They looked at each other, panic-stricken, and sprang up at the same time to run into the hallway, where they almost collided with Simon.
“They’ve apprehended someone on the property. Coming from the woods!”
“Did you call the police?” Kate asked, her heart racing
Simon nodded. “The security team already did. They told me to make sure we all wait here.”
Maybe this was all going to be over now, Kate thought, feeling a surge of relief.
Blaire was looking at her with concern. “Kate, you’re white as a sheet. Come on, sit down.” She maneuvered her to a chair by the staircase.
Finally the front door opened and Brian, the lead security officer, was dragging someone in.
“You’re making a mistake,” the young man shouted, trying to pull away, but Brian had a hold on him and the guard behind him had a handgun trained at his back.
Kate and Simon walked a little closer. “That’s Mack! He’s one of our grooms,” Kate said, feeling deflated, as if all the breath had left her body.
“I’m sorry, Dr. English.” Mack’s eyes darted around. “I had no idea you had security. I came in through the woods, like I always do.” Mack had been working with the horses for over a year now. He was the son of friends of theirs whose house backed up to the same woods. He’d been away on vacation the past week.
“Let him go,” Simon commanded. Brian dropped his grip, and Mack stumbled into the house.
“Sorry about this, Mack,” Simon told him. “Come into my office, and I’ll fill you in on what’s going on.”
Blaire raised her eyebrows. “Well, that was quite a scare.”
Kate nodded. She should have known it was too good to be true.
“Are you going to be okay? I’ve got a call with my editor this afternoon—she’s on vacation next week, and we have to iron some things out today. I can come back tonight.”
Kate nodded distractedly. “I’ll call you later.”
She wandered around the house after Blaire left. She’d become more withdrawn, more in her own head, which she knew was in part due to the Valium her doctor had prescribed. But she needed something to help calm her right now.
How long was she going to be a prisoner in her own home? She looked out the window. The winter sun was warm today; so far it had been a mild winter. She stood. “I’m going to change and go for a hike,” she said to Simon.
“I’ll be in my office. I need to make a call.”
“On a Saturday?”
“Just checking on a job.”
A likely story, Kate thought. She pulled on her hiking boots and went past Annabelle’s room before going downstairs. A couple of days ago, Kate had requested a guard to watch over Annabelle at all times, and she was glad to see Alan at attention just outside the child’s door. She worried about Annabelle’s isolation, but as long as someone was after her, Kate wanted her at home, even though it had become plain that there was no safe place.
The sun against her face felt wonderful, and she inhaled deeply as she walked through the field behind the house. She was grateful that Brian was the guard on duty today, as he always kept a discreet and silent distance. It was almost as if she were alone, birdsong and the crunching of broken twigs beneath her boots the only sounds. She walked for over an hour, stopping to look at a robin perched on a branch. Nature had always been her restorative.
As she approached the house, she saw Simon coming her way. “Enjoy your walk?”
“Yes. I think I really needed it.”
Simon smiled at her. “It’s so nice out. Why don’t we ride? Be good for the horses to get some exercise. What do you say?”
Kate hadn’t been back to the stables since Lily was killed. Riding had been one of their favorite pastimes, and when she was young they’d ridden together twice a week. Maybe it would be good for her to get back on a horse. She’d prefer not to have Simon along, but she was too tired to get into it with him.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll go change my boots.”
He waved his hand at her. “Don’t bother. You’ll be fine. We’ll take it easy.”
They walked down the hill to the stables and saddled up Napoleon and Rembrandt. The wind was beginning to kick up as they walked the horses to the large arena, mounted, and trotted around for a while.
“Shall we take them out on the trail?” Simon said.
“I don’t know. Will Brian be able to follow us?”
“We’ll just stay on our property,” Simon pressed. “Just for a little while. It’s such a great day. Not many like this in December.”
She sighed. “Okay.”
