Reed Family Box Set

by Tyora Moody

  Brooke blinked. “No. We tried not to talk about work.”

  Asia narrowed her eyes. Now why don’t I believe that? “I see. You were together? A couple. I mean you met him after hours sometimes at his office.”

  Brooke squirmed in her chair. “Wow. This is awkward. There was nothing serious between us. We were old friends. His office was on the way home for me. I’d stop by to ask him if he wanted a drink. He was fun to be around. You may remember that.”

  Asia fought an urge to squirm. She’d made the decision to have this conversation. Comparing notes with another woman about a man was not what she had in mind. Asia smiled. “He was a lot of fun.”

  “You said Candie told you I’d been by Adam’s office?”

  “She mentioned Adam’s work habits, how he stayed late. Sometimes you dropped by. When was the last time you saw him in person?”

  “I’m not sure why I was on Candie’s mind. It’s been weeks since I saw Adam.”

  That’s odd! Candie had mentioned seeing Brooke on Monday. Asia decided to tuck that piece of information away for now. “Well, the times you dropped by, do you remember if the door was locked when you arrived?”

  Brooke sat back in her seat and crossed her arms. “I see what you’re trying to do. You want to know if somehow the door was left open for the killer. You’re not looking at Candie as a suspect, are you? I will have to say I didn’t talk to Candie much. I got the impression she didn’t like me. Adam told me they were involved once. I suspected she was jealous.”

  Asia arched her eyebrow. “How jealous?”

  Brooke folded her arms. “Not jealous enough to harm Adam. He helped her. Gave her a really good job.”

  Asia commented, “I don’t even know how Adam met her.”

  Brooke leaned forward. “She was an escort girl.”

  “What?” Asia stared at Brooke like she was telling a joke. “Really?”

  “Yes, she really did study to be a paralegal. It was her escort money that paid for her education.”

  “I find it strange that Adam would reach out to an escort girl.”

  “You mean because he could have any woman he wanted.”

  “Well, yeah.”

  “I knew Adam a long time. He was insecure in some ways. Especially back then.”

  Asia tilted her head. Back then. She commented, “There was nothing insecure about Adam Locklear.”

  “Oh, he was really good at letting people see that flawless persona, believe me. I knew him when he was a dorky looking law student working under my father.”

  Asia had a hard time thinking of the sophisticated man she knew as being dorky. She started to think. “You know, I really didn’t know much about his background other than he went through a divorce. His wife took the two kids and moved to Florida.”

  Brooke pointed her finger. “He’d been so caught up in his career, he really wasn’t around for his wife or family. He took the divorce harder than he’d like to admit to anyone. Family was really important to him.”

  Asia nodded. “Didn’t he lose his parents while in law school? Automobile accident, I think.”

  For the first time since they’d been in her office, Brooke teared up. She touched her fingers to her eyes and sniffed. “Yes. I remember when it happened. I hated to see him in such pain. Adam has always been such a good friend. Very loyal.”

  Asia frowned. Loyal. That wasn’t a term she would use for Adam. Although, she did recall Adam commenting once about how blessed she was to have siblings. At the time, she was surprised to hear Adam use the term “blessed.” He tended to describe himself as a lucky fellow.

  You’re my regret. Those were Adam’s words to her during that final phone call. Were those words what spurred her to go see him instead of insisting he share his information on the phone?

  Asia cleared her throat. “Seems like you did know an Adam I never met.”

  Brooke cocked her head. “He admired you.”

  Discomfort snuck back into her stomach as Asia eyed Brooke, “You said that before. How do you know this?”

  Brooke wiped her eyes. “You came up in some of our conversations.”

  Asia raised her eyebrow “I just happened to come up?”

  Brooke laughed softly. “Usually after a case you won. He was quite taken by you. Well, he was maddened by you would be a better word. He didn’t like to lose.”

  “Sometimes Adam had clients that were guilty, plain and simple. You can’t argue with solid evidence.”

