“That’s not how it happened.”
“So what did happen?” When neither of them said anything, Donna exclaimed, “Are you telling me she was murdered?”
“Why would you think that?” asked Michelle.
“Because if her heart didn’t stop and she didn’t hit her head and the police are investigating, what else is there?”
“What can you tell me about my mom’s life here? Other people she knew? Things she did?”
Donna was staring off, her mouth moving but nothing coming out. Finally she said, “If there’s a killer loose…”
“Nobody said that was the case. Now, getting back to my mom.”
Donna gulped down the rest of her drink and said hurriedly, “She had a lot of friends. All female as far as I knew. We did things together. Had fun. That was it.”
“Can I have their names?”
“Why?”
“Because I want to talk to them like I’m talking to you.”
“Are you investigating this?” She eyed Michelle nervously. “Sally told me you used to be with the Secret Service. And that you’re a private investigator now.”
“That’s true. But all I am right now is a daughter who’s lost her mother. Can I have those names?”
Donna gave them to her along with addresses and contact information.
As they drove off, Michelle’s phone rang. She answered, listened, and then clicked off. “Shit!”
“What is it?”
“That was my brother Bill. The cops just picked up my dad for questioning.”
CHAPTER 35
THEY DROVE with Bill Maxwell to the police station but despite Bobby’s connection to the force they learned very little and ended up waiting in the lobby drinking bad vending machine coffee. Two hours before dawn Frank Maxwell, looking pale and worn, shuffled down the hall. He seemed surprised to see them.
Bill immediately put a hand around his father’s shoulders. “You okay, Pop? I can’t believe they pulled this crap.”
“They were just doing their job, Billy. Just like you’d do.”
“What did they want?” Michelle asked.
“T
he usual wheres, whats, whys,” Frank said casually without looking directly at her.
“What did you tell them?” she said.
Now he gave her a hard stare. “The truth.”
Michelle drew closer to her father. “Which was?”
Bill stepped between them and put a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “Will you just back off? Mom’s funeral is this afternoon, for God’s sake.”
“I know that,” Michelle shot back, tugging his hand free. “What did you tell them, Dad?”
“That’s between them and me. And my lawyer.”