Divine Justice (24 page)

"Do you need some assistance?" a voice interrupted.

I turned and smiled in the direction of a young woman. Her polished nametag read 'Simone.' She stared back. She seemed nervous.

She should be.

My eyes traveled down to her v-neck blouse, then back up to her graceful neck. I could almost wrap one hand around that neck.

"I'm just leaving."

When I smiled at her, she smiled back.

Don't tempt me, my dear.

I watched her leave and caught sight of the predators that were hunting for me. They'll never catch me. I'm smarter than they are. I have control.

I grinned, recalling the look of horror on Monty Winkler's face when he had caught sight of the hypodermic needle in my hand. All those questions in his eyes. He didn't know he was one of my failures. Must have been awful knowing that he was going to die and not being able to move or do anything about it.

Poor Monty. He was shocked when I poured gasoline over him. The most satisfying part of that evening was lighting the match and tossing it into the dingy, before setting it adrift on the current.

I thought of Porter Sampson. It had almost worked with him.

"So close…"

I let out a frustrated sigh. Porter was a problem and that was a shame. All those months of work.

"Why are some so resistant?"

I thought of my other subjects, my converts, as I liked to think of them. Everything was going perfectly with them.

But I'm running out of time.

"Damn it! I needed Winkler and Sampson."

With the CFBI watching Sampson so closely, it would be hard to get close.

Shit. Sampson's a definite problem. I'll have to take care of him. The sooner, the better. Before he recalls something.

I glanced at the CFBI agents. They were going to be a problem.

"If so, I'll take care of them."

As I left the hotel, I thought of my plan. I smiled. There is justice in this world. As long as I carry it out myself.

Divine justice.

The irony made me laugh out loud.

20

Ben drove one SUV, while Jasi and Natassia took the
other. That way they could interview Deirdre Dailey and get a look at Monty Winkler's will, then split up afterward if they got any good leads. It had been Jasi's idea. Kill two birds with one stone.

From the look on Marilyn Winkler's face, Jasi realized birds weren't the only thing in danger. The woman perched on the edge of the sofa, hands clasped in her lap, all the while scowling at her sister, who sat as far away as possible.

The file stated that Marilyn was almost forty-seven years old. That would put Deirdre at twenty-nine. It could be one reason for their obvious rivalry. Plus the younger woman was very pretty, not to mention model-thin.

Deirdre sat in the armchair, looking completely at ease. Her rich brown hair was sleek and freshly styled in a bob that was longer at the front, with a one-inch section on the right bleached to a pale blond. But her eyes were her best feature. Thickly lashed, they were a brilliant shade of green, far brighter than Jasi's.

"I had a sectional eye enhancement done," Deirdre said, catching her off guard. "My eyes used to be the same dirty brown as Marilyn's." She frowned in her sister's direction. "I wanted mine to be different. So I chose green."

Green, the color of jealousy, Jasi thought.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare."

Deirdre smiled. "I'm used to it. When I went for my SEE treatment everyone thought I was crazy."

A movement near a doorway caught Jasi's eye.
James.

He hovered there, looking uncertain as to whether he should join them or walk away.

"James, be a dear and get us all a drink," Deirdre said, as if she were the lady of the house.

James glanced at Marilyn.

"Fine," she said. "I'll have a glass of lemonade."

"Rum and coke," Deirdre said without missing a beat.

"Isn't it a bit early for alcohol?" her sister asked dryly.

Deirdre shrugged. "I'm on holiday."

Marilyn turned to Jasi. "Would you care for a drink?"

"Nothing for me, thank you."

Ben and Natassia also declined and James left the room.

"Deirdre, you left the day before Monty disappeared," Ben began. "What prompted your sudden holiday?"

"I've been having a difficult time adapting to my father's death. And I've been overworked."

Marilyn let out a derisive snort.

"I decided to take off for a few days," Deirdre continued. "Is that a crime?"

"Someone murdered your brother-in-law," Jasi said. "That's a crime."

"I had nothing to do with that. I wasn't even here."

Absentmindedly, Deirdre pulled a pack of cigarettes from her purse. She caught her sister's disapproving look and smiled. "Marilyn is the perfect sister. She has no bad habits." The cigarettes went back in the purse.

Ben consulted his data-com. "We understand you work at Paragon with your sister."

"I'm in a different part of the building. The satellite research department. I rarely see Marilyn." She gave her sister a disparaging look. "She's too busy securing government contracts so she can study atmospheric deterioration."

"How would you categorize your relationship?"

"Marilyn's the boss. Just like Daddy wanted."

Ben leaned forward. "Your father passed away last year. Is that correct?"

"
Passed away
is a mild way to put it," Marilyn interjected.

"Why do you say that?"

