by Loyd, Sandy
“Don’t know what to believe till I take a closer look. Something tells me this case has layers and will take some digging.”
“That bad, huh?” Watson grabbed his coffee and headed for the door, saying over his shoulder, “If you need help, holler. I’m outta here for the next week, but I’d be happy to postpone my time off for an interesting case.”
Snyder heaved a sigh and watched him leave. Then he leaned over, snatching the file with one hand while seizing the receiver with the other. Next, he punched in Claire Carter’s work number.
She answered right away.
“Mrs. Carter? This is Deputy Snyder with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you, but I haven’t had any luck locating Carl.”
“That’s what I’m calling about, ma’am.”
“Oh?”
“I need you to come down to the station.”
“This can’t be handled over the phone?”
“No. I’d prefer we talked in person.”
“Is this about Carl?”
“I’d rather not say over the phone.”
“You’ll have to if you expect me to make the long drive.”
He sighed, reached for a pen off the desk, and started clicking it.
“Deputy? Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m just trying to figure out a way to word my news.”
“I prefer the direct approach.”
“Okay. Then I’m afraid I have bad news. Dental records confirm the body we found as that of Carl Carter.”
The line went dead silent, and he waited.
“Ma’am?” More seconds of silence ticked by. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m sorry to tell you like that, but you insisted.”
“I see.”
After another moment of silence, he said, “Ma’am?”
“I assume you’ll need to question me?”
“Yes, ma’am. That’s the other reason I’d like you to drive down. Preferably as soon as possible.”
They set up a time for later that afternoon and said their good-byes.
After disconnecting, Snyder threw the pen aside and rubbed his face with both hands. Leaning back into his chair, he kicked his feet up on the desk.
“Definitely gonna be more work,” he muttered unhappily.
Chapter 34
Claire stared at the receiver without seeing anything. Carl dead? How? Why? Every nerve ending in her body prickled as a foreboding sensation swept over her. Her heart rate soared.
She reached for the phone again, punched in Jason’s number, and wiped clammy hands on her slacks.
“I was wondering when I’d speak to you again.”
Too upset to respond to the subtle suggestive nuances in his voice, she blurted, “Snyder just called. They’ve identified the body. It’s Carl’s, and the deputy wants to question me. I don’t know what to do. You’ve got to help me.”
“Calm down and tell me what happened.” All innuendo gone, Jason’s tone was now all business.
“You tell me to calm down when Carl’s dead and I get this feeling Snyder thinks I had something to do with it?” By this point she was yelling into the phone, becoming more agitated as she spoke.
“You don’t know what he thinks, and getting upset won’t solve anything.”
Jason’s composed reassuring voice took the edge off her concern. Still, she couldn’t quite quash the idea that she had reason to worry.
“You’re the one who told me they suspect spouses first when there’s foul play.”
“We don’t even know if foul play’s involved.”
“But what if it is?”
“It’s still routine procedure, and that’s all. Tell me exactly what he said.”
“So, what do you think?” she asked after relaying her conversation with Snyder.
Claire flexed her shoulders as some of the tension left her body. After rolling her head from side to side, she took a deep breath. The longer she talked, the calmer and more relaxed she felt.
“We meet with him. Go from there. I’ll clear my schedule. What time?”
“Later this afternoon. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“No. I’m your lawyer, remember?”
She laughed. “I fired you, remember?” Though it sounded forced, laughing was definitely better than crying.
“Yeah, but I figured you changed your mind after this weekend.”
That comment earned a genuine smile. She leaned back and sighed. Jason wouldn’t let her down. She could depend on him.
“I guess I did.”
It felt wonderful to let someone else in and share her problems. For too long, she’d lived life totally alone because she never shared anything of her inner turmoil with Carl. He’d use it as a weapon against her, so she’d kept her feelings locked inside. Still, she would never wish him dead. She’d been just as much at fault for allowing her marriage to disintegrate.
When she hung up the phone, Claire felt somewhat relieved and went back to work. Yet, the idea of Carl’s dead body washing up along the shore lingered. No matter how she tried to push away the thoughts, they wouldn’t budge.
When the time came, Claire stepped outside and spotted Jason’s car pulling into the lot. Hot, humid air hit her face. Immediately, warmth seeped into her skin, heating her cold insides. All afternoon, icy fear had been a constant companion.
“Prompt as always,” he said after she hopped inside his Mercedes.
“I try to be.” Though she worked to sound jovial, her voice fell far short of the mark.
“You okay?”
Sliding the seatbelt into place, she blinked back tears at the concern in his tone and nodded, too afraid she’d fall apart if she spoke.
Jason’s hand went to her chin, lifting it so she could see his expression. Those gentle fingers slid up and down her face before he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss.
“I’m here.” He placed a warm hand over hers, and immediately heat engulfed it. “We’ll deal with this together.”
Again, she could only nod as he put the car in gear. As he drove, Claire remained silent with her eyes focused in front of her.
