Shattered Dreams (26 page)

“She’s my sister, my twin even. Why wouldn’t I trust her?”

“I just wouldn’t. And you know darn well why.”

“Crystal’s changed,” Claire replied evasively, unwilling to delve into the problems she and her sister shared.

“How can you forget so easily what she did? The woman had an affair with your husband, for crying out loud.”

“She explained all that.”

Gwen frowned. “And you believed her? You haven’t been close in years, and now you’re suddenly having lunch with her. I get stood up while you waltz off with someone who’s been absent from your life for the past three years.”

“I said I was sorry about lunch.”

“I’m not talking about lunch. I stopped by your house on Friday night. But you weren’t home.” Gwen shrugged. “No biggie. I mean, our plans aren’t set in stone.”

“Damn. I’m sorry! I completely forgot.”

No wonder Gwen was upset. How could she forget their usual celebratory get-together once a new catalog went to press? And to make matters worse, she’d blown off lunch too.

“I wasn’t with Crystal on Friday night,” Claire said. “It probably won’t make you feel any better to know I had a date. Went to dinner with Jason Roberts.”

“Really?” Gwen’s smile returned. “A date? With Jason Roberts? Wow. What about Carl? He’s really history?”

“Yes, and he has been for weeks.”

“I know. But usually he worms his way back.” When Claire’s eyebrows rose, Gwen added, “Christmas two years ago, Labor Day last year, and a couple of months ago. And those are just the last three times you sought me out, telling me much the same thing. I called Saturday too. When you weren’t home, I figured you probably made up.”

“Well, we didn’t.” She sighed and shook her head. “I guess I did give him a lot of chances, didn’t I? What a fool.”

“Don’t feel too bad. From my vantage point, Carl was the master at manipulation. He seemed to know exactly which button to push.”

“I guess. Thank God those buttons don’t work any longer.” She laughed, feeling light-headed and free all of a sudden. “Why don’t we go for a drink tonight? I’ll tell you all about my weekend and how I learned to tile.”

“You tiled?”

“Sure did.”

“You’re on.” Gwen grinned and pushed away from the desk. “This I’ve got to hear.”

Sporting a silly expression, Claire watched her leave. She could easily talk about tile. Making love with Jason, on the other hand, was something she’d keep to herself.

Her smile grew from ear to ear as her mind filled with him. She sighed, wondering when she’d see him again.

Chapter 33

Deputy Tom Snyder poured a cup of coffee wondering if any leads had turned up on his John Doe during his day off. Tuesdays were the start of his work week, and today looked to be a busy one. Carrying a file, he was walking toward his desk just as his phone rang. He slumped into his swivel chair and picked up the phone.

Recognizing the caller ID, he said, “Snyder here. Whatcha got?”

As he listened, his jaw tautened and his back stiffened. “Thanks.” He frowned. “I’ll start digging into his life; find out who and why someone would stab him and dump his body off Key Largo.”

He hung up. “Damn. Just what I need,” he grumbled. The body of a man who lived and worked two counties away was found in his jurisdiction. Wasn’t going to be easy sorting through his life.

Ken Watson walked into the station. “Hey, Snyder. What’s up?”

He grunted a greeting to the other deputy. “Shit’s hit the fan. Got a positive ID on our John Doe. Name’s Carl Carter. Wife was in here couple of weeks ago. You remember that case I had Reynolds following up on?”

“Yeah. So the guy was actually missing?” Watson filled a Styrofoam cup with coffee and leaned against the desk.

“No. From all signs, Carter set it up so it would appear that way.” Snyder shook his head and tossed the file toward the other deputy. “Strange case. And now he shows up dead.”

After setting his coffee down, Watson picked up the file and flipped through it.

“Looks like a slam dunk.” He closed the manila folder and dropped it back on the desktop. “My money’s on the wife. If he set her up, there’s your motive.”

“Don’t know what to believe till I take a closer look. Something tells me this case has layers and will take some digging.”

“That bad, huh?” Watson grabbed his coffee and headed for the door, saying over his shoulder, “If you need help, holler. I’m outta here for the next week, but I’d be happy to postpone my time off for an interesting case.”