They headed for the trail that led around the thirty-five-acre property. Watery winter sunlight bled through the leafless branches as they rode.
They had ridden in tense silence for about twenty minutes when they came to a clearing. The wind whipped across the open land, blowing a white plastic bag like a ghostly kite. Where had it come from? Kate wondered. The bag must have caught Napoleon’s eye. Spooked, he snorted, then reared and bolted, sending Kate backward and out of the saddle. Her left foot got stuck in the stirrup as Napoleon galloped on. Her head hit the ground as she was dragged, the dirt and rocks tearing into her back and scalp. Her leg was wrenched, bent awkwardly. She was crying now, the pain excruciating, spitting out the dirt that filled her mouth. “Whoa! Whoa!” she screamed, terrified that she would break her neck. Her vision was blurred with caking soil and tears. Exhausted and finally calming down, Napoleon slowed to a halt, giving Simon time to catch up to them, free Kate’s foot from the stirrup, and secure the puffing horse. He knelt beside her.
“Kate! Kate! Are you all right?”
Pain shot through her back and side. “Everything hurts. My ankle is throbbing,” she said through tears, as she tried to sit up. “Maybe it’s just bruised.” She was angry with herself for not changing her boots.
“Don’t sit up. I’ll go back to the stables and bring the ATV up to get you.”
“No.” She sat all the way up now. “It’s just sore. I can ride back.”
“What if something is broken? You don’t want to make it worse. It’s going to be too hard for you to get back up on the horse.”
She sighed. Maybe he was right. But she didn’t want him to leave her alone in the middle of the woods.“Call Mack and ask him to bring it up.”
He put his hand in his pocket and came up empty, patting his vest pockets too. “I don’t have my phone with me.”
“What? You always have your phone.”
“I must have left it in the barn.” He leaned over, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t you move. I’ll be right back with Mack and the ATV.” He jumped on his horse and rode away.
Kate hoisted herself up anyway, wincing as she put weight on her foot. She pulled her pant leg up. Her ankle was swelling. She must have sprained it. Had he planned to spook her horse? She jumped when she heard the sound of a branch falling. “Who’s there?” her voice cracked as she called, but no one answered. The sun was going down and she felt chilled. What was taking Simon so long? She limped toward Napoleon and stroked his mane. Maybe she should try to ride back. She didn’t like being all alone in the woods. She was about to try mounting when Simon and Mack returned with the ATV.
“Let me help you,” he said as he reached for her hand.
She snatched it away. “I’ll bet you want to help me. Right into an early grave.”
“What? Why would you say that?”
She waved her hand. “Just take me home.”
UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
HarperCollinsPublishers
....................................
10
Blaire liked playing detective. Maybe it was because in her heart of hearts, she believed she knew almost as much as any real cop about crime. She hadn’t spent hours sitting in on classes at the police academy, going on ride-alongs, and interviewing detectives without picking up a thing or two. But these stakes we
re much higher than figuring out the plot of the next Megan Mahooney book.
She’d been impressed by Detective Anderson’s manner when he questioned her about her whereabouts the night of Lily’s murder. She told him the truth—she’d been in New York at the time. Daniel had gone to Chicago for a talk he’d been invited to give at Northwestern and had stayed the weekend to see his parents, but Blaire’s doorman was able to confirm her story. He’d seen her come and go several times that day, as had two neighbors on her floor. She’d tried to find out from Anderson if Gordon’s alibi was solid, but he wouldn’t give her any information. Blaire intended to find out more. Maybe he’d been cooking the books and Lily was onto him. Blaire couldn’t really imagine him killing someone, but as she’d discovered from her research, it was sometimes the most mundane, docile-seeming people who had the most potential for violence—plus, he was clearly obsessed with Kate.
