Deadly Obsessions (Kensington-Gerard Detective series Book 3)

by K. T. Roberts

  “Are you okay?” Zach asked with a slight grin curling at the corners of his mouth.

  “Absolutely,” she said a little too quickly.

  “Well, I’d better get back to my desk,” Morgan said after a few minutes, slowly dropping her hands to her sides. She nodded to the detectives and she was gone.

  “Nice kid,” Reamer said. “Okay, bring me up to date.”

  Jessie began talking to take her mind off Morgan. “Thought you should know that we have someone posing as law enforcement who has already questioned the sister of our victim.”

  “Who?”

  “She didn’t catch his name. She was rushing to catch her flight here and answered the questions quickly.”

  “What kind of questions?”

  Jessie filled in the details. At the conclusion, Zach added one more piece of information. “We have a long list of people to interview. Hopefully, we’ll find out more about this mystery man, and bring you up to date as we have the information.”

  “Do you think it’s a private investigator hired by Hawkins?”

  “I can’t imagine, especially with him so worried about money…unless he’s counting on using the proceeds from her life insurance policy. He likes to sue people.”

  “Yeah,” Reamer said, “I know a lot of people like that. Alright. Keep an eye on this mystery man. But it sounds like you’re on the right track. Let’s keep it going.” Together, they exited the office and headed toward their desks. When they passed by Morgan’s desk, she smiled and followed Zach’s every move.

  “Let’s get a move on,” Jessie said handing him a tissue.

  “What’s this for?” he asked slipping his arms into his jacket.

  “To wipe the drool off your chin.”

  “Ah, a little bit of jealousy is peeking its head through that tough exterior?”

  “No. It was embarrassing watching you act like a dog in heat when you were introduced to the girl.”

  “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?” His lips twisted into a smirk. He continued out the door toward their vehicle. “But then, that’s not really your concern anymore, now is it? You made the choice, not me!”

  “That was uncalled for Gerard.”

  “It is, what it is, my lady.”

  Jessie decided she’d only make matters worse by responding. She clamped her mouth shut to stop the building tension festering between them—it wasn’t good. Gerard always got defensive when it came to criticism—a definite carry-over from his estranged father. She slid behind the steering wheel. “Where to?”

  “Let’s talk to the attorney first, then we’ll head on over to talk to the husband again,” he said. “Did you call in for a search warrant?”

  “I did. Oh, and I forgot to mention I spoke to Bentley Ryson’s office. He wasn’t there so I was transferred to the paralegal working on the complaint. I knew she wouldn’t tell me anything, but I explained a simple yes or no would be all that I needed regarding whether or not he was suing for more than his pension.”

  “And?”

  “Just the pension. I’ve come to the conclusion that Harlan is a conspiracy theorist.”

  “That’s for sure. Still, it’s good we called his attorney to get the truth.”

  “Now, how about Charlene? Do you think we can believe everything she said?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Hey, maybe Charlene doesn’t like the guy because she made a play for him and he snubbed her.”

  “Good point, I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. If a third of what she told us is true, then he’s got some explaining to do. I’m sure the cheating has something to do with his attitude.” Zach acknowledged.

  “I agree. From what I’ve experienced, when one party cheats, that fact sticks in your mind like a bad dream forever and ever. You can forgive, but you never forget. The way I see it, those two were balancing a fine line between guilt and inferiority. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but will it last? Hardly. Sure, things are good in the beginning, but it doesn’t take long before things are back where they were before, only worse because now there’s something else to add. The bad thing is it typically comes out during a disagreement. If either was unhappy, the smartest thing they could have done was walk away. He doesn’t have to walk away now—she’s dead.”

  “And that could be the reason he killed her. Hell, once he had the insurance money, he didn’t need her anymore.” She noticed a muscle flicker in his jaw. It was as though he was contemplating something. He finally said something. “Is that why you left me? Because you wanted to date other men?”

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” She gave him a stern look, deciding to let that conversation die down. There was a long pregnant pause between them until the dispatcher’s voice cut into the freeze about a car chase in pursuit.

  7

  HE WATCHED through his nighttime binoculars as the beautiful young woman exited her boyfriend’s car. She walked around to the front of the vehicle and stood in the bright headlights that now highlighted her long red hair and beautiful smile. It was as though she was on a stage. His heart turned over, yet he couldn’t help the anger he’d felt for so long. She’d moved away without any warning. He was just getting ready to close in on her, but she was gone before he knew and he’d searched high and low far too long. That would not go unpunished. But he did find her again and there’d be no leaving this time. “It won’t be long now, Amy, my darling,” he said in a melodic sing-song voice. No, he wasn’t about to lose her again.

