Chapter 6 - THE BROKEN ALIBI

We returned to the city before noon. The body remained in the mountains, in the hands of the prosecutor’s investigators.

I sat in the back seat of the car, holding the evidence bag containing the lighter. Rachel’s initials. But Rachel was locked in a cell. She could not have murdered Mark.

Which meant someone else carried her lighter. Or had stolen it. Or had been given it by her.

David drove in silence. Finally he spoke.

“Rachel’s things were taken as evidence when she was arrested,” he said. “Her purse. Her phone. Her keys. That lighter should be in the evidence locker.”

“Unless it was never there,” I said. “Unless someone removed it.”

“Who would have access to evidence?” David asked.

“Police officers,” I said. “Prosecutor’s staff. Anyone with clearance.”

“Or Julian,” Thomas said from the front seat. “If he has someone on the inside.”

I looked at the lighter again. “Whoever killed Mark left this deliberately. To frame Rachel. To make it look like she ordered his death from jail.”

“But we know she didn’t,” David said.

“We know,” I said. “But a jury will see only the evidence. Rachel’s note. Rachel’s lighter. Rachel’s accomplice killed before he could testify. It looks damning.”

“And if they frame her for murder,” Thomas said, “she stays in prison forever. And she takes the blame for everything.”

“Exactly,” I said. “Which means Julian and his mysterious partner are covering their tracks. Silencing everyone who can speak against them.”

My phone rang. The prosecutor.

“Margaret,” she said. “I have bad news. Mark’s death is being ruled a homicide. And the evidence found at the scene… it points directly to Rachel.”

“I know about the lighter,” I said.

“Then you understand,” she said. “Rachel is being charged with murder. The judge will deny bail. She will remain in custody indefinitely.”

“Rachel did not kill Mark,” I said. “She was in a cell miles away.”

“I believe you,” the prosecutor said. “But I cannot prove it. The lighter is registered to her. The note Mark wrote about her involvement… it all fits. Unless we can prove someone else planted it.”

“Someone on your side removed the lighter from evidence,” I said. “And gave it to the killer.”

Silence. Then:

“That is a very serious accusation, Margaret.”

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“It is a serious crime,” I said. “Check the evidence logs. See who signed for Rachel’s belongings. See who had access in the last forty-eight hours.”

“I will have it done,” she said. “But Margaret… if someone inside my office is compromised… that means everything we say is overheard. Every move we make is known.”