by Rayna Morgan
He looked up in surprise. “Really, you’ll have dinner with me?”
“That’s what I said.” She hated the position her sister had put her in. “Don’t get fired up. I want to see how the paintings the manager selected look in the hotel restaurant. Go make reservations while I order a drink. Do you want another of whatever you’re drinking?”
“I’ll tell the waitress on my way out. Should I order your usual?”
“I don’t drink those anymore,” she replied. She resented his familiarity. “I’ll have a glass of white wine.”
As soon as he left, Maddy moved over to his chair. As she hoped, his laptop was open to a browser so she didn’t need a password.
She quickly scanned the files. Lea was right. There was a folder labeled Partners’ Quarterly Review. She emailed the documents. Then, following Lea’s instructions, she deleted the sent mail.
Eric appeared a moment after she returned to her seat. “We’re all set,” he announced.
The waitress arrived with the drinks. He closed his laptop and placed it on an empty chair.
“A toast,” he said, raising his glass. “‘I loved her and I love her yet. But what you want ain't what you get.’”
Maddy choked on her wine. She wiped her lips before making a toast of her own.
“‘May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you’re going, and the insight to know when you’ve gone too far.’”
“Touché,” Eric replied.
He gazed at the ocean before letting his eyes drift back to her. “You may not believe me, but I’m different because of this experience. I've never felt so vulnerable. It changed the way I see things.”
“What things?”
“Things I thought were important seem less significant. I realize I spent too much time pursuing what I thought I needed to be happy. I let what mattered slip away.”
Maddy traced her finger around the rim of her glass to avoid his eyes.
“I’m talking about you and me, Maddy.”
“Nothing would have stopped us from ending the way we did.”
“Not even my cheating?”
“Your infidelity was my excuse to leave. It wasn’t the cause.”
“What was the reason?”
“I lost too much of me when I became part of you.”
“Are you saying you didn’t like being in my shadow?”
“You more than overshadowed me,” Maddy replied. “You smothered me.”
She sipped her wine for courage. “In your world, everything is win or lose. But there’s more to life than dog eat dog. There are more worthy goals than bigger and better. Living is about expressing who you are. Being with you didn’t give me a chance to find out who I was, and to be that person.”
“I thought you enjoyed the way we lived as much as I did.”
“Maintaining your lifestyle demands too much. It requires moral compromise.”
“You knew the person I was when we married. You knew the life I wanted for myself, for us.”
“How could I have known you when I didn’t know myself?”
“But that’s one way I’ve changed. I admit, I’ve never respected women as much as I should. The truth is, I feel smarter than most of them. And those with big salaries and management positions, I consider to be undeserving.”
“That’s because you don’t look at women as individuals or appreciate them for who they are. You see them as a faceless mass in competition with you.”
“I suppose that’s true in a way. But I respect you, Maddy. I see you as in individual. In fact, this weekend I’ve seen things in you I never noticed when we were married.”
“Being accused of murder, I’m told,” she threw out tersely, “has a way of providing clarity.”
“It made me face the truth about myself. I need to find a way to relate to people beyond what they can do for me.”
“That’s a start,” Maddy agreed.
He rubbed his fingers across his forehead. “What did you mean when you said I’ve compromised my morals?”
She hesitated, deciding whether to expose what Lea suspected. “Weren’t you close to putting profits above human lives? I’m sure it’s not the first time you’ve sold out for money.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Did you consider using the information you received to fatten your bank account?”
“I told you—”
“You told me you’d talk to Lea.”
“I did.”
“Not about short sales. You tried to make her suspicious of Wes.”
“I asked her not to repeat our conversation. I should have known she’d run to you.” He turned away in disgust. “Your family has always sided against me. They hate me for what my father did.”
“Nobody thinks less of you for what your father did. All that counts is what you do.” She glanced around and leaned forward to avoid being overheard. “Have you considered the results of your greed on people who are taking the drug?”
“Don’t worry,” he said angrily. “While I was waiting for you, I sent John Simpson’s documents to Lea. What happens to that information now is completely out of my hands.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” she replied evenly.
“But, you’re right to accuse me.” He lowered his voice. “I couldn’t help but think about the profit to be made. I tossed and turned all night. It scares me how close I came to crossing the line.”
“The important thing is that you made the right choice.”
“I felt like you were looking over my shoulder the whole time. Without you as a moral compass, I’m not sure what I would have done.”
“Yeah, you are. You would have listened to the voice inside and done the right thing. The only question was how long you'd let greed drown out your inner voice.”
“I guess that’s what they mean by turning a deaf ear to your conscience.”
“You listened in the end.”
They heard a chirping sound. She glanced at her phone. “I better take this.”
She walked away from the table. “Yes?”
“Are you with Eric?”
“Where else would I be?”
“I’ve gone through the files you sent. I have an idea. You need to ask Eric for a favor.”
“You’re kidding!” Maddy sputtered. “I swear there's going to be another murder.”
