Love With A Stranger (26 page)

“I will, sir. Good-bye.”

After she hung up, Cass stared at the phone as she wondered if Hines had lied to her. If so, why? Did the man think either she or Tom was an adulterer or they were both swingers? Or did Hines know about or suspect Tom’s dark secret? Had he told Peter which tests he was running, the reason for them, and their results? And was she really afraid of Peter as Jason had asked? Had Tom been murdered? If so, by whom and why? Surely Peter wasn’t to blame! Both men made her skin crawl in a curious manner and caused alarm bells to go off inside
her head. Or maybe it was only her imagination running wild again or her anxieties returning.

Please, God,
she prayed silently,
help me get through these next few weeks without falling apart again. Take away any groundless doubts and fears. And give me the courage, strength, and intelligence to unearth and handle any real ones. And please, don’t let me fall in love with another unworthy stranger.

When Cass walked to the mailbox after lunch, she found a letter there from Kristy, who had written to her after being unable to reach her by phone last Friday. In an elated state, Cass returned to the house, eager for four o’clock to arrive so she could phone Kristy. Over and over she planned what she would say to her best friend, her anticipation increasing by the hour.

At four-thirty, Kristy Franklin squealed into the phone, “Cassie! Heavens, it’s good to finally hear your voice. I’ve been so worried about you and I’ve tried to reach you so many times. I always got that blasted answering machine or your housekeeper and you were either out of town or out of the house. Don’t you ever stay home, girl? I’m so sorry about what happened to Tom. There were several articles on him in the newspaper and reports on TV. How are you holding up?”

Cass couldn’t help but grin as she realized Kristy hadn’t changed from her bubbly self. The thirty-four-year-old woman was as vivacious as ever. “I’m doing fine. It was rough for a while, but it gets better every day. I’ve missed you and I’m sorry we lost touch for so long.”

“So am I, best friend, and I’ve missed you something fierce. The old town isn’t the same without you here. You don’t have to worry about me being angry with you because it was mostly my fault Tom didn’t like me and didn’t want us staying in touch. I should have kept my trap shut about him. I just wanted
you to be happy and not make a terrible mistake. It’s obvious you were right and I was wrong about him. Am I forgiven?”

If only you knew how right you were about that swine I married, but I can’t tell you, not yet anyway, if ever.
It wasn’t because she thought Kristy would gloat or say, I told you so; the dark truth was just too private and humiliating. “There’s nothing to forgive, Kristy, except for me allowing our friendship to go astray. It just got so complicated and painful being caught between you two, and we moved around so much and kept such a hectic schedule.”

“I know, but I’m still sorry I hurt you. Will you be moving back to Augusta? Maybe we can be neighbors. We’d have a wonderful time, especially in the summer when I’m out of school. We can do all sorts of things. We can—”

“Whoa, wait a minute! I’m staying here; I’m firmly entrenched on Sea Island; this is where I live and plan to stay.”

“But all of your old friends are here. I’m here, for heaven’s sake! It’s because of Brad, isn’t it? Every time I think about how he screwed things up for you two, I could strangle him with my bare hands. He and his third wife are separated and probably heading for divorce court soon. God have mercy on his poor children. I hardly see him anymore because every time I do, I want to kick his ass, scream at him to shape up, and—Oops, sorry, diarrhea of the mouth syndrome like always.” Kristy laughed before she continued, “The last thing you want to talk about is my son-of-a-gun brother. Lordy, Cassie, I wish it could have been different. You’re the best thing that ever happened to Brad and he botched up badly, but he’s paying for it.”

As Cass changed the subject when Kristy took a breath, she could envision her friend rolling her eyes and shaking her head in disgust. “How are your mom and dad and the kids and Jerry? I bet Billy and Debbie are growing like weeds. How’s third grade? Where are you teaching this year?” Cass knew from experience that all she had to do was ask a few pertinent
questions and Kristy would take off with exuberance on one of her famous rolls. She listened as her friend talked about her eleven-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter, her husband who was a successful real estate agent, her parents whom Cass had known since eighth grade, and her teaching job which she was good at and loved. But during Kristy’s enthusiastic delivery, she uncontrollably ventured back to a taboo subject.

