“Olivia, Lily is old enough to make her own decisions,” Zane offered as if he were trying to rein in the other woman’s viciousness.
For the first time since entering the room, Sebastian studied the man. The information obtained on Zane had revealed the basic facts—forty-eight, single, Mark’s business partner as well as his lawyer. He lived a comfortable life, had his own house close to Mark’s, drove an expensive car, and appeared to be in love with Mark’s assistant, Violet. Was there contention between the two men or had they differed on how they wanted to run the lab?
Being friends for over twenty years, surely they both had secrets only the two of them shared.
“Oh, I didn’t say she couldn’t have a lover. My question is why she chose the man who’d been assigned to find answers to your security breach.” Olivia toyed with her necklace and crossed her legs. “I mean what better way to have the inside scoop on any new information they uncover.”
Lily shifted uneasily in his lap but laid her head on his shoulder. “Please tell me this will be over soon because I can’t take much more.”
He rubbed his hand across her back, hoping to ease her anxieties as he asked a few questions of his own. “Tell me Ms. Hart. What do you have planned now that Mark’s gone? Move back into your old house or search for a new husband?”
“Why you—” Olivia sprang to her feet, and her black, knit dress inched a little higher on her toothpick thighs as she stalked forward. “You have no right to—”
“Ms. Hart, sit down.” Detective Callahan charged through the door. “Mr. Belin is tired of your snide remarks just like the rest of us. So refrain from commenting unless you have something important to add to the conversation.”
Stifling a smile, Sebastian settled deeper into the couch and brushed his hand under Lily’s hair. “Once we’re finished here, you can go upstairs and get a few hours of rest. Rex arranged for Bruce to come by, and we’re heading to the lab.”
She nodded and whispered against his neck, “Do whatever you want. Tomorrow, I’ll—”
“Lily, we need to head to the funeral home later today.” Zane turned to the detective. “Do you have any idea when the coroner will release the body?”
A shiver fluttered over Lily’s skin, though had she not been sitting in his lap, Sebastian wouldn’t have been able to gauge her reaction to the prospect of planning her ex-husband’s funeral. She turned her head and her voice appeared calm. “Mark has a couple of plots not too far from my parents. I’m sure he planned to be buried there.”
“I’m free at around three o’clock. We can go then,” Olivia stated with a formality that grated on Sebastian’s nerves.
As much as he wanted to tell the woman to back off, he didn’t have to worry. According to the information he’d gathered on Mark, the man had probably taken care of every detail.
“There’s really no need for you to waste your time, Olivia. Lily and I only need to sign some papers. Mark has taken care of everything else down to the music.” Zane rose when Violet walked into the room carrying a tray.
“Are you serious? He never told me he—” She stopped suddenly and narrowed her eyes at Lily. “He made all the arrangements for you, didn’t he? He didn’t want you to have to bother with the slightest decisions after he was gone. He always pampered you, as if you were made of glass.”
Lily ignored the woman and shifted off his lap. “Thanks, Violet. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
The silver tray Violet set on the coffee table contained a white porcelain plate with toast and an etched glass goblet. Bubbles rose to the top and proclaimed the soda had come from a newly opened bottle.
Violet smiled and returned to her place beside Zane. “I’m sorry for taking so long, Detective. Rosa put away the toaster, and I couldn’t remember where she stores it.”
“Not a problem,” the detective said. “I talked to Rosa this morning at her house. She said she only works here from three to seven during the week and seven to ten on Saturday, right?”
“Yes, but she sometimes works extra hours if we need her to,” Violet offered and glanced first at Lily then to Olivia. “Mark had me handle her schedule so Lily didn’t have to deal with it, considering the long hours she was putting in at the lab.”
“Did he mention he wanted you to take over the chore once you were married, Ms. Hart?” Detective Callahan eyed Olivia questioningly.
She shrugged and crossed her legs again as if the idea of her dealing with the help was beneath her. “No, we hadn’t worked out that particular detail in planning our life together.”
