“I am making you happy.” He smiled down on her as she attempted to buck beneath him, but the pressure was too much. His bulk made any movement impossible. She was pinned, and soon she’d succumb to a deep slumber and blissful happiness only he could provide.
-
Chapter 27
IT SEEMED THE MESSAGE ABOUT her friend’s death was only now sinking in for Reanne. Her eyes were red and puffy. The glass of alcohol she’d held the other day was replaced by a handful of bunched-up tissues. She greeted us at the door with sniffles, and with a wave of her arm directed us to the living area where Jack and I had spoken with her the first time.
Reanne dabbed her nose as she took a seat on a sofa chair. “Has her body been released?”
Jack and I settled onto the couch. He spoke first. “The investigation into her death—”
“You can say it. Her murder.” Weeping shook her frame.
I sensed Jack wasn’t pleased by her interruption and correction. It wasn’t hard to discern after working with the man shy of two years. I didn’t even need to look at him to tell.
“Her body is still being held,” he said.
Reanne nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks, but she didn’t pay them any attention. “I can’t wait to say a final good-bye, ya know. Something about putting her in the—” Sobs took her voice. Seconds later, composed, she continued. “Burying her will be final. I keep thinking I can pick up my phone and call her. We were very close.”
I had to broach the subject of Tara’s lover again. “You were, but she never mentioned the name of the man she was seeing recently?”
“No, not at all. I pressured her, but she clammed right up. I never saw her like that before.”
“Did she make a habit of dating married men?”
Jack’s eyes slid to mine. He was probably wondering why I was pressuring her about the mystery man, but I figured a repressed memory might shake loose this time around. Reanne was in shock the first time we’d come by and burying her disbelief in a bottle of Jack Daniel’s.
“Married men? No, I can’t really accept it.” Reanne made the show of placing a hand to her chest as if she were insulted by the implication. “My friend wasn’t a homewrecker. She was a hopeless romantic. The men she did see always fell for her fast, but they were usually caught up in her looks, and once they got what they wanted, off they went.”
“There was an exception, though, right? Two days ago, you told us she was engaged a couple years back. You provided us with his name.” Jack glanced over at me again, but I didn’t give him any acknowledgment. I realized we were here to see if Reanne was aware of any wedding plans Tara may have made. I just deferred to the circumstances, and they were ripe for getting more out of her. She was in mourning, inebriated by her grief.
“Well, Shane was the exception. But like always, she got too far ahead of herself.”
“Too far ahead of herself?”
“You know what guys are like today, I’m sure.” Reanne maneuvered herself to get a view of my ring finger. I saved her the effort and held it up for her to see there was no band. Disdain coated her features. “You’re probably one of them.”
My first instinct was to be insulted by the classification of all men into some sort of morally perverse pot, but in light of my cavalier sex life these days, there wasn’t anything to protest. The C-word scared me as much as repeating the M-word did. Commitment wasn’t even on the horizon for me. But, expanding on the line of thought, I wouldn’t propose to a woman and expect her to not start planning the wedding, either. Maybe it was hindsight providing the clearer picture, I’m not sure, but the way I was raised, a man proposed when he was ready to follow through. My parents, my mother specifically, had drummed into my head that marriage was a serious commitment and if I was going to ask for Deb’s hand, I better be willing to hold it at the altar.
Thankfully, my parents’ views on marriage had molded over the years, no doubt tainted by the modern world. Statistically, I’d made it longer than most. That seemed to be enough to appease them. I was still coming to grips with the fact that I was twenty-nine and already divorced. It didn’t help to reassure me or make me feel better to know others were in similar situations.
“I don’t mean to be disrespectful,” Reanne continued. She dabbed the tip of her nose again. “All I know is Shane proposed to her. But I wonder if he had any intention to follow through. He wasn’t excited about anything to do with the wedding. He said he ended things because she was flirty, but I swear the wedding planning drove them apart.”
My heart started beating faster. “The wedding planning?”
“Yes, of course. She had the caterer lined up and the florist. She even had my dress picked out. Hers, well, you know she—” Another bout of crying.
I gave her a minute and was surprised Jack waited it out, too. After she stilled her tears, I asked, “Do you know the name of those companies?”
“It was two years ago— Wait.” Reanne’s finger shot up, and she bounded off her chair. She jogged out of the room, leaving me and Jack alone. We waited in silence for her to return. She came back less than a minute later, rummaging through a day planner. “I can’t believe I still have this after all this time, but, here you go.” She triumphantly pressed her fingertip to a page and extended the book to me. “Dream Weddings was the planning company, and Floral Boutique was the florist.”
“Great job.” That is what I said, but I was disappointed the names didn’t correspond with the companies Cheryl had hired.
Reanne nodded. Her eyes were brimming with tears again. “Anything to help find justice for Tara.”
With her sorrow and her conviction, it was reaffirmed, yet again, why I chose to work in this field. Despite the fact that humanity was torn apart by those who took the power of life and death into their own hands, there were many who wanted to make the world a better place, who were always there to rise in the face of adversity.