“Mom and Dad are so angry with Brad and disappointed in him. They’re so worried about their grandchildren, especially Randy. Brad rarely sees his firstborn from his second marriage and his ex-wife is always dragging him into court for delinquent child-support payments. Martha Anne gets so furious with him that she sometimes refuses to let Randy visit Mom and Dad so they’ll put pressure on Brad for her; she’d better wake up and realize that ploy won’t work and only Randy and my parents suffer because of it. I don’t see how Brad affords his two families now and certainly not a third one, especially with the bad real estate market these days. Thank God, he doesn’t work for the same agency that Jerry does or he’d be driving my husband nuts. Damn, I’m doing it again! Sorry. It’s just that we always talked about anything and everything, so it seems natural to pour out my thoughts and feelings to you. It’s strange, Cassie, but it doesn’t seem like nearly three years have passed since you left town. It’s like we’re taking up right where we left off. Isn’t it wonderful that women are more forgiving when their friends make mistakes, like I did? When can we get together to talk face-to-face?”

“As a matter of fact, in a few weeks. I’m coming up on May fourth with a friend. He’s driving to Augusta to visit his son at the medical college.”

“He? How good of a…‘friend’ is he?”

“Kristy Franklin, behave yourself! I’m a recent widow, remember?”

The woman quipped, “Yeah, yeah, but who is he?”

“Jason Burkman is a close friend and he’s also my physician.”

“So,…how old is he? Is he married? Is he a hunk?”

Cass laughed and playfully accused, “You haven’t changed at all, girl. He’s forty-two, widowed, and divorced—in that order—and he’s gorgeous.”

“Wow! Do I get to meet him if I promise to keep my big mouth shut and my opinions to myself?”

“Of course you’ll meet him when he drops me off at your house, but we’re only friends, so don’t be disappointed or try to play matchmaker. Better check your calendar to be sure that date is available. I know how busy you get with the children’s activities during springtime.”

“If it’s filled, I’ll cancel anything scribbled in that slot, or Jerry can take over for me. Now, tell me about you and what you’ve been doing.”

Cass glossed over the last thirty-one months in an attempt to play down the luxurious lifestyle her marriage had afforded her. It wasn’t because Kristy would be envious or jealous; it was to avoid having to talk about her deceitful husband in any kind of detail.

“Are you really doing okay, Cassie? The news reports said the police were investigating the cause of the accident as if it were suspicious.”

Cass told her about “Mutt & Jeff” and their hunger to make a big case out of a tragic accident so they could win attention.

“I bet you were scared when they questioned you.”

“I was a little intimidated at first, but they wore thin on me pretty fast and I gave back as good as I received. Tom’s son and our lawyer say the matter will be cleared up and the file closed soon.” Before Kristy could ask more questions about Tom, she said, “I hate to end our talk, but I have a new housekeeper and this is her first day, so I need to check on her.”

“Good, that other one was a snot every time I spoke with
her! I’ll call you again soon and I’m eager to see you, and to meet your Jason.”

“I’ll hang up before that naughty syndrome returns. ’Bye, Kristy. It was wonderful talking to you at last. See you soon.”

Jason called Cass around four o’clock. Since he was in a rush between patients, they didn’t talk long, and neither even hinted at their romantic interlude yesterday. He wanted to make sure she was doing all right, and to tell her he could see her tomorrow night for a short visit, because he had a medical dinner meeting tonight and it usually ran late.

Before she hung up, she invited him to eat a light meal with her when he came over. He accepted the invitation without hesitation.

At five o’clock when it was time for Mary to leave, Cass told her what a splendid job she had done that day.

“Look around and see if I missed anything or didn’t do something the way you like it; then tell me about it Thursday morning.”

“Everything looks wonderful, Mary, and I’m glad I found you. Now, scoot along home and join your husband. See you Thursday.”

“Good-bye, Mrs. Grantham, I mean, Cass, and thanks.”

Later that evening, Cass returned Linda’s call from yesterday. During their short conversation, Linda told her about her new job that would terminate next Wednesday and suggested they get together for a day of fun on Thursday before she started a new assignment on Friday. Cass said that was wonderful and she looked forward to their visit and outing. When Linda asked
her how Peter was doing, Cass responded that he was fine and would return home from a business trip on Wednesday.

After finishing their talk, Cass decided she should not interfere with any possible relationship between them, as Linda was an adult and it wasn’t her place to intrude on her friend’s personal life. Even so, Cass resolved she wouldn’t say or do anything to encourage a romance between them, as she was certain Linda would get hurt; she couldn’t imagine Peter having a serious interest in any woman who wasn’t wealthy and a member of his social status.

Tuesday morning Cass answered the phone to hear Detective Adam Beals—“Mutt”—on the other end. He made an appointment with her for one o’clock and told her, “I have good news for you, Mrs. Grantham.”