  “You’re right.” Brooke bit her lip. “Look, I’m sorry I haven’t been much help to you.” Brooke hesitated, “I will say this about Adam. He was very conscientious. If he had something for you, he left it in a safe place for you to find.”

  Asia frowned. “You do know that you’re also saying Adam knew something was going to happen to him. Are you sure he didn’t confide in you? Was there anything different about him lately?”

  Brooke’s eyes darted to the clock on the wall. “It’s been a few weeks, like I said. Although, we talked on the phone a few times. He seemed distracted, but that wasn’t unusual for him.”

  Asia asked, “Were there any clients that seemed to get under his skin in particular?”

  “I told you, we didn’t talk about work.” Brooke rubbed her shoulders like she’d caught a chill, “At least rarely. One night we did discuss the importance of having protective measures in place. Adam had a unique set of clients. The kind that needed a special lawyer. Some of them were very sick individuals, but some of them had a lot of wealth and power. He was paid well to keep secrets and people out of prison.”

  “You think he kept some kind of safe or safe deposit box?”

  Brooke stood, “I don’t know. My dad taught me to always tread carefully when you keep other people’s secrets.” She held her hand out, “I’m sorry. My client will be arriving soon.”

  Asia stood and shook Brooke’s hand. “Thank you for your time.”

  “Do you know when they will have services for Adam?”

  Asia shook her head. “Well, you know they can’t release the body during the investigation. A memorial service would be great, but I don’t know who would do that. Maybe his ex-wife. I’m sure he had some friends here in Charlotte who’d like to attend.”

  “Not a lot of friends. Adam led a lonely life. Sad to say, but his work was his life.”

  That struck a chord in Asia. “Maybe that’s why I related to him so well.”

  “This life we lead as lawyers. It’s not glamorous at all.”

  Asia said, “No, it’s not. Thank you again for you time.”

  As Asia exited Brooke’s office she looked up to see a man in the waiting room. She guessed this was Brooke’s eleven o’clock appointment. The man turned to her. His eyes were sharp blue behind the thick framed glasses. For a moment, Asia thought he looked familiar. As she passed by, she caught a whiff of his cologne. It was very strong, spicy. She felt sorry for Brooke for having to have that smell in her office.

  Behind her, she heard Brooke approach. Asia turned to see the man stand. He towered over Brooke. The man and Brooke seemed to be having some type of face-off. Brooke glared up at him, “What are you doing here?”

  So, he wasn’t the next appointment. Asia peered back at Ms. Bishop whose face appeared equally surprised.

  Brooke noticed Asia was still there and grabbed the man by the elbow leading him back towards her office. Asia frowned, but then realized Ms. Bishop was approaching her. The older woman asked, “Did you need anything else, Ms. Reed?”

  “No, thanks. I’m on my way out.” She slipped out the door without looking back. Private practice was definitely not something on her radar. She preferred being a prosecutor, making sure the right people were put away.

  When she reached her car, she sat for a moment trying digest what Brooke had shared. Or rather what the woman had selected to not mention. Asia knew there was more purposely left unsaid.

  Like why did Brooke conveniently forget she’d stopped by
Adam’s office on Monday? Or was Candie mistaken?

  Brooke brought up her long history with Adam. Wouldn’t Adam have confided in a long-time friend? But they were also competitors, and Brooke claimed they’d never discussed work. Asia found that hard to believe because during her many conversations with Adam in the past, he didn’t mind talking about his cases. His work was clearly his life.

  She pulled out her phone. As she waited, she knew it was time to return to the place she’d been trying to block out of her mind. “Detective Coleman, it’s Asia Reed. Would you mind meeting me at Adam Locklear’s office building in about an hour?”

  Chapter 10

  Friday, November 18 at 1:54 p.m.

  Coleman didn’t look too happy with her as they entered Adam’s office building. “Why didn’t you let me know you were going to talk to Ms. Cannon? I know I’m new at this, but how this works is I gather evidence and find the suspect. I mean we’re a team, right?”

