“Can I get you anything?” She didn’t know what else to do but get a glass of water. “I could call Roger for you.”
Destiny shook her head. “He’s on a trip.”
Kira frowned. “It’s okay to ask him to come home to be with you.”
The other woman looked away. Mike came back from the hallway. “Mrs. Rousseau, is it okay if I ask you a few questions?”
Destiny sniffed, nodding slightly.
“How did that man come to be in your bedroom?”
“Well, you don’t have to ask like that. As if it’s something sordid.” Her red-rimmed eyes flashed with anger. It seemed out of place since Destiny had just taken a life. “He was an associate of Ralph’s. At least, he was trying to be.”
“Can you explain that?”
“The cartel wants to get a foothold in Renegade, what with it being so close to Denver. And the airport and freight train network. They want to use it as a hub to transport drugs or something.” She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about it. All I know is that they were trying to force Ralph to turn over some of his businesses to them. They hacked the foundation accounts and his business accounts, all to make it look like we were in league with them. So we looked dirty.”
“Trying to force you to cooperate?” Mike looked up from his notepad.
“They said if we agreed, they’d leave us alone.” Destiny sniffed. “Ralph refused to back down. That’s why they killed him. Antonio said it was a deadly plant from Roger’s homeland so the police would think that the son poisoned his father.”
Kira shook her head. “I’m so sorry. That’s terrible.”
Mike said, “Antonio killed your husband?”
Destiny nodded. “Because he wouldn’t agree. And neither did I, even when he was taking my foundation from me.” She lifted her chin, tears in her eyes. “If Ralph wasn’t going to give in, then I never would. But he grabbed me. I had the pistol in my dresser, and I used it.”
Kira started to speak. She didn’t want to question this woman, but now that she was seeing through the facade, the whole story just seemed kind of convenient.
Destiny stood up, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I have to go downstairs. I need some air.”
“This officer will go with you.” Martinelli motioned to one of the uniformed cops standing nearby.
The guy nodded and followed Destiny down the stairs.
Kira waited until she was out of earshot before she said, “This is unbelievable, right? The cartel trying to gain territory here in Renegade.”
Mike shrugged, heading for the bedroom with his suit jacket flapping. She walked beside him. He said, “Maybe not as unbelievable as you might think, what with a shadow syndicate trying to maintain power. People caught in the crossfire. It feels like a turf war.”
“Well, you heard Destiny. She and Ralph didn’t want anything to do with it.”
He glanced at her and nodded, then stepped into the main room.
“One shot, point blank.” Luca shifted out of his crouch and stood, pulling off gloves that matched the officers.
“I’ll get the crime scene techs in here.” The uniformed officer moved to the window and got on his radio.
“Fits her story.” Mike squeezed the back of his neck.
Kira looked at the scene. “She’s distressed. Maybe she’ll remember more details in the next few days.”
“We usually conduct a follow-up interview.” Mike glanced at her. “This isn’t something you need to get into.”
“Don’t worry.” Kira held up her hands. “I’m due back at the hospital tonight, and I’m more than ready to work.”
Luca’s expression softened. “All this ties it up neatly, huh, Martinelli?”
Mike shook his head. “I guess. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”