"He was killed in a boating accident, trying to repair the engine. It blew up. When the Coast Guard found him he was still alive. He was covered in burns. It was awful." Deirdre reached for a tissue. "He died a week later."

There was a moment of silence.

"I'm very sorry," Jasi said.

The woman shrugged. "What's done is done."

Jasi glanced at Ben, who gave a small nod.

"Mrs. Winkler," she began, "have you got a copy of your husband's will? I'm sure you're aware that we have a warrant for it."

"It's in Monty's office. I'll go get it. Excuse me."

When she was gone, Jasi turned back to Deirdre. "Is there anything you want to tell us about your relationship with Monty while your sister's out of the room?"

The woman shook her head. "Nothing I can think of. I was a bit troubled a few years ago. I'm sure my sister told you all about it."

"You mean the affair you lied about?"

"I'm not proud of that time in my life. I was angry at my sister. She seemed to have it all, while I had nothing." Deirdre smiled. "But I'm past that now. I'm very happy now."

"How was your relationship with Monty?"

"He forgave me. He was a great brother-in-law, very patient. Couldn't ask for better."

"Do you know Porter Sampson?"

Deirdre considered the name. "I don't think so. Was he a friend of Monty's?"

"You haven't heard about him in the news?"

"I rarely watch the news. Besides, I've been on holiday. Remember? I have more exciting things to do than watch the world crumble to pieces bit by bit."

Marilyn returned with James' briefcase, followed by James who carried a tray of beverages. He set the tray on the side table, while Marilyn placed the briefcase on the coffee table and sat down again.

"All of Monty's life insurance forms and his will are in here," James said, unlocking the case and withdrawing a folder. "The payout on the insurance policy is two million, to Marilyn."

Jasi eyed Marilyn. Her expression remained unchanged.

"That's a lot of money, Mrs. Winkler. You're not shocked."

"I already knew about it." The woman smiled tightly. "I didn't mention it before because I was afraid."

"Afraid of what?"

"I thought it might make me look guilty."

"Are you?"

The look the woman gave her was unwavering. "No."

Jasi wasn't sure if she believed her.

"When did you find out about the life insurance policy?"

"I always knew about it. It was my idea." Marilyn straightened. "We each took out two million dollar policies."

Jasi's gaze drifted to James. "Did you know about this?"

The man nodded. "My brother didn't keep much from me. I handled all his legal matters."

How convenient, she thought.
For James.

Brother James was looking more and more like their number one suspect. Perhaps he wanted everything his brother had, including Marilyn. It was certainly motive enough for murder.

"You handled his will then," she said.

"I drew this one up about two weeks ago," he said.

"Didn't he have one before that?"

James shifted nervously and she swore she could almost hear his bones rattle.

"Monty wanted to change some of the beneficiaries."

Marilyn's calm composure snapped. "Why would he do that?"

"Wait a minute," Jasi said slowly. "Are you saying you haven't read the will yet?"

Marilyn shrugged. "Monty specified that Deirdre had to be present for the reading, so we've had to wait."

Jasi bit back a smile.
This could prove to be interesting.

Ben quickly scanned Monty Winkler's will, then passed the entire folder to Jasi. Her eyes latched onto the payout clauses.

Yes, very interesting indeed.

"Mrs. Winkler," she said, "your husband left a million dollars to Paragon Research Corporation."

Marilyn's anger deflated. "Well, that's more like it."

"Actually, he left it specifically to the satellite research department." Jasi shifted her gaze to Deirdre. "That's your department, isn't it?"

The look on Deirdre's face was one of stunned surprise.

"Oh my God. I can't believe it."

"What do you mean, you can't believe it?" Marilyn demanded, jumping to her feet. "I know you, Deirdre. You had something to do with this. What did you do, ask him for money for a new house or another car?"

Deirdre laughed. "I didn't ask him for a cent. I guarantee you, dear Sis, I had nothing to do with Monty's will."

Marilyn clenched her fists at her side. "Shut up! I don't want to hear your lies." She took a deep breath. "Agent McLellan, what else does the will say?"

"It looks like your husband left all the cars except yours to charity." Jasi perused the will, then glanced at James. "And your brother-in-law here was left a comfortable amount―"

"How much?" Marilyn demanded.

"Fifty thousand."

"What about the rest? His investments, properties, all that?"

Jasi handed the will to Natassia before replying, "Mrs. Winkler, I'm not sure how to tell you this."

"What?"

"It seems that your husband amassed some large debts. Most of his investments will be used to pay off that debt. He did, however, leave you this house and everything in it, plus your car and ten thousand dollars in a high interest savings account."

"Ten thousand dollars?" Marilyn's face paled. "That's it?"

"And the house," James said quickly.

"Plus the life insurance," Jasi added.