Page 23 of Memory of Murder (Colby Agency: The Next Generation #3)
Anne had thought as much, but it never hurt to get a second opinion. “The fact that he paid her to sign this agreement suggests he was guilty, right?”
“Most people see it that way. There’s always the possibility that even if he was innocent of the charge he didn’t want to deal with being trashed in the media.
Like you, I see the agreement as hush money for his crossing the line.
How far over that line he went” he shrugged “—who knows. I will say that this business with Wilson was ten years ago—just as he was assuming his current office, so keeping negative reports out of the media was more important than ever.”
She supposed that was a valid point.
“Thirty years ago,” he went on, “Langston was younger and had far less to lose. I’m guessing he wasn’t worried about Mary coming forward.
She had to protect her reputation as a teacher of young children, and she was engaged to be married.
She had everything to lose at the time, and he had basically nothing to worry about.
It was her word against his. No matter who their friends and colleagues believed, the damage would be done to Mary’s reputation. ”
A very smart analysis. Not a fair conclusion, but the most likely one that would have been reached at the time. Jack was really good at his job. Handsome, charming, kind and smart. Why was it that she never ran into a guy like him in her everyday life? Would she have even noticed?
Not fair, she decided. She no doubt ran into really nice men often, but she ignored them. Her attention was more often than not on work. The truth was if she didn’t put herself out there, she didn’t have to worry about being hurt. Relationships and marriage led to other things like children and…
It was difficult to see going down that road after the childhood she’d had.
As much as she hated blaming so much on her childhood, her inability to take the usual relationship risks was a direct result of those early years.
On some level she understood that this moment—this time with Jack—was temporary and less risky maybe.
In the end they would go their own ways.
No real jeopardy involved when the relationship was temporary, right?
She had lost her mind. With a deep breath, she dismissed the thoughts and concentrated on what they were here to do.
“I feel like the things we’ve learned from Mrs. Farrell and then about the position at BioTech lends credibility to Mary’s claims. I don’t know if finding that lab she used will tell us anything about who, besides Neil, might have been my father, but the idea that she was worried is a potential motive for the other person involved.
It’s proof of the involvement of a third party.
Someone who could have committed the murder to shut her up and/or to protect himself. ”
“You’re right about that. Even if it’s best not to attempt a meeting with Wilson, we still have Carin Carter Wallace to locate. She has stayed under the radar a lot. There has to be a reason for that.”
Anne had pondered the idea as well. “When you look at the time frame that she went to work for Langston, it was not long before he took higher office and only a few months after her husband died. Do you think she had decided to come back and demand some sort of compensation for the secret she’d kept all those years?
At that point, she didn’t have to worry about her husband learning whatever secrets she had. He was dead.”
“You might not be far off in your assessment. Carin married a wealthy investor after leaving her life here behind. He was a good deal older than her, and he’d been married before.
When he died her inheritance was a pittance compared to what his grown children received.
There was likely a prenup, so she couldn’t exactly contest it with any hope of winning.
I’m guessing she was ready to move on to the next option for living the good life. ”
Anne contemplated the idea. “We still don’t know the reason Carin left in the first place.
She may have seen or heard something that put her in a position to be concerned for her safety.
Getting out of here may have felt like the safest thing to do at the time.
But after the murder, she realized she had a sort of insurance policy that would protect her, but she didn’t come back because she’d already met her rich widower. ”
Jack smiled. “Exactly. You’re a natural at this. You sure you don’t want to change careers?”
She laughed. “Whether I’m good at this or not—which remains to be seen—I love what I do.”
“You’re very good at what you do.” He made a what can I say face. “I checked out your website. Perused your gallery.” He flashed that smile again. “Tell me about your plans for the future. Beyond all this, I mean.”
“My plan is to keep building my business—which is why this big client with the tile issues…and now the permit glitch—is so important.” She thought about all the things she envisioned for the future.
“I have this five-year plan I hope takes us—my assistant, Lisa, and me—to the next level. I’ll get an office in downtown Aurora, and I’d like to buy one of the amazing historic homes and make it mine.
” She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure you’re wishing you hadn’t asked. ”
The way he was watching her she felt certain she’d over answered the question. Good grief, she’d never had such trouble in a man’s presence. One of her best business assets was her ability to keep her cool in the most stressful situation. Then again, this wasn’t business.
“You’re not going to believe this.” Jack reached into his pocket for his cell phone. “I’m renovating this nineteenth-century Victorian on Augusta Street in Oak Park.”
Stunned, Anne accepted his phone and swiped through the photos. The house was perfect. The wood floors looked very salvageable. The walls appeared to be in good shape. It was exactly the sort of home she hoped to have one day.
“It’s great. I’d love to hear your plans. Are you remodeling or restoring?”
His fingers brushed hers as he took the phone from her hand. Heat shot up her arm. She tried to stifle the gasp but didn’t quite accomplish her mission.
“I want to restore as much as possible.” He ignored or was hopefully oblivious to her reaction. “I’ll save the remodeling for areas like the kitchen, where a more modern update is most convenient.”
“Good plan.” She managed a smile, no matter that the way he studied her now was deeply unsettling…in a good way. She leaned forward slightly, unable to drag her gaze from his.
He stared at her lips. “The food should be here…”
Her breath foolishly caught again. He had to know she was attracted to him. God, she was so embarrassed.
“I’m sorry.” She drew away slightly. “I guess I was so caught up in our conversation I…” She shook her head. “Sorry.”
He sat his phone on the desk without taking his eyes off her, then he reached out, gently traced the outline of her cheek with the tips of his fingers. Desire ignited inside her, and her heart started to pound.
He dropped his hand away. “I should be the one to apologize. I couldn’t stop staring at you, and I shouldn’t have let myself get carried away.”
“Please,” she urged, her voice barely a whisper, “get carried away some more.”
He leaned closer, brushed his lips across hers. “I can do that,” he murmured against the lips he had set on fire. Then he kissed her again, softly, slowly.
She put her arms around his neck and leaned into the kiss. Oh, how she wanted to feel this…this fire and anticipation.
A pounding on his door tore them apart.
“The food,” he said hoarsely. He turned back to her, licked his lips hungrily. “To be continued.”
He walked out of the room.
Anne braced her elbows on her knees and plunked her face into her hands. What was she thinking? This was not supposed to happen. She forced her lungs to fill with air. Not smart. Not smart.
She stood. To heck with smart! Her fingers fumbled as she quickly unfastened the buttons of her blouse—the one she’d been wearing this morning, which saved it from the fire. She tore it off and reached for the waist of her pants.
Jack came back into the room carrying bags of food. He stalled, stared at the blouse on the floor and then her.
She shrugged, her fingers still clutching her waistband. “I thought we could eat later…after we do the to-be-continued part.”
He placed the bags on the desk and moved toward her.
Her heart thumped so hard she couldn’t catch her breath.
And then he kissed her, his hands roving over her bare back until he found the place where her bra fastened.
Her body melted against him. No more thinking.