“Then you were also aware Rosa had the responsibility of refilling Mark’s pill container once a week with his vitamins and meds?” The detective shifted his focus to Lily.
Sebastian followed suit. His gaze marked the distance from the rim of her glass to her rosy red lips. Need seared through him as he recalled the hot, unique flavor of her mouth.
A quick sip and she lowered the glass. “He always kept his medicine in the cabinet by the stove, and his pill organizer sat on the counter below by the coffee decanter.”
Olivia raised an arrogant brow and shot a dirty look at Lily. “However, as I told you earlier, I’m not the one who insisted he take so many vitamins.”
“Right,” Lily muttered under her breath, “because you weren’t concerned about his health. Your only concern was his money.”
With her sitting right next to him, Sebastian figured he was the only one in the room privy to the comment. Happy to see she had recovered some of her spunk, he slid his arm around her shoulders and toyed with her hair.
“Detective Callahan.” Lily glanced around and spoke to the room at large. “We all had access to Mark’s pill organizer and his vitamins because at one time or another Mark had us get him something from the medicine cabinet. Now, why don’t you cut to the chase and tell us who did it?”
Surprised by her impatience, Sebastian waited for the detective to respond.
The man grinned. “I’d love to Mrs. Winslow, but like you just said, each of you have motives for wanting Mark dead.”
“Right, and what’s my motive?” Olivia toyed with her necklace and locked eyes with the detective.
Violet shifted to the edge of the sofa. Her eyes twinkled with a malicious spark. “What about Mark wanting you to sign a prenuptial agreement? The last time I talked to him you still hadn’t gotten back to him with the signed paperwork.”
Olivia waved a dismissive hand in the air. Her long elegant fingers adorned with gold and diamonds. Light sparkled off her hands and sent sparks of color around the room. “Oh, please, that was merely a formality. I have as much money as Mark does.”
Sebastian rubbed his fingers across his mouth to hold in his response to her lie. From the data he’d received, Olivia Hart didn’t have anywhere near the investments and property Mark owned. However, from the jewelry sparkling on her hands, she might have other valuable assets to add to her portfolio.
“And with us not having gotten married, I’m sure I’m not even in his will.” She glared at Violet for a few moments, then swung her light blue glare in Lily’s direction. “It seems to me his ex has more of a reason to kill him than I. After all, from what I’ve seen of his will, she stands to inherit his house, his other holdings, and a portion of his business.”
The toast Lily raised to her lips paused in midair. “Yes, well I guess that also means you’re out on the street because personally I’ve had enough.”
She threw the slice of bread on the tray and rose. “Olivia, please be so kind as to pack your things and leave. You’ll be much more comfortable in that wonderful house you’re always spouting off about.”
“Why you—” the woman sputtered.
Lily didn’t give her a chance to continue. She spun around and walked toward the detective. “If you had proof I killed Mark, I’d already be in jail so let’s end this farce. I’ve had very little sleep in the last three days, and I’m exhausted.”
&n
bsp; The detective frowned, but only said, “Don’t plan any trips out of town.”
“I’ll be happy to simply make it to my room.” Lily kept moving and stepped through the arched doorway.
Unwilling to let her out of his sight, Sebastian threw a warning glare at Olivia and met Lily in the hallway. “Would you like a lift up to your room?”
A sad smile spread over her lips, and she shook her head. “If you don’t stop carrying me everywhere I need to go, I’ll forget how to walk.”
He slid a hand around her waist and drew her into his body.
She rested her hands on his chest and leaned into him. “Though, at the moment, I’m not sure I have enough energy left to make it up the stairs.”
“Wore yourself out with that little display of bravado back there, didn’t you?” He nodded in the direction of the room they had just left.
She sighed. “Yes, but I couldn’t take anymore. I…”
The sudden halt to her words and the sudden tears in her eyes revealed how close she was to collapsing. She wobbled against him. Her soft body caressed his and he drew in her unique fragrance.
