Page 20 of Memory of Murder (Colby Agency: The Next Generation #3)

Barrington

Langston Residence

Anne could barely remain seated. They had arrived and were shown to the senator’s home office.

The room was exactly what she had expected.

Lots of dark wood, a massive desk and a wall filled with shelves in the same dark walnut.

Each shelf was lined with law books. If he arrived wearing a tweed jacket and smoking a pipe her visual image would be complete.

Though the design was quite traditional, it felt heavy and outdated. The space needed a serious update, in Anne’s opinion.

Jack glanced at her. She managed a smile. He would be wondering if she was anxious. The answer was yes. She was nervous for sure. But learning all possible from and about this man was essential. She would do whatever was necessary to make that happen.

Except she really didn’t want to die trying to find answers.

The memory of how the aftermath in her hotel room had looked and smelled haunted her.

If she sniffed her blouse the odor still lingered.

The fire marshal had mentioned that the fire had moved fast. They would be testing for an accelerant, which he suspected would be found.

Whoever set that fire hadn’t been playing around.

Sadly, the hotel had no security cameras, and no one they had questioned so far had seen a single thing out of the ordinary.

Deep inside, she shivered at the thought of how someone could have been injured or killed because she had kicked a hornet’s nest. It was impossible to ignore the fact that someone or several someones did not want the truth dug up and were willing to do anything to stop it.

Was finding a thirty-year-old truth really worth the risk to her safety and that of others?

Then again, if she didn’t finish this, it could happen again.

If the senator was the one who murdered Neil, then he could still be hurting people.

Case in point, the sexual-assault allegation.

She could only imagine what he might be capable of in the future.

He certainly had no place in a position of such significant power.

If he was the one, he had to be stopped.

The door opened and the man himself walked in. She and Jack stood. Part of her had wanted to stay seated. He wasn’t royalty, just another possibly crooked politician. Maybe a killer…certainly an abuser. She suddenly felt foolish for showing him any regard whatsoever.

“I apologize for keeping you waiting.” He paused and thrust out his hand, first to Anne.

She brushed her palm against his, barely touching his hand. “Anne Griffin.”

Jack took his hand next, gave it a firm pump. “Jack Brenner.”

The senator was a tall man. Even nearing sixty, the only gray in his hair was at his temples.

He carried himself with an air of importance—as if anyone he encountered should recognize his worth.

There were many things Anne instantly recognized about the man—arrogant, self-serving, to name a few.

But then, she’d drawn that conclusion before he set foot in the room.

He skirted his desk and settled into the leather chair behind it.

“I understand you’re conducting some sort of investigation into Neil Reed’s murder.

” His attention moved between the two of them coming to rest on Jack.

“I’m familiar with the Colby Agency’s stellar reputation. I’m sure you’ll be thorough.”

“We appreciate your time, Senator. Our primary goal at this time is to determine what was happening in Mary Morton’s and Neil Reed’s personal lives just before the murder.

We’ve reviewed the official case file and, frankly, found it lacking.

Perhaps it was inexperience on the detective’s part.

Given the many holes in the work, we’re basically going over all the steps. ”

Langston leaned back in his chair, his forearms and hands resting on the chair arms. “My wife mentioned that you spoke with her already.” He glanced at Anne for the first time since they brushed palms. “Eve was right. You do look so much like your mother.”

Anne forced a smile. “You and your wife were very close to my parents. Were you aware of any trouble between them or with any of their friends just before the murder?” Like you , she wanted to say but did not.

Who could doubt the possibility considering what this man had taken from Neil Reed?

Even if he wasn’t guilty of murder, he knew things—things that could make a difference.

He paused for consideration of the question before responding.

“I was unaware of any personal trouble between Mary and Neil. As for issues with friends, I can’t say that the relationship he and I once had was the same.

Obviously not, since I was chosen over him for a position he really wanted.

But like politics, the field of law is competitive.

