Sizzling Cold Case

by Rayna Morgan

  During the years she and Eric were married, Maddy watched her husband at endless social engagements they were obliged to attend to maintain his high profile as an investment banker. When someone bored Eric with topics of little interest, he tuned them out. They babbled on, content with an occasional nod or smile to assure he was listening.

  Observing him during those moments, she wondered what universe he traveled to, what music played in his head, what image transported him. Her gentle nudge would return his attention before people realized he neither heard nor cared about what they said.

  She recalled a time she challenged him on their way home from an unmemorable dinner party.

  “I saw you speaking with our hostess. What did she say?”

  He loosened the tie around his neck. “Nothing enlightening.”

  “I bet you can’t repeat two words she spoke.”

  His eyes crinkled with amusement. “I’m sure she commented on the deplorable state of the economy, the ineptitude of politicians, and the disgraceful condition of public schools.”

  She laughed. “How many times have you been bored with similar conversations?”

  “Too often to count.”

  “Do you listen to a word they say?”

  His face lit up with a boyish grin, not the plastic smile he displayed in public. “Do people suspect I’m not listening? Do my eyes glaze over? Do I shuffle my feet?”

  They both giggled. She dabbed her eyes to keep the mascara from running.

  For an instant, she and Eric were on the same wavelength, speaking the same language, sharing the same view.

  But those moments were few and far between.

  Most of the time, Eric was consumed with maintaining appearances. More concerned with his zip code, the car he drove, and the stocks in his portfolio than her or their friends and family. Too late, she recognized the mismatch of their interests.

  It became easy to forget their unity in the beginning when the universe seemed stacked against them. The times they stuck together to build his career.

  Moments of sharing gave way to conflict and unsatisfied needs. Emotions gradually cooled and the relationship dimmed.

  To refuel the flame, they reserved a weekly date night and took trips away from the city. After several months, neither of them had the energy or desire to sustain the pretense.

  The division between them widened until the frail connection broke. Still she stayed, frightened by the thought of losing him, until she learned of his affair and realized how little she cared.

  Rather than feeling anger or sadness, she was relieved to end a relationship which no longer worked.

  Had Emma experienced similar feelings when she learned of Jeffrey’s infidelity?

  Had she yearned for the same relief?

  She recognized the relationship between Jeffrey and Emma as attachment rather than love. Jeffrey’s fear of being abandoned and his need to be a hero for someone who cared. Emma’s unwillingness to fail in her marriage.

  When she knew she would be stronger and happier without Eric, Maddy left.

  Eric responded badly.

  How much worse was the doctor’s response when Emma threatened to leave?

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  “I’ll close the office, Dad. You go home.”

  “You don’t have to twist my arm to convince me. It’s been a long day.”

  He patted the dogs on his way out. “Good work today, you two.”

  Lea watched her father walk to his car and worried about the promise to her mother.

  “I’m happy to have him take part,” Barbara responded when Lea presented the idea of the agency. “It will be good for him to be active and out from underfoot. But you know your father. Once he starts something, he can’t let go. All I ask is that you keep an eye on him. Don’t let him overdo.”

  Lea blocked out time on her calendar the following day when she would take over the office so her father could take a break.

  She turned to the files stacked on her desk and began reviewing the records of Turner Pest Control employees. She wasn’t sure what to look for other than discrepancies.

  A pattern of overtime or requests for salary advances prior to payday indicating a shortage of funds or excessive spending. An employee who took work home or never took a vacation suggesting someone who didn’t want their responsibilities in the hands of another employee who might notice irregularities.

  Deep in concentration, she barely heard Gracie bark when the front door slammed.

  “It’s only me,” Maddy yelled, kneeling to scratch the dogs’ stomachs.

  When she stood, she held up a bottle of wine. “Break out the coffee mugs. I’ll fill them with wine and tell you about my day.”

  • • •

  Maddy dropped her purse on the chair beside Lea’s desk and filled the mugs.

  “How did it go?” Lea asked. “Did you find out why he did it?”

  “Whoa!” Maddy exclaimed. “I thought we were going to determine if he’s guilty. You’ve got him charged, tried, and convicted. As usual, you think you’ve got the case all figured out. Does it ever occur to you that you might be wrong?”

  “Dad thinks he’s guilty,” Lea responded. “You aren’t questioning him as well as me, are you?”

  “As kids, you idolized our father. In your eyes, he was always right. It’s been that way ever since.”

  “And you questioned everything Dad did, especially the punishments he doled out to you.”

  Maddy stuck her chin out. “In this case, you may both be wrong. I found the doctor charming. Not at all the person you believe him to be.”

  “What kind of person is that?”

  “A man capable of murdering his wife.”

  “Don’t forget. Most women are murdered by current or former partners. I think you believe he’s guilty as much as we do. You’re only defending him to be contrary.”

  When Maddy didn’t respond, Lea went on. “What’s his appeal?”

  “He’s handsome, passionate about his work, and charismatic.”