Snyder heaved a sigh and watched him leave. Then he leaned over, snatching the file with one hand while seizing the receiver with the other. Next, he punched in Claire Carter’s work number.

She answered right away.

“Mrs. Carter? This is Deputy Snyder with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.”

“I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you, but I haven’t had any luck locating Carl.”

“That’s what I’m calling about, ma’am.”

“Oh?”

“I need you to come down to the station.”

“This can’t be handled over the phone?”

“No. I’d prefer we talked in person.”

“Is this about Carl?”

“I’d rather not say over the phone.”

“You’ll have to if you expect me to make the long drive.”

He sighed, reached for a pen off the desk, and started clicking it.

“Deputy? Are you still there?”

“Yeah. I’m just trying to figure out a way to word my news.”

“I prefer the direct approach.”

“Okay. Then I’m afraid I have bad news. Dental records confirm the body we found as that of Carl Carter.”

The line went dead silent, and he waited.

“Ma’am?” More seconds of silence ticked by. “Are you okay?”

“I don’t know what to say.”

“I’m sorry to tell you like that, but you insisted.”

“I see.”

After another moment of silence, he said, “Ma’am?”

“I assume you’ll need to question me?”

“Yes, ma’am. That’s the other reason I’d like you to drive down. Preferably as soon as possible.”

They set up a time for later that afternoon and said their good-byes.

After disconnecting, Snyder threw the pen aside and rubbed his face with both hands. Leaning back into his chair, he kicked his feet up on the desk.

“Definitely gonna be more work,” he muttered unhappily.

Chapter 34

Claire stared at the receiver without seeing anything. Carl dead? How? Why? Every nerve ending in her body prickled as a foreboding sensation swept over her. Her heart rate soared.

She reached for the phone again, punched in Jason’s number, and wiped clammy hands on her slacks.

“I was wondering when I’d speak to you again.”

Too upset to respond to the subtle suggestive nuances in his voice, she blurted, “Snyder just called. They’ve identified the body. It’s Carl’s, and the deputy wants to question me. I don’t know what to do. You’ve got to help me.”

“Calm down and tell me what happened.” All innuendo gone, Jason’s tone was now all business.

“You tell me to calm down when Carl’s dead and I get this feeling Snyder thinks I had something to do with it?” By this point she was yelling into the phone, becoming more agitated as she spoke.

“You don’t know what he thinks, and getting upset won’t solve anything.”

Jason’s composed reassuring voice took the edge off her concern. Still, she couldn’t quite quash the idea that she had reason to worry.

“You’re the one who told me they suspect spouses first when there’s foul play.”

“We don’t even know if foul play’s involved.”

“But what if it is?”

“It’s still routine procedure, and that’s all. Tell me exactly what he said.”

“So, what do you think?” she asked after relaying her conversation with Snyder.

Claire flexed her shoulders as some of the tension left her body. After rolling her head from side to side, she took a deep breath. The longer she talked, the calmer and more relaxed she felt.

“We meet with him. Go from there. I’ll clear my schedule. What time?”

“Later this afternoon. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“No. I’m your lawyer, remember?”

She laughed. “I fired you, remember?” Though it sounded forced, laughing was definitely better than crying.

“Yeah, but I figured you changed your mind after this weekend.”

That comment earned a genuine smile. She leaned back and sighed. Jason wouldn’t let her down. She could depend on him.

“I guess I did.”

It felt wonderful to let someone else in and share her problems. For too long, she’d lived life totally alone because she never shared anything of her inner turmoil with Carl. He’d use it as a weapon against her, so she’d kept her feelings locked inside. Still, she would never wish him dead. She’d been just as much at fault for allowing her marriage to disintegrate.

When she hung up the phone, Claire felt somewhat relieved and went back to work. Yet, the idea of Carl’s dead body washing up along the shore lingered. No matter how she tried to push away the thoughts, they wouldn’t budge.

When the time came, Claire stepped outside and spotted Jason’s car pulling into the lot. Hot, humid air hit her face. Immediately, warmth seeped into her skin, heating her cold insides. All afternoon, icy fear had been a constant companion.

