Coldhearted

by Beverly Barton

  Dear God, give me the strength I need.

  Jordan wasn’t sure how long she sat alone in her study without being disturbed. At some point, she had drifted off to sleep and dreamed about her baby. She awoke to the sound of someone calling her name.

  “Jordan, are you all right?” Rick called to her through the locked door. “Tobias tells me you’ve been in there for nearly three hours. Shouldn’t you go upstairs and lie down for a while?”

  “Rick?” She came awake, groggy and slightly disoriented. “I—I’m okay.” She rose from the chair on slightly unsteady legs, her whole body limp with physical and emotional exhaustion. “Please wait. I want to talk to you.” She walked slowly across the room and unlocked the door.

  After she opened the door, she looked up into a set of dark brown eyes filled with concern.

  “You should be in bed,” he told her. “You’ve just been released from the hospital. You shouldn’t have had to deal with all this insanity. Not today.”

  “Come in. Please.”

  When he entered the study, she closed and locked the door. “The only way I can prevent people from just walking in here to check on me is to lock them out.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to leave you alone?”

  “No, I want to talk to you, to explain something.”

  “Whatever it is, can’t it wait?”

  “Ryan told you about Dan,” she said. “That he was gay and he and Devon were lovers.”

  “Yeah, he told me. It would have made my job a lot simpler if y’all had just explained the situation when you first hired me.”

  “Those of us who loved Dan are very protective of his reputation and his legacy. The fewer people who know the truth, the safer his secrets are.”

  “The man’s life was a lie and your marriage to him was a lie.”

  “I suppose in a way, you’re right,” she said. “But politics being what they are even in this day and age, especially here in Georgia, people are not very open-minded. Dan had to choose between being honest about his personal life and giving up his career or hiding his personal life and maintaining his career.”

  “So he chose his career over honesty.”

  “Dan grew up in a family and in an era that didn’t approve of homosexuality. He did what he thought was best for himself and his career and for his family.”

  “And what about you, Jordan—why did you marry a man you knew was gay?” Rick waved his hand in a nevermind gesture. “Forget I asked. It’s none of my business.”

  “No, I want to explain. I want you to try to understand.”

  When she turned and walked over to the sofa, Rick followed and sat beside her. She faced him, her chin up, her shoulders straight.

  “Dan and I made a bargain,” Jordan said. “We both got what we wanted from our marriage. He had decided that he wanted to seriously consider his party’s plans for him to run for president. He was told that he needed a suitable wife at his side. Devon and I had been friends since we were children and I’d known Dan for years, ever since he and Devon became a couple. Devon knew that I didn’t intend to ever marry again and that I certainly had no illusions of ever being in love again, so he and Dan came to me with a proposition.”

  Rick watched her carefully. She knew he was trying to evaluate her honesty. He wanted to trust her, wanted to believe her, and yet he still had doubts. She couldn’t blame him.

  “I had a family to support and even though I’d received a handsome insurance settlement when Boyd died, it wasn’t nearly enough to raise Wes and Kendra and give them college educations and the start in their careers that they both deserved. And I had the family I’d inherited from my father. My stepmother and stepsister were and still are totally financially dependent on me, and even though J.C. works from time to time, he always needs money.”

  “Dan Price offered to take care of your family if you married him?”

  “Not only that, but he promised me one-third of his estate upon his death, which I assumed wouldn’t be for at least twenty or thirty years. I never dreamed…”

  Rick narrowed his gaze in a hard, pensive stare. “You made a bargain that excluded love and sex from your life. Unless Dan agreed for you to—”

  “I could have taken a lover, if I’d chosen, and if I’d been discreet as Dan and Devon were. But I’ve never met a man who tempted me.”

  “Did everyone know that you’d inherit a third of Dan’s millions?”

  “By everyone, you mean—?”

  “Family and close friends.”

  “Yes, I suppose so. What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking that it’s possible someone dependent on you might have killed Dan so you would inherit a third of his estate now instead of sometime in the future.”

  She shook her head. “No, you’re wrong.”

  “Am I? Someone inside the estate walls murdered Jane Anne. They probably killed her either because they were trying to protect the senator’s reputation or because they were protecting you.”

  “But no one knew about Jane Anne blackmailing me, except Devon. And before you say another word, let me assure you that Devon is incapable of killing another human being.”

  “Okay, let’s rule out Devon. But you said yourself that you have no privacy in this house, which means you have no idea who might have overheard you talking to Devon or even heard you speaking on the phone with Jane Anne.”

  “You’re asking me to agree with you that someone I know and love killed Jane Anne. I can’t do that.”

  “Are you willing to take the blame for a murder you didn’t commit?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “By ruling out other possible suspects, that’s exactly what you’re doing,” he said. “Right now, the only reason you’re a person of interest in Jane Anne’s murder instead of a suspect is the fact I’m your alibi. But that alone won’t keep you safe. If they think they can prove that you persuaded someone else to kill her for you—”

  “Is that what you believe?” She glared at him, anger and frustration evident in the sound of her voice and the pinched expression on her face.

  “All that matters is what the police believe. It doesn’t matter what I believe.”