  Asia was a little taken aback. “I had a personal conversation with a colleague. If you feel like you need to talk to Brooke Cannon then by all means do that. I would say her conveniently forgetting her recent visit to Adam deserves your questioning. Yes, I’m looking for you to bring me a suspect with some solid evidence. I also need to know why Adam was shot dead right before I went to see him.”

  She smashed the number on the elevator panel. “Speaking of a team, where is your partner?”

  Coleman sighed, “I don’t know. Something is going on with him. The sergeant seems to be in the know, but she’s not saying anything to me.” He shrugged. “It’s either a case of ready for the pension or I don’t really like this here boy as my partner.”

  Asia glanced at him. “Maybe both. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t think he’s gotten along with any of his partners. I really didn’t mean any harm by not inviting you to my conversation with Brooke. She’s a skilled defense attorney. You being in the room would have made her highly suspicious.”

  The elevator doors glided open and they stepped on. Coleman pressed the button. Asia crossed her arms, unsure if her body was reacting in anger towards Coleman or because she really didn’t want to return to the crime scene.

  Coleman spoke low as if to calm her. “I’m sorry. I know this can’t be easy. Not knowing what’s going on.”

  Asia blew out a breath. “Did you find out anything on Candie Parker?”

  He nodded. “Her alibi is solid. Her mom, Helen Parker, confirmed her story and her son’s friend and mom confirmed Candie swung by their house around 7:25 pm to pick up her son. Sounds like she laid into him in front of his friend.”

  “Glad she found her son. I can’t imagine trying to keep up with a preteen boy.”

  “It’s certainly not easy. My daughter is fourteen. Good kid though, but I worry one of these days I’m going to meet a different person in my house.”

  Asia cracked a smile, thinking, with his good looks, his daughter must be stunning. She commented, “Hold off on her dating. You being a cop is gonna be a disaster, especially if you were anything like my dad.”

  Coleman smiled, “Oh, she’s got to wait until she’s eighteen.”

  Asia laughed. The elevator stopped. Despite the laughter, she dreaded when the elevator door opened.

  Coleman eyed her. “Speaking of suspects, Brooke Cannon shows up every now and then. I would love to know why she forgot to mention Monday evening to you.”

  Asia stepped into the hallway. “You have the honor of asking her, detective. Although I have to say she doesn’t fit though.”

  Coleman followed her off the elevator, “What do you mean?”

  The doors closed behind them. She continued, “Brooke Cannon is petite. She doesn’t fit the characteristics of the figure who…” Asia sucked in a breath. “Who stepped off this very elevator in a large parka. Whoever they were, they looked really odd. I’m surprised no one saw anything. This is Charlotte. It doesn’t get that cold for that kind of coat this time of year.”

  Coleman responded, “We’re still checking the video footage. The person disappears once they leave.”

  Asia turned to the opposite office, Advantage Data Systems. “Did you already talk to the people in that office? I mean I’m just curious if they ran into Adam.”

  “The office looks dark like last time I was here, I will check with the building owner, but I really don’t think anyone is occupying those offices.” Coleman asked, “Are you sure you’re okay with doing this?”

  He’d noticed her hesitation.

  “Of course.” She said, even though the anxiety of walking back into Adam’s office made her want to run away screaming.

  As they walked closer to the doors of Adam’s law firm, Coleman commented. “I do think it’s odd with Ms. Parker being his only staff person that he didn’t confide in her. It was almost like he didn’t completely trust her.”

  “I agree with you on that. But you know, he could’ve been protecting her. The information he was keeping could have been dangerous.” She grimaced. “The very thing that killed him.”

  Adan’s office door was covered with yellow crime scene tape. Coleman removed the tape so they could enter. Once inside, Coleman said, “The crime scene cleaner has already been in here so you don’t have to worry about seeing blood.”

  Asia nodded. The smell of bleach penetrated the air, but she could still visualize the scene from two days ago. Adam’s office door stood open like the night she entered.

