How to Frame a Fashionista

by Debra Sennefelder

  The day she’d found Tawny dead had been chaotic, and in the days that followed, she hadn’t had the opportunity to speak with him.

  She arrived at his front door and used the ornate knocker to announce her arrival. There wasn’t any fancy video doorbell, which she made a note of looking into for her home. On second thought, the boutique probably needed a full-on surveillance system—inside and outside. Good thing she was about to have a sizeable line of credit.

  The door opened a crack before Jason appeared. “Oh, it’s you, Kelly.”

  “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

  “No, no. There have been reporters trying to get a statement.” He opened the door wider, giving Kelly a glimpse into the beautifully furnished entry hall and carpeted staircase. Decorated in warm tones, the space set a welcoming and classic tone for the house.

  “I was driving past, and I thought I’d stop by. If it’s a bad time…” Of course, it was a bad time. His wife had just been murdered and his house broken into.

  “No. Please, come in. There’s a fresh pot of coffee. Would you like a cup?” He ushered her inside and closed the door once Kelly was inside the small vestibule.

  “I’d love one.” Kelly followed Jason through the house to the kitchen. The room was bright and equipped with top of the line appliances, including a to-die-for espresso machine. Though she didn’t drink them too often, it would be nice to whip up an espresso and sip leisurely while reading her beloved Vogue magazine.

  Jason nodded and then gestured to the pedestal table, large enough for eight, before walking toward the coffee pot. Kelly crossed the kitchen to the table and sat.

  “I guess you heard about the break-in.” Jason filled two white porcelain mugs with coffee and set out cream and sugar before joining Kelly. Even though his wife had been murdered and his house broken into last night, he looked well rested and pulled together in his plaid button-down shirt and chinos.

  “Yes. Are you aware that someone also broke into my boutique overnight?” She sipped the coffee. It had a robust kick to it, precisely what she needed.

  “No. What’s going on? First Tawny and now break-ins?” He rubbed his forehead for a long moment before he stirred a spoonful of sugar into his coffee.

  Kelly shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

  “Could it have been Serena?”

  “Serena? Why would she break into your house and my boutique?” Kelly added milk to her coffee and stirred. It appeared both exes suspected the other.

  Jason leaned back with his mug in hand. He took a drink and then sighed. His well-rested face had clouded over with an emotion Kelly couldn’t read.

  “I truly don’t know. I thought I knew her. But a woman like Serena is complicated. She’d project a confident aura, and all the while she was simmering with insecurity and jealousy inside,” he said.

  “Are you saying she was jealous of Tawny?”

  “Serena is jealous of everyone.”

  “Well, I’ll be—”

  “It’s not a pretty characteristic. It’s downright ugly.” His next drink of coffee was a long one.

  Kelly sensed he’d regretted what he just said. They had been married, and he probably still felt a little sense of loyalty toward Serena. Similar to what Kelly was feeling and the reason she agreed to help her ex-boss.

  “Jealous enough to kill?” Kelly heard how blunt the question was and wondered if Jason would answer it or show her the door.

  Jason set his mug on the table with a thump, prompting Kelly to reach for her purse. She stepped out of line and would be asked to leave.

  “I have no idea what my ex-wife is capable of.”

  It looked like she wouldn’t be tossed out. Jason wasn’t afraid of uncomfortable questions.

  “Is there anyone else you can think of who wanted to harm Tawny?”

  “I thought you owned a thrift shop?”

  “A consignment boutique,” she corrected him.

  He gave a half-shrug. What she called her business didn’t matter to him. To her, it was branding and sales.

  “And that reminds me. I have the clothing and Fendi purse Tawny consigned. What would you like for me to do?”

  Jason scrubbed his hand over his face. “I don’t know. Maybe I’ll donate whatever it brings to charity in my wife’s name.”

  “I didn’t know Tawny, but I think she would like that. I have to get the purse appraised before I can put it up for sale.”

