Triple Threat

by AK Leigh

  She gave little sister’s shoulder a squeeze, and whispered, ‘I’m sorry. I just realised what today is. Are you okay?’

  Carrie looked over at her with moisture in her eyes, ‘Of course. This is exactly how I imagined I would be spending my wedding day.’

  Nina gasped then leaned forward from her place in the back seat. Taking Carrie’s hands in hers, she said. ‘I’m so sorry, I forgot.’

  Carrie offered a weak smile, ‘It’s okay.’

  ‘This can’t be easy for you. Why don’t you stay in the car when we get there? Nina and I can talk to her.’

  Carrie wiped her eyes and shook her head, ‘No. We work better as a team.’

  Lizzie smiled, ‘Yes, we do.’

  She saw Nina pump Carrie’s hands in a sign of agreement.

  ‘Besides, why would I want to be marrying a lying, cheating arsehole today when I can hang out with my loyal, awesome sisters instead?’

  Lizzie and Nina grinned, saying together, ‘Exactly.’

  In the silence, something occurred to Lizzie. She faced Nina and asked, ‘Why don’t the mistress and Clay live together?’

  Nina shrugged, ‘No idea. Do you think that might be relevant?’

  ‘Not sure, but it can’t hurt to ask.’

  Lizzie started the engine and drove off. As she drove away, she glanced at Carrie. Their little sister was staring out the passenger window. She was trying to be brave, but it wasn’t working.

  Chapter 17

  Don Silkstone

  He’d figured out where they were going by the halfway mark, so he’d turned around. His Mercedes was a rental and he was charged by the kilometre. He couldn’t see the point in wasting his money when he already knew what they were up to: interviewing Baronie.

  Frankly, he didn’t want to see the man again, even from a distance. He might be tempted to kill him if he did. Baronie certainly deserved it.

  As he pulled into the hotel’s car park, a sharp twinge hit him at the temples. He lifted a hand to rub the looming headache away. It was a stressful time. All these memories resurfacing.

  I need a drink.

  He would have at least a couple of hours before the women would be back. On his drive past Elizabeth Farris’s unit on his arrival, he’d noted a pub on the opposite side of her street, within easy-viewing distance of her unit.

  He could go there and wait—and drink—until he saw her return? Maybe get an idea of the woman’s local neighbourhood? Couldn’t hurt to be familiar with her territory.

  Chapter 18

  A short time later, the three of them were sitting with the mistress, Bella Nunez, on the woman’s back porch, overlooking a green, flowering, and abundant garden.

  Nina locked eyes with the woman, ‘So what you’re saying is that Maryann knew about the two of you?’

  Bella nodded, ‘Yes. Of course.’

  ‘How do you know that?’

  The mistress licked her bottom lip and looked away, ‘She, uh … caught us … together.’

  Lizzie’s gaze flicked to Carrie. From the corner of her eye, she saw Nina had glanced over at their younger sister too. Lizzie reached over and squeezed her little sister’s hand. The similarity in her own story had to be difficult.

  Carrie had noted her then fiancé, Rake, becoming withdrawn and distant from her. She’d put it down to their conflicting work schedules. She’d come home early one day from work to prepare for a secret weekend away she’d planned for the two of them … and had been devastated to discover the secret he’d been hiding: a three-month-long affair with their next-door neighbour. She’d walked in on them making love on their bed, on her expensive Egyptian cotton sheets. After much anger and shouting on Carrie’s end, he’d told her he no longer loved her and left her for the neighbour.

  The new couple lived together. Next door. The pair didn’t even try to hide the relationship, nor were they sensitive to Carrie’s feelings if they ran into each other in the hall—which happened often. In the end, he had indeed been a ‘rake’ in every possible meaning of the word.

  Carrie had had to move out of a house she’d lived in for ten years just to get some breathing space. She had avoided dating, though not the odd one-night stand since then, and Lizzie noticed her little sister had become increasingly bitter toward love.

  A palpable tension overtook the room.