  Coleman held up his hand. “You should also know most of the prints forensics found were from Locklear and Parker, and I should let you know that Parker had a prior.”

  Asia arched her eyebrow. “Candie was in the system?”

  “She was young, I think twenty. She was arrested for a DUI. Got off with community service thanks to your boy Locklear.”

  Asia slowly followed the detective towards Adam’s office.

  “Really? Funny, Brooke mentioned he met Candie when she was an escort girl.” Asia calculated in her head. “She officially started working here about five years ago. Her son is eleven. She’d had to have him pretty young if she is in her thirties. That means she’s known Adam a long time. Long before he gave her a job.”

  Coleman looked at her. “Escort girl, huh? You were right about not ignoring the women in his life.”

  She stopped in the doorway and watched as Coleman paced the office floor. “I can still see the image of him in that chair. That can’t be cleansed from my mind.”

  Coleman looked back at her. “I can take a look around in here. You don’t have to do this.”

  “No, I’m fine. See if you can find any signs of a safe or locked drawer.”

  He nodded. Coleman slipped on his latex gloves and placed his hands along the walls. He pulled down a larger framed painting from the side of Adam’s desk.

  Nothing.

  Finally, Coleman walked behind the desk and examined it. Asia watched as Coleman yanked on the desk drawers. All of them opened, one by one. He looked at her. “No secret compartments or locked drawers.”

  Asia frowned. “Maybe he kept materials in a safe deposit box or his home.”

  “That’s a possibility. We’ve been to the house, but I’ll be heading back this afternoon. What exactly do you think we’re looking for? We’re still not sure what Adam had to tell you. Would it have been something that was tangible or just information? Maybe he recorded something.”

  She sighed, “It could have been anything. Whoever did this took everything they needed since they have his laptop and phone. All of that could be destroyed now.”

  “Unless it’s been backed up on a server. Surely Ms. Parker would know how their digital data was stored. He had to trust her enough to keep his client files confidential.”

  Asia placed her feet fully inside the office. When she found Adam, she knew not to touch him or the crime scene. She turned to her right. “What’s in the closet?”

  Coleman opened the door. It was the size of a walk-in closet.
“Looks like a lot of filing cabinets. We can assign someone to look through the files, but that could be a needle in a haystack. This has to be something recent. The person moved to eliminate Adam with some speed.”

  Asia walked towards the desk and looked down at the phone. “Perhaps I’m being paranoid, but did you sweep the office for bugs?”

  Coleman raised his eyebrow. “No. Wow, you got me really worried now. Why would you suggest that?”

  “When I think about that phone conversation, I just wonder if someone heard him on the phone with me. He was anxious about not talking on the phone. I don’t think Adam was in his office. I mean this is what you describe as a hit, right? The killer was like some hitman on a mission to kill Adam and grab whatever intel he had.”

  Asia paced, her thoughts coming faster than she could process. “Adam was still with or he should’ve just left being with Officer Lane and his family after the press conference ended.”

  “That’s right. I haven’t reached out to Officer Lane yet. He’s on the list.”

  “We need to know Adam’s frame of mind, whether he was distracted by a case or something else. Was there someone following him? Someone had to be tracking his movements, finding a pattern. We need any clues we can get.”

  She stood still. The room felt like the walls were closing in. Asia whirled and stepped out of Adam’s office into Candie’s office area. She looked over to see a silver picture frame sparkling. A young boy with sharp blue eyes looked back at her. Must be Candie’s son.

  Behind her Coleman asked, “Are you alright?”

  She turned slightly and answered over her shoulder. “Sorry, I’m was getting a bit nauseous. I would like to know more about Candie’s history with Adam. Seems a lot further back than I thought. Same with Brooke Cannon too, she knew Adam in law school.”

  “Do you really think we need to dig into Adam’s past?”

  Asia turned to face him. “I know you’re new to this and it seems like a lot, but we can’t afford to ignore anything. It’s curious to me that these two women who were closer to him than most people seem to be holding something back.”