The Cinderella Murder

62

Laurie placed Keith in the same spot on the sofa where he’d been the previous day, wearing the same shirt, as requested.

“Again, I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “We lost the footage of you telling us where you were the night of Susan’s murder. If you can just repeat that, we’ll shoot you close in. It will look just like you’re sitting next to Madison and Nicole.”

“Sure, no problem.”

She double-checked that Detective Reilly was positioned with the camera crew, then gave the signal to start filming.

Alex started with the identical line he’d used the previous morning. “I thought we’d start,” Alex said, “by having each of you walk through where you were the night of the murder. Keith, would you like to begin?”

Keith repeated the same story he’d given many times over the years: he’d been at a bookstore with fellow AG members.

“Now, speaking of Advocates for God,” Alex said, “do you know this man?” He placed a photograph of Steve Roman on the coffee table in front of Keith.

Keith shot Alex, and then Laurie, a confused look. He picked up the picture for closer inspection. “Never seen him.”

“He’s a member of your church, and we believe he is determined to shut down this show’s production-using violence when necessary.”

Keith reached for the mic clipped to his shirt collar. They’d assumed he would try to leave once he realized they were departing from yesterday’s script, but at least they had him here. The LAPD was here. All they had to do was get him to say something that would give Detective Reilly probable cause to detain him.

“Keith, it’s important,” she said. “There are things about the church you don’t know.”

Keith’s gaze suddenly darted away from Laurie. She turned to see Nicole stepping from the kitchen. Nicole was terrified of retribution from Martin, but Laurie, Leo, and Gavin had convinced her the previous night to be present at the house, listening from the next room, in case she decided to help confront Keith.

“I told them about my fight with Susan,” she said. “They know I was the one who introduced you to Martin and AG. You know I left the church. Los Angeles, too. But I never told you my reasons.”

“You left because Susan was killed. She was your best friend.”

As Nicole took a seat next to Keith on the sofa, Laurie noticed Detective Reilly take a step forward. He was paying close attention.

“No, that wasn’t it. Keith, Reverend Collins is not the man you think he is.”