Old Flames Never Die (Valentine Mystery)

by Harte, Jenna

  “So what happened?” Shelby asked.

  “Someone ran me off the road,” Tess said.

  “On purpose?”

  Tess nodded. “Yes.”

  “Wow. Was it Liv Danforth? No doubt she wants you out of the way.”

  “Why would you say that?” Daniel asked.

  “Because everyone knows she needs a new sugar daddy now that she got rid of her husband.”

  “You think she killed her husband?” Tess asked.

  “Everyone knows she did.”

  “There's no evidence to support that,” Daniel said.

  “He's dead, isn't he?”

  “Very,” Daniel said. “But there is nothing that links her to the crime.”

  “She did it.” Shelby waved her hand as if to brush Daniel's comment away. “Charles was going to leave her. No way she'd allow that.”

  “What do you mean Charles was going to leave her?” Tess asked.

  Shelby looked at Tess and then Daniel as if they were the two biggest dummies on earth. “He's got a new woman from Tennessee or Kentucky or someplace like that. Turns out the horses weren't the only things breeding when they got together.”

  Theresa Cromwell was from Tennessee, Tess thought.

  “How do you know this?” Daniel asked.

  “Everyone knows it.”

  “Like who?”

  “I heard it from Monica Snowden.”

  “How would she know about Charles Danforth's personal life?”

  “Her husband introduced them,” Shelby said matter-of-factly. “How do you not know this if you're investigating it?”

  “None of Danforth's friends have indicated he was leaving Liv. Why would Monica Snowden know?”

  Shelby shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe from the other woman. Just because Charles doesn't kiss and tell doesn't mean she doesn't.”

  She had a point, Tess thought. She knew from Daniel that Theresa Cromwell would be coming to the funeral and that he thought there was an affair between her and Danforth, so Shelby's gossip could have some truth to it.

  Shelby's phone beeped. “Oh, that's Lauren,” she said looking at the text. “She's redoing her kitchen and I said I'd stop by to help her with ideas, so I've gotta run.” She put her phone back in her purse. “By the way Tess, where do you get your lingerie? I'm sure Phillip wouldn't mind my picking up some.”

  “Cezarier's.”

  “In the historic area?”

  “Yes.”

  “Maybe after I visit with Lauren, I'll stop by.”

  Tess watched her go and then turned to Daniel.

  “I asked her to get your stuff just so I wouldn't have deal with your lingerie and yet…”

  “Really? You thought Shelby was discreet?”

  “How was I supposed to know you wore couture undergarments? Couture, that's what she called it.”

  What started out as amusing was quickly becoming uncomfortable. Daniel must have thought so too as he said, “So do you know who tried to kill you?”

  “No. But I did get some interesting information in Bucks County. I think we need to talk to Wilson again.”

  “We? No. Not we. Me. You're going home to rest.”

  “I don't want to rest. I want to find out who tried to kill me.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Where's Jack? He'll haul you home.”

  “He's visiting Cora.”

  He studied her for a moment. “You haven't told him about the accident?”

  “No. I'd rather tell him in person.”

  “I doubt he'd rather that,” Daniel said.

  “I'm fine. Can we just get on with the investigation?”

  “I shouldn't do this,” he said shaking his head.

  She didn't say anything.

  “Let's go. We need to visit Danforth's son first. Then we'll go to see Wilson.”

  They bypassed the house when they arrived at the Danforth property and instead headed to the barn area and guest house.

  “Are they staying at the guest house?” Tess asked.

  “No. I want to see what sort of vehicles are parked here and if you recognize any of them. Chances are good that whoever tried to kill you is involved in Danforth's murder,” he explained.

  “Do you buy Shelby's idea that it was Liv?”

  “I don't know, although I do want to talk to her about where she was.”

  “What about her claim that Charles was leaving Liv?”

