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man talking on the phone to someone we believe was Mark Columbus’ widowed bride. He was telling her he thought she was innocent and that he’d always loved her.”
    “He also said, ‘I’m not saying I’m glad he’s dead,’ which made us feel like he wasn’t terribly broken up about it,” I added. “When we went into the luau, we spotted him, and I struck up a conversation. I asked if he’d been part of the Columbus/De Marco wedding party. He said yes and that he’d only known Mark for six months or so but that he’d known Julie all his life.”
    “So do you think this guy is a suspect in Mark’s death?” Luke asked.
    “He might’ve been at one point, but he isn’t now. He was found murdered in the kitchen after the luau last night.”
    My jaw dropped. “What happened?”
    “He was stabbed. Did either of you notice him arguing with anyone?” Harker asked.
    “I didn’t,” I said. “Once we got our food, I lost track of him. My mind was on the meal and the entertainment.”
    “So was mine,” Luke said. “But the two cases have to be linked. For two men in the same wedding party to turn up dead within a couple days of each other couldn’t be a mere coincidence.”
    “I’m inclined to agree,” said Detective Harker.
    “Do you think it’s the wife?” I whispered.
    “I’m not at liberty to discuss ongoing investigations,” the detective said. “Should you think of anything else you feel I should know, please don’t hesitate to call me.” He stood. “Do you still have my card?”
    Luke nodded. “Thank you, detective.”
    As soon as Detective Harker left, I turned to Luke and said quietly, “It’s got to be the wife. Don’t you think?”
    “I believe it’s a strong possibility. Maybe she married Mark for his money, got the old boyfriend to help kill him, and then got angry with the old boyfriend and killed him.” He frowned.
    “That doesn’t make sense,” I said.
    “No, I was thinking the same thing as I said it.”
    “If she was willing to kill the old boyfriend, then she wouldn’t have had a problem killing Mark,” I said.
    “Maybe there’s a third man involved.” Luke nodded toward an older gentleman who was sitting alone. “There’s someone who might be able to fill in some missing pieces for us.”
    “Who is he?”
    “Julie De Marco Columbus’ father.”
    Of course. I now recognized him from the photo. I put my granola bar in my purse, and threw away my yogurt and coffee cups. Then Luke and I approached Mr. De Marco.
    “Mr. De Marco, I’m Luke Fontaine, and this is my wife Brandy. We just wanted to come over and express our sympathies to you.”
    Mr. De Marco thanked us and invited us to sit down.
    “Do you know my daughter?” he asked.
    “We don’t,” Luke said. “But my wife met the groomsman last night, and…we’re in the room directly above your daughter’s.”
    Mr. De Marco closed his eyes and nodded. “You’re the ones who saw Mark and called the police. Thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. I only wish we’d seen him sooner,” Luke said.
    “I’m afraid it wouldn’t have made a difference,” said Mr. De Marco.
    “How is your daughter?” I asked. “She must be devastated to have lost both her husband and a good friend within two days of each other.”
    “She is. And she’s scared…as am I. We all are. First Mark…then Rob. You have to admit it seems someone is out to get us.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
    “The groomsman…Rob…he told me he’d been friends with Julie all her life,” I said.
    Mr. De Marco nodded sadly. “He was a wonderful young man. He and Julie had once been sweethearts. Truth be told, I wish it had been Rob she was marrying rather than Mark.”
    “You didn’t like Mark?” Luke asked.
    “It’s not that I didn’t like him really.” Mr. De Marco spread his hands. “Julie just wasn’t as suited to Mark as she was to Rob. She and Rob grew up together, they have the same values, they know