Page 14 of Present Danger (Rocky Mountain Courage 1)

JB led him through the home, down a hallway, and past closed doors to one in particular. Jack hoped those gathered at the house would feel his compassion and understanding for Pauline’s loss. JB opened the door to allow Jack inside. He stepped into a bedroom and found Pauline in tears and Terra at her side.

Terra shoved her shoulder-length brown hair out of her face. “Pauline was sharing about the argument she had with Jim the night before he died.”

Jack glared at her. What are you doing questioning his wife?

Her brows pinched as she subtly shook her head.

Now wasn’t the time to reprimand her, but he would make sure Pauline understood his role. “I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Raymond. My name is Jack Tanner, and I’m a detective with the county. I’ll be investigating your husband’s murder.”

He drew out his pad to take notes.

Pauline wiped the tears away with more tissues, adding to the pile. A fist grabbed his heart and squeezed.

“I nagged him. I know I did. The washing machine had been causing problems for weeks now. And I was tired of it. I told him he could just wait for the repairman. I had to leave because my sister was having gallbladder surgery. I was going to stay with her overnight, but I got the call from the sheriff, so I came right home.”

“Do you know if Jim had planned to meet someone that night?” Jack asked.

Pauline blew her nose. “You do realize that Jim was in insurance? That meant he was often gone in the evenings meeting people to sell them more insurance. He was old school. Loved the personal touch, and his clients appreciated that. We lived on commissions and not a salary, so he was always working.”

“Did he have a home office?”

Pauline nodded. “He used to lease space downtown but recently decided to work from home.”

“Could you show me?”

Pauline rose slowly, and Terra supported her when she appeared unsteady on her feet. “His office is down the hallway. I already told the sheriff you’re free to look around and search wherever you need to. If you’ll excuse me, I want to wash my face.”

Good. That meant they wouldn’t need a warrant. She stepped into the bathroom. Terra turned to Jack and spoke in hushed tones. “I’m sorry. I came by to drop off a sympathy card and gift basket from my grandfather. Pauline somehow thought I was official and started talking. Dragged me into the room. I told her to wait and that someone was coming.” Terra rubbed her temple. “I should leave now.”

She turned to walk away. Jack should let her go, but he touched her arm, stopping her. “Pauline seems to be comfortable talking to you. Let’s not mess with the rhythm. Stay a little longer.”

In Jim’s office, Jack pulled on gloves. A calendar was spread on the desk with handwritten appointments. Jack took a picture. The laptop was closed. He would leave that for a forensic tech. He didn’t see a physical filing cabinet.

Terra sighed. “I should go check on Pauline.”

Jack followed her out. Terra turned right, and Jack took a left to find himself in the last room down the hall—the laundry room. He stepped inside the space and spotted the washing machine. It appeared newfangled to him, but it could still be old. What did he know?

Pauline, appearing to have composed herself, stepped into the space. She had guests to attend to, he surmised, even though they had come to comfort her. Terra stood behind Pauline.

“Tell me about the day before when he called in about the Piper that crashed. Did he talk to you about that at all?” He remained focused on Pauline but didn’t miss the subtle surprise in Terra’s eyes. He’d only learned the news when Sarnes texted him with the information this morning.

“The Piper?”

“I mean the plane crash. He was the one who saved the pilot.” Coincidence? Or was his death related?

Pauline’s eyes almost brightened within her swollen, red features. “Yes. He came home breathless. Excited that he’d helped someone out.”

“What was he doing up in those woods?” Terra asked.

Pauline stared at Terra. “I thought he was on a mountain road near the airstrip and saw the plane go down.”

“Right, but do you know why he was in the area?” Jack asked.

Pauline frowned, and the tears came again. “I don’t know.”

Jack wasn’t making much headway in getting answers from Pauline.

“He was a hero, Pauline. You remember that,” Terra said.