  “Shelby likes to gossip, but she's nearly always right. I plan to talk to Monica Snowden before I talk with Theresa Cromwell.”

  Tess nodded. Daniel pulled up and parked next to the row of trucks.

  “I'm not sure I can identify the truck and I know I can't identify the driver.”

  “Doesn't hurt to look,” he said.

  Tess looked at the line of trucks parked outside the barn and knew finding her assailant would be impossible. “Do you suppose that black is the most common truck color in Virginia?”

  He shrugged. His features looked grim as they looked over the trucks, three of which were black like the truck that had driven her off the road.

  “Let's at least find out who owns these. You wait here.”

  “Why don't I come? Maybe my appearance will cause someone to slip up.”

  He took a deep breath. “Why do you make it so damn hard to keep you safe?”

  “They aren't going to try anything now. Not with you here.”

  They found Tanner Rogers, Charles Danforth's foreman, in the barn's office.

  “Any word on Mr. Danforth's murder?” he asked.

  “We're pursuing several leads,” Daniel replied. “I was wondering if you could tell me who owns the vehicles parked by the barn.”

  Tanner’s brows drew together. “Is there something wrong with them?”

  “It's part of a related investigation.”

  “They belong to some of the guys who work here.”

  “Can you give me their names and which vehicles they own?” Daniel asked.

  He shrugged. “I guess so.” He followed them out to where the trucks were parked.

  “This one is mine,” he said pointing the first black one.

  “What time did you arrive here today?” Daniel asked.

  “About 6:30.”

  “Have you been here the whole time?”

  He shifted, kicked a dry piece of manure with his booted foot. “I had some errands this morning.”

  “Where?”

  “Where? What's going on?”

  “It's just a routine question.”

  “Mrs. Danforth called and wanted to meet about the horses. She asked that I pick her up and bring her here,” he explained. Tess studied him closely, trying to figure out if he was the one who tried to kill her.

  “What time was that?”

  “About nine, I guess. I'm not sure.”

  “She'll verify that?” Daniel asked.

  “Sure. Why wouldn't she?” But Tess could hear the nervousness in his tone.

  “Is she still here?”

  “I don't know. She went down to the house to meet with Boone about some work on the house.”

  “Did you happen to go to Bucks County today?”

  “Bucks County? Why would I go down there?”

  “What about the other trucks?”

  “That's Boone's. He's had some errands earlier today, but has been here most of the afternoon. You can find him at the main house.”

  “And that one is Joe Gleason's. He's been here all day since about 9:00 this morning.”

  Daniel didn't stop Tanner when he got to the trucks that weren't black and instead let him give information about everyone at the farm. Tess understood that having information about who worked at the farm could still help the investigation even if it didn't give them any clue as to who tried to kill her.

  When Daniel was done speaking with Tanner, he escorted her back to his SUV and drove them both to the main house.

  “Will you be alright if she's still here?” Daniel said,
as he and Tess parked in the drive of the Danforth home.

  “I'm not worried about Liv,” Tess responded.

  She saw Daniel cast a worried glance. “Jack's a good guy, but I wouldn't underestimate Liv, if I were you.”

  “Do you know something I don't?”

  “No. She just strikes me as a woman that goes after what she wants and many people get hurt along the way.”

  Tess nodded. He was probably right.

  “You're sure you're up to this?” he asked again as they stepped to the door.

  “Yes.”

  Kevin Danforth, Charles' son, answered the door. He looked bored, not like a son grieving the murder of his father.

  “Mr. Danforth, I'm Detective Showalter and this is Tess Madison.”

  Kevin Danforth nodded and let them in the house. “We're in the living area.” He lifted his arm to show them the direction.

  Tess followed Daniel through the foyer into the living area. She knew Jack had been in the house before, probably in the living area. She wondered if he'd been in any of the other rooms of the house, but then quickly shook the thought out of her head. No sense in making herself crazy over an old girlfriend.

  “This is my wife, Roberta.”