-
Chapter 28
ACCORDING TO CHERYL’S CASE FILE, Angela Morrison and Karen Ford had been her best friends. They had both gone on record saying that Cheryl assigned her worth to the relationship she was in…and her relationships were plentiful. Until the day Phil Payne had broken her heart, she’d never let others see her sad. They also commented on how Cheryl’s obsession with men and falling in love made it hard for her to make girlfriends. They had been the only people truly close to Cheryl.
Angela wasn’t home when Paige and Zach checked, so they went to Karen’s house. They would try Angela where she worked if they needed to, but first, they’d see what Karen had to say.
A woman cracked the door open once they rang the doorbell and peeked out at them. The question as to who they were was obvious in her eyes.
“We’re Agents Dawson and Miles with the FBI.” Paige held up her cred pack, as did Zach.
She was one of the few people who took the time to actually look at the credentials. Most gave the pack a fleeting glance and communicated irritation over having their days interrupted. A sad state for a human race more concerned about personal agendas than the welfare of neighbors.
“Are you Karen Ford?” Zach asked.
Karen’s gaze went to Zach. “Yes, I am.” Then back to Paige, “I’m not sure why you’d want to talk to me, though.”
“We’re here about Cheryl Bradley.”
Hearing her friend’s name proved enough to make Karen back into the house and open the door wide for them. Once they stepped inside, Karen fluttered her fingers toward their footwear. “Please take off your shoes. Have you caught her killer?” Karen crossed her arms and then unfolded them again, putting her hands in her pockets. “I saw the other girl on the news—Tara somebody? Did the same thing happen to her? Is that why you’re interested in talking about Cheryl?”
Paige touched Karen’s shoulder, the ph
ysical contact an effort to soothe her. Beneath Paige’s hand, Karen sagged. There was nothing they could say to bring her friend back. And, despite a year seeming like forever to a man like Phil Payne, the grief remained raw for Cheryl’s friend. The situation didn’t speak well of the male gender as a whole. Of course, Paige’s opinion might be tainted by a particular one.
“Do you have somewhere we could sit?” Paige glanced around Karen. What they had come to ask wouldn’t take long. They had a picture of Tara and needed to know if she looked familiar. But the pain that arose from mentioning Cheryl made Paige curious what more they’d get out of her.
“This way.” She led them to a sitting room straight back from the door.
“We came to ask if you knew Tara Day. Did you?” Paige crossed her legs at the ankles and leaned forward.
Karen shook her head. “I didn’t. I can imagine what her friends and family are going through, though. It’s hell. Was she…?”
“Posed the same way? Yes,” Paige answered.
Karen bit down on her bottom lip as if suppressing tears.
“We are trying to establish a connection between the two women.” Maybe Paige shouldn’t have been quite so forthright, but she was moved to say it.
“And that’s why you wanted to know if I knew Tara?” Karen paused. “I saw her picture in black and white—”
Paige extended a colored shot of Tara on her phone to Karen. She studied it for seconds, the room falling into a deafening silence. Karen concentrated on the image in front of her. Paige guessed Karen wanted to recognize Tara and hoped her desire wouldn’t influence her response.
Karen handed it back, shaking her head. “I wish I could say I know her…knew her.”
“Thank you for looking at the picture for us.” Paige wasn’t one to express gratitude in this situation, but the quiet sadness radiating from Karen made the words come out on their own.
Karen slipped her hands under her legs. “Don’t mention it.”
“Is there something else you would like to say to us?” Paige had a hunch based on Karen’s passive reserve.
Karen’s eyes darted around the room with no clear focus. “Cheryl was cheating on Phil.”
Of all the things Karen could say, Paige had never expected that.
“I see it on both your faces. You’re surprised.”
Surprised was one way of putting it. Shocked would be a more accurate description.
Phil had said Cheryl was flirtatious, but given her reaction to the breakup, this scenario was hard to believe. The shock ebbed, giving way to doubt. “Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”
“I don’t know. I really don’t.”
This man could be the person who killed her best friend, and Karen had chosen to remain silent? It didn’t make any sense. And now another woman was dead.
“You’re going to need a better response, Karen,” Paige said.
“Well, it’s the one I have. I don’t know his name before you ask. That’s the real reason. What good would it have done?”
“But you’re telling us now?”
“You’re the FBI. Don’t you have a greater reach, more at your disposal?”
Paige pressed her lips into a firm line. “A name is always helpful.”
“I don’t have one to give you.” Karen’s voice rose into an outburst. “I’m sorry. It’s just I’ve carried this around with me for a year. What if he’s the one who killed her?” Karen ran her hands down her face.
Sadly, it was quite possible this man killed both Cheryl Bradley and Tara Day. And, unfortunately, they were no closer to knowing the killer’s identity than they had been without knowing about Cheryl’s affair. Knowing this unknown lover was out there was more of a taunt.
