Page 23

Present day

Bend FBI office

“How was your marriage the year before he died?” asked Agent Keaton.

“You mean before he was murdered,” said Noelle. She was getting antsy and more annoyed by the minute. “Are you asking how our sex life was?” she asked, wanting to see Keaton squirm.

Agent Rhodes tried to keep a straight face at her comment, but Noelle saw his eyes widen and his lips press together.

He seemed more in tune with her than his partner.

Rhodes was always watching her reactions, while Keaton stared at his laptop.

Clearly Rhodes’s role in the meeting was secondary, but when he did speak up, he was tactful and to the point.

She suspected it’d take more than a sex question to fluster him.

“I’m asking how well you got along,” said Keaton, his face suddenly pink.

“Our marriage was great. We both were very lucky we’d found each other. I loved my husband very much. It couldn’t have been better.”

Noelle forced a smile.