Wilmington, NC 03 - Murder On The Ghost Walk

back tears.
    "There's more. Now, hold yourself together. I came here to warn you the case against Melanie has become stronger. You've got to prepare yourself for the possibility that she might have done it."
    The blood froze in my veins. "What do you mean?"
    "A witness came forward and testified she overheard Melanie threaten to kill Mirabelle."
    "Well, she's just lying," I yelled. "Who said that? Whoever said it is your real murderer. She's trying to set Melanie up."
    "It was Muffie Warner. She signed a statement that she overheard a nasty quarrel between Melanie and Mirabelle in the ladies room at Thalian Hall on Friday night. She claims Melanie screamed at Ms. Morgan she'd kill her if she tried to have her real estate license revoked.
    I gave him a defiant look. "Oh, Muffie Warner, that lightweight! She's so dumb she doesn't even know her husband is cheating on her."
    "Cecily Cushman was there too. But she wouldn't confirm the statement. She said you two have a book deal and she doesn't want to jeopardize that." He looked at me inquiringly.
    "We don't have any book deal! Her publisher wants her to interview me for a book she's writing about the murders. I won't do it. I'm trying to build a reputation as a solid professional, someone who is reliable. So I'm not getting involved with one of Cecily's books!"
    "Well, deal or no deal, the D.A. can always subpoena her as a hostile witness," Nick said.
    "Hostile witness! You've not only accused Melanie, but now you've got her in court on trial. Get out, Nick! Leave right now!"
    He moved slowly to the door. "Look, I'm sorry, Ashley, but until this is over, I won't be able see you. Socially, I mean."

29

    On Monday afternoon, I turned into Summer Rest Road to see emergency vehicles in front of my house. I pulled in behind a police cruiser. Nick's unmarked car was parked directly in front of my house. I've been robbed, I thought.
    The CSI mobile unit blocked the street. The door of my house stood wide open. Crime scene technicians and uniformed police rushed in and out. I stepped through my open gate, surprised at how numb I felt.
    A police officer stopped me. "You Miss Wilkes?"
    I nodded, stumbling on one of the brick pavers. He caught my arm and led me to the porch. Shards of broken glass littered the floor. The sidelight had been punched out.
    " T his is too much. I can't take any more."
    The officer, looking concerned, guided me to the swing. "Why don't you just sit here, ma'am, and try to stay calm. I'll let Detective Yost know you're here."
    Detective Yost. Here we go again. Round three, or was it four? Or five? My head was swimming. I leaned back against the cushions and closed my eyes. The swing sank as he joined me. He picked up my hand and held it tight. "Thank God you weren't at home when they broke in." He sounded scared.
    "How bad is it?"
    "It's a mess. I don't think they found what they were looking for and that's why they tore the place apart. I'm sorry you had to come home to this." He gave my hand a squeeze, then placed it on the swing between us. In a flash he was all business. "Where are the rubies you had on the other night?"
    "In a safe deposit box." Seeing his surprised expression, my voice rose somewhere between anger and hysteria. "What's the matter, Nick? Don't you think I have enough sense to keep valuable rubies in a lock box? I just came from the bank."
    "Stop fighting me. I'm not the enemy."
    "You're not? You could have fooled me."
    "Ashley, please . . . "
    "No, Nick. You can't have it both ways. You can't be my friend and go after my sister, then expect I won't mind. I don't trust you. So don't 'Ashley, please' me."
    He started to get up. " OK . I've got to get back inside."
    "You think they were after the rubies?"
    "Your CD system is in there. You'll have to check to see if anything is missing. So yes, I think they were after the rubies."
    "Oh, dear lord." I wanted to have a good, hard cry, but I refused to let him see me in tears.
    "Brace yourself, Ashley. They tore things up pretty bad."
    "How did you get involved?" I asked.
    "Your neighbor noticed a suspicious truck cruising the street. Then when he was out walking his dog he saw your door standing open and the sidelight broken. He called 911. He may have scared them off."
    I followed him inside. My sweet little house had been violated. I felt violated. Everything was a shambles. Glass shards sparkled on the floor near the door. Nothing had been spared. Every piece of furniture had been