“Did she ever mention anything about him to you? Hair color? Eyes? Build?” Zach asked.
Karen considered the question. “I’d guess him to have dark hair and he would be fit. Cheryl had a thing for both. The eye color was subject to change, but otherwise, she was pretty predictable.”
“All right, well that’s something.” Until they had their suspect, the vague description wouldn’t get them anywhere. Not to mention that hair was subject to change for the cost of dye.
Paige and Zach left Karen with more questions than answers. They would need to speak with Angela about Cheryl’s mystery man, too. As the thought went through Paige’s mind, she realized that was another thing Cheryl and Tara had in common. They were both having affairs. Who was he? And was he the same man?
When they got in the car, Zach turned the ignition and didn’t say anything. He usually initiated a discussion after questioning someone.
Paige started it instead. “So both Cheryl and Tara had lovers, and neither of the women’s best friends knew the mystery man’s identity. Do you think it’s the same guy?”
“It’s quite possible.”
She waited for a few seconds to see if he’d elaborate. He didn’t, and Paige continued. “Both these women loved men, they loved the attention, what if—and this might be a wild thought—but what if they were members of online dating sites? Cheryl and Tara might not have mentioned it to their friends.”
Zach glanced over at her. “That’s quite possible.”
“I’ll call Jack to update him and make sure Nadia gets Tara’s computer to examine the files on there.”
“You should also call Detective Barber and have him see if they can get ahold of Cheryl’s computer. From the evidence log, I remember it was collected, but I don’t think they did much with it. They didn’t get anywhere with it anyhow. It would probably be a good thing to have Nadia look into Tara’s social media accounts, too. Cheryl’s phone and online accounts provided no leads a year ago, but Tara’s may be a different story.”
“Well, let’s hope they held on to Cheryl’s laptop.”
Zach didn’t say anything or put the car into gear. They remained idling. Paige glanced over at him. “What is it, Zach?”
He didn’t look at her, but he tapped his palms against the steering wheel. “I talked to Brandon last night.”
She breathed deeply. “Okay.”
“Are you sleeping together?” Zach faced her. “He told me it was over.”
She made eye contact. “No. I mean, he’s right, it’s over.”
“No? Are you sure you don’t want to change your response? I saw him coming out of your room last night, Paige.”
Now her heart was racing. “Did he see you?”
“No. I slipped into the alcove where the vending machine is and he wasn’t looking my way. Wait, what does it matter?”
She dismissed his question with a wave of her hand. “I have an explanation.”
“And I hope it’s not that you’re sleeping together. He told me it was over in no uncertain terms.”
Why did it cut like a knife to hear their relationship status put so bluntly?
“Well, he told you the truth.”
“Then why was he coming out of your room after midnight?”
This is where she had to watch the lines she crossed. But Zach was super intelligent. He would have noticed that Jack’s focus was elsewhere these days, too. It wasn’t like pointing it out was going to come as a surprise. She had to be careful with what she shared, though.
She had gone to the hotel bar to have a nightcap by herself when she returned from her date with Sam two nights ago. She’d found Jack there nursing a martini, and he had let it slip.
“It was about Jack,” she said.
“About Jack?”
“You’ve probably noticed how he’s been off his game with this case. Heck, he left us alone last night. He never does that.”
“I’ve noticed his odd behavior. Do you know what’s going on?”
She nodded. “I do, but he
told me in confidence, and I intend to honor his trust. Brandon came by last night to ask if I knew about Jack’s situation.”
“And you told him?”
“No.” The single word was stamped with heat. “I just told you. Jack spoke to me in confidence.”
“Brandon was only there to ask about Jack?”
“Yes.”
He broke eye contact to study to her facial expression.
“You don’t have to analyze me, Zach. I’m a grown woman, and I’m telling you the truth. It’s not really any of your business, anyway.”
“Oh, that’s how you’re going to be? It is my business, actually. Personal relationships within a working team create complications.”
“I know.” God, she knew. And she cursed it. “But it’s over with Brandon. I swear.”
Eventually, he nodded and smiled. “All right. Good to hear it, Paige.”
She tried to return the smile but was relieved she didn’t have to as he had turned away to reverse out of the parking spot. She didn’t much feel like smiling.
It is over.
Three words she’d have to come to accept. Maybe if she repeated them enough.
She pulled out her cell to dial Jack, but it rang before she had the chance. Caller ID showed Brandon’s name, and after taking a deep breath, she answered. Seconds later, she hung up.
“What is it?” Zach asked, flicking a glance at her.
She swallowed. “There’s been another murder.”
-
Chapter 29
THE NEWS OF TARA’S MYSTERY man was almost as shocking as another murder. Almost.
The latest victim lived in an apartment building within walking distance of the bar where Tara was last seen. The medical examiner’s van was parked at a haphazard angle in front of the building’s entrance. Crime Scene would be crawling over the place. Detective Barber was just inside the apartment’s door when we arrived, and Powers was quick to come over to meet us.
Blue Baby Page 9