“Prompt as always,” he said after she hopped inside his Mercedes.

“I try to be.” Though she worked to sound jovial, her voice fell far short of the mark.

“You okay?”

Sliding the seatbelt into place, she blinked back tears at the concern in his tone and nodded, too afraid she’d fall apart if she spoke.

Jason’s hand went to her chin, lifting it so she could see his expression. Those gentle fingers slid up and down her face before he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss.

“I’m here.” He placed a warm hand over hers, and immediately heat engulfed it. “We’ll deal with this together.”

Again, she could only nod as he put the car in gear. As he drove, Claire remained silent with her eyes focused in front of her.

Except for Jason’s directives to let him handle things, and for her to follow his lead during their questioning, neither spoke again for the ninety-minute trip south.

• • •

They made good time, beating rush hour traffic by mere minutes. Jason switched off the engine and glanced at Claire with eyebrows raised. “Ready?”

“I guess.”

He got out of the car and walked swiftly to her side before she could get halfway out. He heard her sigh. The fragility he noted on that first day was back. There was nothing he could do other than wrap his arms around her and hold her close in an effort to comfort her.

Not surprisingly, she clung to him.

“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, leaning back. His worried gaze sought hers.

“I’m fine.” She took a deep breath and straightened. “I remember when the last time we were here and you hurried around to open my door, it irritated me. Now I thank God you’re here.”

“Hold on to that thought. I may irritate you again, because I’m not going away.”

Keeping his arm around her shoulders, Jason slammed the car door. Claire leaned into him as he led her toward the station.

“Remember, I want you to follow my cues while we’re in there. Look for my nod before you answer any question.” His tone held more warning than their earlier conversation on the matter.

“Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?” Her eyes grew to the size of quarters. “You think I have something to worry about?”

“I’m thinking as a lawyer now. As such, I’m merely going with a worst-case scenario. That way we’re prepared and can meet this head on.”

A pretty receptionist directed them to go on back. Deputy Snyder sat at the same drab table in the same drab room. He stood as they got to the door.

“Come on in.” He pulled out two chairs. “Have a seat. I really appreciate your cooperation.”

“Thanks.” Jason led Claire to one chair and then took the other. “What can you tell us about Carl Carter’s death?”

“That’s my question.” The deputy sighed. “Not much to tell yet. So far, all I got is a dead body that washed ashore. One of a man who went to great lengths to plan his disappearance only weeks before, no matter how ineptly he’d handled it.”

“And COD?”

“It’s in the report,” Snyder said, indicating the brown folder in his hands. He tossed the file toward Jason. “Take a look.”

“What is it you need from my client?” Jason asked, though he already had a good idea. He picked up the file and flipped through the pages, reading the parts he needed to read and skimming the rest.

“Standard questions,” Snyder murmured as he turned on a tape recorder. “Whereabouts on the days in question, relationship to the deceased. If she might know of any reason someone would stab him and dump his body. That sort of thing. Plus, I’d like permission to inspect your home.”

He broke off and looked at Claire. “And I’d like to take another look at your boat. I can get a court order if you say no. It’ll take me longer, so I’m hoping you’ll agree. I’ll also be going through electronic files.”

“We see no problem with your requests,” Jason replied, looking up from the report.

Chapter 35

The woman paced the room and fought to rein in her temper.

Stupid men! What did they see in Claire Carter?

Even Carl hadn’t hidden the fact that, in the end, he preferred Claire over her. The more she thought about that last time she’d seen Carl, the more frenzied her movements became. He’d laughed at her and had spewed his venomous comparisons. That night she realized her horrible error in trusting him.

Remembering it all now, her rage built. She could still hear his voice, mocking her.

“Do you really think you’re worth all of this?” he’d said. “You were the means to an end. Once that end’s met, you’re history.”

How dare that bastard tell her she was fun while it lasted! That even if their plans had worked out, she couldn’t expect him to settle for her.

That news had been bad enough. She’d lost it when he told her he was going back to his precious Claire, and to what?