After lunch, Cass opened the front door to let in Adam Beals and his partner, Carl Killian—“Jeff.” Now that her wits were clear, she realized why she had tagged them with those nicknames: one was short, stocky, flush-faced, beady hazel eyes, and auburn hair; the other was a tall and thin brunette; and both men—almost sloppily dressed—were in their thirties.

As she guided them into the living room and asked if they wanted a cola or coffee, she almost blushed in recall at how she had behaved toward them the last time, but she didn’t draw attention to it by apologizing. “What can I do for you gentlemen today? You said you have good news for me?” Beals was the one to respond, and not how she expected.

“Your stepson is mighty protective of you, isn’t he? After our last talk, his lawyer contacted our captain and told him we couldn’t bother you anymore unless it was necessary and he was present. Said you were ill and under a doctor’s care. You seem fine now, right?”

“I’m much better, thank you; and I didn’t think it was necessary for Mr. Johnson to be present today.” She sensed the man was stalling, so she pressed, “What is your good news?”

“We finished the background checks, except for Mr. Grantham’s ex-wife; we couldn’t locate her; heard she’s living in Europe or someplace. You wouldn’t happen to know where we can reach her, would you?”

“No, but you can ask Peter when he returns tomorrow. As far as I know, neither Tom nor Peter have had any contact with her for years. Why do you need to speak with her?”

“Just checking out any and all possibilities. We talked with his friends, associates, and employees, but nobody gave us anything useful. I’ve already told your stepson the airbag removal was illegal, but nobody will ’fess up to taking it out. His mechanic knew it was missing a long time ago and warned Mr. Grantham about it. You and your stepson told me neither of you knew about it being missing, right?”

“If I had known, I would have insisted it be replaced, and I’m sure Peter would have done the same thing,” Cass affirmed. “I do recall Tom telling me about some of the negative aspects of air bags, such as the fact some people had been injured badly when their bags opened. Perhaps those fears were why Tom wanted his removed, but he didn’t tell me he had done so. In my opinion, the man who removed it is partly responsible for his death.”

“You’re right, but that person’s identity remains a mystery. I suppose a rich person can find somebody willing to do just about anything for him or her for the right price, don’t you think? Getting to the brake failure, the car was so badly mangled, we can’t tell what really happened and we still don’t know what caused him to wreck. We do know he either never tried to stop or couldn’t, because there weren’t any skid marks on the highway, and he was traveling at a high rate of speed. The line that carries the brake fluid either ruptured during or was severed before the crash. The strange thing is, there weren’t
any signs of fluid on the ground under the vehicle, which would have been the case if the crash caused it. Without fluid in the brake line, there was no way he could slow down or stop before the crash. The mechanic said he hadn’t worked on the car for over two weeks prior to the incident and the brakes were working fine then, but he didn’t see anybody messing with it while your husband was out of town.”

“As I told you before, Tom didn’t allow anyone to drive or touch his car except his mechanic. As for somebody tampering with it during his absence, I don’t see how that’s possible since it was kept in a tall fence with a barbed-wire top and a ferocious guard dog on duty. As for all of that mechanical stuff about brakes and fluid, I don’t know anything about cars in that area; I depend on my dealership to keep mine serviced and repaired when needed. Tom did like to drive fast, but I’ve never known him to be reckless or careless or to drive while drinking. Whenever we partied, in or out of town, he always hired a chauffeur and limo. If I understand you correctly, it’s rare but not impossible for brakes to fail in that manner and cause an accident?” she asked, using the word
accident,
which Beals seemed determined to avoid.

“That’s about the size of it. Since we can’t prove foul play, the boss says we have to halt the investigation because it’s taking too much time and money and we ain’t doing nothing but butting our heads against a brick wall. We’re going to file his folder, but we ain’t marking the case closed just yet. I guess you know by now, your insurance company won’t make a settlement until we rule it an accident; they don’t pay off in murder cases. From what I understand, yours will be a big settlement since he had a double-indemnity clause for accidental death.”

Cass knew about the insurance hold-up from Peter and their lawyer. She corrected the smug Beals by saying, “Non-payment applies only if Tom was killed by a beneficiary, which he wasn’t. Is there a time limit for you holding open a case without
evidence to support your suspicions?” She noticed Beals’ annoyance at her for seeming to call his clever hand.

“You could say there is. I know you want this matter resolved fast, so if you think of anything, call us. Either your husband had a tragic accident or somebody’s gonna get away with coldblooded, premeditated murder, unless a clue is dropped in our laps soon.”