  Carrie cleared her throat, and avoided eye contact with Bella when she asked, ‘How did Maryann react?’

  Bella paused. ‘She was upset, as you can imagine.’

  Carrie’s jaw clenched. ‘Yes. I can.’

  The thickness in the room grew.

  Lizzie spoke before it could take over and ruin their chance to get some much-needed information. ‘Did Maryann know you and Clay would be spending the night together that night?’

  Bella shrugged, ‘I’m not sure. But she had to have known it was a strong possibility. Clay had spoken to her about getting a divorce and she’d told him she needed some time away to think.’

  It was the same answer Clay had given them and matched the police report. He’d also told them that Maryann had planned to catch up with a friend. The police report had shown the friend had been out of town at the time. Maryann had lied about where she was going that night. Why? Was she involved in something illegal?

  She voiced the question, ‘Do you have any idea why Maryann would have lied about where she was staying?’

  Bella shrugged, ‘I’m sorry. I don’t.’

  Once again, it was the same answer Clay had given. Still, something in the way she darted her eyes away told Lizzie that it wasn’t the complete truth.

  Nina intruded on Lizzie’s thoughts by asking, ‘You used to be the Baronie’s maid, correct?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘But that stopped after Maryann found out?’

  ‘Yes. I was fired.’

  ‘How did you feel about that?’

  Bella shrugged. Then a wide smile appeared on her face, ‘As you can see, Clay takes good care of me.’

  Lizzie peered around the substantial garden. Larger than the average suburban home in the area. The interior was modern, clean, and sleek in its design. Two storeys. With a front and back porch. He did, indeed, take care of his mistress. As she returned her attention to Bella, Lizzie caught the raised eyebrow on Carrie’s face and the unspoken sarcasm; I bet you take good care of him too.

  Lizzie took the opportunity to ask what she’d been wondering after leaving Clay’s house, ‘Is there any reason you and Clay don’t live together?’

  The other woman nodded, ‘It’s because of the children.’

  ‘Children?’ The three of them asked together. Lizzie heard shock in all of their voices.

  This was the first they’d learned about the Baronies having children. There’d been nothing in any of the reports. How had they missed that?

  Nina asked, ‘How many children do the Baronies have?’

  Bella shook her head, ‘They don’t have any children. I’m talking about the charity Maryann used to work for.’

  Lizzie scrolled through her memories. She’d written something about a charity in her notes. ‘You mean the Star of Hope?’

  Bella nodded, ‘That’s it. In her will, Maryann put in a stipulation that if Clay moved a woman into the house, or lived with another woman, then all of her money would go to the Star of Hope foundation.’

  Carrie, suddenly perked up, said, ‘All of it?’

  ‘Every last cent.’

  ‘But how could she do that?’

  ‘It was Maryann who had all the money coming into the marriage. Clay signed a Binding Financial Agreement.’

  Nina clarified, ‘A pre-nup?’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Lizzie ingested that information. Then, not caring if she was being insensitive, asked, ‘So she knew Clay was being unfaithful to her before she married him?’

  Why else would she have put the clause in?

  Bella shook her head, ‘No. It was altered … after she
found out about me.’

  ‘And Clay signed the change willingly?’

  ‘Yes. Maryann told him if he signed, she would make sure he got a fair settlement, but if he didn’t she would hire the best lawyer she could to drag out the divorce and enforce the BFA to its strictest interpretation.’

  ‘What did she consider a fair settlement?’

  Bella lowered her gaze. ‘He signed it before we found out.’

  Because Maryann had been killed. Nobody said it, but it was obvious everyone had drawn the same conclusion.

  A few seconds of silence passed.

  Nina broke it, ‘How did Maryann feel about her husband supporting you with her money?’

  Bella bit her bottom lip, ‘I don’t think she was thrilled, but what else could she do?’

  Divorce the jerk, take all the money, and run? Lizzie had to use every ounce of control she could muster not to voice the conclusion.

  Nina mumbled, ‘I see.’

