Grave Secrets (21 page)

“Yes, Mr. Wallis. Mr. Daniels has made great strides in uncovering the cause of Jason Adams’ death. To confirm, as soon as the final results are in, and you’ve recovered the two million dollar policy, you’ll deposit the one hundred fifty thousand recovery fee into his account. Yes, I have that. Thank you, sir.”

Charlene hung up, turned around and blanched when she saw Sara. “Oh, God. I’m sorry. I thought you had the door closed. Morgan, I didn’t mean...”

Sara swung around to face the man she’d trusted to find her child. The man who’d duped her and used her even more than Jason had.

The man she thought she’d fallen in love with.

“Listen. It isn’t what you think—”

“Really? Sure could have fooled me. Oh, wait. You’ve already done that.” She pivoted, ready to leave.

He grabbed her arm. “It’s my job, Sara. It’s what I do. You’ve known it from day one.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes. She’d been such a fool! “Did you even
try
to find Kaycee? Or did you just use it as a smoke screen? And what about last night? I suppose that was part of your job, too. If it makes you feel any better, you were very convincing. Now if you’ll let me—”

“No.” His eyes hardened. “Not until—”

Savagely yanking her arm free, she glared at him—daring him to touch her again. If he did, she’d hit him. Not that it would faze him, but it’d make her feel better. She backed up a few steps, then turned and marched through the receptionist area. Ignoring Charlene’s stricken look, Sara called over her shoulder, “You’re fired!” She let the door slam behind her.

He hadn’t come after her.

Deep down Sara had hoped he would. Even though his first job had been with the insurance company, she wanted him to believe in her. To accept what she said at face value. For once, she wanted someone to fight for her and be her knight in shining armor. Obviously it wasn’t to be.

She’d driven home in a white hot anger. By the time she’d reached her front door, utter disappointment had settled over her. How could she have been duped so completely by Morgan? The same way she’d misjudged Jason, she’d finally decided. Dang it. Why couldn’t she have better judgment where men were concerned?

She took another sip of the wine, sitting the crystal goblet gently back on the end table. She’d taken refuge in the sunroom and had curled up in her favorite chair. Normally, this is when she’d have Cat come over and they’d have a pity party together. Except Cat was on the other side of the world, working on her dream career with little time for anything outside of studies. Tempting though it might be, Sara couldn’t bring herself to call her friend and dump this mess on her when there wasn’t anything Cat could do to change it. She might make Sara laugh, or even cry with her, but in the end they’d still be half a world apart.

Facing one adversity after another was becoming second nature to Sara. The prim and proper socialite no longer mattered to her. And in truth hadn’t for a long time, if ever. Achieving social status had been Jason’s desire, supposedly as a way to promote the company. Looking back, she doubted that had been the real reason. He’d craved the spotlight, pure and simple.

Besides finding her daughter, her focus now was dealing with the garbage her dear sweet hubby had left. She snorted and took another sip of wine. If he were alive, she’d like nothing more than to be able to very publicly kick his good-for-nothing rear to the curb.
That
would take care of the so-called image he’d so carefully cultivated.

Swirling the deep red liquid in the glass, she contemplated what she should do now.
Put this stupid house on the market for one thing.
She’d hung on to it because it had been the last place she’d held her baby. It had represented home, as in family. Now, even from the grave, Jason had destroyed what little sense of family she had left. A part of her would always hate him for that.

She’d allowed herself to lose touch with her grandmother, when it wasn’t Nana’s fault Kaycee had been abducted. Who could’ve predicted something like that would happen? It should’ve drawn them closer. Instead, Sara had driven a wedge between them and now it was far too late to repair the damage. She’d have to live the rest of her life with the guilt.

The one other person who might possibly understand was Leo. Back in college they were best friends, but had drifted apart. Over the years she’d attempted to keep him close, but he’d stayed aloof and kept her at a distance. She never could figure out why. Until after Jason had died. Then he’d been there for her at every turn. Guilt, she supposed.

Reaching for the phone, she punched in Jason’s old private number at the office, knowing no one except Leo would answer. After four rings, she was about to hang up when he picked up.

