accused of bleeding him dry and using his blood for a fashion show. Taylor…” she stopped, a pained look taking over her face. “He’s the one who found him and brought him to the cops.”
“And how do you explain your blood at the crime scene?”
“Agent Beckett!”
Ellie’s face creased in despair. “I don’t know! I don’t have any cuts. I’m not bleeding from anywhere!” Then her face went blank as she stood there frozen in realization.
“What is it Ellie?” Richard prodded, when he saw her blank stare.
“Hmm,” she said, as she blinked back to reality, “I’m a little taken aback by everything.”
Richard gave her a tight smile, “Thank you. You can go now.”