Burning Seduction (19 page)

“I don’t know what comes over me, but every time I’m near you, I have to make love with you. I swear I didn’t come over here for that,” he said.

She cupped his face. “You are a sweet man, Trent Lawson. I’m flattered.”

His face slightly reddened as he grabbed his pants off the countertop. As if he’d received a call from the precinct, he dressed quickly. Not wanting to be the only one naked, Charlotte did the same thing.

There always seemed to be that one moment of awkwardness between them, and this was that time. She thought about asking him to stay the night, but she believed it was a little too soon. Men like Trent needed to be the one to make that decision, and crowding him would only push him away.

“So what’s next on your agenda?” Charlotte asked, as she zipped up her pants.

“You mean about the case?”

“Yes.” Though if he wanted to talk about the two of them, she wouldn’t have minded.

“I need to interview Mrs. Goddard’s brother to see if your theory has any validity, but even if he denies Bill Goddard abused his wife, it could just mean that Elaine Goddard kept that information from him.”

She had to agree it was a long shot. “If you learn anything you’re allowed to share, I’d love to hear it.”

He clasped her shoulders and smiled. “You can count on it.”

Chapter Eighteen

T
rent could have
waited until Monday to catch up with Richard Delaney, but after hearing Charlotte’s theory about Mrs. Goddard’s possible abuse, he was anxious to speak with the man. It was a good motive for murder. While Delaney had not returned any of his calls, Trent decided to drive by his house in the hopes of catching up with him Saturday morning.

Luck was on his side. Someone’s car was in the drive and he hoped it belonged to Delaney. Trent parked his Jeep on the street and headed up to the front door. He still hadn’t figured out exactly how we wanted to broach the topic of Elaine’s bruises, but when he did, he doubted he’d get a very welcoming response.

Trent rang the bell, and it seemed forever before someone answered. It was Delaney.

“Detective Lawson, I’ve been meaning to return your call. I’m sorry, but I’ve been very busy.” The man’s chin tucked in and his shoulders straightened, as if he was preparing to do battle.

Delaney didn’t seem remotely contrite. Most people he interviewed were able to come up with a better excuse than that. “Do you have a moment? I just need to ask you a few questions about your brother-in-law.” Trent watched for signs of nervousness, but Richard Delaney didn’t display any obvious signs of guilt—no twitches, sudden perspiration, or eye contact avoidance.

“Come in.” While the man didn’t act uneasy, Trent doubted Delaney was happy he was there.

He showed him into the living room and pointed to a rather uncomfortable looking straight-backed chair while Delaney sank into the sofa.

Trent pulled out his notepad and flipped through some blank pages. “I believe Detective Benson asked you about Bill’s death.”

“Yes, and like I told him, I didn’t kill the son of a bitch.”

Okay, the hostility had not been in Cade’s report. “We’re not accusing you of anything, Mr. Delaney. I believe you told Detective Benson you were home alone the night your brother-in-law was murdered.”

“Yes, and since I was alone, I can’t prove I didn’t drive over to Bill’s house and kill him.”

“You seem to have a lot of anger toward the victim. Why’s that?”

“No use hiding it. I figured you guys would have spoken to my ex-wife and found out how much I disliked the man. When you find the real killer, let me shake his hand.”

While Trent didn’t have many murder investigations under his belt, he could honestly say none of the men who’d been guilty ever claimed they wanted the victim dead. As for speaking with Delaney’s ex-wife, Trent hadn’t considered doing so. “Care to elaborate?”

“I think it’s obvious. Bill’s firm blabbed my company’s secret. I lost my job and my wife because of it.” Delaney tapped his chest. “And did my S.O.B brother-in-law lend me hand? Fuck no.”

Trent didn’t need to mention that Delaney’s big mouth that created the problem. At least he wasn’t bad mouthing Harmon.

Trent had uncovered all of the information about Delaney’s dismissal shortly after Harmon had been sent to prison. “Who else beside yourself wanted Bill dead?”

“Anyone with common sense.”

So much for learning names. “I want to ask you about the night of the Christmas party when Jayson Kendall told you about my brother and your sister kissing. Did you tell Bill about her indiscretion?”

Delaney looked off to the side, probably debating what to tell. “Why would I? I loved my sister. Besides, Elaine said Bill suspected her of being unfaithful.”

Now that was news.

Delaney continued. “Your brother wasn’t the first man she’d kissed, and he probably won’t be the last.”

Relief washed through him. Trent took some notes, but they were minimal because he was confident he wouldn’t forget one word. “I take it your sister was unhappy in her marriage?”

Delaney’s fists clenched. “Yes. Bill was incapable of affection. The man was a sociopath.”

Many in his field were. It was probably best that Harmon wasn’t in that business any longer. While Trent doubted he’d get an answer, he needed to see the man’s reaction when he asked if Bill ever harmed Elaine. “Were you aware that Bill abused your sister?”