  “It matters to me.”

  He saw the truth in her eyes. What he thought did matter to her. But why? For what reason? With Jordan, he couldn’t be sure. If she had asked Rene Burke to eliminate Jane Anne, would Rene have done it? And what about J.C.? Rick felt certain that that low-life SOB was capable of just about anything, especially if there was money involved. Had Jordan promised him a sizeable payoff if he did her dirty work for her?

  Jordan’s breathing quickened. She glared at Rick. “You’re not sure, are you? Once again, it all boils down to a matter of trust. You don’t trust me.”

  “I don’t know you,” he told her. “The real you, the Jordan Price hidden behind that thick protective shell. Inside, you could be anyone.”

  “Even a murderer, a woman who has killed over and over again.”

  “We shouldn’t be discussing this. Not now. You should be upstairs in bed resting.” Rick rose to his feet.

  She reached out and grabbed his wrist. He looked down at her as she gazed up at him. “Find out the truth for me. Find out who killed Jane Anne. Find out if Dan was murdered.”

  “You really mean that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then there can’t be any more secrets between us. From here on out, you need to be totally honest with me about everything. Agreed?”

  She hesitated for only a moment, then released his wrist and said, “Agreed.”

  When she had put on her sweater before going outside yesterday afternoon and following Jordan, she had known she would probably have to kill Jane Anne. The woman had posed a threat that couldn’t be ignored. There had been no time to plot and plan, to execute a crime that could have been mistaken for an accident. She hadn’t meant to make things worse for them. Her intention had been to rid them of a nuisan
ce. And God knew that when she’d pulled the scarf from her sweater pocket, she’d never thought about it being one she had taken from Jordan’s dresser drawer weeks ago. She often borrowed Jordan’s things. Jordan didn’t mind. Jordan was generous to a fault. She would have given her anything she wanted.

  But her thoughtlessness had gotten Jordan in trouble. Next time she wouldn’t make that kind of mistake.

  Thank goodness Rick Carson had stepped in to defend Jordan. Perhaps she’d been wrong about him. Maybe he really would turn out to be their friend. She certainly hoped so. They needed a strong, caring man to look after them for the time being and Rick certainly seemed to fill the bill.

  And as long as he was good to them…

  But if he hurt them or betrayed them or posed a threat of any kind, she would take care of him just as she’d taken care of all the others.

  Chapter 15

  Rick watched Jordan and Tammy. From the kitchen window, he had a partial view of the porch and the backyard. He had come in here looking for Vadonna, to ask her to prepare fresh coffee and bring it into Dan Price’s study, but the housekeeper was nowhere to be seen. After preparing lunch and cleaning up, she had probably gone to her room to rest. And it wasn’t as if he wasn’t perfectly capable of preparing the coffee himself. Even if no one else wanted coffee, he figured he and Cam might need a little fortification and hard liquor was out of the question. He didn’t look forward to the meetings they had arranged for this afternoon, interviews with members of Jordan’s extended family. Ryan and Claire, who had asked to be questioned together, had arrived straight from church and were waiting in the den with Cam.

  Darlene Wright had informed him this morning, as if she thought an explanation was necessary, that the family usually attended Sunday church services together.

  “Roselynne and I, though we often disagree, were in complete agreement that, considering the circumstances, we should stay at home today. And our dear Jordan really isn’t well enough to attend.”

  He couldn’t say he blamed Darlene and the others. Who wanted to hear people whispering behind their backs and or staring at them curiously, even accusatorily?

  Feeling somewhat like a voyeur, Rick called himself a fool. He stood there gazing at Jordan as if he had nothing better to do. His interest in her went beyond the fact that she was a client, even beyond the fact that she was a beautiful woman. She fascinated him in a way no other woman ever had. He had seen definite signs of her cool, emotionless control; and yet he’d seen glimpses of her softness and vulnerability. Which was the real Jordan Price? Both? Neither? A combination? He had begun wondering if perhaps there were two Jordans, the gentle, charming woman he wanted to comfort and protect and her evil twin, the cold, unfeeling widow he had seen at the senator’s graveside.

  Holding Jordan’s hand as they strolled toward the house, Tammy was smiling while she listened to whatever Jordan was saying. Tammy laughed, then pulled on Jordan’s hand and led her to the glider on the porch. They sat together and continued their conversation.

  Jordan Price was an enigma. A puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. It was obvious that she cared about other people, that she was capable of kindness and even sacrifice. And yet there was a coldness about her that seemed in direct contrast to her maternal nature. Not once had he seen her cry. Not at her husband’s funeral or afterward and not even when she lost her baby.

  “Those two love each other,” Roselynne said as she entered the kitchen and came up behind Rick.

  He glanced back at her, but said nothing.

  “Some people don’t have any patience with my Tammy, even me on occasion. And some folks are unkind to her because she’s different. But not Jordan. Never Jordan. Not from the very beginning when Wayne brought me and my kids home with him.”

  “How old was Jordan then?”

  “She was only twelve, and it had been less than two years since she lost her mama. She didn’t like me much back then, but she didn’t take out her feelings for me on Tammy. She rearranged her bedroom to share with Tammy and made Tammy feel welcome. It was like she adopted her for her little sister that first day and it’s been like that ever since.”