Except for Jason’s directives to let him handle things, and for her to follow his lead during their questioning, neither spoke again for the ninety-minute trip south.
• • •
They made good time, beating rush hour traffic by mere minutes. Jason switched off the engine and glanced at Claire with eyebrows raised. “Ready?”
“I guess.”
He got out of the car and walked swiftly to her side before she could get halfway out. He heard her sigh. The fragility he noted on that first day was back. There was nothing he could do other than wrap his arms around her and hold her close in an effort to comfort her.
Not surprisingly, she clung to him.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, leaning back. His worried gaze sought hers.
“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath and straightened. “I remember when the last time we were here and you hurried around to open my door, it irritated me. Now I thank God you’re here.”
“Hold on to that thought. I may irritate you again, because I’m not going away.”
Keeping his arm around her shoulders, Jason slammed the car door. Claire leaned into him as he led her toward the station.
“Remember, I want you to follow my cues while we’re in there. Look for my nod before you answer any question.” His tone held more warning than their earlier conversation on the matter.
“Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?” Her eyes grew to the size of quarters. “You think I have something to worry about?”
“I’m thinking as a lawyer now. As such, I’m merely going with a worst-case scenario. That way we’re prepared and can meet this head on.”
A pretty receptionist directed them to go on back. Deputy Snyder sat at the same drab table
in the same drab room. He stood as they got to the door.
“Come on in.” He pulled out two chairs. “Have a seat. I really appreciate your cooperation.”
“Thanks.” Jason led Claire to one chair and then took the other. “What can you tell us about Carl Carter’s death?”
“That’s my question.” The deputy sighed. “Not much to tell yet. So far, all I got is a dead body that washed ashore. One of a man who went to great lengths to plan his disappearance only weeks before, no matter how ineptly he’d handled it.”
“And COD?”
“It’s in the report,” Snyder said, indicating the brown folder in his hands. He tossed the file toward Jason. “Take a look.”
“What is it you need from my client?” Jason asked, though he already had a good idea. He picked up the file and flipped through the pages, reading the parts he needed to read and skimming the rest.
“Standard questions,” Snyder murmured as he turned on a tape recorder. “Whereabouts on the days in question, relationship to the deceased. If she might know of any reason someone would stab him and dump his body. That sort of thing. Plus, I’d like permission to inspect your home.”
He broke off and looked at Claire. “And I’d like to take another look at your boat. I can get a court order if you say no. It’ll take me longer, so I’m hoping you’ll agree. I’ll also be going through electronic files.”
“We see no problem with your requests,” Jason replied, looking up from the report.
Chapter 35
The woman paced the room and fought to rein in her temper.
Stupid men! What did they see in Claire Carter?
Even Carl hadn’t hidden the fact that, in the end, he preferred Claire over her. The more she thought about that last time she’d seen Carl, the more frenzied her movements became. He’d laughed at her and had spewed his venomous comparisons. That night she realized her horrible error in trusting him.
Remembering it all now, her rage built. She could still hear his voice, mocking her.
“Do you really think you’re worth all of this?” he’d said. “You were the means to an end. Once that end’s met, you’re history.”
How dare that bastard tell her she was fun while it lasted! That even if their plans had worked out, she couldn’t expect him to settle for her.
That news had been bad enough. She’d lost it when he told her he was going back to his precious Claire, and to what?
Beg?
What did he take her for? Stupid? Yeah, stupid.
He’d actually used those words. “Look who’s the stupid one now! Look who’s getting away with murder!”
Still, she hadn’t wanted to kill Carl. She’d loved him for too long to want him dead. So she’d tried to give him one last chance.
“Keep to the plans, darling, and it will all be yours.”
He’d only laughed harder and had pushed her away, jeering, “It already is, you bitch. I don’t need you. I’ve been formulating a new plan. I’m outta here.”
She couldn’t let him get away with humiliating her again.
When she’d felt the drugs in her pocket, it hit her. She’d offered him a provocative smile while reaching for him, knowing he’d never turn down sex.
“Since this is it,” she’d murmured, rubbing her hand over his now bulging erection. “How about a quickie for old times’ sake.”
Like a multitude of other times, their mating had been hot, fast, and thoroughly satisfying.
She sighed, almost wishing she hadn’t had to kill such a great lover.
Drugging him had been as easy as placing the tasteless powder in a glass of bourbon. Her victory must have shown in her face when he met her eyes after drinking half the contents of his glass.
“What’d you do?” he’d asked with a wary expression.
“You obviously think I’m as stupid as your wife,” she’d hissed, unable to stop her face from showing the hatred she’d felt at that moment. “Since you were going to cut me out, I’ve also changed plans. What I need is a body.”
“Then we should kill Claire, and I’ll come forward. Make it look like someone has it out for both of us. It’s perfect.”