  He liked the sway of her hips as she moved from the front of the car and walked to the steps, taking each one in a deliberate stride. He already knew what her next move would be, and it made him want to puke his guts up. He’d loved her for so long, and now she was giving her love to someone else? Despite his deep affection for her, she was now the enemy and she’d have to pay for her sins. He watched as she stood on the stairs and threw kisses to her boyfriend while he backed out of the driveway. “Boring,” he whispered. But her boyfriend stopped the car and rolled down the window refusing to leave until she went inside. He wanted to make sure she was safe.

  “How sweet, asshole,” he mumbled. Once inside, she’d walk to the front window, pull the drapes apart and wave as he drove down the roadway. Too bad those days were about over. But he wasn’t quite ready yet. He wanted to get his fill of her a little while longer before he finished her off. Then he’d keep her coat as his trophy.

  He recalled why he hadn’t put a bomb in their car set to go off the minute the engine ignited. If he had, they’d both be out of his hair. But that isn’t what he wanted. He wanted the boyfriend gone so he could let her know why she was being punished. She’d never learn anything if he didn’t teach her a lesson. But then, it really wouldn’t matter after he killed her, now would it? He wanted to see her face—to see that look of sheer horror in her eyes when she finally realized she was going to die. That’s what gave him his high.

  Jessie parked the car on a side street and together they made their way inside the building to the law firm. Checking the directory, Zach pushed the button for the elevator, and rode up to the twelfth floor. The firm’s offices were conveniently located across from the elevator. Inside, a young girl, who appeared as though still in high school, sat behind the desk. Her greeting was cut short when they showed their shields. “You must be here about the dead lady.”

  Taken aback by the girl’s thoughtless remark, Jessie smirked. “You don’t work here regularly, do you?”

  “Oh, no. My father is John Ghosh and I’m filling in for the regular lady who sits here. She was too upset about the dead lady to come into work.” The girl bit the end of the pen she was holding. “Wow,” she said, “this case must be pretty important with so many of you guys investigating it.”

  Jessie groaned. “You too?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean,” the girl said.

  “Someone came to question you?” She nodded. “A man?” She nodded again.
“Can you describe him?”

  “No, not really.” She paused while she reflected for a moment. “He was old. Does that help?”

  “Uh, no. Can you describe ‘old’?”

  “Your age, ma’am.”

  Zach laughed from the expression on Jessie’s face. “Oh man,” Jessie said. “Those are the two words I’ve never wanted to hear. Age and ma’am.”

  “Well, he was.”

  “Okay. What color was his hair? Did he have any distinguishing marks on his face, a beard? What did his nose look like?”

  “He had dark hair. To tell you the truth, he was hot looking, except for that scar that ran from the corner of his mouth to his earlobe…and, oh yeah, he wore glasses.”

  “Excellent. What kind of glasses—what did they look like?”

  “They had thick frames…in a dark color…black, because I remember thinking how cool he was that he was wearing glasses that matched the color of his hair.”

  “His nose? What did it look like?”

  “Hmm,” she shook her head. “I didn’t notice.” She shrugged. “But he had a great body.”

  “Wonderful. What did he ask you?”

  “He wanted to know if I knew the dead lady.”

  “Sweetheart,” Jessie said, “can you please refrain from calling her the dead lady? She’s the deceased.”

  “Oh, sure. Anyways, he wanted to know if she got along with the others in the office? Questions like that. I told him I didn’t know anything. I even asked him to wait while I called one of the other employees, but as soon as I keyed in the number, I looked up and he was gone.” She shrugged. “So…I figured he was in the wrong place.”

  “Okay, so besides being old,” Zach said, “can you be a bit more descriptive? Was he tall, short, fat, white, African American?”

  “Hmm, maybe a little taller than you. Like I said, dark curly hair, he was a white man and he had a great body.” A blush colored her cheeks, but that didn’t stop her from continuing. “He was cute and sexy and had the most awesome green eyes I’ve ever seen,” she said with a theatrical flair. “Even though he wore those eyeglasses. They magnified his eyes. I felt as though he was looking right through me.” She snapped her fingers together, “but he left so fast, I didn’t get a good enough look at him.” Her mouth twisted into a pout.

  The detectives laughed. “Sounds to me like you vacuumed in his good looks in those few minutes.”