  “You really are fond of Jordan, aren’t you?”

  “I love the girl because she’s got a good heart and she’s been better to us than we had a right to expect.” Roselynne came around and stood at his side, her gaze following his to where Jordan and Tammy glided back and forth as the afternoon breeze tousled their hair.

  “She seems to be doing all right, doesn’t she? Aren’t you concerned about the fact that she hasn’t shed a tear since she lost her baby?” Rick asked.

  Roselynne sighed, her large breasts rising and falling with the heavy breath. “Jordan doesn’t cry. Oh, her eyes might get a bit misty, but that’s all. As far as I know, she hasn’t shed a tear since Robby Joe. I guess once she got done mourning for him, she didn’t have any tears left.”

  Could the reason be that simple? But what kind of woman doesn’t cry when she loses a child she claimed she wanted more than anything?

  “I hate to disturb them,” Rick said. “But I promised Jordan to let her know when Cam Hendrix and I started our interviews.”

  “Who’s up first?” Roselynne asked.

  “Ryan and Claire.”

  “And Tammy and me, we’re after them, right?”

  “Yes, unless you prefer to wait.”

  “No, next is fine with me. I just appreciate your understanding why I want to be with Tammy when y’all question her. She’s liable to get upset and if I’m there, I can calm her down.”

  “We will try not to upset her. We just need to ask her a few questions.”

  “I see the way you look at Jordan.” Roselynne placed her hand on his shoulder. “You could make things worse for her if anyone gets the wrong idea and I don’t think you want that to happen.”

  “You’re seeing something that’s not there. Mrs. Price is a client. That’s all.”

  “If you say so.” She patted his back. “Why don’t you let me go tell her that Claire and Ryan are here and save you the trouble?”

  “Sure, why don’t you do that? And when we finish talking to Ryan and Claire, either I’ll find you or I’ll have Tobias let you know when we’re ready.”

  Rick waited until Roselynne left the kitchen before he breathed easily. From now on, he’d have to be careful about the way he looked at Jordan. Better yet, he needed to stop looking at her altogether.

  After their interview, Cam shook hands with Claire and Ryan, thanking them for their cooperation. They had been open and honest; admitting they both had intensely disliked Jane Anne Price. Although they regretted that she was dead, they were relieved that she wouldn’t be able to expose the late senator’s well-kept secrets. But not only had they been together at the time of Jane Anne’s murder, they had been on their way home and had been seen leaving by the deputies at the front gate.

  Cam glanced at Rick where he sat with his feet propped up on the ottoman and a file folder spread out across his lap.

  “They’re both big fans of Jordan’s,” Cam said.

  “Hmm…Who isn’t?”

  Cam chuckled. “You don’t know if the lady is guilty or innocent and it’s worrying the crap out of you. Well, join the club. I’m her lawyer and I’ve got my doubts.”

  “How could so many people love her if she’s a coldblooded murderer?” Rick asked.

  “Serial killers—and that’s what a black widow is—can often be charming and deceptively nice. But they’re manipulative. They use their charm to captivate before they strike a deadly blow and destroy.”

  “She didn’t kill Jane Anne. That much I know for a fact.”

  “Then we need to find out who did and if they worked alone or with a partner. But the bottom line is that I’ve been hired to protect Jordan’s rights, not render a judgment concerning her guilt or innocence. You’re the investigator. It’s your job to uncover the truth.”

  Rick tapped the file f
older. “Jordan isn’t the only one who knew all the victims, if all the men in her life were indeed victims. Roselynne, J.C., and Tammy, as well as Darlene, Rene, and Devon knew every man in Jordan’s life. Any one of them could have killed Dan or possibly all four men and Jane Anne, too.”

  “And their motive would have been?”

  “Love, jealousy, hate. Take your pick.”

  “Why don’t you find Mrs. Harris and her daughter while I read over the new information you received from Powell’s this morning? That way, I’ll be better prepared to question them.”

  “Take special note of the info about Mrs. Harris’s first husband.” Rick rose to his feet and handed Cam the file folder.

  Questioning Roselynne and Tammy went pretty much as Rick had expected, both of them staunchly defending Jordan. Roselynne was relaxed and replied immediately to every question. Tammy was nervous and reluctant. Before responding to each question, she looked at her mother. When Roselynne nodded, Tammy replied. A few times, Roselynne interceded and answered for her daughter.

  “I like to take walks. Sometimes Mama comes with me and sometimes Jordan does, but I can go anywhere around here I want to go all by myself, can’t I, Mama?” Tammy looked to Roselynne for affirmation.

  “That’s right. Walking is good exercise and Tammy loves the outdoors.”

  “And you were taking one of your usual walks when you saw Jane Anne’s body in the pond?” Cam asked.

  Tammy’s eyes widened and glazed over as if she could see the pond and the body in her mind’s eye. “I didn’t know who it was. I didn’t know the woman. But I knew she was dead. Dead just like Dan was.”

  Roselynne patted Tammy’s hand. “It’s all right. It’s all right.”