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The interview concluded, Odelia and Chase crossed the lawn back to the house. They’d briefly talked to the cameraman. His name was Burr Newberry and he’d been out partying all night. He met a nice girl in a beach bar and they’d spent the night together. Since Odelia happened to know the girl, she’d called her and she’d confirmed Burr’s alibi. He was in the clear.

Shayonne and Shalonda had decided to go for a walk along the beach to clear their heads, though judging from the fact they’d asked Burr to tag along with his camera, not much head-clearing was going to get done. It made Odelia wonder if there was any part of the girls’ lives that wasn’t an act.

“I don’t understand how people can live like that,” she said.

“Like what?”

“Like this,” she exclaimed, gesturing at the house and the grounds.

“In blatant luxury? I think it’s pretty sweet,” Chase said with a grin.

“You know what I mean. To live your whole life in the public eye.”

“I’m sure those cameras aren’t always rolling, and the sisters aren’t always on. They’re actors, and this is their show. Once the shoot is over, they go back to their regular lives. Driving their hundred-thousand-dollar cars, wearing their hundred-thousand-dollar dresses and sleeping on their hundred-thousand-dollar mattresses. You know, just like the rest of us.”

“I still think it’s weird.”

“I actually thinkyou’d be perfect for a reality show. You and your family.”

“Me? We’re pretty much the most boring family in the world.”

“Oh, I don’t think so. A reporter who just happens to be a sleuth? A mother who singlehandedly teaches Hampton Cove kids the love of reading? A doctor who’s the best physician in town—and a great guy to boot. An ace police chief for an uncle. And a grandmother who’s…” He grimaced. “Well, I’ll admit she’s a little out there.”

“And don’t forget Max, Dooley and Harriet. They’d be a big hit, too.”

He stared down at her‘Crazy Cat Lady’ shirt. “I bet they would.”

“So what about you? The top detective allowing a small town to take advantage of his detecting talents? Now that’s the kind of story that inspires.”

“You know what? We should do a show together, Poole.”

“Now there’s an idea.” A special ofSay Yes to the Dress. She could be the bride and he could be the groom. A hot flush lit up her cheeks. Jiminy Christmas. What was wrong with her?“So who’s next on your list?”

“I thought first we’d do Dion and Damien, then focus on the TV crew.”

“We should also check into Robin Masters, Shana’s ex-boyfriend.”

“Yeah, I’ll look into that.”

They found Damien upstairs, in his recording studio. As many of Merl Berkenstein’s clients were recording artists, they liked to have a studio on the premises in case they suddenly got inspired and decided to record a song. The studio occupied half of the second floor, a private movie theater the rest.

They took a seat at the mixing console while Damien, headphones perched on his head, was bleating into a sizable microphone inside the vocal booth. He was a shortish guy in his middle thirties, with a smoothly shaved head, a ginger goatee and his trademark sunglasses he could never be seen without. His voice, blasting through the speakers in the control room, sounded remarkably anemic without the background music giving it some oomph. He also sounded pretty pitchy. Nothing that Auto-Tune couldn’t fix though.

“Is it just me or is he singing awfully out of tune?” asked Chase.

“It’s not just you. Damien isn’t exactly the world’s most gifted vocalist.”

“I’ll say. My cat sings better than this guy.” Damien squeaked some more and Chase shook his head. “Give me Garth Brooks any day over that clown.”

She was surprised.“You’re a country and western fan?”

“Yes, I am. At least those guys can sing. And write a decent song.”

“Don’t tell him that. Or the interview will be over before it’s started.”

He leaned in.“That’s the beauty of being a cop. You can ask whatever the hell you want, and they have to answer, whether they like it or not.”

He was right. As a reporter she was always treading a fine line, especially with these big ego stars. Cops didn’t have to worry about that. In fact it was probably good tactics to rattle a suspect’s cage a little. Get them to confess.

“I’m starting to like this police stuff,” she said. “It beats being a reporter.”

“Oh? And why’s that?”

“Well, I get to ask all the tough questions and I don’t have to worry about the interviewee walking out on me or threatening with a defamation suit.”

Chase grinned.“We’ll make a cop out of you yet, Poole.”

A sudden thrill of happiness shot through her. It actually felt pretty great to be partnered with Chase. They made a great team. Like Cagney and Lacey. Okay, so maybe they were more like Lady and the Tramp. She could imagine sharing a plate of spaghetti with Chase. Or some meatballs.

Damien had finished recording his new song, if that’s what it was, and exited the soundproof booth. The door made a soft hissing sound as he did.

“Mind if we ask you a few questions, Mr. LeWood?” asked Chase.