  “Charisma often goes hand in hand with villainy.”

  Maddy objected. “You’re being hard on him.”

  Lea watched her sister twist a strand of hair around her finger. “You do that before you say something a person doesn’t want to hear.”

  “He talked me into having some work done,” Maddy admitted.

  “You’re kidding! That wasn’t part of our plan.”

  “Relax. I needed an excuse to see him again. He wasn’t convinced I should have a nose job so I pointed out some premature wrinkles and he suggested botox.”

  “You never worried about wrinkles before.”

  “I never had wrinkles to worry about.”

  “Is that how you measure yourself?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s not the way you look that matters, Mad. What’s important is the way you feel about yourself.”

  “Easy to say for a woman who is comfortably married. The singles scene is a battle zone.”

  “Since you met Tom, you haven’t been part of the singles scene.”

  “The way things are going, I may be there again.”

  “Let’s get back to the doctor. You sound taken with him. I hope you got what you went for.”

  “If you’re asking my opinion of whether he’s capable of murder, the answer is no.”

  “Perhaps you’re too charmed by the man to see past his facade.”

  “You’re suggesting a person who killed someone can go about their life with no one suspecting they did something so vile. How could that happen?”

  “Because we assume we know people. In truth, we barely know ourselves.”

  “You’re as bad as Dad,” Maddy complained. “You want to prove him guilty, not innocent.”

  “That’s not true.”

  “Why can’t you both accept the conclusion of accidental death and move on? You can’t bear to admit your instincts aren’t always correct.”


  Lea’s voice rose to match Maddy’s pitch. “I’ve never suggested they are.”

  Maddy gulped some wine before she continued. “Who are you trying to kid? Because you were a bookworm in school, everyone thinks you’re smart. Mom and Dad brag about your degree as though a diploma makes a person smarter. It only means I was unwilling to waste time listening to boring instructors teaching me things I had no desire to learn. What good is knowledge of rock formations? I learned more being in the real world on my own during the time it would have taken me to finish college.”

  “Talk about them bragging about me!” Lea fired back. “What about the shelves Dad built to display your trophies and blue ribbons? And all your games he insisted we attend?”

  “I thought you liked coming to my games.”

  “I would have preferred to play with you, but I was no good at sports.”

  Maddy’s tone softened. “Some people are gifted athletically. Others aren’t. You clearly fall in the latter category, but you shouldn’t let it bother you.”

  “It sounds like you’re the one bothered by not having a degree.”

  “What bothers me is companies who use education to weed out applicants. They lose the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit those candidates offer. Credentials don’t necessarily make a person smarter. They only show a willingness to fit in a mold.”

  Maddy paused when she saw the shock on her sister’s face.

  “Don’t stop, Maddy,” Lea said. “You’re on a roll. Go ahead. Tell me your true feelings.”

  Maddy charged on. “A college education is crucial for employment in the corporate world, but institutions which provide education also stifle creativity. Students put their dreams on hold to become part of the pack. Their imaginations wither and die.”

  “I appreciate your point of view even though I don’t agree with it. However, I hope you won’t pass it on to Jon. He understands the importance of a degree.”

  “Don’t worry about your son. He’s smart enough to figure out what’s best as long as he lives for himself and not according to what people expect of him.”

  “I encourage him to do that.”

  Maddy leaned across the desk. “I know you do, Sis. I’m not criticizing you.”

  “I hope you didn’t give yourself away spouting personal views like those to the doctor. Knowing your feelings about men feeding on women’s insecurities, I imagine he got an earful.”

  Maddy looked sheepish. “I came close, but I bit my tongue. We made another appointment, so I guess I didn’t frighten him off.”

  “Don’t push your luck with that man. He’s smart enough to see through you.”

  Lea’s words rankled Maddy.

  “I may not have a degree,” she snapped, “but give me credit for having enough brains to handle the doctor.”

  Maddy grabbed her purse and walked out.

  The door slammed.

  Gracie whimpered.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  After dinner, Lea prepared a cup of tea and carried it to the patio where she relaxed in her favorite chair. She closed her eyes and breathed the wet smell of earth, cooled from the night.

  Spirit sat beside her, lifting his nose to take in the fragrant night blooms. She leaned to stroke him. He quivered with pleasure as she ran her fingers down his back.

  In her mind, she replayed the argument with Maddy. Her earlier indignation was replaced by sadness.

  She expressed her thoughts to the retriever. “We never know how someone feels about us, do we boy?”

  Spirit cocked his head, eager to listen.

  “I didn’t know Maddy harbored resentment. Why didn’t she tell me? I suppose I’m as guilty as she by not mentioning times I envy her freedom to come and go as she pleases, absent the responsibilities of a family. As it turns out, both Maddy and I sometimes envy or resent a person close to us.”

  She looked at the dog. “What do you think, Spirit? Did Jeffrey harbor resentment over Emma’s wealth and privileged upbringing? His wife was provided with things he lacked. A safe childhood with adoring parents. A college education without working to pay for it. The keys to her father’s business, if she so desired.

