barge in and muck it up. Mike eluded him yesterday, made him look like an ass, which isn’t difficult to do. He won’t be happy to see us.”
“Who has seniority?” Locke asked.
“He does. In years, not know-how. What time is he due?”
“Around ten. Wants to interview Mrs. Ford right away.”
“They say where?” Mike asked.
Menundez shook his head.
“Find out and let us know the location,” Drex said. “We’ll have her there.” Seeing the consternation registered by Mike and Gif, he said, “It was only a matter of time, guys. We’re lucky he didn’t run us to ground before now.”
Talia had remained seated on the sofa. When the group of men broke up, the two detectives came over to her and expressed their condolences regarding Elaine. “I’m sorry we had to put you through that identification procedure,” Locke said.
“You were only doing your job.”
He thanked her for her cooperation then said, “We’re still relying on your cooperation, Mrs. Ford. Please don’t leave town.”
“I have no intention of going anywhere until my husband is accounted for.”
He nodded and gave her his business card. Menundez also passed her his.
Locke said, “Call either of us if you think of anything that could be useful to the investigation.”
Although Drex’s arguments were damning, she wasn’t ready to concede that it had been Jasper onboard the yacht with Elaine. “Are they still searching for the man?”
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll notify you if there’s something to report.”
“Please. No matter how bad the news may be.”
He gave her a bland smile. “Try to get some rest. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
Menundez nodded a quasi goodbye, then followed Locke out, leaving her alone with Drex and his partners.
Gif said, “I’ll take first shift.”
Talia shot to her feet. “What do you mean first shift?” She walked over to Drex. “You’re my jailers now?”
“Protectors.”
She scoffed at that. “I feel less safe with you than with anybody.”
“Then you’ll be relieved to know that two police officers will be parked on the street. If you feel unsafe, you can signal them for help, and they’ll come running.”
“Am I allowed to go upstairs to my room? Alone.”
Ignoring her snideness, he said, “Of course. In fact I recommend it. Tomorrow doesn’t promise to be your best day. Get some sleep if you can. See you in the morning.”
He turned away and walked from the room, the large man lumbering behind him. Gif passed her his business card. “That’s my cell number. Text me if you need anything during the night.”
She took the card but was still looking at the arched opening through which Drex had left. “Does he always wear that gun?” She’d seen the holster clipped to his belt at the small of his back.
“While on duty.”
“Is he a good guy or bad guy?”
“Depends on who’s asking.”
She looked at Gif. “I’m asking. Can I trust him?”
“You can trust his commitment to catching Weston Graham.”
“You mean Jasper?”
“To Drex he’ll always be Weston Graham.”
“Why?”
“You’ll have to ask Drex.” He backed away. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”
He left her. She turned toward the staircase, which, in her exhausted state, looked as daunting as Everest. Using the bannister for support, she climbed it slowly.
She got into the bath but sat beneath the shower and rested her head on her raised knees. From the detectives’ arrival until now, she’d been required to function with some level of composure and reasonableness.
Now that she was alone, the reality of her circumstances crashed down on her. Elaine was dead. Jasper was a multifaceted mystery. And she? She was trapped in a mercurial situation that defied her attempts to grasp it.
As the water pounded over her, she wept. Hard. Copiously. In wracking sobs. When the water ran cool, she got out and pulled on an old pair of cotton pajamas that she hadn’t worn since her marriage. The printed fabric, baggy bottoms, and loose-fitting top had been designed for comfort, not seduction.
She left the master bedroom in favor of the guest room across the hall. She got into bed and lay motionless in the darkness, staring at the ceiling.
Where was Jasper? If it was true that he hadn’t gone to Atlanta, why hadn’t she heard from him? If he had survived the accident that killed Elaine, was he struggling to hold on until he was rescued? Or was he dead? Why had he gone to Elaine tonight? Which of them had suggested that they take the yacht out? Why were they in the dinghy? What had he done?