The Beast by Faye Kellerman

thirty-seven, unmarried, and has devoted her life to saving wild animals. She worked as an assistant in a vet’s office before becoming involved with Global Earth. She’s been there for fifteen years.”
    “Do you have a picture of her?”
    “Not on me. I can pull up the Web site.”
    “Let me guess,” Marge said. “She’s tall and stick thin with stringy blond hair and no makeup.”
    “I don’t know how tall she is, but she looks very thin.” Decker pushed a button and printed out her picture from the sanctuary’s Web site. He gave it to Marge. “She was Fern Robeson’s protégée. She asked me about Penny’s will when I spoke to her.”
    “Really,” Marge said. “That’s not only crass, but it also says to me that she has something to gain by his death.”
    “Penny was giving her money while he was alive,” Decker said. “Unless she expects a windfall once he dies, why knock him off? And that brings up another question. Penny was old. Why kill him at all? Makes more sense to just wait it out and let nature take its course.”
    Marge said, “Darius Penny said his old man was mercurial. If the old guy was about to change his will and leave you nothing, you might want him dead before he has a chance to make the change.”
    “How would Vignette Garrison know if he was about to change his will?”
    “Maybe she pissed him off,” Marge said. “Maybe he told her.”
    “Why would he tell her?”
    “To manipulate her or maybe just to be mean,” Marge said. “Darius said his father had made a lot of enemies. He was a mean guy, especially when he drank.” She thought a moment. “I don’t remember seeing alcohol bottles around. I’ll ask Scott about that.”
    Decker ran his fingers through gray hairs streaked with youthful red. “If Darius Penny’s firm handled the estate, he would know if his dad was changing the will.”
    “He doesn’t seem like a good prospect for the murder. He’s rich in his own right. Plus for the last two months, Darius has been at work from seven in the morning to midnight.”
    “And you’ve verified that?”
    “Not yet, but something like that would be easily verifiable. He works in a skyscraper near the Battery. Those buildings have videocameras everywhere.” Marge gave him a smile. “If you want to send me to New York for verification, I’m willing.”
    “I bet you are.” Decker laughed. “Look, sister, I’ve put in for meals and gas money for your upcoming trip to Santa Barbara. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. All you’ll find there is bad breath.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    A RRIVING HOME BY seven in the evening, Decker was surprised to find the house dimly lit with no aromas wafting from the kitchen. He flipped on additional living room lamps and called out Rina’s name, but received no answer. It was unlike his wife to be a no-show without explanation. Maybe it was time to check his phone message. Then Gabe came out of his room.
    Decker said, “Any idea where my wife is?”
    “Your wife had a school meeting. She said she’d be home around nine.”
    “Fabulous.”
    “There are some leftover cold cuts and potato salad in the fridge.”
    “Sounds real yummy.”
    Gabe smiled. “Wanna go out? I wouldn’t mind a steak. I’ll even pay. My bank account is flush.”
    “Steak is fine with me, and I’m not yet destitute.”
    “Want me to drive?”
    Decker held up a finger as he listened to his phone message, then stowed his phone in his pocket. “Uh, how about we take the Porsche?”
    “That’s fine. I can drive a stick.”
    “You can, but you won’t.” Decker went over to a desk drawer and fished out the ignition key. “I’ll get the car and meet you out front. Put on the alarm.”
    Five minutes later, Gabe hopped into the passenger seat of Decker’s silver 911 Targa. He was wearing a black T-shirt and a pair of jeans two sizes too big. He wasn’t making a fashion statement with his pants. Of late the kid hadn’t eaten enough to maintain his