She listened as Lea explained what she wanted her to do. “Is that all?” she asked sarcastically.
“Thanks, Mad. I owe—”
“Don’t even go there. By the way, did Eric send you some information?”
“Yeah, he did. Is something wrong?”
“Au contraire. He might have done something right for a change. I’ll talk to you later.”
She returned to the table and flashed her sweetest smile. “How would you feel about staying in town an extra night?”
“Does that mean what I think it means?”
“Not hardly!”
* * *
When Maddy got home from having dinner with Eric, she called her sister. “All right, I did what you asked. We’re on the guest list for the launch party at D & M Pharmaceuticals tomorrow night.”
“Great. How did Eric swing it?”
“He told the company’s public relations person that he has clients interested in investing. She was happy to put him down for four people. The dinner is buffet-style so there were no seating arrangements to hassle with. Did you talk to John Simpson?”
“I’ll tell you about it tomorrow night. You’ll be able to meet him. He should be there. I’ll pick you up at six. Did you tell Eric we’d meet them at the party?”
“I sure did. I want no doubt about who I’m going home with after the party. Just make sure you’re ready to leave the shindig when I am.”
“If everything goes as planned, we’ll be home early.”
“It can’t be early enough to suit me. What does Paul think of us going to the party?”
“What!” Maddy yelled. “You forgot to mention that when you talked me into this. What will he think when he sees me at the party with Eric?”
“He’ll be upset, but you can smooth things over with him later. He won’t care once we’ve solved the case. Eric will be gone for good, and Cranston will be sent back to his precinct. It’s a win-win for Tom.”
“Somehow, I don’t think he’ll see it that way.”
“Besides, you won’t be with Eric.”
“I hope I didn’t hear you correctly.”
“I don’t know Wes Reed. He’ll have to be your escort. I’ll go with Eric.”
“I hope you’re joking!”
“C’mon, Maddy. This could be what we need to break the case. I’ll make it up to you.”
“When have I—”
“Heard that before,” they said in unison.
“You weren’t specific about your plan, other than wanting to attend the party,” Maddy reminded her. “Are we going after the murderer?”
“Unfortunately, my strategy doesn’t extend beyond getting all the suspects in one place. By applying pressure with what I’ve learned, I hope to force the murderer to show his hand.”
“And if he does?”
“I’m not that far with my planning.”
“I don’t like the sound of that in so many ways,” Maddy said. Her phone chirped. “Hold on. It’s Tom on the other line.”
“Maddy, it’s me,” Tom said, when she answered.
“It hasn’t been so long that I don’t recognize your number.”
“Tomorrow night, there’s a function I need to attend.” He mumbled the words. “I wondered if you’d go with me.”
“I’m sorry, I—”
“Never mind. I’m sorry I called.”
Tom’s call ended abruptly and Maddy reconnected to Lea. “Thanks a lot, Sis. I knew this would happen.”
She hung up.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Lea arrived at the front gate of D & M Pharmaceuticals and gave their names to the guard. After checking his clipboard, he pointed straight ahead. “The party is in the gymnasium on your left. Have a pleasant evening.”
The complex was surrounded by green hills. Oleander hedges bordered each building. The grass was freshly mowed. Cobblestone walkways twisted through the campus. The location was far enough from the freeway that the only sounds were of chirping crickets instead of rushing traffic.
“What a pleasant place to work,” Lea said.
“A little too sterile for my liking,” Maddy noted.
“You’re too much of a people person to be surrounded by four walls all day.”
“Experiencing four walls of a jail cell had an impact on Eric. He claims it’s made a new man of him.”
“I can believe that,” Lea mused. “They say we bring suffering on ourselves to force us to look into the face of something. We find out if that's what we are. If not, it helps us figure out our true self.”
“Are you suggesting that to find out who we are, we have to experience who we're not?”
"More or less.”
“If that’s true, I've done a lot of finding out who I'm not. Figuring out who I am is still a work in progress.”
Lea followed the car in front of her into a parking lot beside the gymnasium. “Do you think Eric’s changed?” she asked Maddy.
“Only Eric knows for sure. The important thing is that I’ve changed enough to know he was never the right man for me.”
“That makes me feel better about what I’m going to say,” Lea said.
“Let’s have it.”
“Even though I asked Eric’s help, I haven’t scratched him off the list of suspects.”
“Does that mean you don’t know who the murderer is?” Maddy asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Lea admitted. “But, I’ve narrowed it down to our escorts plus John Simpson. Of course, from Tom’s interviews with the two D & M executives, they’re on the list as well.”
Maddy threw her hands in the air. “That’s great! How do we know which one to watch out for?”
“We don’t. We’ll have to keep an eye on all of them. Are you ready to do this?”
“It looks as if I have no choice.” She jerked her head toward two approaching figures.
Both men moved to help Maddy out of the car.
As soon as she stood up, Wes wrapped his arm around her waist. “I was happy to come, but I was even happier when Eric told me you’d be here.”
