Reed Family Box Set

by Tyora Moody

  Coleman scratched notes onto his pad. “I see why you’re best.”

  “You said something about going to Adam’s house this afternoon. I’d liked to tag along.”

  “Are you sure? I mean you have to have a heavy case load.”

  “I can handle my other cases, Detective Coleman.”

  “Well, you should know that Mrs. Locklear, Adam’s ex-wife is at the house. She’s here to take care of his affairs.”

  “Good. She’s probably the best person to talk to about Adam’s character. Lead the way. I will follow you in my car.”

  As they walked out of the office towards the elevator, Asia couldn’t help but think she was meeting yet one more woman romantically connected to Adam. While she’d been involved with Adam after his divorce, this conversation could be the most difficult. This was the one woman Adam truly loved.

  Chapter 11

  Friday, November 18 at 4:04 p.m.

  Asia had been to Adam’s house once. He lived in a gated community where the houses were large with substantial property allowing for privacy. On this trip, she was more than happy to be alongside Detective Coleman. She tended not to do interviews until someone was arrested and charged with a crime. In the past few days, she’d entered her sister Jo’s role. As she climbed out of her car to follow Detective Coleman, she heard her phone beep. She’d checked in briefly with her assistant at lunch. It was her calling again.

  “Yes, Christine, what is it? I’ll probably not be back in the office until Monday. Can this wait?”

  “No, ma’am. It’s the boss, boss. Hold on.”

  Asia stopped in her tracks. Coleman looked over his shoulder at her with a quizzical stare. She held up her hand to indicate he should wait for her.

  “Asia, are you okay? You haven’t been in today.”

  “I’m on a case, Brandon. Something wrong?”

  “Which case, Asia?”

  She frowned, “Adam Locklear, sir.”

  “Police have a suspect?”

  “No. We’re working on that now. You did say whatever is found could possibly affect the District Attorney’s office. Seemed like a priority from you yesterday. Was I wrong?”

  “I’m just wondering if maybe you’re too close to this one, Asia.”

  “I’m fine. We’re about to talk to Adam’s ex-wife. I will keep you in the loop.”

  “Be careful, Asia.”

  “I will.” She clicked off the phone. Brandon was right to be concerned, but she wanted to climb out of the dark place that she’d been pulled into since finding Adam’s body two nights ago.

  “Everything okay,” Coleman asked as they walked towards the front door together.

  “Just the boss checking in. He’s probably having second thoughts about me roaming around on this case.”

  Coleman said, “I can imagine.” He rang the doorbell and they waited. A minute later the door was opened by a woman.

  Asia had seen pictures of Dana Locklear, but this was the first time she’d seen her in person. Tanned, with chestnut brown hair and blond highlights, Dana was dressed in a large shirt and leggings. Asia suspected the shirt belonged to Adam. “May I help you?” the woman asked. Her green eyes were red.

  At least the women in Adam’s life were grieving for him. He couldn’t have been all that bad.

  Coleman held out his badge. “I’m Detective Coleman and this is ADA Asia Reed.”

  Dana looked at them both and then stepped back so they could come inside. “There’s a bit of a mess. I’m trying to figure out what to do with Adam’s stuff.”

  Remembering what Brooke asked earlier, Asia inquired, “Will there be a memorial service?”

  Dana nodded, “I’m working on it. May not be until next week. The kids are devastated. My parents are looking out for them.”

  Asia asked, “Your parents are still here in Charlotte?”

  “Yes, I thought I would get them to move to Florida before we did, but they like it here.”

  Coleman responded, “Ma’am, we’re sorry for your loss. Can we ask you a few questions about Mr. Locklear?”

  She shrugged. “Come into the living room.” They followed her through the foyer. The living room looked the same way Asia remembered it years ago. Adam was into sculptures. There were several pieces in various corners.

  “Please sit down. I’m not sure how much I can help. I didn’t know much about Adam’s cases when we were married and the past few years I only called him if the kids needed something.”