“Yes?” He sounded wary.

“Um, it’s me, Sara.”

Nervously, she laughed. It was so weird to dial the number again and to have someone other than Jason answer. She tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. Now that she had Leo on the line, she wasn’t sure what to say. “I’m sorry to bother you. If you’re busy I can call back—”

“No, no. I was just surprised. Are you all right? This is the first time you’ve called this number.”

Biting her lower lip, she briefly glanced toward the ceiling. “I know. I just wanted to talk to you without going through Maxine.” She heaved a sigh, then stood and walked over to the window overlooking the gardens. Why was she so nervous all of a sudden?

“Well, you’ve got me so tell me what’s wrong. And before you say nothing, I can hear it in your voice.”

Sara was tempted to make up a lie. That wouldn’t help her, though. She needed to talk to someone and dear Leo was the only logical choice. She went back to the couch, made herself comfortable, and spilled her guts, telling him of the betrayal, of her hurt. He listened quietly as she half sobbed, then cussed her way through the telling. Every once in a while he’d make a comment, but for the most part he let her rant and rave. Exactly what she needed and wanted.

“I have to see her, Leo. I have to know why Jason fell for that woman, what he saw in her.”

“Sweetie, I don’t think it’s such a good idea. Best you leave this alone and forget about her.”

“You sound just like...”

“Who?”

For a moment she was going to say Morgan, then quickly realized he wasn’t worth mentioning. Instead, she said, “A man, Leo. Just like a man. I’m beginning to think all men have the same thing on their minds.”

He laughed. “I hate to tell you this, but we do. That’s what men are good at.”

She was taken aback, almost shocked at his proclamation. Then she relaxed. After all, this was Leo, so she knew he was voicing his thoughts to lighten the mood, to make her feel better. “Thanks, but I’m serious, Leo. I want to see the woman, even if I can’t talk to her. My curiosity is about to get the best of me.”

There was a long pause. She knew he was still there because his steady breathing echoed through the line. Finally, he spoke. “You don’t know who she is or how to find her.”

“Yes, I do. I found a bill of sale for a house he bought the slut.” She cringed at the crude slang she’d used. Maybe she’d been hanging around Cat too much. Or Morgan.

“He what?”

Warmth spread over her. Leo was indignant on her behalf. “It looks like he bought it about six months before he died. It’s somewhere in Westchester Heights. Do you have any idea where that is?”

A slight pause on the other end of the phone before he said, “I’m not sure. What’s the address?”

“I don’t remember the exact address. I think it’s on a street by the name of Chester something.” She could hear him scribbling. She was about to offer to check the deed for the exact address and had risen from the couch, but he cut off her thoughts.

“I’ll see if I can find it. I’ve got to go now, Sara.”

“Oh. All right. You’ll let me know as soon as you find it?”

“Hmm? Of course I will. Leave everything to me. I really have to go. I’m late for a meeting.” Then he added, “I’m glad you called. Family has to stick together. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

The next instant, she heard the dial tone. Strange. She’d never known Leo to be so flustered before. But he was in charge of the company now, and that was a big responsibility. It could weigh heavily on a person. Living with it had left an indelible mark on her life. One she’d gladly scrub off if she could.

****

He watched the monitor a few more minutes, then shut it off. Sara didn’t seem to be going anywhere and look what she'd given him. Granted she hadn’t said the exact address, but it wouldn’t take him long to find it, and he already knew the general area. Not somewhere he would’ve thought to look for the backstabbing bitch. Plus, who would’ve thought dear ole’ Jason would buy her a house? He snorted. Jason had been dumber than he’d thought.

After all these months he’d been looking for the other woman, the information practically landed in his lap as if on a silver platter. Perfect. He didn’t like being double-crossed and when the woman had dropped off the grid, he knew he was in trouble. She’d probably even been the one to clue that dumb ass Jason in on what was happening right under his nose. He wondered if she’d admitted to her starring role in the whole setup? Doubtful. Adams thought he could go to the cops and get away it. “Too bad it backfired on you, sucker.”

