Deadly Accusations by Debra Purdy Kong Page A

friend.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    Casey noticed Marie’s tightening jaw, the way her lips pursed when something, or someone, displeased her.
    â€œThis is Casey,” Paval said to Ursula. “She works with Marie and Jasmine.”
    Ursula plunked onto the sofa, put her things down, and then tied her blond streaks back into a ponytail. “Working with Jasmine couldn’t have been easy.”
    â€œUrsula,” Paval murmured.
    â€œWhat? All I’m saying is that she could be quite the snob and smart mouth, which really put some people off.”
    Had Ursula experienced Jasmine’s vicious side? Casey noticed the way Marie glared at Ursula, who was too busy lighting her cigarette to notice.
    â€œUh, darling?” Paval said, glancing at the smoke. “Remember what the doctor said.”
    â€œJust one this morning, one this afternoon, and one tonight, okay?” Ursula replied. “I’m trying, Pav.”
    â€œI know it’s hard.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but turned to Casey instead. “We’re expecting a baby in four months.”
    â€œCongratulations,” Casey said.
    When the toddlers began fighting over a stuffed koala bear, Casey headed for the door, hoping Marie would take the hint and leave.
    â€œIf you need to hear something nice about Jasmine,” Ursula said, “she was a good dancer. Always had willing partners at the Silver Groove.”
    â€œWhat’s the Silver Groove?” Casey asked.
    â€œA funky new retro club that plays disco,” she replied. “Dancing’s the only kind of exercise I like.” She watched Paval referee the feuding toddlers. “Paval’s favorite is housework and babysitting.” The doorbell rang. “And chatting with losers.”
    Paval winked at his wife as he went to answer it.
    â€œJasmine collected business cards from her one-night stands,” Ursula continued. “I saw them when we were feeding her animals. Probably repeat customers.”
    â€œJasmine’s dead, for god’s sake,” Marie said. “Show some respect.”
    â€œWho are you to tell me how to act in my own home?” Ursula took a long drag on her cigarette.
    Paval shut the door. “Idiot.” He waved a check at Ursula. “It’s only half. Says he’ll pay the rest next week.”
    â€œKick him out if he doesn’t.”
    â€œDo you personally know any of these alleged one-night stands?” Marie asked Ursula. “One of them could be a killer.”
    â€œOr not.” Above Ursula’s head, the smoke ring looked like a dissolving halo.
    â€œWe should get going.” Casey picked up the cages. “Marie has a ton of things to do.”
    Marie opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Belle followed. Paval grabbed the leash hanging on the back of the door and attached it to the spaniel’s collar.
    â€œNice to meet you, Ursula,” Casey said.
    â€œBack at ya.”
    Paval handed the leash to Marie. “Could you bring the key back when you’re done?”
    â€œSure.” Midway down the hall, Marie said, “I can just imagine what that hag told the cops about Jasmine.”
    How well had Marie, or anyone else, really known Jasmine? She’d gone out with Roberto, Wesley, and Marie’s brother, so why not pick up guys in bars? The prostitution angle was possible, she supposed. Mainland didn’t pay well, Jasmine had a child to support, and she would have needed money for veterinary school.
    Marie inserted the key in the lock, hesitated a moment, and then opened the door.
    Belle bounded inside and raced down the hall, as if searching for Jasmine. Casey put down the cages. Her nose twitched from the stench of over-ripe litter box. The living room was crowded with plaid furniture, six wire-meshed cages, and two rows of bookshelves stuffed with toys and CD s. The dingy beige walls were bare and the red shag looked in need of