She was expected at Gordon’s house in Baltimore’s Federal Hill at eight. On the way, she stopped to grab a bite to eat at a small restaurant, ordering a tonic water with lime as she perused the menu. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Simon walk in with Sabrina. What was going on? They looked way too chummy, and Blaire watched as Simon held the chair for Sabrina, then sat opposite her. They were leaning in close, talking and laughing. No wonder Kate was so pissed off about her. Simon was still the same phony bastard. How could he be out on the town, especially with the woman who was causing all the problems in his marriage, when a killer was on the loose and his wife was terrified out of her mind? She pulled out her phone, put it on silent, and snapped some pictures of the two of them.
“Excuse me. Are you ready to order?”
She gave the server a tight smile, pulled a twenty from her wallet, and handed it to him. “Something’s come up. This should take care of my drink.”
Before he could answer, she slipped out the side door and got into her car, relieved to have left without Simon seeing her. She preferred that he not know she’d caught him out with Sabrina.
Twenty minutes later, she pulled onto Gordon’s street. His brick town house was at the end of a charming row in this historic neighborhood full of quaint shops and taverns and the famous Cross Street Market. The view from Federal Hill onto Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was magnificent.
Blaire pushed the doorbell and heard the chime inside. She stood shivering on the front porch, waiting for Gordon to open the door. When he answered, and she stepped inside, she was surprised; instead of being stuffy and boring, the decor was bold and stylish. The brick interior wall gave the living room a hip feel, and the sleek white furniture set it off perfectly. A red leather chair was the bright focal point in the room, but it matched the stripes in the geometric throw rug on the shiny hardwood floors. Gordon had taste in decor, if not fashion—tonight’s bow tie featured little green frogs that matched his wool cardigan.
“Good evening, Blaire. Can I get you anything?”
“Not right now, thank you.” She smiled as she took off her coat. “I’d love to use the bathroom, though.”
“Of course. Right this way.”
She followed him down a hallway, passing a den with a plush sofa and a large-screen television before coming to his office. After she’d used the bathroom, she snuck a quick peek on the way back. A large computer monitor was the only thing on the pristine wood desk—no papers or personal items littered its surface.
When she returned to the living room, he was sitting on the sofa.
“Maybe I will take a drink after all,” she said. “But only if you’ll join me.”
“Sure. What would you like?”
“Do you have any bourbon?”
“Of course. Straight up?” She nodded.
He returned with two tumblers filled halfway.
“Cheers,” Blaire said, lifting her glass.
She took a small sip and watched as he drank half of his in one gulp. Interesting.
Blaire leaned back. “Gordon,” she began. “I was wondering . . . you know what, never mind.”
His brow furrowed. “What?”
She waved her hand. “It’s nothing really. Just something I noticed at the funeral luncheon about Kate, and I wanted to get your opinion.”
At the sound of Kate’s name, his eyes lit up, and Blaire could see he was still besotted. She’d never forgotten what Kate had told her many years ago about Gordon pulling that stunt with the spying and his camera. He was odd. And he’d always been too fixated on Kate. Another reason she’d come tonight was to see if she could get more information about Simon’s finances, but she wasn’t ready to rule Gordon out either. If there was anything to find, it would be here, in his house, which was precisely why she had steered their meeting away from his office.
“Go on.”
“Things seemed strained between her and Simon, and that new architect, Sabrina, seems to be hanging around him quite a bit.” She put a hand on his arm. “I realize you can’t discuss your clients, and I would never ask you to betray a confidence. I’m just wondering, as an old friend like me, have you noticed anything off?”
He took another sip from his glass and looked at his hands, then back at Blaire. “Well . . . as a friend . . . I’ve never thought Simon was right for her.”
She leaned in closer. “Strictly between us, of course . . . I don’t trust him. Do you?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know what she ever saw in him. I think he’s a bourgeois opportunist.” Color rose in his cheeks.
Blaire nodded. “I couldn’t agree more. You know, I never wanted her to marry him in the first place. It’s the reason she and I have been estranged all these years.”