As for Jason’s mistress, he’d have to think of something extra special for her. Considering the woman’s background, he could think of several interesting scenarios. “Pay back is gonna be a bitch, bitch.”

He stood and walked out the door, looking forward to the hours, and his fun and games, to come.

****

Sara took another couple sips of wine. She started running over and over in her mind what she’d say to this Melissa Long, face-to-face, if given the chance. If only she were familiar with the part of town where the tramp lived, so she could find her. It hadn’t been that long since their phone conversation, but waiting to hear from Leo was becoming unbearable. Then it hit her. Jason had insisted on having all the latest gadgets when he’d bought her the Lexus so it was equipped with GPS. If she could figure out how to use it and get the address entered, she could find the woman’s house on her own, no need to wait on Leo.

Thrilled with her realization, she started to call him back to tell him, then remembered his meeting. “I can do this. I don’t need anyone else. Besides, it’d probably be better if I did go on my own. Woman to woman.” Yes, she could do this.

The thought of pulling the mistress’s hair out without a witness also had its appeal.

****

Morgan slumped in his chair, staring out the window, not seeing anything. He hated how Sara had left. Surely she understood he was just doing his job. The one he was hired to do before she’d asked him to find her baby. He winced. He’d looked for Kaycee. Really. There had been a couple of leads, then they had fizzled out. The kid had simply vanished. He thought again about the baby in the grave. Sara was so sure it wasn’t hers. He hadn’t told her Reece was doing a DNA match between the baby and Jason as well as Sara, hoping to get a hit.

“Boss.” Charlene stood in the open doorway with a folder in her hand. “Been digging on the Internet for anything related to either Andy or Jason Adams. Didn’t find much on Andy until after Jason’s death. Seems moving in to the CFO position for that company throws you into the spotlight. I printed the stories out for you.”

Morgan held out his hand, knowing he wouldn’t have to do much reading. Charlene would only bring him relevant information. “Thanks.”

She slipped out of the room. For once, she didn’t give him any grief about anything. Guess she sensed his mood. But a couple minutes later, while he was still going over the first article on Jason, she was back.

“Tox report on Andy is in.” Silently she handed it to him and waited.

He quickly scanned the results and jerked his head up. “Digoxin.”

The seconds ticked off as neither said anything. Finally Charlene broke the silence. “Didn’t you say Sara’s grandmother had congestive heart failure? They use that medication for treatment, right?”

He slowly nodded.

“So, this means, what?”

“It means if you give it to someone without a heart problem, and it’s left untreated, it gets extremely dangerous for them.”

“As in...”

He didn’t answer. Something niggled at the back of his brain. He twisted it around, trying to get a hold on it. Finally it settled, creating an ugly smear he didn’t want to acknowledge. Andy and Jason Adams both died supposedly of the same thing, a heart attack. Would they find trace evidence of the same drug in Adams’s system as well? One way to find out. After locating the phone number for the Adams Company, he was soon connected to the company doctor. Several long minutes later he hung up.

Morgan slowly tapped his pencil against his desk, digesting the phone call.

“Well?” Leaning her hip against the desk, she’d crossed her arms across her chest, lips pressed into a thin line. “I want to hear what he had to say.”

Eventually he laid the pencil down and looked up at her. “Doctor Weatherby said Sara had asked him for Digoxin. Said her grandmother kept losing her pills.”

“What? You know, that just doesn’t sound right.”

“No, it doesn’t,” he said slowly. “Supposedly grandma would leave the pill bottle at the bingo hall or she’d spill them while at the park when Sara wasn’t around.”

Charlene huffed out a breath. “Still sounds weird to me. And why would he give them to her so easily? He could lose his license.”

“Precisely. He sounded hesitant to tell me. Said he didn’t want to get in trouble, but because she was the owner’s wife, he reluctantly did what she asked. He asked her to not to tell anyone.” Leaning back in the chair, he steepled his fingers under his chin. “There’s still a piece missing.”

“If Sara had been slipping the drug to her husband...”

Morgan finished the thought for her. “Would that have led to Jason’s death?”

“Yes, it would. But how did the drug get into Andy’s system?”