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The answer surprised both detectives.
Olivia raised a brow. “Yes?”
“It’s time. The arsonist, for whatever reason, has chosen to destroy some of our downtown holdings. The Waverlys never give in. We will rebuild. But now it’s time to complete Christopher’s vision. The plans are with the town council for the approval process.” Sinclair’s tone was deliberate and fierce.
“Are these the same plans Christopher had with Rainey Ashcroft? Plans that would unite the two families…”
“Detective, they are gone. There is no need to speculate,” Sinclair interrupted Olivia.
“Sir, no disrespect intended, but their murderer was never found,” Michael calmly retorted.
The senior Waverly clasped his fingers together and nodded at his son. Silas looked at his father and found his voice. “Christopher had his share of disagreements, especially with the old town council. His passion for preserving the town's history clashed with their development plans. But those disagreements were in the past. Our son is now gone over forty years.”
Jule added, “We can't think of anyone who would have a motive to destroy what Christopher worked so hard to build. He was brilliant. His ideas were spectacular. The fires have been devastating for us because of those destroyed memories. But to have to do with Christopher today, I find that doubtful.”
“When did your plans for development go to the town council? Before or after the theater fire?” Michael asked.
“Detectives, I don’t understand why you think the development is tied to the fires. But we submitted the plans to the council months before we completed the burn unit construction.” Sinclair Waverly walked to the bar and poured a drink. “Detectives?” He raised his glass.
Both detectives declined. “The night Christopher and Rainey died, where were you?”
“Waverly Cove at the symphony. We have season tickets,” Jule admitted.
Liv did the calculation in her head. Waverly Cove was a larger city in Waverly County, about forty minutes away, with a population of about one hundred thousand people. “Christopher, Rainey and the baby were in the home with your servants?” Olivia asked.
“Our chauffeur was with us. And the remaining staff had the night off,” Silas sighed. “Detectives, this discussion is growing tiresome.”
“We’re sorry, but we’re trying to sort out some very serious crimes.” Michael’s lips formed a tight white line. “I promise, only a few more questions.”
Olivia shifted her focus to the past, inquiring about Christopher's involvement with the old town council. “What was Christopher fighting about with the town council?” she pressed.
Sinclair Waverly replied, “There were disagreements about the development plans for Waverly Junction. Christopher was passionate about preserving the town's history, and he clashed with the council over what he saw as reckless and unproductive changes. I’d think your mother would be able to tell you, Detective Everhart. She was a patrol officer in those days.”
A shudder ran down her back at the mention of her mother. Olivia remained stoic and pressed further, “I know Christopher loved Rainey. Do you have any idea who the father of her infant is?”
The Waverlys exchanged a glance once again, this time uncertainty clouding their eyes. “We were not privy to Rainey's personal life,” Sinclair Waverly maintained the same story.
Olivia delved into a more delicate topic. “If Christopher had married Rainey, what would have been the repercussions of a Waverly marrying an Ashcroft?” she asked, seeking to understand the potential implications of such a union. The detectives waited for the Waverlys' response.
Sinclair Waverly cleared his throat before responding, his words carefully chosen. “In our town, Detectives, names can carry the weight of history and expectations. The union of a Waverly and an Ashcroft would have been met with mixed reactions. It's not just a matter of personal choice; it carries the echoes of the past.”
Mrs. Waverly nodded in agreement, her gaze distant. “The Waverlys and the Ashcrofts have had a long history in Waverly Junction. There's been both friendship and conflict. Marrying across those lines would have stirred up old sentiments, both positive and negative.”
Silas Waverly continued, “Christopher's love for Rainey was genuine, but the town has a way of holding on to its traditions, and such a marriage would have been seen as breaking from those traditions. It might have caused tensions within the community.”
The community. “How did you feel about Christopher marrying Rainey?” Olivia asked Sinclair.
Sinclair scoffed. “She was a maid.”
“So, it wasn’t her being an Ashcroft that bothered you?” Michael tag-teamed.
“It didn’t matter. Christopher was going to make her a Waverly.” Sinclair sipped his drink.
“And the newborn?” Olivia had been waiting to ask this question.
It felt like the air left the room. “The child was a write-off. We had him adopted.” Sinclair stood. “Now, if there is nothing more,” he ended the interview.
“If we have any more questions, we will reach out. And if you think of anything, no matter how small, let us know.” Michael passed Sinclair his business card.
