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she blinked rapidly.  “Oh that poor, sweet angel…” Ellie’s voice quavered, a trace of a southern lilt creeping into her tone. 
    “Is there anyone you can think of, anyone at all, who might have wanted to harm her?” 
    “This world is such a dark place…” she sighed, pulling a small white handkerchief from her sleeve and bringing it to her nose.  Nick nodded, uncomfortable as usual with a woman’s tears.
    “Yes Ma’am, it can be.” 
    “It’s getting so a body isn’t safe going out after dark without an escort.”
    “Ma’am, I need to ask you, where were you last night, between eleven PM and two AM?”
    “Why, here of course.  Apart from ritual nights I’m not much of a night owl these days.  Most nights I’m in bed asleep by ten PM.”
    “I see.”  Another alibi without corroboration.  “Are you able to direct me to any of the other members of your circle of friends who might have more information on Skye’s whereabouts last night?”
    Ellie paused to think it over, dabbing lightly at the corner of her eyes with the handkerchief.  “There’s Annaliese, she owns this wonderful shop down on Hawthorne, Argent Flame.  She and Skye were fairly close, she might have seen her more recently.”
    “I’ve just come from seeing Miss Cross; she’s the one who directed me to you actually.”
    “Oh, did she now?”  There was a small measure of surprise in her voice.  “Let’s see, who else then…?  Perhaps Mei, she might know a little more.”
    “Is that Meiliyn Xiang?”  Nick looked up.  “I tried her apartment but she wasn’t there.  Do you have any idea where I might find her?  Any places she might frequent, or a day job we’re not aware of?” 
    “Goodness no, I couldn’t say where she might be at this time of the day, I would have thought you’d find her at home.  I’m afraid I can’t help you all that much, Sergeant Gibson, this has been such a terrible shock… but if I think of anything that might be helpful, do you have a calling card?”
    A calling card… Nick dug out one of his business cards and handed it over to her.  “Please, do give me a call if you do think of anything.”  Rising, he set the uneaten muffin back on the tray.
    “I surely will, Sergeant Gibson.”
    Nick paused by the doorway.  “Do you by any chance hail from the south, Miss Ellie?” 
    “Originally, yes, for more years than you’ve been alive, though I’ve been gone for quite some time,” Ellie nodded.
    “I thought so; you’ve still got a trace of an accent sometimes,” he remarked, tucking his notebook away.
    “You know what they say, you can take a girl out of the South but you can’t take the South out of the girl,” she gave him an impish smile. 
    “Indeed.  It was a pleasure meeting you, Ma’am.” 
    “Goodbye, Sergeant.  You be careful now.”  Ellie saw him to the door, giving a little wave as he stepped out onto the front porch.
    “I always am.  Have a nice day, Ma’am.” 
     
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Nick pulled into the central precinct parking lot, gratified to find an open spot that wouldn’t require an extended walk to get back to the entrance.   It was getting close to lunch time, but he was eager to see what the rest of the team had put together in his absence.  So far, all he’d been able to find out was that Skye Mackenzie had been well liked, if not terribly respected, by her friends and coworkers, and that no one could think of anyone who would want to harm her, let alone murder her.
    Park and Brady huddled together in their corner of the bullpen, making notations on the big dry erase board.  “Daddy’s home, whatcha got?” Gibson called out, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
    Park went first, picking up a clipboard with a sheaf of papers attached.  “I spoke to her parents and sisters.  They were understandably upset at the news, didn’t have much to contribute.  Apparently she didn’t call home much and