A CHILL RIPPLED through Anna as she stared up at him. Something in his eyes, the expression on his face suddenly alarmed her. She’d said something that had made him go all moody and distant, but she had no idea what.
Help me prove Katherine Sprague was murdered.
Unbidden and unwanted, Emily Winsome’s words came back to haunt Anna, and she decided it was way past time she get back to the hotel. Ben’s actions were starting to make her extremely uneasy, and besides, she wanted to be alone. She needed time to think about everything that had happened today. Meeting Gwen Draven. Her dinner with Emily Winsome. And now Ben. The way he’d kissed her…. The way she’d responded….
Just thinking about it made her shiver, and she wrapped her arms around her middle. “It’s getting late. I should get back, but there’s no need for you to walk me the rest of the way.”
“I’d prefer to,” he insisted.
“But you can see the hotel lights from here,” Anna protested. “If it makes you feel better, you can wait here and watch to make sure I make it back all right.”
He tore his gaze from the mission to stare down at her. “Humor me. At least let me walk you to the dock.”
Anna knew the dock he meant. She’d seen it from her window. A set of stone steps set into the embankment led down to it from the hotel grounds.
A few moments later, they’d reached those steps and she turned to him. “Well, here we are. I suppose I won’t be seeing you again before I leave.”
“No, I guess not.” As if sensing the coming awkwardness, he said quickly, “I won’t keep you any longer. Have a safe trip back to Houston.”
“Thanks.” Anna didn’t linger, either, but at the top of the steps, she turned to wave a final goodbye.
But it was too late. Ben had already turned and was hurrying back along the trail toward the mission.
ANNA WAS EXHAUSTED by the time she reached her room, but she knew it was more a mental weariness than a physical one. Except for that kiss, she hadn’t exactly exerted herself tonight.
But that kiss had taken a lot out of her. That kiss had scared her to death because she’d come very close to revealing everything to Ben.
And if she’d revealed her true motive for coming to San Miguel, how would he have reacted? What would he do if he found out his dead wife’s heart still beat inside Anna? Would he be thankful to learn that a part of Katherine still lived on?
Or would he resent Anna for being alive? Would he begrudge her the second chance that had only been possible because of Katherine’s death?
Considering the potential for an emotional and difficult confrontation, it was probably a very good thing she was returning to Houston tomorrow, Anna decided.
A knock sounded on her door just as she was slipping into her pajamas, and grabbing a robe, she hurried to the door, thinking—hoping, in spite of her misgivings—that it might be Ben.
When she opened the door, Emily Winsome gave her an anxious smile. “I’m sorry to bother you, Anna, but I heard you come in a little while ago, and I wanted to catch you before you went to bed.” Her gaze flickered over Anna’s robe. “You said you’d be leaving first thing in the morning, and I was afraid I’d miss you if I waited. I have something for you.” She handed Anna a book.
Anna gazed down at the cover. Ben’s name was prominently displayed across the front, along with a female name in smaller letters prefaced with the caption, “In collaboration with.”
The book jacket was a deep red and the title, Deadly Seduction, along with an embossed scorpion, were in black. A subtitle proclaimed the book “A true account of one man’s obsession with a serial killer.”
Anna glanced up, a sudden chill going through her.
Emily said tentatively, “You mentioned at dinner that you’d talked to someone today who’d written a book. I had a feeling you were referring to Ben Porter. I happened to own a copy of his book, and I thought you might like to have it.”
“You really didn’t have to do this,” Anna said.
“I wanted to. Besides, I’ve already read it, and believe me, it’s not a book I plan on reading again. It’s…disturbing, to say the least. I don’t recommend reading it alone after dark.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Anna murmured.
“It’s really too bad you’re leaving so soon, or you could have him sign it for you.”
Something in Emily’s voice, an edge of curiosity—or was it an accusation?—made Anna wonder if the younger woman had seen her and Ben together earlier. If she might even have witnessed their kiss.
But when Anna glanced up, Emily’s smile seemed guileless. “I know you’re probably anxious to get to bed, but…do you think we could talk? Just for a few minutes?”
Anna hesitated. “If it concerns what we discussed at dinner, there’s really nothing else to say. I can’t help you, Emily. I’m sorry.”
She nodded, her blue eyes round and earnest. “I understand. I do. But I don’t know anyone in town I can talk to about this. Even the police aren’t interested in what I have to say. If you could just…I don’t know…listen to everything I’ve learned, let me talk it out with you, maybe it would help me put the pieces together.”
Anna sighed. “I don’t see how, but if you think it would help, then fine.” She glanced around at the sparsely furnished space. “This room isn’t exactly conducive to conversation.”
“We can go outside on the balcony,” Emily said eagerly. “I saw some deck chairs along the wall.”
“Okay. But just for a few minutes,” Anna warned. “I really do want to get an early start in the morning.”
“I’ll make it quick, I promise.”
Once they were seated outside, however, Emily seemed reluctant to begin. She sat staring into the darkness with a brooding frown. She remained silent for so long that Anna finally turned to see what might have captured her attention. But the only movement she saw was the glitter of moonlight on the river and the sway of the Spanish moss in the breeze.
