Lust and Lies 04 - Pretty Maids in a Row

plane had mechanical difficulties, and we never left Miami until about nine. Then there was a stop in Atlanta, and I think it was around one-thirty when we landed at Dulles. As it turned out, I could have taken a later, nonstop flight and gotten in sooner."
    "And from there?" Quick prodded when she stopped her narrative.
    "Um... since my car was at National Airport, I had to take a cab there. With everything that had happened, I really didn't feel like going home yet, so I decided to go by my office and catch up on some paperwork. Oh yes, I went through a McDonald's drive-through on the way and picked up lunch. By the time I got to my office, it was a little after four. The building security guard checked me in and out again about eight. I'm afraid I fell asleep at my desk. It all just caught up with me at once, I guess. Then I went home and Agent Thackery was waiting for me."
    Agent Varden spoke to Quick. "I should be able to verify the cabs, the hotel stay, the airlines, and the time spent at the office without any problem."
    "Fine," Quick replied. "Then contact the rental car agencies out of the Miami airport. Other than a cab, that's about the fastest way she could have gotten up to Boca Raton and back in time to catch that flight."
    "Boca Raton?" Holly asked. "Why would I have gone there?"
    Agent Thackery looked skeptical. "Are you implying that you haven't heard any news today?"
    "No, I haven't. I just told you what my day was like. Besides," she murmured, "every time I've listened to the news lately, it's been bad."
    "It's all right, Miss Kaufman," Agent Quick said in a soothing voice. "Before I explain, I just want to clarify one thing. You checked into the hotel, went directly to your room, and stayed there until... When?"
    Holly frowned. "Four-thirty, I think. Wanted to make sure I got through security and had time for coffee before boarding. But I didn't stay in the room the entire time."
    "Oh?" Quick asked. Varden and Thackery inched closer expectantly.
    Holly shook her head. "I couldn't sleep and thought I'd go buy a magazine or book to read. But the newsstand was closed."
    "What time was that?" Varden asked.
    "About two."
    "Did you see or talk to anyone at that time?"
    The memory made Holly smile despite the circumstances. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. There was this very nice maintenance woman changing the trash bag in the can near the newsstand. She guessed what my problem was and offered me a book that someone had thrown away and she had salvaged. She was only going to leave it in the employees' lounge at the end of her shift, so I took it."
    "Describe her," Quick said abruptly, and Holly did the best she could. "What happened to the book?"
    "I have it right here," Holly replied, then realized where it was. "I mean, it's in my overnight bag. I left it with the doorman at my apartment building."
    Quick dismissed Varden, instructing her to get started on verifications. Turning back to Holly, he began the explanations she'd been waiting to hear.
    "Jerry Frampton was murdered in a hotel room in Boca Raton around the time you say you were talking to the maintenance woman. If that checks out, you're in the clear."
    Holly felt the blood rush from her head. "Why would you suspect me? I was the one that warned you that he might be next."
    "That's true. Unfortunately, we never had a chance to warn him. Since I took your statement in Miami, I've been temporarily assigned to work with the task force investigating the murders here. But to answer your question, you are a suspect because Rachel Greenley accused you of doing the Frampton murder."
    "Dear god! She knew I was flying down there. All she had to do was follow me down on the next flight, kill him, and blame it on me."
    "If she did follow you down there, she used a false name and ID. We're checking the security video as well as showing her picture to all the airline employees on duty yesterday and this morning to see if anyone remembers her going out or coming back. The thing is, she would have known that would be the first thing we'd do, but even with fake ID and a disguise, her size would still make her somewhat easy to spot in a crowd. It's why she wouldn't have normally been assigned to field work. On the other hand, she could have felt safe accusing you because she really didn't do it and believed you did."
    Surprisingly, Holly followed his logic. "But even if she didn't kill Frampton herself, I have a feeling she knows who did. Can't you force the