  “Do whatever you need to do. I have more important things to think about.”

  “I understand.” Kelly offered a weak smile before taking another drink of her coffee.

  A silence fell between them. Jason focused all of his attention on his mug. She could imagine the thoughts racing through his mind. Was her being there too intrusive? Maybe she should leave and let him get back to his private grieving.

  “I probably should go and let you get back to what you were doing. But I do have one question if you don’t mind.” When Jason didn’t object, she continued. “How was the relationship between Tawny and her business partner?”

  “Are you sure you’re not a cop or reporter?” Jason stood to get a coffee refill.

  “I’m sure. I apologize for being nosey. Finding Tawny’s body wasn’t easy.”

  Jason leaned back against the counter. “I understand. Adrian always rubbed me the wrong way. He always seemed like a used car salesman to me. Slick, smooth-talking, pushy. He rushed through the whole process of setting up Tawny’s business.”

  “Why do you think he rushed the process?”

  “I think he did it because, with Tawny’s focus spread out and her being under constant deadlines, she wouldn’t look too closely at the details.”

  “You think he was cheating her? Did you talk to Tawny about it?”

  “Until I was blue in the face. PBF was her baby, and she made it clear to me to stay in my lane of advertising.”

  Ouch. Hearing his wife tell him that must have stung him. Enough to kill?

  “I guess I can see her point of view. You have a successful ad agency, and she was looking to create her business on her own.”

  Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Tawny was a remarkable woman. Hardworking, determined. It’s what I loved about her.”

  “Did anything else happen?”

  Jason stepped away from the counter and went back to the table. “She’d been acting oddly the past few weeks, and I eventually confronted her. She believed Adrian was embezzling funds from the business and generated phony financial paperwork to get loans he used to promote the programs he sold. I’m pretty sure Tawny’s wasn’t the only program he was being taken to court over. He needed to keep the money coming in to cover his legal fees and pay his bills.”

  “Did Tawny have any evidence to back up her suspicion?”

  “As far as I know, she didn’t have any proof. I don’t know if she confronted him about her suspicions. Why don’t I know that?” He looked regretful before he dropped his head into his hands.

  Kelly reached out her hand and touched his arm. She knew a thing or two about blame and how easy it was to take it on and let it consume you.

  “You can’t blame yourself for what happened to Tawny. The person responsible is the murderer. Not you.”

  Jason lifted his head. His pale blue eyes were filled with pain. “I’m not sure how I’ll forgive myself. She raised a red flag, and I did nothing about it. I should have.”

  “Let’s change that now. Have you told the police about this?”

  “No, I haven’t told the police yet. I know I should have but my head…it’s been muddled with everything that has happened. I guess I’m starting to think clearly now. Think about who could have killed my wife.” He dropped his hands onto the table and balled them into fists.

  “You need to call Detective Wolman and tell her. She
needs all the information in order to do her job. Aside from investigating Serena, she now can look into Adrian.”

  There was a knock at the door, signaling to Kelly it was time to leave. She stood and lifted her purse from the back of the chair.

  “I will. I appreciate your visit. It’s been beneficial to me.” Jason also stood and guided Kelly out of the kitchen and to the front door. He sidestepped around Kelly to open the door.

  Liza swooped in, holding an insulated bag.

  “I apologize for dropping by unannounced, but I’ve brought food. You probably haven’t been eating properly.” Liza’s gaze drifted from Jason to Kelly. “Oh, hi. I didn’t think I’d run into you here.”

  “Kelly dropped by because she heard about the break-in, and her boutique was broken into overnight as well.” Jason accepted the bag from Liza.

  “Oh, how terrible. You don’t suppose it was the same person? Why on earth would someone break into both places?” Liza dropped a hand on Jason’s arm. “I’m taking care of the funeral arrangements myself, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. Since I’m here, can I get those documents we talked about earlier?”

