Finding Isadora(86)

I stared at him. “They burned their own company for the insurance money?”

“It’s a distinct possibility.”

“Good.” Then I said quickly, “I mean, it’s horrible that they’d do that, and that Alyssa’s mom got hurt, but if you can find enough evidence then surely the police will start investigating them.”

“Particularly when it hits the press,” he said in a satisfied tone.

“You talked to the investigative reporter again?”

“I pass along any information we find. He’s pursuing other avenues, too. I’d bet there’ll be an article in the paper soon. And it’ll make the cops look bad.”

I frowned. “That could backfire, couldn’t it? I mean, your theory is, this cop Torrance has it in for Jimmy Lee because he made him look bad in public. Is it going to help if you make the cops look worse?”

“At this point, our priority has to be getting the police to consider an alternative suspect.”

“What does Cassie McKenzie say about Cosmystiques?” As an employee, she might have some insights into their financial position, and whether any of the bosses were the type who might burn their own building.

“No-one’s talked to her about it.”

“Why not?”

“The police see no reason to, and I asked your parents not to raise the subject.”

Not understanding his reasoning, I said tentatively, “Because she’s recovering and it would be a painful subject?”

“Because she might have been involved in the arson.”

“Cassie?” I gaped at him. “What are you talking about? She almost died!”

“She could have set the fire, meaning to get out, but something backfired. Or she could have been involved in the plot, and her co-conspirators decided to get rid of her, so changed the date of the fire. Or maybe she never knew the exact date and failed to tell them she was working that night.”

“But… I can’t believe a sweet little girl like Alyssa would have a mom who’d commit arson.”

“Not even if it gave her enough money to provide her kid with all the advantages she never had herself? Isadora, Cassie McKenzie comes from a rough background. She’s learned how to be tough, how to survive.”

I thought about that. “She went to school, got herself a good job, works overtime.”

“And maybe she’s tired of working so hard when there’s an easier way.”

“Have you met her?”

He shook his head. “Hard to do that without making her suspicious. It could just make the bad guys more clever about covering their tracks.”

“If she’s involved in the arson.”

“Yes. If. Believe me, Isadora, I do have an open mind on this. Anyhow, I’m still collecting data. Once I have a better idea where things stand, I’ll talk to her.”

Ever since Jimmy Lee had been charged, I’d felt powerless, wishing I could help him. Now, finally, I could see a way. “I’m not working the morning shift tomorrow. Maybe I’ll drop by the hospital and visit Cassie. Perhaps I could talk to her about the company. About management, morale, business practices, that kind of thing.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Don’t you want to know that kind of stuff?”

“Yes, and Jimmy Lee suggested the same thing. But I’m afraid that…”

“You think we’ll botch it,” I said wryly.

“Well…”

“Jimmy Lee might. He’s not noted for subtlety. But I think I could do it. Just a few casual questions about her job, about how she liked it, if she’d seen any of her co-workers since the accident, if she knew what the company’s plans were. She has to be worried about whether she’ll have a job to go back to. I could throw out a few things and see if she picks up on them. If not, I won’t push it.”

“Hmm. That sounds good, but…”

He was driving beside the beach now, and slowed to pass a couple of cyclists. Dozens of people drifted around, at least half of them eating ice cream or other snacks. Gabriel drove past the first parking lot. Soon he’d park and we’d get out. Somehow, perhaps because it was less familiar than English Bay, Spanish Banks seemed more intimate. More romantic.

“But?” I said absently, thinking I should have suggested we head back to the West End, pick up Pogo, and take our walk in my own neighborhood.

“There’s a lot at stake here for whoever burned down the factory. Investigating this kind of thing is dangerous. Don’t want you becoming a target.”

“Oh, gosh, I didn’t think of that.” The only danger I’d contemplated related to my feelings for Gabriel. At least his comment distracted me from thinking about kisses on the beach.

Danger. If Cassie was involved—or even happened to talk casually to someone who was involved—I could be putting myself in danger. “But, Gabriel, I was going to visit anyhow. Alyssa’s spending time at the clinic under my supervision, and her mother should meet me. So, obviously we’ll talk about Alyssa and the animals, Grace and Jimmy Lee. And of course I’ll ask how she’s feeling, and about her rehabilitation, and so on. It would be odd if I didn’t ask about Cosmystiques and her job prospects.”