“Easy, baby, I’ll have you upstairs and in bed in no time.” Sebastian didn’t pause once he had her in his arms. He mounted the stairs and started along the hall in the direction she indicated. Remembering his own lack of sleep, he decided a few hours of shuteye might be good for both of them.
Chapter Nine
Words whispered through Lily’s sleep-hazed brain. She waved a hand to brush the annoying buzz from her ear. A deep rumble vibrated under her palm, then the bed dipped.
Not bothered further, she drifted back into a gloomy dream. Blackness surrounded her. The inky, dark color sank into her skin and robbed her of the ability to move. Depression and grief weighed in heavily. Tears didn’t relieve her sadness, even though she’d cried buckets of them. Nothing would ever be the same. Her life had no meaning.
An eye formed in front of her, then another. They popped up all around her, staring, watching, waiting for her to somehow mess up again. Voices whispered from the darkness. “It’s her fault.”
Guilt shackled her hands and legs, leaving her tied to the bed. The rapid beat of her heart pounded in her chest like a primal demand to sacrifice herself for the sins she committed. Her lungs hurt with her attempt to draw air.
A piercing cry broke the silence. Unsure where it came from, Lily yanked at the chains encircling her hands and feet.
Light suddenly pierced through her eyelids.
“My God, Lily, wake up.” The female voice punctured the horrors of her dream.
Lily sat straight up in bed and glanced around her bedroom. Sunlight filtered through her sheer curtains. The lights over the bed reflected off the chrome blades of her ceiling fan. Her closet door stood open. Her discarded clothes lay in the chair by her dresser.
“Are you okay?” Violet sank onto the bed and brushed a wayward strand of hair from Lily’s face.
She stared at her friend. Memories of other such events flashed through her head. “Oh, please, I can’t start having those dreams again.”
She dropped her head in her hands and silently prayed for the strength to get through losing Mark with more grace than she had after her parents died.
“Easy, we’re here for you.” Violet wrapped her arms around Lily’s shoulders and hugged her. “We know the history of what works and what doesn’t. You have no reason to worry. You won’t need anti-depressants this time.”
Resting her head on her friend’s shoulder, Lily allowed the tears she’d held back to flow. Mark had become her rock, the person she turned to for everything. Now, like her parents, he was gone. It’d taken everything she had to tear herself out of the mournful void the first time. If she allowed it to drag her under, could she do it again?
“You’re stronger now. You have your career, the lab, a whole host of people who depend on you.” Violet’s words reminded Lily she’d grown.
The darkness receded. She squeezed her eyes tightly closed and drew in a calming breath before she lifted her head. “I’m sorry, Violet. I—”
“Had a bad dream?”
“Yes.” Lily wiped a hand across her face, hoping to hide how the images inside her head had unsettled her.
“Same one you used to have after your parents died?” Violet rubbed her hands soothingly over Lily’s shoulders, offering her comfort.
She nodded.
“Well, then it’s probably time for you to get up for a while.” Violet shifted back and smiled. “Why don’t you take a shower while I go get Rosa to fix you something to eat?”
Lily blinked. “What is she doing here? It’s Sunday.”
“She’s worried about you and came in to make sure you’d made it home safely. Then Olivia decided she needed help packing.” Violet rolled her eyes. “That woman has more clothes than anyone I’ve ever met. Luckily, she pronounced the rest could wait and she’d come back next week for everything else.”
“You mean she’s gone?” Lily hadn’t expected the woman to obey her request. Rearranging the covers, she straightened her cotton T-shirt, happy she’d ignored Sebastian’s suggestion to sleep in the nude.
“Yes, well, Sebastian convinced her it’d be best for everyone if she went ahead and moved back to her house.” Violet offered with a knowing smile. “Thank heavens Mark hadn’t convinced her to sell her house.”
“Do you know what Sebastian said to her?” Lily couldn’t understand why he’d care one way or other what Olivia did.
