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She also wanted an explanation for Sandra’s monthly visits to Sylvi’s flower shop. Val didn’t want Sandra Springfield anywhere near her family, including Sylvi.
“If Sandra did know Aaron when he worked at the firm, find out how they met, if you can,” Kaj said. “I’d like some background so my boss can plan his interview with Sandra. Find out if she ever had contact with Corey.” Because even though Val thought she’d identified two more of Corey’s possible murder victims in addition to the Memphis victim, they still weren’t sure if Corey had been part of Aaron and Dewey’s drug business as well. “When we catch him, I want to pin everything on him that we can, and Sandra might have some valuable corroborating information. If she knows anything, she might be willing to talk to get a better plea bargain.”
Sandra had to know about the drug business, especially since she appeared to have been prepared to use Aaron’s business relationship with Dewey against one or both men. That she’d kept photos of the two on a hidden thumb drive made those intentions clear.
“Okay. Here goes.” She dialed the central number for Cunningham and Spector and waited for the receptionist to answer. “Desmond Aurelio, please.”
“Who?” the receptionist asked.
“Desmond Aurelio,” Val said again.
“Oh, he doesn’t work here anymore. Have a nice day.”
The woman ended the call, leaving Val blinking. “That’s surprising. He’d been with C&S for years.” She googled him on her phone. “Oh, he’s with a much smaller firm. Only three other financial advisors.” She dialed the number and was put through immediately.
“Aurelio,” the man said, and the sound of his voice made Val’s heart hurt. This man had been her brother’s best friend since college.
“Des? This is Ingrid Kristiansen.”
“Ingrid!” he exclaimed warmly. “It’s been too long. How are you?”
“I’m good. How about you?”
“Can’t complain. Are you in New Orleans?”
“Yes. I’ve been here since Van died.”
Desmond exhaled. “We’re coming up on the fourth anniversary. I think about him a lot this time of year.”
“Me too. Listen, Des, I was looking at some old photos yesterday and came across one of Van with a woman. I only met her once, but she introduced herself as Cassie.”
He made an annoyed sound. “I’d hoped not to hear her name again.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but I have no idea what Ivan saw in that woman. Well, other than her obvious assets, I suppose. She was incredibly manipulative.”
“Can you tell me how so? The reason I’m asking is that she’s been visiting my mother.”
“What?” A chair creaked in the background, like he’d moved suddenly. “When?”
“Every month since Van died.”
“Oh.” He was quiet for a moment. “I’d like to be able to say that she probably just cares for your mom, but she was all about herself. Your mother hasn’t given her any money, has she?”
“I’m not sure. Did you know that Cassandra was arrested last week?”
“No, I sure didn’t.” There was the sound of a clacking keyboard. “Holy shit, Ingrid. She was arrested with Aaron Gates? I heard about Aaron, but only that he’d murdered the doctor who’d treated his son for cancer. I had no idea that Cassandra was with him again.”
Val shared a startled look with Kaj. “Again?”
“Oh yeah. The two of them were an item for at least a year before she got with Ivan. That happened to coincide with Aaron losing his job at Cunningham and Spector—and his expense account. If she’d stayed with Aaron then, there would have been no more five-martini lunches.”
She thought back to what she’d read about Aaron Gates. He’d married Dianne nine years ago, which meant... “Aaron was cheating on his wife even then.”
“Oh yeah. Aaron didn’t hold much sacred. Maybe his son. He was devastated when Liam got sick. Came and begged for his old job back, but that was never gonna happen.”
“Why not?”
