Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
That was an interesting way to speak about her boyfriend. “Yes. He alleges that the two of you are in a relationship?”
“Yes,” Uma said, her high cheekbones accentuated perfectly with shadow and blush. “We have been dating for a couple of months now, I suppose.”
Laurel leaned forward. “If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?”
Uma laughed. “I don’t mind at all. I’m twenty-four.” She brushed her hair back from her face. “I know there’s an age gap, but I find Zeke to be knowledgeable and, frankly, a lot of fun. He has a zest for life you don’t see in people my age sometimes.”
“I see,” Laurel said. The woman appeared intelligent and yet apparently had no idea that Zeke Caine was a predator. She supposed he could be charming when necessary and wondered if she should warn the young woman. “Could you please tell me where you were last Wednesday into Thursday morning?”
“Of course,” Uma said. “I made dinner, a chicken cacciatore, on Wednesday night for Zeke and myself. Then we stayed in and watched a movie.”
Laurel couldn’t see Zeke as being the domestic type. “What movie?”
Uma waved a hand in the air. “There was an old movie marathon on one of the channels. So we caught the end of Shawshank Redemption and then watched Back to the Future. It was a lovely and perfectly mellow evening.”
“And then?”
She shrugged. “After the movies, we went to bed.”
“All night?” Laurel asked.
Uma met her gaze, her brown eyes wide. “Yes. The pastor stayed all night. In the morning, he cooked banana pancakes for me and then left once he received a phone call about the body found at the church who turned out to be poor Mrs. Bearing. He did not leave all night.”
Laurel tapped her fingers on the table. “Can you be sure that Zeke didn’t leave all night?”
“Of course I am certain, or I wouldn’t say so. I’m a very light sleeper, Agent Snow. If Zeke had left, I would’ve heard him. He was with me all night.” The woman showed no obvious signs of falsehood. Her brow remained clear, her body relaxed, and her voice level.
“Are you familiar with Teri Bearing?” Laurel asked.
Uma placed her hands on the table and clasped them together. Her nails were cut short with white tips. “Of course, I know Teri. We attend the same church. I’m very sorry to hear that she was the victim found by the river. She’s always been very nice to me.”
Laurel couldn’t detect a lie in the words. “Do you know of anybody who would want to kill her?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. I suppose her husband wasn’t too happy with her, considering she was sleeping with Pastor John.” Uma shook her head sadly. “I could not believe it when Zeke told me that last week.”
Laurel leaned forward. “Zeke told you that last week?”
“Yes.” Uma winced. “It’s not a huge secret, to be honest. They haven’t hidden it very well. I’m surprised her husband didn’t know. Perhaps he did.”
Laurel needed to see Saul Bearing sooner rather than later. “What do you do for a living, Uma?”
“I just finished college and received my nursing degree after years of studying,” Uma said, her face lighting up. “I start work next week at the hospital and can’t wait.”
“Congratulations.” Laurel reached for her glass. “Have you ever met or heard of a woman named Delta Rivers?”
Uma pursed her lips, as if thinking. “No, I haven’t. Why? Is that the name of the first victim?”
Laurel took a sip of her sparkling water. “I can’t reveal that information at this time. Are you sure you’ve never heard that name?”
“I’m positive.”
Laurel pulled a picture of Delta out of her file folder. It had been taken during the autopsy. “This isn’t an ideal picture, but would you please double-check?”
Uma pulled the photograph toward her and cocked her head. “No, I’m sorry. She doesn’t look familiar at all.” Then she peered closer. “Maybe. It’s difficult to tell from this. There was a woman at the church who met with Zeke a week or so ago. She had blond hair, and I didn’t recognize her. But I just can’t tell from this picture.”
Laurel’s instincts started to hum. “There was a woman you didn’t recognize?”
“Yes, but you have to realize that is not uncommon. People come from Seattle all the time to meet with both Pastor Zeke and Pastor John regarding our outreach programs. I just figured she was one of those folks, maybe from the food bank.”
Laurel nodded. “That’s more than likely.” Yet she needed to follow up on this. “The church doesn’t have security cameras, does it?”
“Oh, no. Not at the church,” Uma said, as if shocked by the very idea.
How unfortunate. They really could use some CCTV. Laurel couldn’t think of any more questions. Unfortunately, the woman seemed like a good alibi for Zeke Caine. “I appreciate your coming in today,” Laurel said.