Page 73 of Line of Sight

And slow. Very slow.

“You didn’t mention me, though, did you?”

“No. None of us has breathed a word. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. We didn’tneedto. They’re already talking about a mystery person. Christ, Jennifer thought they were going to drag her ass off to jail. This is getting scary.”

“And yet I haven’t had a call from Jennifer. You seem to be the only one who’s panicking.” I’d had enough. “Say. Nothing. That’s all you have to do. And don’t call me again, okay? Because if I see your number, I won’t answer.”

As soon as I hung up, there was only one thought in my head.

Can she keep her mouth shut?

I couldn’t be sure. And if it turned out she couldn’t, I needed to have a plan.

I wasn’t ready to end the game just yet.

Myothergame, however, was progressing nicely.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Monday, January 14, 2019

“THANK YOUfor agreeing to talk to us.” Gary gave Rebecca Marchant a sympathetic glance. “I know it’s been more than five years, and I’m sure this is bringing it all back, but we’ve reopened your sister’s case because we feel we can find her killer.”

Rebecca drummed her fingers on the armrests of her chair. “You’re right, of course. Ever since you called, I haven’t been able to get Heather out of my mind.” She stared at him, her face tight. “Do you have any suspects this time?”

“We have a few ideas,” Riley confirmed. “What can you tell us about Heather? She ran a charity foundation here in Boston, didn’t she?”

“That’s correct. She started it in 2001. I took over when she… when she died.” Rebecca clasped her hands in her lap.

“I suppose she ran it from Maine after her marriage in 2013,” Dan remarked.

Gary smiled to himself. Dan was looking for a way to bring Jason into the conversation without being too obvious.

Rebecca huffed. She smoothed nonexistent creases from her cream slacks. “Indeed she did not. Heather returned to Boston on a regular basis. Not that I found it surprising she wanted time away from Maine.”

Dan frowned. “I don’t understand.”

She pressed her lips together as if to prevent the words from escaping.

He leaned forward. “Please, Mrs. Marchant. Anything you can tell us about Heather’s life would be appreciated. We need to know.” Dan kept his voice low and soothing.

Rebecca gazed at him for a moment, then gave a resigned nod.

“You have to understand something. Heather was my little sister. I looked out for her. I protected her. We always knew our father was what is commonly called nowadays acontrol freak. So when he announced he’d found a husband for her, we weren’t in the least bit surprised.”

“Jason Kelly?” Gary watched for her reaction.

She nodded again. “Heather told me Father liked Jason’s political ambitions. And she loved the idea of being a senator’s wife.” Rebecca frowned. “It was just unfortunate the senator would be Jason.”

Gary stilled. “You make it sound as though it was an unhappy marriage.”

Rebecca’s gaze fell on a framed photo on the table next to her. It was of her and Heather when they were in their late twenties or thirties. Both women were smiling, a lake in the background.

“I think bored would be nearer the mark. However, one always got the impression of a strained relationship. Nothing too obvious. More… under the surface, if you get my meaning. Heather wasn’t the sort of person to air her dirty laundry in public. And once Jason announced his intentions to run for the senate, I’m sure Heather’s money came in very useful,” she declared dryly. Her eyes sparkled. “I imagine he would have been a prime suspect but for two insurmountable obstacles. He had an alibi, and there is no reason I can think of why he’d want to rid himself of his cash cow.”

“You considered him capable of murder?” Dan inquired.

She said nothing for a moment. “I remember how he was at the funeral. So detached. I mean, that’s understandable, isn’t it? To lose one’s wife in such a horrific manner. But hestayedthat way, at least on the few occasions we met after that.”