She returned her gaze to Emily. “Is something wrong? I thought you wanted to talk.”
Emily didn’t answer. Her stare remained fixed and unblinking as she brought her hands up to rub her arms.
Anna was puzzled by the girl’s behavior. Only moments earlier, she’d been animated and eager to talk to Anna, and now it was as if she’d lapsed into an almost hypnotic trance.
An alarm bell sounded in Anna’s head. Maybe letting her in hadn’t been such a good idea after all. “Emily?”
She started at the sound of her name, but her gaze never left the darkness. “I’m sorry. I just…I didn’t know you could see it from here.”
Anna frowned. “See what?”
Emily nodded toward the river. “The old mission. I never knew you could see it from the hotel.”
Anna turned and glanced toward the river where the stone ruins of the mission were hardly more than a dark silhouette against the horizon. “I spotted it today. It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Beautiful?” At last Emily focused her gaze on Anna, her eyes gleaming eerily in the moonlight. “I don’t think it’s beautiful at all. I think it’s a dark, evil place.”
It was Anna’s turn to be startled. “Why?”
“That’s where it happened.”
“Where what happened?”
“That’s where they say Katherine committed suicide. They say she put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but I don’t believe it. Not a word of it.”
A shudder undulated through Anna. Suddenly, she understood why Ben had been so disturbed by the sight of the mission. Why he’d been so upset when Anna had mentioned having seen someone inside earlier that day. Obviously, the ruins brought back painful memories for him.
And Emily. Her strange behavior deepened Anna’s anxiety. She seemed so different tonight, so…distressed. Gone was the whimsical personality, the disarming smile, the glimmer of charm and good humor in her blue eyes. In her place was a deeply disturbed young woman who seemed
obsessed with Katherine’s murder.
“Who found her?” Anna couldn’t help asking.
“Her daughter, Gabriella. She was only thirteen at the time.”
“Oh, my God.”
Emily nodded. “Yes, it was terrible. Katherine used to go to the mission when she wanted to be alone. The place held some strange fascination for her. Late that afternoon when she hadn’t come home, Gabriella took a boat over to the mission to look for her. She heard the gunshot from the water, and when she rushed inside, she found Katherine covered in blood. She was still alive. Gabriella had to leave her and go back across the river for help.”
Anna closed her eyes briefly, her hand automatically going to her heart. She’d never met Katherine’s daughter, knew nothing about the girl, but she ached for her just the same. Anna had also been thirteen when she’d lost her mother. Not to suicide, of course, but the tragedy had been devastating just the same. But for a child to lose her mother the way Gabriella had…to be the one to find her…
What would that do to an impressionable girl on the brink of womanhood? A difficult time under any circumstances, but to have to deal with her mother’s suicide…
The death of Anna’s mother had affected every aspect of her life. It had changed her in ways she was only now starting to understand. She couldn’t begin to imagine how Gabriella must have been changed.
“How could she do that?” Anna murmured. “To her own child.”
Emily whirled, her expression furious. “But she didn’t do it! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell the police, but they won’t listen. Katherine didn’t take her own life. I know she didn’t. She was too passionate about living. She wanted to experience everything. She loved trying new things, finding new thrills. She was the most alive person I ever knew.”
And her heart still lived on inside Anna.
“There must have been an investigation into her death,” Anna said.
Emily shrugged. “Oh, I’m sure they went through all the motions, but I doubt the San Miguel Police Department has much experience in investigating violent deaths, and besides, there’s something about the detective who was in charge of her case that I don’t trust. His name is Tony Mendoza, and he has machismo to burn. He has no regard for women, except, of course, from a purely sexual standpoint. Every time I go by the station to ask him some questions, he does nothing but stonewall. It’s almost as if he’s trying to cover for someone.”
“Like who?”
She didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, very softly, “When I came here looking for answers, I started with one question. Who would have the most to gain from Katherine’s death?”
“That seems a logical place to start,” Anna agreed. “And what did you come up with?”
“The obvious.” Emily lowered her voice. “Katherine’s husband.”
Anna’s stomach knotted with dread. “What did he have to gain from Katherine’s death?”
“Everything.” Even in the dark, Emily’s gaze was very intense. “I don’t know if you’re aware of this or not, but Katherine was a very wealthy woman. She inherited money when her parents were killed years ago, and then she married a rich businessman when she was only twenty-one. He died a couple of years later and left her everything.”
“Was he Gabriella’s father?”
“No. Her father was a poet and songwriter, a drifter really. But he was the love of Katherine’s life. When he found out she was pregnant, he stole some of her money and just took off. No one ever heard from him again.”
“How sad for Gabriella,” Anna murmured.
“And for Katherine. She was devastated by his betrayal. I don’t think there was anyone else in her life until Ben came along.” Emily glanced away, frowning. “When she died, her estate was split between Ben and Gabriella. Ben got the house, half the money and he also oversees Gabriella’s trust. In effect, he controls the whole fortune. Not bad for a former cop.” Her mouth tightened, and Anna suddenly wanted to turn away from the young woman’s accusing expression. She didn’t want to believe Ben had anything to do with his wife’s death. Not after the way he’d kissed her earlier. Not after the way she’d kissed him back…
Anna had never been one to be suckered by a handsome face, but Ben was no longer handsome. He was flawed, and somehow that made him even more attractive. And more dangerous. At least to her.