  “Right. Right. They’re in a folder on the desk in the study. Kelly was just leaving,” Jason said.

  “No need to rush. The study is that way, on the right?” Liza pointed ahead and then looked back at Jason for confirmation. He nodded. “I’ll set this in the fridge first.” she murmured a goodbye to Kelly and walked away.

  “Thank you for the visit and for taking care of Tawny’s purse. Perhaps you could come back and go through her closet.” His voice was shaky, and he looked hopeful Kelly would agree.

  “Of course. When the time is right, call me.”

  “I want to do it as soon as possible. Having her things around is just too hard for me. I’ll call you to set up a time.”

  “Okay, whatever you want.” Before stepping out onto the welcome mat, she stopped. “I’m sorry, I have one more question. The day I came to pick up the clothes from Tawny, I saw her later in the day outside my boutique. She was arguing with a woman. Have any of the clients who are suing PBF threatened Tawny?”

  Jason’s eyes fluttered closed as he shook his head. “I’m not aware of any personal threats. But you say you saw a woman arguing with Tawny? Was she a client?”

  “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

  “This is all Adrian’s fault. I’d warned her about him. All he’s interested in is money. He’s the one who created PBF for Tawny, and he was supposed to manage it. Any problems with customers are all because of him. The guy refused to take any responsibility for his blunders. He was ruining Tawny’s reputation. If anyone should be dead, it should be him.”

  A loud gasp drew Kelly and Jason’s attention behind them. Liza stood there with a folder in her hand.

  “You can’t mean that, Jason.” Liza hurried to his side. She rested a hand on his arm again.

  “If we find out one of those PBF members killed my wife, I certainly mean it. Now, if you don’t mind, I really need some time alone. Thank you for taking care of the funeral arrangements and for the food. You’ve been a great support.” Jason smoothly shuffled Liza and Kelly out the front door.

  “I can’t believe what he said. Can you?” Liza zipped her jacket as she walked away from the front door.

  “He’s obviously distressed over what has happened. We shouldn’t read into what he said.” Kelly was familiar with grief. It could be so consuming it trampled rational thinking.

  Liza dug into her purse for her car key. “I hope that’s all it is. The last thing Lucky Cove needs is another murder.”

  They walked to the driveway in silence. Liza’s Jetta was parked behind Kelly’s Jeep.

  Kelly stopped at her driver’s side door. “Since you seem to know Jason better than I do, do you think he’s capable of killing someone?” It wasn’t a secret the police usually look at the spouse when investigating a murder.

  “People are capable of a lot of things. Have a nice day, Kelly.” Liza hurried away to her vehicle, and within moments, she was backing out of the driveway.

  People are capable of a lot of things.

  Wasn’t that the truth?

  As soon as Liza’s vehicle disappeared from sight, a familiar-looking BMW pulled into the driveway and parked

  What on earth was Mark doing there?

  “Kelly, I didn’t expect to see you here.” He closed his vehicle’s door and approached her. A laptop bag was slung over his shoulder, and he had his Ray-Ban sunglasses on.

  “I came to pay my condolences to Jason. I haven’t had the proper opportunity before to do so. Why are you here?”

  “I’m his personal attorney. And I was Tawny’s also.” Mark slipped off his sunglasses and carefully slid them into a pocket in his bag.

  “You are? You handled their estates? Their wills? Tawny’s will?” She couldn’t help but wonder how much Jason would inherit. Then again, prior to their marriage, Tawny was a spinning instructor. And her business seemed to be coming apart at the seams. No, it was more likely Tawny would have benefited from Jason’s death rather than the other way around.

  “I do. Before you ask, I can’t tell you anything.”

  “Right. Client privilege. Anyway, I wasn’t going to ask.” It was a little fib, but she didn’t want to give him any more ammunition regarding her curiosity about Tawny’s murder.

  “Glad to hear. How’s he doing?” Mark’s gaze diverted to the house.

