Love With A Stranger (27 page)

“If Tom was murdered, which I don’t believe he was, I hope you find and punish the person who’s responsible.”

“I hope so, too, because I don’t like loose ends, and this case strikes me as having at least one or two. A man without enemies, odd, very odd.”

“As I told you before,” Cass began in an attempt to emphasize his stubbornness and redundance in certain areas, “if Tom had any enemies, I don’t know about them.”

“Why did he bring Miss Lowery to town with him?”

“I don’t know; you’ll have to ask her or Peter, but I think it had to do with a new advertising campaign for the seafood company. She’s a model.”

“We know, but we can’t reach her; she’s out of the country for the next month on an…assignment, I believe her agency called it. I did want to ask her a few more questions to clear up some hazy areas that clouded up after we let her leave town before those clues popped up. You can’t think of anybody who hated him for any reason? I mean, for any reason?”

Cass didn’t know why Beals stressed those last two words, and hoped they hadn’t learned about Tom’s dark secrets. Perhaps it was wrong of her to withhold that information, but she was positive it had nothing to do with his death, and revealing it would open a horrible scandal that would taint her image as well as his. She had suffered more than enough because of Tom’s wicked actions, so she kept silent. Besides, if it was pertinent, hound-dog Beals would track it down and attack it!

She remained poised on the exterior as she looked Beals in the eye and said, “No, sir, no one. Of course, I traveled very
little with Tom after we moved here early last October; if he made someone that angry since then, he didn’t tell me about it. That isn’t unusual since I had nothing to do with his business matters, just as I assume your wife isn’t informed of your work. Since you have explanations for the two points you originally thought were suspicious, exactly what is it that keeps nagging at you?”

“I just find it mighty strange—unbelievable, you could say—that a rich, powerful, and handsome man like Mr. Grantham didn’t have any enemies; at least, that’s what everybody’s been telling me since day one.”

Cass focused an odd look on him. “Are you saying that if Tom was poor, ugly, and unimportant, no one would have a motive to kill him?”

“Not exactly. But everybody has an enemy or two, right?”

“I have no way of knowing that answer, and I certainly hope I don’t have any. I suppose there might be a few people who disliked Tom, perhaps even intensely, but not enough to kill him.”

“How did you and your husband get along?”

Cass eyed him as she mentally charged that his phone call about delivering “good news” had been a ruse to disarm her and get her alone with the hope she would drop that “clue” he wanted so desperately so he could keep the case open. “We got along fine. Why?”

“I’m sure you’re a very wealthy woman now, right?”

She realized the man rarely answered her questions and instead posed another one to her. She wondered if he had access to a copy of Tom’s will and her prenuptial agreement. “I’m very comfortable, thank you. Tom was a smart businessman, so he made certain I would be taken care of.”

“Did you know about the terms of his will before his death?”

Cass’s tone was edged with light sarcasm as she responded, “Would it be normal for a husband to withhold such important facts from his wife? Would you do that?”

“I’m just a hardworking common man, Mrs. Grantham. I don’t even have a will; don’t have enough to leave behind to justify paying a lawyer to write me up one.”

“Everybody should have a will, sir, especially a husband and bread winner…May I ask, do you resent us because we are wealthy?” Beals looked surprised by her bold question, but composed himself with haste.

“Why should I?”

“I don’t know, and you shouldn’t, but your manner and attitude imply that to me at times. Do you keep pressing this case, even though you’ve been told by your superior to close it, because so much money is at stake and solving a murder mystery could make big news for you? Is that why you keep hoping it will turn out to be—What did you call it?—’foul play’?” She saw Beals scowl at her, but Killian remained stonefaced and silent.

“Just doing my job, Mrs. Grantham, and going on my gut feelings. If you’ve got nothing to hide, you’ve got no reason to be nervous or worried, and you’ve got no reason not to cooperate fully with us, right?”

Cass frowned at him. “That’s precisely what I meant, Detective Beals; you added that last sentence to make a point I dislike. I have to disappoint you, because I was not involved in any form or fashion in my husband’s death; that is what you’re asking in what you mistakenly think is a clever roundabout way. Please feel free to keep digging for answers to resolve your doubts, but I insist you stop subjecting me to your insinuations. I find them improper, impolite, and cruel; and I’m certain Mr. Johnson and your chief would feel the same way. If you don’t believe what I’ve told you, I’m certain there’s nothing more I can say or do to change your mind.”