  Coleman asked, “When was the last time you spoke to him?”

  “Last week. Dallas, our oldest is looking at colleges. He’s real smart like his dad. Thinking about going into law. I’d asked him to call Dallas to discuss the options since Adam was paying the tuition.”

  Asia touched a nearby sculpture. She asked, “He stayed in the kids’ lives?”

  “Not much more than when they were here in Charlotte. He was a good provider. When they needed things, he made sure they had what they needed or rather what they wanted.”

  Asia asked, “How was he on the phone? Could you tell if anything was bothering him?”

  Dana nodded, “I could tell he wasn’t sleeping.”

  “You could tell that on the phone?” Coleman questioned.

  “I’ve known the man for twenty years.” Dana shuddered, her voice grew hoarse. “I watched him struggle as an unknown lawyer to become this mega-star of lawyers. He was cool and suave in the courtroom, but he didn’t handle his personal life so well.”

  Asia nodded, “Someone I talked to recently mentioned he was insecure.”

  Dana scoffed, “He was. He grew up sheltered. His parents were religious. When I met him in college he was soft-spoken, kind, and attentive. Over the years, the more his practice grew, the more his personality changed.”

  Asia couldn’t help but think once again she really didn’t know Adam. Maybe those sneak peeks into his former personality was what she saw in him.

  Coleman asked, “So when you said you could tell he wasn’t sleeping, what was he like? Did he not sleep when something was bothering him?”

  “Yes, when were married, he would wake up from really bad dreams. Some nights he would not sleep. He’d slid further and further into a case. I think he was more comfortable with working a case than dealing with life. He’d drink when he felt haunted. The night he called, his voice was slurred and he kept going on and on about regrets.”

  “Regrets?” Asia repeated. Adam had mentioned that word to her.

  “I don’t know what he was talking about. It could have been he regretted taking a case maybe. I couldn’t tell. I just know I wanted him to talk to his son and he wasn’t there.”

  “When did you and Adam meet?” Asia asked.

  “In college. We both graduated and he went on to law school. We had Dallas back then and we struggled. He was idealistic wanting to fight for the people receiving great injustice. I didn’t get into his work, but I noticed he was taking clients who really didn’t deserve to receive justice.”

  Detective Coleman said, “Everyone has a right to a fair trial.”

  Dana smiled, “I’m aware, but some people are just evil. Adam knew that, and he took them on anyway. I think he thought he was building a life for us. This house.”

  Asia nodded. “Any of these clients, in particular, affected Adam?”

  Dana shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. I just know he changed over the years.”

  Asia continued. “Did you know Brooke Cannon? I think she went to school with Adam.”

  Dana’s eyes looked angry. “Yes, I know Brooke. She thought Adam should have married her.”

  Asia looked at Coleman.

  His eyebrows shot up and appeared so comical that Asia had to turn from him. She wasn’t surprised. “So they were close in law school? She said they’d been friends a long time.”

  “He slept with her while I was carrying our daughter, Justine.”

  So, Adam wasn’t loyal. He was a cheater back th
en.

  Asia swallowed, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up bad memories.”

  Dana waved the apology away. “History. Brooke’s dad was like a mentor to Adam. I think he wanted Adam to partner with him, but Adam decided to go solo. I do remember it was always a competition between them.”

  “I see. Do you know Candie Parker?”

  “His assistant? I’ve talked to her on the phone plenty of times. He’s known her since she was really young. She got into some trouble. A friend, I don’t know maybe a relative, asked Adam to help her.”

  “You knew they had a relationship?”

  Dana rolled her eyes. “It was that relationship that led me to file for divorce.”

  “Oh.”

  Coleman cleared his throat, “Ma’am, forensics has already been here, but I’d liked to check Adam’s office again.”

  “Sure, I can walk you back.”

  Once inside, Coleman looked around. “Do you know if he kept a safe?”

  Dana pointed, “Behind the desk.”