Eric stepped between the two, forcing Wes to remove his arm. “Down, boy. You weren’t invited to cozy up to Maddy. We’re here for the clients who own stock in this company. If we get a heads-up on new products they’re developing, we can give our investors an inside scoop.” He walked around the car and greeted Lea. “I told your sister I’d get you in.”
Wes looked confused. “Is there something going on I don’t know about?”
Lea reached out her hand to Wes. “I’m Maddy’s sister. I produce advertising and marketing materials. I saw an opportunity to pick up a new client and asked Eric to get us an invite.”
Wes shook hands, but he looked unconvinced.
Maddy hooked her hand through his arm and steered him toward the entrance. “Let’s go party.”
* * *
Eric gave his name to the greeter at the doorway. The young man made a check on his list and turned to Lea.
“I’m his plus one,” Lea said.
Wes stepped up and gave his name. Maddy pointed to herself. “Plus one.”
The greeter waved them through to a table where guests were preparing name tags. Eric picked up a marker and scribbled his name. He handed Lea a blank tag.
“I’ll skip this part,” she told him.
Eric peeled off the adhesive and slapped it on his chest. “Suit yourself.”
He spotted the wine and liquor table. “How about a drink, Lea?”
“A glass of white wine would be fine.”
Wes turned to Maddy. “What’s your pleasure, baby?”
“To be at home reading a good book, but I’ll settle for a vodka tonic.”
The men walked away together.
Maddy grabbed Lea’s arm. “When do we get this show on the road? I can’t take much more of this guy.”
She was interrupted by the sound of someone tapping on a microphone. A man on a platform at the end of the room stepped up to the mike.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m Mark Anderson, CEO of D & M Pharmaceuticals. I speak for all of our employees in welcoming you to celebrate the success of our latest product, a drug which has put D & M on the map. As I’m sure you are aware, the drug passed clinical trials with flying colors and has FDA approval. It’s on the shelves of local medical facilities and pharmacies and has exceeded initial sales projections. The nationwide roll-out begins in a couple of weeks.”
He looked toward the media representatives and bowed. “We appreciate your enthusiastic endorsement.”
There were twitters among the group and several reporters gave him a thumbs up.
He turned back to the crowd. “My employees and I will mingle throughout the evening. Please ask us any questions you have.”
Pointing a finger toward Eric and Wes, he added, “I see stockbrokers in the room for those of you who can’t wait to invest in our stock which, by the way, is going through the roof.”
He waited to receive scattered applause before raising his glass.
“Most of you have found your way to the bar.” He paused for laughter. “Enjoy the buffet and the rest of the evening. Thank you again for joining us. Music for dancing in an hour.”
“How about another drink, baby?” Wes asked Maddy. “You know, to put you in the mood for dancing.”
“Nothing could get me in the mood to dance with you,” Maddy replied, “but another drink might deaden the pain of listening to you.”
&nb
sp; Wes grinned and walked away.
Eric moved over to console Maddy. “I’m sorry, the guy can be a jerk.”
“Wes doesn’t know how not to be a jerk.”
They were both laughing when Tom entered the room.
He walked toward them, his eyes darting between Maddy and Eric. “Surprised to see you here,” he said.
He acknowledged Eric with a brief nod but stopped short of shaking hands.
Maddy stepped toward him. “Tom, let me explain.”
“There’s no need,” he answered in an acid tone. “I understand perfectly.”
Lea took his elbow and turned him toward a man at the entrance. “There’s John Simpson.”
He bowed toward Maddy and Eric. “Excuse me, folks. I have work to do.”
Maddy stomped her foot.
“You don’t understand one darned thing!” she hooted at the back of Tom’s head as he walked away.
* * *
Tom approached the man Lea singled out. “Mr. Simpson. May I have a moment?”
The man looked confused. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“I’ll save you the embarrassment of pulling out my credentials. I’m the friend Lea mentioned.”
The man blanched and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. He looked over his shoulder in both directions. “You’re with the police.”
“Don’t worry,” Tom said. “I’m willing to keep this between the two of us, but I need your cooperation.”
“Yes, all right, I suppose there’s no way around this.” He looked toward his boss. “But can’t we do this tomorrow? I’ll meet you anywhere, you name the place. During my lunch break would be good, or whenever you say.”
“That’s acceptable,” Tom agreed. “In the meantime, perhaps you can tell me the whereabouts of the file.”
“What are you talking about?” The man pulled out a tissue and dabbed at his forehead.
“Don’t play games with me, Mr. Simpson. The file you gave Eric Larson the day of the murder at the hotel. You are familiar with the murder, aren’t you?”
“Everyone in town has heard about it. It has nothing to do with me. And I haven’t seen the file since I gave it to Larson at the…”
“At the hotel. Isn’t that what you were going to say? Which puts you at the scene around the time of the murder.”
“That’s not true. I left after my meeting with Larson. I was nowhere near the hotel Friday night. Ask my wife. She’ll tell you. I was at home with her. The whole evening.”