  Tess looked across the room to the woman sitting in a wing-back chair. It took a moment for the woman's head to turn in their direction and another moment for her eyes to track to them. But once she saw them, she lifted a glass of clear liquid to them. “Welcome to Chezzzz Danforth.”

  “I don't think that's her first drink of the day,” Tess whispered to Daniel.

  “Nor the second,” he replied.

  Tess wasn't sure how Roberta was able to remain in the chair. Her movements were floppy, as if all her bones had been disintegrated by the alcohol.

  “Can I get you a drink?” Kevin asked.

  “No, thank you.”

  Tess took her eyes off Roberta to scan the rest of the room. There was no sign of Liv. She wasn't sure if she was relieved or disappointed. She'd been looking forward to confronting the woman who couldn't seem to keep her lips off Jack.

  “Are you any closer to finding my father's killer?”

  “We've got some good leads,” Daniel replied. “But we still have some questions. I'm hoping you can help.”

  “I'll try.”

  “Can you tell us where you were Saturday morning?”

  “You think I did it?” Kevin asked more amused than worried.

  “It's standard that we ask,” Daniel said.

  “I was on a retreat,” Kevin said, apparently deciding to join his wife in a drink. He moved to a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of amber-colored liquor.

  “Retreat?” Daniel asked.

  “Yes. Once a month I go away for the weekend.” He poured the liquid in the glass, drank it in a single gulp and then poured another shot before putting the bottle back.

  “Where do you go?”

  “Mommy dearest,” Roberta slurred.

  Kevin closed his eyes and Tess wondered if he was hoping she'd be gone when they opened. He didn't get his wish.

  “I've been thinking of taking a more permanent retreat,” he said glaring towards his wife. “This time I went to the Poconos. Other times I've gone sea fishing. Occasionally I head to Vegas.”

  “But last Saturday you were in the Poconos?”

  Tess could tell by Daniel's voice he was skeptical. It wasn't a place someone with Kevin's taste would choose to visit. Atlantic City seemed more his style.

  “It's not exotic, but it's away…” he said turning to his wife who was occupied with trying to pick up a piece of ice floating in her glass.

  “What kind of relationship did you have with your father?”

  “Not great.”

  “Did you argue?”

  “No. To argue would mean he'd have to make an effort to care.”

  “He didn't care about you?”

  “He didn't care about anyone.” Kevin didn't seem bothered by his father's behavior. Or maybe he was just resigned to it, Tess thought. She knew what that was like.

  “When was the last time you talked to him?” Daniel asked.

  “I saw him in February at my grandfather's funeral. We didn't speak though. No, we haven't spoken in years.”

  “Did you have a falling out?” Tess asked.

  “No. Basically I'm a disappointment to him. He thinks I'm a slacker and I suppose I am. But I can afford to be.” Kevin took a seat on the couch, but didn't offer one to Tess or Daniel. She couldn't determine if that was on purpose or if he didn't have any manners. She suspected the latter.

  “By slacker, you mean—”

  “I don't work. I live off my ancestors' great fortune,” Kevin held his glass up, as if to honor those who'd earned the money that allowed him to live a spoiled, rich life. Tess hadn't had an opinion of Kevin one way or the other until that moment. At his comment she immediately disliked him. She could see why his father was not only disappointed in him, but chose to avoid him.

  “I figure if I worked I'd be taking a job from someone who really needed it. Especially in this economy. I'm doing someone a favor by staying out of the work force.”

  Tess wanted to gag. She looked to Daniel and while he tried to keep his face unreadable, she could see he wasn't impressed with Kevin's sacrifice either.

  “Do you know about his relationship with Mrs. Danforth?”

  “My mother or his current wife?”

  “Both.”

  “Once he and my mother divorced it was like they'd never even met. As far as I know they haven't talked since I graduated from college.”

  “Do you know about his current wife?”