  Lizzie noted something, hesitation, in Bella’s expression. There was more. ‘Was there anything else in the changes?’

  ‘No.’

  That was a lie. She wasn’t the only one who noticed. Both sisters flicked her a look.

  ‘Come on, Bella. You know we’ll find out soon enough anyway. It’ll look better if you tell us willingly.’ From previous experience, Lizzie knew that Nina’s use of the woman’s first name was her attempt at gaining rapport and trust.

  It worked, like it usually did.

  The mistress gave an uncomfortable looking nod, then said, ‘At the last minute, she also added a non-divorce clause.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘It meant …’ She looked away and wriggled in her seat. ‘It meant he couldn’t divorce her.’

  Nina asked, ‘Not ever?’

  ‘Well, for as long as she was alive …’

  ‘Ah.’

  Bingo.

  Was that the thing Clay was hiding? Did he think he would look guilty of murder if he’d told the initial investigators that? Especially considering he was obviously living the high life on Maryann’s money.

  ‘Why wouldn’t she want a divorce?’

  Bella shrugged, ‘At first, she’d been enraged—’

  Carrie scoffed and cut in, ‘Rightfully so.’

  Bella looked at her for a moment, gave a slight nod, then finished, ‘But once she’d calmed down and processed it all, she changed her mind. I don’t think she wanted a public scandal, or to have to divide up her property. The mansion had been in the family for generations. Besides, Clay had gotten used to the lifestyle. Me too.’

  Carrie’s face went an agitated shade of fuchsia. If this went on much longer, her sister would explode.

  She knew Nina had noticed too when her elder sister jumped up all of a sudden and said, ‘Thank you for your time today, Bella. If we have any further questions, is it okay if we contact you again?’

  ‘That’s fine.’

  As they made their way along the concrete path leading to the parked car, Lizzie reached over and clasped one of Carrie’s hands in hers. She knew Nina was doing the same on the other side of their little sister.

  Nina whispered, ‘I’m so proud of you for keeping your cool.’

  Lizzie agreed, ‘Me too.’

  Carrie gave a half-smile, ‘Thanks. I couldn’t have done it without the two of you there. I thought I was going to strangle that woman.’

  ‘I know. I noticed. That’s why I got us out of there.’

  Carrie laughed at Nina’s admission. ‘It was perfect timing.’

  Lizzie declared, ‘You’re stronger than you think.’

  Nina nodded, ‘You really are.’

  Lizzie wasn’t sure she could have survived and been functioning as well as Carrie had if her fiancé had done that to her. If Gabe betrayed her in some way, how would she cope? She shook the thought away. It was just her usual response coming to the fore. She was looking for issues that weren’t there. Gabe wasn’t going to betray her. He was decent, and funny, and trustworthy. And they had a great time together … and he was so damn sexy!

  This time, she was going to do what her sisters suggested and give the man in her life a decent chance. She was not going to let silly thoughts get in the way. Gabe was different. What they had was real. And she wasn’t going to let anything ruin it before it started.

  Chapter 19

  Don Silkstone

  He’d seen Lizzie arrive back at her unit just before the sun had set. It was dark now, so lights were on inside. What he presumed to be Lizzie’s shadow moved across the windows every so often.

  He shifted in his Mercedes’ seat. Even though it was soft and contoured his body, he felt stiff and uncomfortable. How long had he been waiting?

  He checked his watch. Two hours had passed and she still hadn’t gone anywhere. It wasn’t likely she would go anywhere or do anything related to the case now. Especially on a Friday night. She probably had something fun organised.

  Speaking of fun, wasn’t it overdue for him to have some? He hadn’t had a woman since … he didn’t finish the thought. He didn’t like to think about it for too long. The memories tried to prise their way inside. He wouldn’t let them.

  There would be newly stocked champagne and wine in his minibar.

  Maybe the concierge at his hotel could arrange a ‘special female visitor’ for him? He started the car and drove back. Elizabeth Farris and her sisters could wait. For now.

