Love Can Be Murder

to me this doll was intended to be more than just a joke. It seems like a threat."
    "And it had to be made by someone close to Deke," Allyson added. "Someone who had access to his closet."
    "You, Ms. Francisco," Maynard added.
    She shook her head. "No... I didn't make that doll... and for the hundredth time, I didn't kill Deke."
    Maynard grunted. "I think you made that doll to act out your revenge. When you learned that Deke had lied during the property settlement you were even more upset. Stabbing the doll got you all worked up, gave you the idea to take care of him for good. You went to Mr. Black's house last night not because you wanted to help him but because you wanted to confront him. You told him what you'd discovered, and you had a big fight."
    "No. I told you he was dead"—Penny choked on the word—"when I arrived. Besides, I couldn't have overpowered Deke even if I'd wanted to."
    "Your blood alcohol test came back—you were legally drunk. Are you sure you remember everything?"
    "That's even more of a reason for my client not to be able to physically do what you're insinuating," Gloria said.
    "Not if he was drunk, too," Maynard said. "There was a half-empty bottle of bourbon on Mr. Black's desk, and an empty glass." He clasped his hands behind his head. "We should have everything back from the M.E. and the crime lab in a couple of days."
    "Good," Penny said, hoping she sounded strong. "Maybe you'll realize I've been telling the truth about the bloodstains and everything else."
    "Meanwhile," Gloria said, "what have you found out about the attempt on Penny's life this morning?"
    Allyson's smile was flat. "I sent an officer out to look around, knock on doors, ask a few questions. He found a guy in Garden Village Heights who shot at a pack of stray dogs this morning to run them off. He produced the handgun, and since it was loaded with blanks, the officer didn't file charges." She gave Penny a mocking glance. "Now are you satisfied that no one was trying to murder you?"
    Penny frowned. "Are you satisfied I wasn't lying when I told you I heard shots fired?"
    Allyson lifted her chin.
    "Are we finished here?" Gloria asked, and Penny silently cheered her bravado—Gloria, ever how begrudgingly, seemed to be getting the hang of interrogation.
    "One more thing," Allyson said to Penny. "That guy you're with."
    Penny bristled. "His name is B.J. Beaumont. He's a private investigator from New Orleans. He's helping me."
    Allyson's severely arched eyebrows climbed. "And what exactly do you need help with?"
    "Let's go, Penny," Gloria urged, standing.
    "Just how well do you know Mr. Beaumont?" Allyson pressed.
    Penny frowned. "I met him yesterday. Why?"
    Allyson shrugged. "Maybe he helped you with something else—like getting rid of Deke."
    Penny stood on wobbly legs. "That's ridiculous." Although hadn't she herself questioned B.J.'s motives for helping her?
    "My client is not involved in Mr. Black's murder in any way," Gloria asserted, although Penny thought the attorney looked ready to collapse under the strain. "I assume, Chief Davis, that you're pursuing other suspects?"
    "Like who?" Allyson asked sharply.
    "Like the people who attended Penny's party. Someone gave her that doll, and maybe that's the person who killed Mr. Black."
    "We haven't finished interviewing everyone," Maynard admitted. "But we'll get to them."
    "What about Deke's business associates?" Penny asked, regaining a little courage. "Or his clients, or another woman he might have been involved with?"
    "Or any one of the thousands of eccentric individuals who are in town for the festival?" Gloria added. "People can be animals."
    At her attorney's odd tone, Penny again wondered about Gloria's background.
    Maynard nodded. "We're following all leads." Then he looked at Penny. "And we'll be in touch. Meanwhile, Ms. Francisco, you should seriously consider taking a polygraph test."
    But would the white lies she'd told and the emotional undercurrent she was treading come to light, muddying the overlying truth? She nodded curtly and followed Gloria to the door and out into the hall of the tiny police station. When they were out of earshot of Chief Davis and Detective Maynard, Gloria exhaled noisily.
    "We're not out of danger yet." Then she frowned. "So tell me about this P.I. you're working with, this Beaumont fellow."
    "He's in town working a missing person's case. We struck up a conversation at Caskey's bar last night and...planned to meet up later. When he