  “Ha!” Roberta exclaimed. Tess thought she was smirking as she lounged back in the chair, popping an ice cube into her mouth.

  Kevin rolled his eyes. “I suspect they were married in name only.”

  “Why would you say that?”

  “Because my father eventually loses interest in everyone. When that happens, he simply disengages, lives his life doing what he wants.”

  “If you don't talk to your father, how do you know if he's lost interest?” Tess asked.

  “I know my father. He's the same with his projects,” Kevin said, using air quotes at the word projects. “He acts like he's a big-deal businessman, but they're all hobbies that mostly lose money and eventually he walks away from them.”

  “Can you give an example?” Tess asked.

  “My father at various times in his life owned restaurants, started a real estate flipping business, tried to be a pro golfer...you get the picture. Currently he's trying to breed the next Secretariat. And his latest project was some development south of here, although I understand all the building has stopped. There's a big surprise.”

  “Do you know anything about his relationship with the development partner?” Tess asked.

  “No, except that it’s probably taken the same course as all Dad's relationships. My father is really into people and projects at first. They're like these big, shiny toys. But then the novelty wears off, and he simply ignores them.”

  “Back to Liv Danforth, do you have any reason to think she may have been involved in your father's murder?” Daniel asked.

  “Liv? I doubt it. Why would she?”

  “You tell me.”

  “Spouses kill for passion and money, right? Well there was neither here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Any woman would love to be in Liv's position. She's got a husband with a big trust who doesn't care what she does with it or with herself. As long as she lets him do his thing, she can do whatever she wants.”

  “Some women would like love, maybe a family,” Tess said.

  “Have you met Liv?” Kevin asked. “No. She was about the money.”

  “What about the money? You said people kill for passion and money, but there wasn't either. But there was money unless the trust is drying up,” Daniel asked.

  “He would have made her sign
a prenup that would cut her off if he was murdered. No, she gets more money being married to him than having him dead.”

  “The foreman said she was here. Has she moved back to the house?” Daniel asked.

  Kevin shook his head. “She stopped by this morning because she's doing some work in her bathroom. New tile or something. I don't know. She came in, barely acknowledged us and then went to her room.”

  Daniel's brows grew together. “How long was she here?”

  “She left about one or so, I think. I'm not sure.”

  “Was she here the whole time?”

  Kevin gave Daniel an exasperated look. “I don't know. I assume so, but we tend to stay out of each other's way.”

  “It almost sounds like you don't like each other?”

  “I don't like my dad, and by extension, her,” Kevin said.

  “Liv Danforth hinted that your father wasn't faithful,” Daniel said. “Any idea who his mistresses were?”

  Kevin shook his head. “I have no idea.”

  “Do you know Theresa Cromwell?” Daniel asked.

  “No.”

  Daniel studied Kevin for a moment, “Well, I guess that is it for now.”

  “Do you need to talk with Roberta?” he asked.

  They all looked to find her curled in a fetal position. The scene was accentuated by a loud snore.

  “We can talk to her later.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “So, what did you think?” Daniel asked as he Tess drove away from the Danforth home on their way to see Bobby Wilson.

  “I don't like him.”

  “As a person or for the murder?” Daniel asked.

  “Both. I was disturbed by his wife at first, but the more Kevin spoke, the more I thought she had the right idea. If I were married to him I'd drink myself into a stupor too.”

  Daniel laughed.

  “Why do you think she laughed at the mention of Liv? “ Tess asked.

  “I don't think she was involved in the same conversation we were.”

  “It's sad. Why do people live like that?”

  “Money. Kevin had that right. You know about that yourself. “

  Tess nodded. She did know about that. Her parents were the epitome of the rich couple who hated each other, but who could win an Oscar for ability to keep up appearances.

  “So let’s talk about Wilson again,” Daniel said.

  Tess had told him about the mineral rights and mining on the way to the Danforth's, but reviewed it for him again.