His head jerked back. “No, but I suspected it because she was always applying makeup a little too heavily, especially around her neck, and upper arms, but how did you know?”

“It’s my job to know.” He certainly wasn’t going to tell Delaney about Charlotte’s observation. “Did you ask her about it?”

“Fuck, yeah I did, but she always denied it. She knew if I found out that I’d do something about it.”

Trent wasn’t certain how much he wanted to push this line of questioning. Too much, and Delaney might approach his sister. If she had killed her husband, Trent didn’t want to tip his hand.

Trent stood. “Thank you for your time. If you think of anything, please let me know.”

He left and headed home to think. This case was getting more complicated by the minute. As he neared his house, his cell rang.

It was Vic. “You got something for me?”

“Possibly. Guess who stopped by to visit Elaine Goddard this morning?”

Considering Vic was being paid to follow John Samuels, the man who’d moved up to Bill’s position, and not Elaine, the answer was easy. “Samuels?”

“Yup.”

“Anything interesting happen?” Trent asked.

“I wasn’t standing outside the house with my face pressed to the window, but Samuels was in the house for about an hour and a half.”

Trent tried to think of a reason he’d be in there that long. “He probably was asking her about some of her husband’s clients.”

“Did you get the impression that Elaine Goddard was privy to what Bill did?”

“No.”

“So what makes you think it was an innocent interaction?”

He thought back to what Delaney had just told him about Mrs. Goddard’s interest in other men. “Are you thinking there was something going on between them?”

“It’s possible, which was why I called Charlotte and asked her where the master bedroom was located.”

Trent could fill in the blank. “Don’t tell me you saw them head in that direction.”

“Bingo.”

His mind raced as he pulled to a stop at a red light. Trent hadn’t seen that coming. “Let’s suppose they were having an affair. Her brother told me that Bill suspected Elaine of having a few. Would it be enough to kill Bill over it?”

“Anything is possible, but if John Samuels wanted her, he might have tried to talk her into leaving Bill. When she wouldn’t, he killed her husband, and furthered his career at the same time.”

Trent had thought jealousy could have been a motive, but then dismissed it. “Divorce is less messy, but that assumes she wanted John over Bill.”

“She might have asked Bill, and he said no. It would look bad for business, not to mention what it would do to his bank account.”

“Damn. Watch Samuels for the next couple of days to see what he does. The fact Mrs. Goddard threw out all of Bill’s possessions implies she wasn’t overly fond of the man.”

“I’d say you’re right.”

“Keep in touch.”

Trent disconnected and headed home, more confused than ever.

*     *     *

If history was
any indication, Trent wouldn’t call her today. Charlotte had no idea if he felt guilty every time they made love, or if he truly had too much work to do. Regardless, she was going to take advantage of the weekend.

She arrived at the shop around one and went straight to work putting the final touches on her store. She planned to open on Monday. Once she had some clients lined up, she’d put a sign on the door that said, by appointment only. That way she wouldn’t have to hire someone to man her place when she was at a client’s home.

She’d been hard at work for about two hours when her cell rang, and she hoped it might be Trent calling. Most likely, it was her mom asking how things were going. She nabbed her phone and checked the number, but didn’t recognize it.

“Hello?”

“Is this Charlotte Hart?” The man had a deep, soothing voice.

“Yes, it is.”

“My name is John Samuels. Mrs. Goddard gave me your name and highly recommended you.”

Excitement jumped her pulse into the red zone. Charlotte had to work to keep the thrill out of her voice. “Fantastic. How may I help you?”

“I’m looking to redo my master bedroom.”

Bedrooms were one of her favorite rooms. “Would you like to come to the store to look at some samples, or would you feel more comfortable if I brought some materials to your house?”

“I think it would be best if you stopped by my house so that you can see the layout of the room. It’s a bit odd.”

That sounded fine. “Is tomorrow convenient for you? I’m officially opening my business on Monday, and I need to be here.”

“Perfect.”

“So that I know what to bring, how would you describe your style?”

“Style?” He truly sounded confused. The man must not be married.

“Modern, contemporary, western?”

“Ah, I don’t know.”

She smiled. “That’s all right. I’ll bring a bit of everything.”

They discussed the time, and he then gave her his address along with some directions.

When she hung up, she leaned back in her seat and smiled. She couldn’t wait to tell Trent. Coming to Rock Hard just might have been the best thing to happen to her.

Energized by this new job, Charlotte put the finishing touches on her store and gathered the samples she thought would be suitable for a bedroom and headed home for the evening. She thought about stopping at her parents’ place, but then decided she didn’t want to become accustomed to going over there all the time. After five years of being divorced, they deserved to have some time alone together.

Wanting to spend the entire evening creating a few proposals for tomorrow’s meeting with Mr. Samuels, she stopped at the Valley Café for a to-go order. Charlotte could only hope Mr. Samuels was as easy to work with as Mrs. Goddard.

Chapter Nineteen