She’d laughed at his attempts to appease her. He’d really believed he could talk her out of it. Killing such a bastard had actually offered some gratification.
“Too late. The original plan was better,” she’d said. “With you dead and Claire as the killer, I can gain control of everything.”
“Without me, you don’t have a prayer.” His voice thickened as awareness that he’d been drugged set in. His look changed to horror. “You’ll never get away with it.”
“Oh? I disagree. Without you, I’ll have a hundred percent and no asshole telling me what to do, while screwing me literally as well as figuratively.” She’d watched him struggle, feeling powerful.
“Such a waste,” she said under her breath as her thoughts returned to more pressing problems.
Though things had gone as planned so far, she hadn’t taken into account Jason Roberts and his involvement.
In a burst of anger, she swiped her hand across the table with force, knocking several piles of papers on the floor. Bending over to pick them up only made her angrier as she straightened and slapped the piles back in place.
What was it about Claire that drew men like flies? The guy should be running in the opposite direction.
“I’ll have to take care of that,” she said softly as her pacing increased.
Chapter 36
Jason stretched and glanced at the clock on the wall of the interview room. Two hours had passed since they’d sat down. His gaze moved to Claire. She looked frazzled and worn out. All color had left her face a while ago.
“That about wraps it up for now.” Snyder turned off the tape recorder and rose from the table. “I may need to talk again once my investigation gets under way. I appreciate your cooperation.”
“Come on.” Jason stood and grabbed her hands. “You’re freezing.” He rubbed her icy fingers to add some of his warmth.
“I’m okay,” she said, pulling out of his grasp while hugging herself, as if warding off the cold. “I just want to go home.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist. Again, he was reminded of how fragile she seemed as she leaned into him.
Keeping a light hand at the small of her back, he gently guided her through the door, feeling the tension in her body. Her stiff posture and tight expression as they walked toward his Mercedes worried him. She looked ready to come apart at the seams.
“Relax. It’s over for now.”
“He thinks I did it.”
Jason barely heard her whispered words.
“You’re a lead, Claire.” He sighed. “We expected that. So don’t go reading anything into the interview. We’ll get through this.”
He opened the car, waiting until she was seated before he rushed around to the other side and slid into the driver’s seat. In minutes, he turned onto the main highway, heading north.
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.” When she didn’t argue, he added, “I’ll drive to my place, pick up some clothes and things. Then we’ll spend the night at your house.”
When they pulled up to his house, Jason left Claire in the car, and once inside, pulled out his cell phone and punched in Jimbo’s number.
“What’s up?” the investigator said.
“Find anything yet?”
“Give me a little time, would you?”
“I’m worried. We don’t have a lot of time. Someone’s setting Claire up, and I need to find out who and why before Snyder decides he’s got enough circumstantial evidence to arrest her. Motive’s a little weak, but if an overzealous DA gets a hold of this, he could have a field day.”
“Takes time to sift through a person’s shit, especially Carter’s.”
“What have you got so far?”
“Not much. I’m workin’ on several angles. One of his bookies I talked to wasn’t exactly pleased with Carte
r. But bookies generally don’t kill people who owe them. Maim maybe, but not kill. Checked out some of those nubile young things’ numbers, but those were mostly one-night stands. All had the same comment. He was good at sex, but little else.”
“There’s got to be something we’re missing.”
“It’s well hidden. He’s no angel and his past is full of tawdry people, but none with a motive to kill. Nothing makes sense so far.”
“It makes sense to someone. Someone hated him enough to stab him and dump his body, pointing fingers at Claire. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble.” Jason paused. “What about Crystal?”
“What about her?”
“Have you looked into her? Cleared her?”
“No. And I’m not going to.”
“Why? She’s got as much motive and opportunity as Claire.” He raked a hand through his hair and started pacing. “She hated Carter. Maybe she hates Claire too. They’ve been estranged.”
“It’s not Crystal,” Jimbo stated in a much firmer voice.
“You’re quick to defend her all of a sudden. Surprising, given how last week you were so dead set against her.” Jason grabbed an overnight bag.
“A mistake I won’t be making again.” Jimbo’s voice drawled in his ear while Jason packed one-handed, filling the bag with toiletries and other needed items. “And she doesn’t hate Claire. The two were thick as thieves on Saturday morning when she called.”
“What if she planned this whole thing? Manipulated us into thinking what she wanted us to think. Throw us off guard.”
“You aren’t going to let it go, are you, Roberts?” Jimbo sighed heavily. There was a pause. “Here’s what I’ll do. Give me time of death, plus a few other details about the case, and I’ll find evidence proving neither one did it. Okay?”
Jason smiled. “You’re on. Just don’t take too long.”
Chapter 37
When they reached Claire’s place, she watched Jason hurry out of the car to open her door, taking extra time helping her out. She didn’t want to think about how much she needed his calm, silent strength. Simply knowing he was beside her added to her sense of well-being.
