Part 9 (1/2)
Francesca smiled her thanks as she got out of the roadster. ”Will I see you tonight at my sister's?”
He didn't hesitate. ”No.”
”I understand,” she said softly. ”I'm sure in some time Leigh Anne will want to get out and about again.”
He shrugged. Before they could move toward the entrance of the building, a woman came running down the front steps, crying out. It was Francis O'Leary. ”Miss Cahill! Miss Cahill!
Please wait!”
Francesca hurried toward her, wondering at her state of hysteria. ”Is everything all right?”
she asked in concern.
Francis had been crying. Tears streaked her cheeks and her eyes and nose were red. ”Is everything all right? How can anything be all right when my fiance is in jail and the police refuse to release him?” she cried, trembling. ”How could they suspect him of anything? How could they suspect him of being the Slasher?” She began to weep. ”Please, help me get him home! He is innocent!”
Francesca took her hands. ”Francis, try to calm yourself. They aren't charging him with any crime. I think they merely wish to question him.” She glanced at Bragg. He nodded at her, urging her to ask the question now on both of their minds.
”He is a good, kind man, not some monster!” Francis said. ”He would not hurt anyone, much less stalk and murder them!”
”He seems like a very good man,” Francesca agreed, putting her arm around the woman.
”Francis, do you have any idea where Sam was last night?”
”When Kate Sullivan was killed?” she asked sharply, eyes huge and wide.
”Yes,” Francesca said. She smiled encouragingly. ”Sam claims to have been in his repair shop, but frankly, it was clear that he was not telling us the truth. Unfortunately, we have caught him in a he. But if he is innocent, why would he lie?”
Francis stared speechlessly.
”Francis?” Francesca felt terribly for her now.
She swallowed hard and began to turn red. ”He was with me,” she whispered, her voice so low it was almost inaudible.
Francesca doubted that. ”Francis, please do not perjure yourself.”
”He was with me,” she said again. She glanced wildly from Francesca to Bragg and back again, highly flushed. More tears welled in her eyes.
Francesca stroked her back, but she was trembling and too agitated to be calmed. ”Well, if that is the case-”
”No, he was with me.” She was crimson. ”All night...the first time...it was our first time and you see, he couldn't have killed Kate Sullivan.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. ”He didn't tell you the truth because he was trying to protect me.”
Francesca realized what she meant. Thoroughly startled, she searched her gaze as Bragg said, ”I will see to his release. But I am afraid we will need your sworn statement, in writing.”
Francis nodded, but she stared back at Francesca, continuing to shake.
”Well, clearly Sam has an alibi,” Francesca said after a pause. The problem was, she knew it was a lie. She could see it in Francis O'Leary's eyes.