Love Can Be Murder

about was getting out of that house. Then I realized it was only Sheena coming home."
    "She said you were going to kill her with the cane."
    Penny sighed. "I thought she was an intruder—I was trying to protect myself."
    "Did you strike her?"
    "No, I didn't lay a hand on her." Not since she'd pushed her into traffic, that is.
    "So you're saying Mr. Black was already dead when you found him?"
    "Absolutely."
    "Are you willing to take a polygraph?"
    "Yes."
    "Strike that," Gloria interrupted. "It's too early in the case to discuss a polygraph."
    Maynard pressed his lips together. "Let's get back to the wire stake that was used to kill Mr. Black. Did you recognize the stake, Ms. Francisco?"
    She bit her lip. "Yes."
    "From where?"
    "It looked like the same kind I used to stake off a garden next to my health food store." Next to her, she felt Gloria stiffen.
    "And I understand that this garden was a bit of a contentious point between you and your ex?"
    Penny sighed and massaged her temples, which still pounded. "Deke was never in favor of me starting the health food store, and when I suggested the garden to expand business, he was against it, yes."
    "But you went ahead with your plans?"
    "As soon as the divorce papers were final, and the land was mine."
    "When was that?"
    "Earlier this week."
    "And do you have any idea why anyone would kill your ex-husband in such a bizarre manner?"
    "No."
    "Who had access to the wire stakes?"
    "I bought them at the local hardware store. And there are several in the ground next to my business—anyone could have gotten one."
    Maynard sighed. "Ms. Francisco, do you believe in voodoo?"
    She felt the blood drain from her face. "No."
    "But isn't your health food store called The Charm Farm?"
    "That's because it's on Charm Street," she explained. "And because I sell organic products."
    "We've heard a rumor about a voodoo doll at your divorce party."
    Penny's stomach rolled, emitting an untimely gurgle. "It was a gag gift. One of many I received."
    "Tell us about the doll," he encouraged.
    She gave a little laugh to hide her mounting fear. "It was supposed to represent Deke."
    "And what did you do to it?"
    "I..." She swallowed. "I...stabbed it with a pin. But it was all a joke."
    "Uh-huh. Where exactly did you stab it?"
    She closed her eyes briefly. "In the chest."
    "Uh-huh. And don't you find it coincidental that shortly after you stab a voodoo doll of your ex-husband in the chest with a pin, he's found dead with a stake sticking out of his chest? A stake from your garden?"
    Panic rose in her chest like a choking tide. "I know how it looks," she said, her voice squeaky, "but I didn't kill him! That's why I'm here telling you everything."
    "Who gave you the voodoo doll?"
    "I don't know—the gifts were anonymous."
    Allyson scoffed, clearly eager to jump back in. "That's convenient. Sheena told us you were really upset earlier today when you discovered she and Deke were engaged."
    Had Sheena told them that she'd pushed her into the street? Penny gripped the empty water bottle so hard it popped up in the air and landed on the floor. Maybe that polygraph wasn't such a good idea after all. She leaned over to scoop up the bottle. "I was surprised, but it didn't bother me." Another lie—God, she was pathological.
    Allyson leaned forward, her eyes hard. "I think you're lying, Penny. Sheena also told us she thinks you and Deke were fooling around behind her back." Allyson's anger was palpable, vibrating around the room.
    "That's simply not true," Penny said, pulling back slightly from Allyson's aggressive posture. The irony was downright humiliating—she and Deke hadn't had sex very often when they were married , much less after they'd split.
    "Chief Davis," Gloria said carefully, "since you were acquainted with the victim, perhaps Detective Maynard should handle the questioning."
    Allyson sat back and seemed to regain her composure. "I apologize. But this happened on my watch—I'm sure you can understand my eagerness to get to the truth."
    "Why aren't you questioning Ms. Linder?" Gloria asked. "She was the one who told Penny Deke was looking for her. Maybe she set Penny up."
    "Ms. Linder was at her place of business," Allyson said. "From there she went directly to Caskey's, and several people have vouched for her alibi." The chief looked back to Penny and took a deep breath, visibly trying to calm herself. "I think you killed him, Penny. I think it made you crazy to see Deke with another woman, so