  “As well as you could expect. He’s angry. He’s grieving. He wants to clear out all of Tawny’s clothing.”

  “So soon?” Mark did a double take.

  “Everyone handles grief differently. I’ll be sensitive to what I take for consignment. I’m sure there are some sentimental items he’ll want to keep even if he doesn’t realize it yet.”

  “Very thoughtful. I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. Look. About our conversation earlier…” Mark’s lips pressed together. Kelly wasn’t sure if he was about to apologize or expand on his lecture because of where he just found her.

  Their relationship was not up for discussion while they were standing outside of Jason’s house. She reached out and grabbed his hand. What would it hurt to give him the benefit of the doubt?

  “You’re here to do work, and I have to get going.”

  “We’ll talk later?”

  “Sure.” She slid into the Jeep, but didn’t close the door right away. “Quick question, did you handle Tawny’s business matters?”

  “No. Only her personal legal matters. Why?” His voice went flat on the last question. Kelly sensed he was second-guessing her claim of being there only to pay her condolences.

  “No reason. Talk soon.” She closed the door and started the ignition. Mark had parked his BMW off to the side behind her so she’d be able to back out without him having to move his vehicle. He was always considerate. Well, when he wasn’t criticizing her business management style.

  After she backed out of the driveway and was on the road, she called to check on Pepper and Breena. Both reported everything was fine. Hearing there were no new leaks or crises, she considered taking a trip to Adrian Chase’s office. The round trip would take over an hour, but she’d be back in time to close up the boutique.

  What harm could it do to pay a visit to the man who, on the surface, was a successful venture capitalist? Other than finding herself alone with a potential killer. She drove toward the highway. She assured herself they wouldn’t be alone. She pulled over to search for his address. Once she found it, she used her phone’s map app to get directions to the corporate park. There were bound to be plenty of people around. So, she had nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.

  Chapter 14

  After taking the exit off the highway, Kelly followed the directions from her app to the corporate park. A sign for the corporate park
came into view, and she slowed to take the upcoming right turn into the parking lot. Searching for a spot, she realized she hadn’t come up with was a way to approach Adrian.

  Walking up to him and asking flat out if he killed Tawny didn’t seem like the best way to break the ice with the guy. No, she needed something else.

  The parking lot was practically full, so it took a couple minutes to find a space. By the time she parked and got out of her Jeep, she’d come up with an idea, one she was sure Adrian would have no interest in, but it would get her in the door—or, so she hoped.

  The sleek, two-story building was impressive, and inside she found a directory. She scanned the list and located Adrian’s office. Suite 216. When the elevator door whooshed opened, she stepped in and pressed the button for the second floor.

  The ride up gave her a moment to second-guess being there. What was she doing? The visit could go sideways quickly. Was helping Serena worth it? As the door slid open, Pepper’s reminder that she owed no loyalty to Serena repeated in her head. While she wanted to be annoyed with Pepper, she had a point. There was no payoff for her by helping Serena. No job, no promotion, no raise. Nothing. So why was she stepping out onto the floor where Adrian’s office was?

  Because she promised. She gave her word. Lordy. She vowed never to let anyone else down after Ariel’s accident.

  Look at where her vow had gotten her. At Adrian’s office door.

  She opened the door and stepped inside. It wasn’t as impressive as she expected given he’d reportedly made millions launching lucrative fitness products and programs. The reception desk wasn’t staffed, and the inner office door was closed. Darn. She had expected people to be around. At least a receptionist.

  The interior office door opened, and a tall, bald man with a thick beard and broad shoulders appeared.

  “Can I help you?” His voice was gruff, and he scowled. He wasn’t very welcoming.

  “If you’re Adrian Chase, I hope you can help me. I’m Kelly Quinn. I’m a relative of Summer Blake.” She hoped dropping the name of a fitness professional Adrian had an interest in would open him up to a conversation. She extended her hand, and he moved forward to shake it.