  Coleman walked over. There was cabinetry built into the wall behind the desk. “You wouldn’t know how to get in there?”

  “Can I ask why?”

  Asia answered, “We believe Adam had something he was keeping that—”

  “That someone killed him for.” Dana shook her head. “I’m not surprised. Adam had visitors and late-night calls that were not always other women.”

  Coleman nudged. “You sure you don’t know anyone in particular?”

  Dana shook her head, “No, I just know I heard more than I wanted to sometimes when I walked into a room. Conversations usually ended with Adam saying, ‘I will take care of it.’ I always wondered what he meant by that, especially when he wasn’t taking care of his family. He loved us, I know that.”

  Dana walked over to the safe and pressed a variation of six numbers and the safe clicked. She stepped back as if the contents would spill out.

  Asia watched as Coleman pulled on his latex gloves. He reached into the safe and pulled out two items, a stack of dollar bills and a notebook. According to Asia’s calculation, the stack had to be at least a few thousand dollars. While the money was of interest, her eyes focused on the other item. “What’s in the notebook?”

  Isaac flipped the notebook open.

  Asia leaned in and observed the curvy handwriting. “This is definitely not Locklear’s handwriting. It’s too feminine.” She glanced back at Adam’s ex-wife. “Is this your notebook, Dana?”

  Dana shook her head. “No. I can see the money. Adam liked to have cash available. But, I’m not sure why he would he keep that in the safe.”

  Coleman pulled an evidence bag out of his jacket pocket. “We will find out. There’s something in this notebook Adam wanted to keep secure.”

  As they walked out, Asia glanced into a room noticing boxes were stacked up. “It was good to meet you Dana. I’m sorry it was under these circumstances. I know Adam loved you and your children. I think he was kind of lost without you.”

  Dana twisted the collar of her shirt. “I doubt he was that lost. He was lost after his parents’ accident though. He started becoming a different person then, but there was still some good in him.”

  “You said Adam’s parents were religious?”

  “Adam’s dad was a minister. He married us. His mom stayed at home and homeschooled him. He grew up sheltered. They were killed by a drunk driver. That’s why I was troubled when I saw him start to drink.”

  Asia nodded, “When was the accident?”

  “He was still in law school, and we’d just had Dallas. His parents were able to see their grandson, but never met their granddaughter.”

  “Was he already working with Preston Cannon by this time too?”

  “Yes, he was a clerk for Preston Cannon.”

  Asia held out her hand, “Thanks for talking to us. I’d like to attend the service. Adam and I fought on opposite sides of the courtroom, but I saw the good in him on occasion.”

  “I’m glad he showed you that side. I felt like it disappeared, like the man I married was gone.”

  Asia followed Coleman out, pondering the Adam she’d only seen glimpses of on rare occasions. The side of Adam who reached out to her hours before his death.

  “I’m going to dig into these finds. As soon as I see something, I will let you know.”

  “Thanks, Coleman. We make a good team.”

  Coleman commented, “Do you mind me asking why you asked a lot of questions about Adam’s past? Is his past really relevant?”

  “I know it may seem like I’m all over the place. I think I’m just trying to get to know him. Sometimes you have to get to know people, what they’re thinking, how they’d react, and what their triggers are.”

  “You’re trying to get into his head on that final day?”

  “I’m looking to place myself in Adam’s shoes and figure out what I would have done with important information. What I have learned today was not totally new. Adam protected his clients, some who had secrets or had done terrible things. Whatever it was, Adam’s conscience, maybe for the first time in a long time, was bothered.”

  Detective Coleman nodded, “Something scared him. That thing about the wrong man.”

  “Yes. We have to figure out this wrong man angle.”

  “Well, I hope you take some time to rest and enjoy family this weekend. One thing I have learned is nothing just falls into your lap during an investigation.”

  Asia cocked her eyebrow. “Sounds like you’re ready for the weekend, Detective.”

  He smiled. “My daughter is playing tomorrow. She’s on the varsity girls’ basketball team at Providence. After this week, I’m looking forward to finally catching a home game. I need a breather.”

