"Michael, did you get it?" Jackie asked.
"I have a better question - how did Nick die?"
"In a plane crash over the gulf of Mexico. Why?"
"Laura expected him to die much sooner."
Jackie rubbed her brow. "You think he was murdered?"
"Could be Mathew got tired of waiting."
"I'll ask Austin if he has any information on the plane crash."
In the parking lot, Michael pressed the button on the rented car key that unlocked the door. "I got her DNA. I'll drop it at the lab and then I'll be on my way back."
"Tell them they owe me a favor and money is no object."
"I know the drill."
"Of course you do. The Connellys were in Brisbane when Nick died. I'll see if they bought airline tickets home before they knew he was dead."
"Good idea. Ask Austin if they were at the funeral."
"Got it. See you soon." Jackie hung up and called Austin.
*
Austin was already there by the time Michael parked in the hotel's basement garage, and took the elevator up to the suite. This time, Jackie was dressed more casually, although Austin wore his suit and tie. Both sat in the same chairs facing each other in the living room, as they had the first time they met.
"I'm starved," Michael announced as soon as he walked in the door.
"You're always starved," Jackie said.
As soon as he noticed Austin he asked, "Didn't I just see you across the street?"
"About an hour ago," Austin answered. "What have you been up to?"
Michael glanced at Jackie, got her nod, and then answered, "I got Laura's DNA and took it to the lab. Now all we need is someone to match it to." He went to the sofa, sat down, and grabbed a handful of peanuts out of a bowl. "What have you done with Carl?"
Jackie glanced around. "Is he missing? I hadn't noticed."
"That'll be the day," Michael muttered.
Jackie giggled. "I sent him to get printer ink. He needed a break anyway."
Austin leaned forward and helped himself to the peanuts. "You wanted to know about Nick's death?"
"Yes," Jackie said. "Did they recover the flight recorder?"
"Yes, but there wasn't anything on it that indicated Nick was having a problem. The recording just suddenly stopped."
"Like the plane blew up?" Jackie asked.
"No, except for some wing damage, it is still in one piece. Divers went down, recovered the flight recorder and his body, but we saw no reason to bring the plane up. You think it would help?"
Michael's eyes widened. "Yes, it would help. I am determined to pin something on Mathew Connelly."