He looked at her with renewed interest. “I didn’t know that.”
She nodded slowly. “Frankly, I’m worried. If it was a robbery, not much was taken from Lily’s house. It’s very possible that the killer was someone Lily knew.” She gave him a long look. “What if it was Simon?”
Gordon’s mouth dropped open. “What? Why would he kill Lily?”
“He says he was working late that night. Kate said Sabrina was the only one with him. She could be covering for him. And I just saw them both at a restaurant on my way here, looking very cozy. I left before they could spot me, though.” She paused and gave him a weighted look. “Maybe something’s going on, and Lily found out. The police are being very close-lipped about who they suspect, though I hope they questioned Sabrina. Did they question you?” She tried to make her tone casual.
He nodded. “Yes, I think they’ve talked to everyone in Lily’s circle.”
She smiled at him. “Well, I hope you have a good alibi.”
He made a face. “I was home that night, but they have no reason to suspect me.”
She laughed. “Of course not. Back to Simon. I know that he and Kate have a prenup, that Lily insisted on it. And apparently he and Kate had separated right before Lily died. Now, he’s back in the house. Awfully convenient, don’t you think?” She had to break Kate’s confidence about the separation in the service of finding out more.
“I didn’t know that.” He picked up his drink and threw the rest back in one swallow, slammed the glass on the coffee table, then got up and brought the bottle of Blanton’s back with him, refilling his glass. Blaire wondered if he always drank this much after hours, or if it was their conversation stressing him out.
Finally, he continued. “That phony baloney. Who knows what he’s capable of? I tell you one thing, I’d like to wrap my hands around his neck for cheating on Kate.” As he spoke, he balled one hand into a fist, his knuckles white and straining.
Blaire instinctively inched back farther in her chair. “I think I’ll mention having seen them together tonight to the police, but I don’t want to upset Kate further,” she said.
A vein was bulging in Gordon’s forehead, and for a minute, Blaire wondered if he was going to have a stroke. He was muttering now. “Thinks he’s so damn good looking with that mop of dark curls and his expensive clot
hes.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “Do you know he has all his suits custom-made? Who does he think he is, royalty? If it were up to him, he’d go through all her money. I knew he wasn’t the real deal the minute I laid eyes on him.”
At least Simon didn’t wear those stupid bow ties, Blaire thought, annoyed by Gordon’s snobbery, even if he was giving her helpful clues. She took a deep breath and made sure she kept her tone even. “I suppose it’s his choice to do what he wants with his money. After all, his architectural firm is so successful.”
“Hmph. Not really.”
Bingo. “Is his business in trouble?”
Gordon put his hands up. “I can’t discuss my other clients.”
She knew that unfortunately, he was a rule-follower, but she could still wheedle out a few details. She leaned in. “I’m not asking you to divulge any specifics. I just want to know if Simon could have had any reason for harming Lily. I mean, what if he needed money? What if Kate’s next?”
His brow creased. “All I can tell you is that a friend of mine who works for one of Simon and Carter’s biggest clients just told me that they switched architectural firms. That would be a huge financial loss for their company. It’s common knowledge, so I’m not disclosing anything Simon has told me in confidence. In fact, he hasn’t mentioned it at all.” He cut his eyes to Blaire as he took another sip. “Even to Kate, as far as I know.”
Blaire digested this information. If Simon’s business was in trouble, that might give him a motive to kill Lily. But Kate had her own money as well. Why would he need to go to such lengths? Unless there was a different motive at play. How much might Carter know? Maybe it was time for a little rendezvous for old times’ sake.
“Another thing,” Blaire started.
“What?”
“At the house after the funeral, I saw Simon talking to Georgina’s driver. What possible reason would he have for talking to Randolph?”
Gordon looked up a moment, then back at Blaire. “Well, their nanny, Hilda, is Randolph’s sister. Maybe it had something to do with her.”
The Last Time I Saw You Page 9