Fiercely so. There are no in-betweens. You’re either winning or you’re losing. In that case, I was the winner.”

Anne bit her lips together to hold back the retort that sprang to the tip of her tongue.

“What about your relationship with Mary?” Jack said. “Was their trouble between you and Reed where she was concerned?”

Like the attorney they had met with this morning, Langston’s face cleared of emotion.

He turned his hands up as if to say he didn’t understand the question.

But then he spoke. “Mary and Eve were very good friends. Best friends, I would say,” he insisted.

“I, of course, was friends with her as well but only through Eve. There was never anything beyond that between Mary and me. She was busy with her teaching, and I was even busier with building my career. We hardly had time for anything else. I can’t imagine where you stumbled upon such an idea. ”

Stumbled? Anne bit her teeth together hard to prevent a retort.

Jack looked from Anne to Langston, she suspected to build the anticipation of his next question. “Was there anyone else,” he pressed, “close to the four of you who may have taken an unsolicited interest in Mary?”

“Are you implying Mary had an affair?” Langston’s tone was imbued with surprise or something on that order. Probably faked. He appeared every bit the type to act his way out of a troubling situation.

“We know there was—let’s just say,” Jack explained, “an event with another man. We’re currently running down a paternity test that should answer the question.”

The senator’s expression closed completely then.

“We have reason to believe the encounter was not a welcome one,” Anne added without saying the word .

Despite his restraint, the man’s face turned deathly pale.

His eyes widened like saucers. She and Jack seemed to have that effect during interviews, even with someone as practiced at disguise as this man clearly was.

Anne had to clutch the armrests of her chair to remain seated.

She wanted to jump up and demand that he admit what he had done.

This man was somehow involved in what happened. Anne was sure of it.

“I’ve been reading her journal,” she said, only at that moment deciding to share this information.

He apparently had lost his ability to speak, at least momentarily.

“I believe we’re getting very close to uncovering evidence of the details she shared.

Once we have what we need, I’m confident the murder case will be reopened.

But this time, there will be a different defendant.

My only regret is that I couldn’t make that happen before she died in prison for a crime she did not commit. ”

The emotion that poured out of her with the revelations left her weak and on the verge of shaking.

She should not have ignored her mother all those years.

No matter that her mother had turned away her only attempts for a connection after high school, Anne should have kept trying.

She should have fought for the truth. Regret and pain welled inside her so fast she could hardly breathe.

“I can understand your need to somehow make this right.” Langston seemed to have gathered his wits once more. “But Mary is dead. What good can come of turning your own life upside down to find answers that likely will not change a thing?”

“She was innocent.” Anne surprised herself by saying the words with strength and determination. “Her name should be cleared. She deserves—I deserve—the truth.”

The senator inclined his head and studied her. “At what expense to you? In your line of work, reputation is everything. You need clients to trust you on all levels. It would be a shame to neglect your career for this futile endeavor.”

Anne shook visibly with the impact of his words. Had he just threatened to damage her reputation? Clearly a US senator had the power to do such a thing. Also very clear was the idea that he had looked into her life.

“Particularly,” Jack cut in, “if those rumors are false. I’m sure you felt the same way when Adrina Wilson made her allegations. Thankfully you were able to keep those out of the media for the most part—which is a major feat in itself these days.”

The blood drained from Langston’s face once more. “That,” he said, his voice tight, “was a woman out to get something for nothing. I never touched her. She smelled money, and she wanted it.” He snapped his mouth shut as if he’d only just realized that he wasn’t supposed to speak of the matter.

So much for the nondisclosure agreement.

“But it was the other—the physical relationship,” Anne suggested, “Adrina didn’t want.

Was that the true issue? Mary’s journal reflects much the same.

She didn’t want what happened, and yet fear kept her from going to the proper authorities.

” She was really reaching here, but somehow she couldn’t stop herself.

“This conversation is over.” Langston stood. “I’m certain you can see yourselves out.”

Anne and Jack rose from their chairs.