went quiet, as if contemplating this oddity. But inside, Bree could see turmoil, rage that Angela was working hard to conceal.
“Had you ever considered leaving him?” Bree asked.
“Yes. When the boys were home, I had a purpose. I didn’t want to break up their home.” Her gaze dropped to her hands. “But unlike Paul, I decided to give our relationship one last try. I admit I’d been so focused on the boys that Paul—and our marriage—often took second place. But I’d invested more than two decades into our relationship. After the boys left for school this year, I suggested Paul and I take a long trip. There are so many places I want to see, but we’ve always been too busy. Paul with his work. Me with the kids. Suddenly, we had this empty nest.”
“What did Paul say?” Bree prompted.
“He couldn’t take off from work. He had too many jobs, and we had tuition bills to pay. When I pressed the issue, he called me selfish and lazy. He said I had no idea what kind of pressure he was under to keep the money coming in while I played tennis and organized charity events.” Anger flashed in her eyes. She dumped a few candies into her palm and closed her fingers tightly around them. “I knew this was just an excuse. I knew it. But I let him guilt me into backing off because I didn’t bring in an income. Ironically, it was Paul who didn’t want me to work when the kids were young.” She slammed the handful of candy into her mouth in an angry gesture. She chewed, her jaws working harder than necessary. Then she forcibly pulled herself together and smoothed out her expression.
Matt leaned closer. “What did you do before you married Paul?”
Angela swallowed. Her expression turned wistful. “I was a teacher. Third grade.”
“So, you gave up your career for him?” Bree poked at the wound.
“I did.” Angela reached for the water bottle. “However, I also loved being home with my kids. But now that they’re grown, I need to do something meaningful. Playing tennis isn’t enough.” She sat back. Her shoulders dropped as she relaxed. “And now I won’t have to entertain clients or anyone else.” She didn’t look upset about that. “For the first time in decades, my time is my own.”
“When did you tell your sons about the separation?” Bree asked after a minute of silence.
Angela shook her head. “I called them about a week after I moved out.”
“You told them the truth,” Bree prodded.
“I didn’t get specific.” Angela’s chest heaved. “That’s not the kind of information children need.”
“Why Paul and I separated isn’t any of their business,” Angela snapped. “It isn’t anyone’s business.”
Matt jumped in. “Are the boys close to Paul?”
Angela jerked a shoulder. “He didn’t have much time for them when they were young. He was always working, and when neither showed any interest in the family business, Paul was annoyed.” There was a slight pause before the word annoyed.
“We met Paul.” Matt’s shoulders shifted forward. “He had a temper. I’ll bet he was more than annoyed.”
Angela didn’t answer. Caution—maybe even calculation—narrowed her eyes. She wasn’t stupid. She wouldn’t confirm anything that shined a suspicious light on her or her boys.
“Paul was an alpha male.” Angela lifted her chin, feigning confidence she clearly didn’t feel.
“He was an asshole,” Matt added.
Angela’s eyes heated, but she didn’t comment.
Bree steered the questioning away from the boys, hoping Angela would talk more freely. “Where were you between seven forty-five and eight o’clock yesterday evening?”
Angela picked at the candy wrapper. “As I told you last night, I’m staying with a friend, but she left for work by six thirty.”
“I’ll need the contact information of your friend.” Bree lifted her pen.
“Of course.” Angela gave Bree her friend’s name and address.
Bree made a note, then dropped her big question. “Where were you last Friday evening?”
“When? Why?” Angela’s brows puckered with confusion.
“One of Paul’s employees was killed then.” Bree watched her eyes.
Angela’s mouth dropped open. “Holly,” she whispered, almost to herself. She stared down at the bag of candy in her hand, but her attention was inward. “I thought it was suicide. I saw it on the news.”
“The reporter was speculating,” Bree said. “Holly was murdered.”
Angela gaped. “I didn’t know. I haven’t watched the news since I saw that report. Does this mean Holly’s death is related to Paul’s?” She cocked her head.