A Good Marriage(57)

I swallowed hard. “What time did Zach leave, then?”

“It was late, two a.m., maybe?” Maude said stiffly. “Anyway, you can say we were together. I mean, to the police.”

Of course—aside from the infidelity implications for Zach—I wouldn’t know whether that alibi was truly helpful until I knew Amanda’s official time of death and what time Zach had placed his 911 call. And I wouldn’t know either until the DA’s office turned over a copy of the medical examiner’s report and the 911 records. All of that was a ways off. Zach hadn’t even been indicted for Amanda’s murder.

“It’s probably one of those helpful, not helpful things.” I didn’t like how flexible Maude was making the truth sound. “Though you should be completely honest when you talk to the police, of course.”

“Sure, yes.” Maude seemed even more agitated now. “My alibi won’t get the case dismissed? I mean, if Zach wasn’t there when Amanda died, he obviously didn’t kill her.”

“It’s not that simple,” I said, and it never was. “An uncorroborated alibi from a witness who is acquainted with the defendant only means so much.”

“Meaning they won’t believe me?”

“They might not,” I said.

The truth was, I wasn’t sure I believed her. Maude in bed with Zach didn’t fit with anything Zach or Sarah had told me. Also, why did Maude seem angry?

“Did anyone see you together?”

“No,” she said. “I mean, I don’t think so.”

“The party was ongoing at two a.m.?”

“No, no,” she said. “It had ended by then.”

Already the holes in her story were growing. “But Sebe was here?”

“Yes,” she said, though she did not sound sure.

“Then he can corroborate the alibi,” I said. “Obviously, it would be better if the two of you weren’t married …”

“Right,” Maude said, then forced a stiff smile. “Well, I guess we can’t change that.”

“Did Amanda mention any problems she was having with anybody?” I asked. “Before the night of the party?”

“No, she didn’t.”

“Anything in Amanda’s past stand out for you?” I asked. “About her family, maybe?”

I needed to be careful with what I revealed about Amanda’s journals. It wasn’t just a matter of protecting Amanda’s privacy; I didn’t want word of this stalker getting back to the prosecution. It would give them more time to figure out how to prove why he—whoever he was—couldn’t possibly be a viable suspect. And to subpoena every last one of Amanda’s journals, yanking them, and whatever other secrets they contained, right out of my hands.

“I do think she had a hard childhood,” Maude said. “She was vague about it, but she mentioned something at Kerry’s—Sarah’s husband’s—birthday dinner. I got the sense there was a story there.”

“Did you know her friend Carolyn? I’m trying to track her down, too.”

“Amanda mentioned her,” Maude said. “But we never met.”

“Any chance you know her last name or where she works?”

“No,” Maude said. “I’m sorry.”

“Did Amanda tell you about some anonymous flowers that had been sent to her? Or any unwanted calls or anything like that?”

Maude looked concerned. “No,” she said. “Was that happening?”

“I have reason to think it was.”

“Why wouldn’t she have told us?”

I shrugged. “Sometimes it can be easier to pretend something isn’t happening if you keep it to yourself.”

Wow. That explanation had popped out of my mouth with disconcerting ease.

“We were her friends, though,” she said, tears filling her eyes. “We would have helped. Whatever it was.” She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. “I don’t mean to be getting so upset. I know it’s not helpful. Like I said, my daughter has been … Between her and Amanda, it hasn’t been an easy time.”

“I should be going anyway.” I stood. “Thank you for your time. Can I be back in touch if I have other questions?”

“Yes. Of course,” Maude said. “What’ll be next exactly?”

“My first priority is getting Zach out of Rikers on bail. And that’s really about some legal technicalities at the moment. After that, assuming Zach is charged with murder, we’ll start factfinding, talking to witnesses. We might need your help with that.”

“Yes, definitely. Would it be okay if I also checked back in to get an update? Under the circumstances, the party—I guess we feel responsible, in a way. Especially, with Case … Do you have a card?”

“Of course,” I said, digging for one. But there weren’t any in my bag. I’d been so distracted after finding the earring that I’d left them—and God knows what else important—at home. “I don’t have one on me. You can reach me on my cell, the number I called you from.” But from the way Maude was looking at me, she wanted something more than just that. Maybe she didn’t believe I was who I claimed to be. “I can text you my other contact information if you want?”