“No. He came upstairs and stayed with you for a while. Detective Callahan asked a few more questions, then he left. He said he would arrange to talk to each of us individually later. Zane and I escaped to Mark’s study to check on a few things while Olivia stayed in the living room.” Violet rose and walked to the dresser.
She scanned the surface and straightened a few objects before she lifted her gaze to meet Lily’s in the reflection of the mirror. “Around one, Sebastian came into Mark’s office. He said he had an appointment and asked if Olivia had left.” Violet turned and crossed her arms over her chest. “Zane and I tried to explain how difficult Olivia could be at times, but he wouldn’t listen. He turned around and walked out. We haven’t seen him since. Then—” She smiled and pleasure glowed on her face. “—not more than an hour later, Olivia paraded into the study with Rosa and said she’d come back for the rest of her things later.” Violet snapped her fingers. “And just like that she was gone.”
“Whoa, she didn’t give any other explanation?” Lily shoved back the sheet and blanket to sit on the side of the bed.
“No, she simply walked out the door.”
Checking the clock on the nightstand, Lily stood. “Does Zane still need me to go with him to the funeral home?”
“That’s why I came up here, but if you don’t—”
“No. Let me take a shower and eat first. I should be ready to leave in maybe a half an hour.” Lily crossed to Violet and placed a hand on her shoulder. “If you’ll ask Rosa to fix me a snack, I’ll eat. Then later, we can come back here for dinner.”
“Oh, no, I’m not going. Zane said only you and him were needed to sign the papers.” Violet stepped back, edging closer toward the door. “But I will see if Rosa can rustle you up something to eat.”
Lily laughed. “Your roots are showing.”
Violet frowned, then a quick smile formed on her lips. “Yeah, well, once a Texan always a Texan.”
“Mark loves your southern…” The rest of the sentence backed up in Lily’s throat. A wave of depression threatened to overwhelm her.
“Damn, straight. I always told him if he hadn’t hired me as his assistant. I would’ve married a cowboy and spent every moment of my time raising cattle.” Violet widened her stance and dug her index fingers into the pockets of her black dress pants, mimicking the stance of a gunfighter.
Lily forced back the ache of never seeing Mark’s teasing smile or enjoying his quick wit. Lifting her hands, she f
ired off her loaded fingers, pretending to shoot the other woman. “Well, I’m glad he did. I don’t know what any of us would do without you.”
“Yes, well, a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do. Now, hit the shower, Missy. We’re burning daylight.” Violet did a mock tip of an imaginary hat and turned for the door.
Fighting back the tears, Lily waited until she stood alone under a stream of hot water before she allowed the waterworks to flow again.
****
“So what’s your take on what happened?” Sebastian had spent the last few hours with Bruce. They had toured the lab and reviewed a week’s worth of security videos. The older ones helped Sebastian become familiar with the activity around the building. Yet, somehow, the killer had managed to be in the only blind spot in the surveillance.
“It strikes me as an inside job, but I can’t find a motive. An outsider would have tried to break into the lab.” Bruce stood on a small patch of grass that divided the parking lot into usable sections. Trees provided a break between the road leading into the business complex and the lab’s property. “Hell, for a while there I questioned whether or not Cain’s death was even related to this case. Then Mark died.”
Glancing across the paved concrete lot, Sebastian briefly considered the same thing. Not only had the killer avoided the security cameras, but he or she had picked a time when no one should have been in the building. Had Cain’s presence at the sight averted a break in at the lab?
Bruce ran a hand through his slightly unkempt hair and stared at the deserted road. “I’ve been observing these people for weeks. Cain and I both looked for a potential threat from any of them. The closest we came was with Devin. His cancer treatment isn’t being covered a hundred percent by his insurance. We alerted Mark to the problem, and he talked to Devin.”
“And?”
“Mark told him he didn’t need to worry. Anything the insurance wouldn’t cover, he’d pay.” Bruce lifted his gaze to meet Sebastian’s. “What kind of man does that? The bill could be in the thousands, if not hundreds of thousands.”
The Warrior In Me Page 9