“I do have one last question,” the detective shot out. “Why did your husband put in that crazy stipulation about your remarriage? That’s a new one on me.”

Two disturbing questions shot through her mind like bolts
of lightning:
Does the offensive man think I have a secret lover and Tom knew about him and that’s why he added that “crazy” provision? Does he think we killed Tom or had Tom slain for his money and my freedom?
Cass related the explanations about the trust fund and remarriage restriction which Peter had told her about almost two weeks ago. She hoped he believed them because she didn’t. Afterward, she added, “Besides, if I remarry in the future, I won’t need Tom’s money for support, and it should revert to Peter as his only child. Tom’s son has more of a right to the Grantham estate than my next husband would, if I wed again.”

“You’re seeing Doctor Jason Burkman now; isn’t that right?”

Cass stared at him, but concealed her sudden tension. “Are you spying on me?”

“Just checking out all the angles. That stipulation was odd, and you surely inherited more from his death and will than you’d have gotten with a divorce and that prenuptial you signed. Isn’t that right?”

Cass straightened in her chair and glared at him. “I don’t like your insinuation, sir, and it’s groundless. Jason Burkman is my physician and he’s a close friend. He’s been treating me recently for…a health problem. He’s also been trying to get me out of the house to help me deal with my grief. Is that a problem for you?”

“I thought David Hines was your doctor. He’s the one who told our captain you weren’t in any condition to be questioned. Was I wrong?”

Cass explained why she had switched her medical care to Jason Burkman. “I’ve had dinner alone with Dr. Burkman one time since Tom’s death, so what do you mean by, am I seeing him now?” If he called her bluff about it being twice, at the Cloister and his home, she would pretend she had forgotten one time in her provoked agitation.

“Why would you think I was suggesting something… lewd?”

“If that weren’t true, sir, you wouldn’t have mentioned him in the way you did. I see no reason for you to outright lie to me and then insult my intelligence by claiming I misunderstood you. It’s as obvious to me as the nose on your face that you tricked your way into my home by using the ploy of delivering …‘good news’ as you called it on the phone, when all you intended to do was interrogate me in private without my lawyer being present. I have been more than patient with your cunning tactics and have cooperated with your absurd investigation. If you disagree, take me to your station and let’s speak with your superior. Otherwise, this meeting is over, and I’ll escort you to the door.” She stood and headed for the foyer with the two men trailing her and Killian apologizing for upsetting her. She opened the door and stepped aside with a stern expression on her face.

“That’s all, Mrs. Grantham, for now,” Beals said.

Cass frowned at him. “You told me the case is being filed away, so if you need to question me again or report any further …‘good news’, contact me through my lawyer and we’ll meet you in his office or in your superior’s. Since you say I misunderstand your meanings and intentions, I’m certain Mr. Johnson will be delighted and able to explain them to me.” It was apparent to her that Beals was as angry as she was at that point, and he must feel as if she had thwarted his challenge, which didn’t sit well.

“As you wish, Mrs. Grantham. Good-bye.”

Cass was repulsed by Beals’s behavior and his response. She closed and locked the door and watched the men from a window, but made sure she was out of sight. She saw them stand by an old car for a while and talk before they got in and drove away.

Beals’s stubborn persistence worried her and could be intrusive on her life. After what happened between her and Jason on Sunday, she warned herself to be careful around him and
when she was out with him. If “Mutt & Jeff” were going to cause her more aggravation and trouble, she didn’t want an innocent Jason drawn into the predicament. Nor did she want Beals’s digging to unearth and expose Tom’s sordid past and find herself at the center of a sleazy exposé.

Cass walked to the den, sat down, and phoned Simon Johnson. She told the lawyer about the incident in accurate detail. She was relieved when he promised to handle the matter for her.

Cass wished she hadn’t asked Jason over for dinner tonight and risk embroiling him in her humiliating predicament. But she hadn’t known it was still looming over her when she extended the invitation. As she prepared their meal, she fretted over the dilemma until she was edgy.