  “Did those feelings lead to his desire to control her, to make himself the only important person in her life? More importantly, did his envy and resentment become a motive for murder?”

  Spirit had no answers so she returned to the kitchen to rinse her mug. But she couldn’t stop thinking about the doctor.

  Was his a crime of passion, a crime of opportunity, or both?

  As she turned out the lights, her mother’s words from their growing up years rang in her ears. ‘Never let the sun set on an argument.’

  It will take more to convince Maddy of the doctor’s guilt, but I should let her know she did a good job.

  Lea reached for her phone, but ended the call before it connected.

  She would wait for Maddy to call.

  The call never came.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Warren was retrieving messages from the answering machine when Lea arrived.

  “Good morning, Father.” She unleashed the dogs and went to her office.

  A moment later, Maddy entered.

  “Good morning, Father.” She walked straight to her office.

  He walked down the hall between them.

  “Shall we get our morning meeting out of the way?” he suggested.

  “Fine.”

  “Fine.”

  In the conference room, Warren took a seat at the oblong table.

  Lea sat on his right.

  Maddy sat on his left.

  They all stared at the blank wall in front of them.

  “Awkward,” he said.

  He leaned back and rotated his head from side to side, but neither sister spoke.

  “What’s going on?” he asked

  “Maddy has fallen under the spell of our prime suspect.”

  “I have not!”

  “Can you two put up with each other long enough to plan our day?”

  “I can.” Lea jerked her head in Maddy’s direction. “I don’t know about her.”

  “No problem for me,” Maddy hissed.

  Warren slapped his head. “What I would give for the good old days in the precinct!”

  He turned to Maddy. “Let’s start with your interview of the doctor.”

  “You mean her social outing?”

  “Without your input, Lea, if you don’t mind.”

  At the end of Maddy’s recitation, Warren took over. “There is no doubt Jeffrey had opportunity, but we need proof of means and motive. Maddy, find the nurse who worked with the doctor in San Diego. See what you can learn from her. She may give some insight on the doctor’s relationship with his wife to establish motive. In the meantime, I’ll review the details of the crime to determine the means. Lea, you’ll work on the embezzlement matter.”

  “I’ll cover the office today, Dad,” Lea said. “Take your time with your investigation. You might even take Mom to lunch.”

  “Thank you. I may take you up on that suggestion.”

  A short time later, Maddy buzzed her father on the intercom. “I’m meeting with the doctor’s former nurse. I’ll let you know the results.”

  “Good luck.”

  When Maddy left, Lea voiced her concerns. “I’m not sure Maddy is being impartial.”

  “Why not do some checking of your own? It would be interesting to know if the doctor’s fiancé matches the profile of his first wife, especially if she comes from a wealthy family.”

  “You think he’s repeating a pattern?”

  “A careless mistake for killers, but they sometimes can’t help themselves.”

  “Why would he marry for money again? His practice is successful. He doesn’t need the backing of another wife.”

  “You know what they say about rich people. They never have enough money.”

  “Will Maddy be upset to learn I’m working on the case?”

  “I�
��ll tell her it was my idea to cover all the bases.”

  “I don’t want to put you in an awkward position in the middle of our tiff.”

  “I’m used to it. I have years of experience.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  After a leisurely lunch with Barbara, Warren returned to the office. On his advice, Lea left to obtain information from an anesthesiologist.

  An hour later, barking awakened Warren as he dozed at his desk.

  He looked out the window. Parked in the lot was a silver Porsche.

  He recognized the man who got out with a cell phone pressed to his ear. His hair was longer and his clothes more expensive, but his eyes were the same. Aloof and businesslike.

  After finishing the call, the man entered the office.

  Gracie stopped barking, but neither she nor Warren extended a friendly greeting. If the visitor noticed the slight, he didn’t acknowledge it.

  “It’s been a long time but I’m sure you remember me, Chief. Or should I call you Warren now?”

  “Hello, Jeffrey. I assume this isn’t a social call. What can I do for you?”

  “Your assumption is correct. I’m not here to retain your services.” His voice turned to steel. “I’m here because a mutual acquaintance hired you.”

  Warren waited without offering the man a seat. Gracie watched the man closely, sensing his tension.

  “I’m not stupid. Two women came to me for rhinoplasty which neither of them needs. I think Sam sent his wife to spy on me. I discovered the other woman is your daughter. Don’t deny it. Sam hired you to look into his absurd claim that I killed Emma.”

  Warren took a moment, prolonging the doctor’s agitation.

  “From what Sam tells me, his wife feels inadequate in some way and blames it on her looks like many other women. She’s developed a hobby of reconstructing herself.”

  “What about your daughter?”

  “She’s a grown woman. I stopped telling her what to do years ago.”

  The doctor ignored the explanation.

  “Sam told you I cheated on his daughter. You sent Maddy to entice me into revealing secrets. Did you think I would be foolish enough to discredit my wife considering the cloud which looms over me?”