Murder in Waiting - Lynn Cahoon Page 0,43
the woman who’d answered the door came in with two large glasses of iced tea with a sprig of mint sticking out the top of both. She set the tray on a coffee table between us, and there were pink and white macarons on a plate in the middle of the tray. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be in the office. Just buzz when you’re done and I’ll come clear the tray.”
The woman watched the other leave. “Martha worries about me. I’ve been dealing with the family curse, MS, for the last few years. Unfortunately, I’m in the middle of a flare-up, so if I cut this short, I apologize.”
“I appreciate you seeing me. I won’t take much of your time.” I sipped the tea, watching her. “I’m researching Frank and trying to find out why he was killed. When I looked at your divorce decree, I noticed you didn’t list assets. I don’t mean to be nosy, but you’re very well off in that area. Family money?”
“Yes. We both had our trust funds, so there was no reason to argue over money. Frank’s was a little smaller than mine; I knew that going into the marriage because Daddy did a full financial audit of his future son-in-law before he’d give permission. He didn’t quite live up to my father’s expectations, but I was told that although he thought I could do better, he wouldn’t forbid it.”
She laughed and pointed to me. “You should see your face. Yes, dear, sometimes marriage is more than just a match of chemistry and love. For us, it was combining two dynasties.”
“Then why did you divorce?” I picked up a macaroon after I asked that, hoping the cookie would keep those types of questions from popping out.
“Even though we were almost well matched in finances and status, there was no love. No chemistry. We cared for each other, but there needs to be more, correct?”
I couldn’t argue that point. I’d seen too many people break up their partnership because of the one missing ingredient. Love.
“Did you stay in touch?” I finished the really amazing macaroon as I watched her.
She shook her head. “Not at first. I was angry he’d fallen in love so fast after we parted. But of course, that rebound never lasts. He’d stop by now and then. Catch me up with his life. I was there when he fell a second and a third time. He really was just looking for a soul mate. But he kept finding people who were more interested in the money. Finally, this last one, I thought she might be the one.”
“And yet that marriage ended in divorce too.”
She looked at me strangely. “Did it? I hadn’t heard that.”
Martha came to the door. “Sorry, but your financial adviser is on the phone. He says it’s urgent.”
“Money matters always are to these people.” She stood and reached out her hand. “I’m sorry to cut this short. I enjoyed our time together. You’re welcome back anytime. Maybe we could talk about books next time. Being a bookseller must be very exciting.”
“Not really exciting, but I love what I do.” I reached out my hand and gently shook Lynda’s. “I’d love to stop by to talk books. Maybe I could visit in a couple of weeks?”
“Martha will give you her card. Just call, and she’ll let you know how I’m doing. Please don’t be offended if I’m having a bad day. Life just happens sometimes.”
She started to walk out of the room.
“Lynda, do you have any idea who would want Frank dead?”
She stopped and looked me directly in the eye. “I can’t imagine anyone wanting that gentle soul out of this world. He made things brighter for so many people. It had to be a random hit-and-run.”
I thought about my meeting with Lynda all the way to Bakerstown. What a different version of who Frank Gleason was from the man I’d met and had been frustrated with for years after I’d realized the Mission might have been originally on my property. I’d blamed him for the lack of action on the certification, but maybe he’d been on my side all along.
Not that his support would do any good now. The certification had been a long shot when I’d had a champion working for the agency. Now that he was dead, the fate of the wall was probably dead too. Unless I fought for the certification.
As soon as Greg had solved Frank’s murder and this thing with the Council, and