  Varsity. His daughter must be really good. “Providence, that’s a private school?”

  “Yes. One of the reasons why I’m glad to finally move up to detective. My daughter is intelligent and I like being able to invest in her education early.”

  Asia liked Coleman even more. “You enjoy your weekend, Detective. Good luck to your daughter and her team.”

  “Thank you. Same to you, Ms. Reed.”

  She watched as he walked towards his car. Before heading to her car, she looked back at Adam’s house. It was a beautiful home and Adam had a family he’d left behind. Asia didn’t let much get to her. What struck her most as she opened her car door was how sorrowful Adam’s ex-wife seemed to see how much he’d changed.

  Funny, it all started under the influence of his mentor Preston Cannon. She needed to take some time for the weekend, but Asia knew digging into Adam’s past was the right way to go. She felt it in her gut.

  Chapter 12

  Saturday, November 19 at 11:15 a.m.

  Asia smiled at her brother-in-law when he opened the door. “You doing alright, bro? Looks like you could use some sleep.”

  Bryan Powell rolled his eyes. “Our daughter is a sweetie-pie, but she does not sleep through the night like BJ. Come on in.”

  She stepped inside. Asia had to admit she had her doubts about Bryan. She was amazed at how Jo and Bryan turned their marriage around. Then again, she shouldn’t have. Their parents’ almost forty-year marriage had survived an affair that resulted in her half-brother.

  Asia walked past the kitchen and saw BJ munching on a bowl of cereal. “Are you being a good big brother?”

  BJ grinned. “Hey, Aunt Asia. I’m a really good brother. Alisa isn’t being very nice though.”

  She laughed, “Why is that?”

  BJ held his hands up. “She won’t let anyone sleep.”

  Bryan raised his eyebrow. “Umm, buddy, I think you slept way better than Mommy and me.”

  “True, I did. But you and Mommy are not looking too good.”

  Bryan laughed. “You might want to keep that to yourself. Don’t let Mommy hear that one.”

  Asia grinned. “He’s being honest. Although I have to agree with your dad. You gotta take it
a bit slow with some of your comments.”

  She walked towards the back of the house where the nursery was located. Jo was dressing Alisa in a pink onesie with yellow dots.

  Asia clasped her hands together, “That’s the outfit I bought her. She looks like a doll.”

  Jo grinned. “I told her I sensed her auntie Asia would be over today so we needed to dress her up. You want to hold her?”

  “Sure. I would love to.” Asia held out her arms. Her heart melted as she inhaled the baby’s sweetness.

  “How are you doing?” Jo asked.

  “Me? You’re the one who just delivered a seven-pound diva.”

  “And you walked in on a… crime scene. Somebody finally got to Locklear, huh?”

  Asia kissed her niece on the forehead. “Yeah. I shed a few tears for that joker. Nobody, not even Adam, deserved to go out like that.”

  “You two had a special kind of relationship.”

  “I wouldn’t call it special. He left an impact though. He’s not a person you forget.” Asia handed Alisa back to Jo. “I’m learning a lot about him after his death.”

  Her sister looked at her. “Like what? You have that funny look on your face.”

  “What funny look?”

  “The one where something’s really bothering you, but you pretend like you’re all good.”

  Asia rolled her eyes. Then she picked up one of the stuff animals from the nursery shelf. She held it in her arms. “You know how you told me when you had this gut feeling about a case?”

  “Yeah, I’m sure you experienced it a few times. You know what’s needed for a case to make it to trial. You know how the other side is going to run the defense.”

  “No, that’s different. That comes from knowing and interpreting the law. This is something else, more your area.” Asia took a deep breath. “I found Adam that night. I was there because he had something to tell me. I have no idea what he wanted to share, but my gut says it’s why he was killed.”

  Jo switched her daughter to her other arm. She responded low, “What? Oh my goodness, Asia. Mom didn’t tell me that.”