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“I don’t think I’ve heard when that was, other than yesterday morning, but from about seven until noon I was prepping for and then hosting an open house for the brokers on the Hennessy place.”
“I heard about that. None of the kids want it?” asked Jessica.
“One of them wants it, but there’s no way she can afford it.”
“Did you have any detailed knowledge of what Thompson had been up to lately?” asked Thorn.
“I’m tempted to say, other than cheating other people, but my taking cheap shots at Gregory isn’t going to help you find who killed him. You do know that’s a long list, right? But to answer your question, all I know about Gregory is what my attorney tells me.”
“Did you know he kept secret files and a ledger?” Thorn asked, watching her closely.
“Yes and no. I always suspected he might, but never saw it. Was he blackmailing people?”
“Do you think he was capable of that?”
“Capable? Damn straight. I’m living proof of how capable he was of doing anything that got him money.” She shook her head. “The worst part is that even when I was confronted with the truth, I didn’t want to believe it of him. He not only stole everything from me, but he destroyed my reputation.”
“You seem to be doing all right,” said Wilder looking around.
“Appearances can be deceiving. I had to sell my house two months ago and rent a place. It’s small but nice enough, but I needed something I could afford. I had to convert my lease on the new Lexus SUV to one that’s several years older. They look the same, but I know they’re not.” She shook her head. “But that’s all water under the bridge, and I’ll get back on top. You’ll just have to forgive me for not mourning the death of that sleazeball.”
“Totally understandable,” said Thorn, rising and handing her his card. “If you think of anything else, give me a call.”
Martha stood as well and prepared to walk them out the door. “Ms. Murdoch, you don’t know me and I have no right, but I meet with a group of aspiring authors once a month from around the county. I’m hosting next month. Is there any way you could come and just answer questions?”
Before she could launch into all the reasons Jessica should or plead with her, Jessica smiled and said, “I’d love to. Just let me know a date and time and I’ll be there. Or if you’d like, why don’t you all come to the house. We’ll have dinner and make a night of it.”
“I couldn’t impose like that, could I?”
“You aren’t imposing, I’m offering. Sudie will be in seventh heaven. Just contact me through my website or send Detective Wilder a text. Either way, I look forward to seeing you and your friends next month.”
“Thank you so much.”
“You are so welcome,” said Jessica with a smile. Once they were back in the Range Rover, she said, “I don’t think she did it.”
Thorn nodded. “Neither do I. I’ll have the locals check her alibi, but I’m crossing her off the list. Two down, four to go.”
“Who do you want to do next?” she asked before she backed out onto the street.
“Seriously? You are seriously asking a guy who is using every single bit of his willpower not to drag you into the back seat and have his way with you, who I want to do next? The answer is you—next, last, and always.”
She laughed. “In that case, let’s go see Delilah Williams.”
Thorn laughed. “I’m all but pledging my undying love, and you want to take me to meet the victim’s mistress.”
Jessica shrugged. “I figure we better get her out of the way while we still know where to find her. I have a sneaky suspicion it won’t take Ginnie Thompson long to evict Delilah.”
“Well, at least Ginnie’s got a plan.”
Jessica laughed and then headed for Delilah Williams’ townhouse.
CHAPTER 13
THORN
Delilah Williams lived in a planned development of townhouses right outside town. They were lovely and overlooked the ocean.
“These are nice,” observed Thorn.