When Jason arrived, she let him in and guided him to the kitchen as she said, “Dinner’s almost ready. Sit down and relax while I finish it.”

Jason removed his jacket and tie and placed them over a chair, then unfastened a few shirt buttons. He saw that the table was set and the condiments were out, so he took his by-now familiar place. During her polite greeting and when she delivered things to the table, he noticed she avoided meeting his gaze, was oddly quiet and subdued, and yet appeared tense. He wondered why and dreaded the reason. He hoped and prayed she hadn’t asked him over to tell him they couldn’t see each other again.

Cass served the boiled shrimp, steamed broccoli, potato salad, and rolls before she took a seat opposite him. “The empty plate is for the shells, and I made iced tea for you. Am I missing anything you need?”

“Thanks, and nothing. This looks delicious.”
The only thing missing is your sunny smile, Cass. What’s bothering you, my love?

As he helped himself from the bowls and platters, she asked, “You said you like shrimp, right?”

He smiled and nodded. “I love it just about any way it’s prepared.”

Jason peeled and ate a few before he paused—just to get a conversation going and break the silence—to ask, “How did it go with Mary?”

Cass knew she had answered that query yesterday, so she deduced his motive for asking it again. “You were right; she’s absolutely wonderful. I can’t thank you enough or tell you how pleasant it was having her here instead of Inez. How did your day go and your dinner meeting last night?”
You do the talking while I calm down.

“Both were fine, but I missed seeing you. I really enjoy your company, Cass, and care a lot about you. I haven’t had so much fun or been this relaxed in ages. I have you to thank for accomplishing both tasks.”

“I’m the one who should be thanking you, Jason, for bringing me back to life in so many ways. I’m sorry if I seem a little tense and distracted tonight, but I had a meeting this afternoon that was most unpleasant.”

Jason lowered his tea glass. “With your lawyer or accountant? Did you ask them about the things we discussed Sunday night?”

Cass wondered why that was his first thought. “No, I haven’t seen them or spoken with Mr. Dredger today. I did phone Mr. Johnson, but it wasn’t about that subject.” As she sipped her drink while deciding how and what to tell him, Jason asked another unusual question.

“Did Peter come home early and say something to upset you?”

“No, it wasn’t Peter, and he’s still away until tomorrow. Those two detectives came to see me again. Actually, they tricked their way inside to get me alone to interrogate me about Tom and his accident. After I almost kicked them out, I reported
them to Mr. Johnson and he’s going to handle the matter and force them to stop harassing me as if I were a criminal. They even asked me about you, about us.” She saw she had his full attention. She related the incident, then said, “I don’t know exactly what Beals has discovered or was implying about us, but I don’t like his sorry attitude or conduct. He’s one of the most devious and insensitive people I’ve ever met. I swear to you, Jason, I had nothing to do with Tom’s death, nothing.”

“You don’t have to swear that to me, Cass; I know you didn’t because I know you. You’re a good and honest person, a very special person. If your husband was murdered, it’s their job to find his killer, but they have no right or reason to harass or accuse you. A prenuptial agreement isn’t uncommon in a remarriage for a wealthy person. And you aren’t Tom’s sole beneficiary; Peter inherited more than you did. Are they investigating him, too?”

Cass deliberately had omitted the enlightening fact that had sparked Beals’s suspicion about them: the remarriage stipulation. At this early point in their relationship, she didn’t want Jason to know about that intrusive angle. She didn’t want to explain her feelings and motives, and she certainly couldn’t reveal the dirty truth about Tom. She wanted to make sure her wealth didn’t hold any sway over her appeal to Jason. She also didn’t want him to think he didn’t stand a chance with her because of what it would cost her: millions of dollars. Nor did she want him to suspect that Tom had a reason for distrusting her and that was why he included that bizarre term. “I suppose so, but they didn’t tell me. I know they’ve questioned him before, but he didn’t seem upset or worried afterward.”

“You don’t think he had anything to do with the accident, do you?”

“No, absolutely not. I don’t know everything about Tom’s and Peter’s relationship, but Peter didn’t hate his father and surely couldn’t have killed him or had it done. As I told the police, if Tom had any dangerous enemies, I don’t know about
them. I just want the case closed so I can forget about this tragedy and get on with my life.”