  Chapter 20

  Gabe clipped a brown leather belt through the hoop of his dark denim jeans then checked himself over in the bathroom mirror. The white long-sleeved shirt he was wearing made it look like he was making an effort, but not too much. Should he add a jacket, or was that too formal for a meal at someone’s unit? He exhaled. He was overthinking this.

  I need to relax. Be myself.

  He gave his hands a rough shake to help release some of the nervous energy.

  To himself, he asked, ‘Do I wear a jacket or not?’

  The answer came in his head: No.

  With that issue solved, he turned. A sudden thought made him stop. Should he take condoms, or was that too presumptuous? He shrugged. Better to be safe than sorry. He opened the second drawer beside the sink and pulled out a box of condoms he’d brought with him from the move. The expiration date on the box was within range. He smiled, and pocketed three—again, it was best to be prepared. When he returned the box to the drawer, he caught sight of his watch. It was still early. He had an hour before he needed to be at Elizabeth’s.

  He made his way to the living room and slumped into the sofa. Out of habit, he switched on the television and flicked to the first news channel he could find. He wasn’t paying attention to the final part of the news story being covered as he returned the remote back to its place on the coffee table.

  Until he heard her name. ‘Our source told us that this photo of Elizabeth Farris was captured yesterday.’

  His gaze darted upward. The photo his student, Morris, had taken of them the day before flashed up on the screen. Uh-oh. He tried to comprehend each word the reporter was speaking, but it came in blurry patches. One condescending-sounding question—how long will this one last?—reverberated through his mind like a cymbal that had been struck. Then the story was over. He turned off the television, suddenly repulsed by the field he was a part of.

  He frowned. How would Elizabeth feel about the story? His hand reached for his phone out of instinct. He stopped himself. If he called her about this, she might be angry. And tell him she didn’t want to see him tonight. It was selfish, but he wanted to see her. Talk to her. Explain. As he left his apartment, a thought suddenly looped in his mind: what had the reporter meant by ‘how long will this one last?’

  Panic swirled through his stomach. Elizabeth had told him her relationships usually lasted only a couple of months. Was she a serial dater who was unable to make a commitment long-term? He drew in a breath to calm himself. Before dealing with that issue, he
needed to get this other business sorted.

  Chapter 21

  ‘Oh shoot.’

  Lizzie hissed as a bubble of boiling water spurted from the saucepan onto her hand. She stepped toward the sink and turned on the tap. She took the time to relax, allowing the cool water to ease the pain. Her mind drifted to her meeting with Gabe the day before. The look on his face when she’d suggested he come over for dinner tonight had thrilled her. And increased the eagerness she had to make love to him. Did he want that too?

  The sound of her mobile ringing pulled her from the question. She turned off the tap, gave her hand a quick dry on the hand towel tossed over her shoulder and lifted her phone from its spot on the kitchen counter. She frowned when she saw Malcolm’s name flash on the screen. What did he want?

  She had no time to offer a greeting before he barked, ‘Tell me it’s not true.’

  She crinkled her brow, confused. ‘Um … what are you talking about?’

  ‘It’s all over the news.’

  The agitation in his tone was increasing.

  ‘What is?’

  His voice choked as he added, ‘There’s a photo.’

  She exhaled. ‘Malcolm, I really have no idea what you’re talking about. Do you want to explain or are we going to keep talking in riddles?’

  She heard him draw in a deep breath. He was trying to calm down. Whatever it was had gotten him upset.

  He laid a barrage on her when he did finally speak, ‘There was a photo of some guy with his hands all over you at the college. Apparently he’s a teacher there? The news reports say you’ve been dating in secret. How long has this been going on? Were you cheating on me with him the whole time? Is that why you cancelled our dinner date on the weekend? Is that why you ended things with us? Did he make you choose?’

  She couldn’t focus. A range of questions and concerns flooded her mind: the media knew about her and Gabe. How? And how was there a photo of them? Who had been speaking to the media? Why?