“What about Katherine’s sister? How did she fare in Katherine’s will?”
Emily shrugged. “Not so good. She gets to stay in the guest house for as long as she wants, and she receives a small allowance every month, but other than that, Katherine left her high and dry.”
“But I was under the impression they were quite close,” Anna said in surprise.
“They were at one time, but the two of them recently had a falling-out, and Katherine cut Gwen out of her will. I don’t know what happened, but Katherine mentioned to me the last time we talked that she was going to have to do something about Gwen.”
“What did she mean?”
Emily shrugged again. “I have no idea. All she said was that Gwen’s behavior was starting to worry her, and she was going to have to do something about it.”
“Do you think Gwen knew that Katherine had cut her out of her will?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“If Gwen didn’t know but suspected it could happen, she might have wanted to get rid of Katherine before she had a chance to change her will.”
“I never thought of that,” Emily murmured.
“It’s only speculation,” Anna said with a shrug. “Remember, I’m going on your supposition that Katherine was murdered. I haven’t seen the police reports or any of the evidence so I’m certainly not drawing that conclusion myself.”
“But that’s exactly why I need your help,” Emily said excitedly. “You’re objective. You know the right questions to ask. And you can bring a fresh eye to the investigation, not to mention a certain amount of clout. I’ve gotten nowhere with the police or with the D.A. But you’re an attorney. Even Detective Mendoza wouldn’t be able to dismiss you so easily.”
Anna shook her head. “I’m sorry, but nothing you’ve told me tonight has made me change my mind, Emily. I’m going back to Houston first thing in the morning.”
Emily studied her for a long moment. “You told me at dinner that Katherine had made a big impact on your life. So much so that you felt compelled to come here and pay your respects to her family. Don’t you think you owe it to her to find out what really happened? If she was murdered, don’t you think she deserves justice?”
Emily could have no idea just how effectively she was pushing Anna’s buttons. Anna owed Katherine Sprague a great deal more than anyone here could ever imagine, but she wasn’t an expert in criminal law. If Katherine had been murdered, Anna wasn’t the person to expose the truth.
Besides, the longer she lingered in San Miguel, the greater the risk that she would be exposed.
But would that be so bad?
Deep down, wasn’t that what she really wanted? For Katherine’s family to know that a part of her still lived on inside Anna?
Maybe that had been her original intent whether she’d admitted it to herself or not, but Anna no longer felt that way. Her whole mission had changed since she’d met Ben. She didn’t want him wanting her because she had Katherine’s heart. She wanted him to want her because she was Anna.
“I probably should tell you that there’s someone else who had a motive,” Emily said suddenly, drawing Anna out of her reverie.
Anna glanced at her, reluctant to be pulled in any further. “Who?”
“Acacia Cortina. It’s pretty common knowledge around San Miguel that she has a thing for Ben and has had since he first came to town.”
Anna felt a little tug at her heart, not unlike the sensation she experienced during her biopsies. Not painful, exactly, but uncomfortable nonetheless. “Does he reciprocate her feelings?”
Emily shook her head. “I have no idea. But if he and Acacia were having an affair, and Katherine found out about it—”
“Wait a minute,” Anna said a bit sharply. “That’s jumping to a pretty big conclusion. You said yourself you don’t know whether Ben even returned this woman’s affections.”
“Okay,” Emily conceded. “But even if he wasn’t involved with Acacia, Ben still had a powerful motive for murder. Katherine’s death made him a very rich man. In my opinion, he’s still the number one suspect.”
“But I understand he already had money from his book deal,” Anna tried to say evenly. She didn’t want Emily seeing through her, guessing that she was coming to Ben’s defense so readily because she, herself, had feelings for him. “Besides, he’s a former cop. He’d know how difficult it is to make murder look like suicide.”
“Yes, but if anyone could do it and get away with it, it would be a cop,” Emily returned reasonably.
“I still say you’re jumping to a lot of conclusions.”
Emily’s enigmatic smile sent a little shiver up Anna’s spine. “Read his book. Read about his obsession with a killer he called Scorpio, and then tell me if you think Ben Porter is completely sane.”
ANNA ALTERNATED between tossing and turning and lying on her back, staring at the ceiling. Finally giving up any hope of sleeping, she turned on the bedside lamp and propped herself against the pillows as she reached for Ben’s book.
The first line alone was enough to give her nightmares.
We were dealing with a monster. That much was evident by the way the victim had been mutilated. The heart had been removed from the body. Not cleanly as a surgeon might accomplish with a scalpel, but viciously hacked out with a serrated knife, the kind used by butchers to cut through bone…
Anna closed the book and set it quickly aside. She understood now why Emily had warned her not to read the book alone after dark. Like any good horror tale, Ben’s story had gripped Anna’s spine with icy fingers, and she knew it wouldn’t let up until the very end. And maybe not even then because unlike novels, the events in Deadly Seduction were true. They’d really happened.
Confessions of the Heart Page 9