  “Well, I am very observant.”

  “Did you tell your father someone came to question you?”

  “No. Dad and Uncle Tom…I mean, Mr. Peterson have been in court since Monday on a big case, and I forgot to tell Dad about it. When the guy didn’t come back or leave his card, I figured it was nothing, so I didn’t bother to tell them.”

  They both handed her their business cards. “Please have your father or Mr. Peterson contact us.” She nodded in agreement. Footsteps and a deep sigh caused them to turn. A young man dressed in a tailored suit walked into the reception area.

  “Hey, Roger. Can you help these detectives?” she asked. He looked in their direction. “They want to know about the dead…” she glanced at Jessie “they want to know about the deceased lady.” She smiled at her. “Better?” she asked.

  “Better. Thank you.”

  “Sure,” Roger said, catching his breath. “I walked up those stairs and I’m out of breath. Sorry. Can I see some identification?” They presented their badges. “I’m Roger Benson,” he extended his hand, “one of the attorneys at this firm. I’m sure Jackie told you the partners are trying a huge case, so I guess you’re stuck with me for the moment. So what can I do for you?”

  “That’s fine,” Zach said. “We wanted to talk to you anyway.”

  “Okay. Let’s go to my office,” he led the way. “Such sad news,” he said over his shoulder.

  With the exception of a desk and phone, his office was void of any amenities. “The poor thing—such a nice woman.” He turned to face them. “Have a seat,” he gestured. They watched him remove his coat and hang it on the back of the door, then unbutton his suit jacket and make his way behind his desk. Sitting down, he pulled himself closer to his desk, picked up his telephone messages and began to leaf through the stack. Jessie cleared her throat to get his attention. “Sorry, it’s a force of habit,” he said putting them back down, “so what do you want to know?”

  “Did Carly work solely for you or did she also do work for the others?”

  “For this particular case, the one I’m working on, she was researching solely for me.”

  “How well did you know her?”

  “Not very well at all. I only started in this firm about three months ago. She was very pleasant most of the time. Everyone in the office really seemed to like her. We didn’t have much to say to each other unless it was work related.”

  “Did you like her?”

  He gave a slight shrug. “Yeah, I liked her just fine. I didn’t have any reason not to like her if that’s what you’re asking. We had a few issues with the speed with which she returned the material, and last Thursday, I was in court and the opposing attorney had evidence I didn’t have. I looked like a complete fool, and when I returned, I went off on her. She tried to explain, but I was so pigheaded I didn’t give her a chance to get a word in edgewise and we both left the room in a huff. It wasn’t until after she’d left for home that I actually found I did have that piece of evidence on my desk with a date-stamp showing when she’d given it to me. I ran after her to apologize, but she’d already left. I tried calling her, but she either had her phone off or she didn’t want to talk to me. Needless to say, when I heard she’d been murdered, I felt twice as bad.”

  “So you did have words with her?”

  “Yes, I was damned angry. I probably said some things I shouldn’t have, but I was steaming. Isn’t that what boss’s do when they’re not satisfied with an employee’s performance? So yeah,” he said with a nod, “I expressed my displeasure.”

  “According to her husband, you two didn’t have a very good relationship.”

  “Seriously?” A startled expression capped his face. “And you think I had something to do with her murder. Is that right?”

  “No one is exempt, Mr. Benson. Not even an attorney. We heard you were blaming her because you were losing your case?”

  “Wow!” He jerked his head back. “That sounds like a contrived scenario for you to solve your case.”

  “We’re just doing our job,” Jessie said. “So you want to tell us the real scoop?”

  “Let’s not get carried away here. I have a valid alibi.”

  “Okay, start talking.”

  “Then tell us where you were last night between the hours of six thirty and seven thirty?” Zach asked pulling his brows into a frown.

  “Fine. I’m currently living at the Plaza Hotel until I can find an apartment. As you might expect, as a new employee here, I have a probationary period until I can prove myself worthy of permanency.”

  “So that was why you wanted to win the case so badly?”

  “Well, doesn’t everyone?”

  “Do you have people who can confirm your alibi?”

  “Security cameras in the hotel’s lobby and my conversation with the concierge should all be on camera. I’m taking my girlfriend to a show for the holidays, and he’s arranging it for me.”

  “At what time did you speak to the concierge?”

  “It was right after dinner. I’m sure the footage will show the time stamp to confirm my whereabouts. I ate in the dining room of the hotel where I’m staying…I’m going to say it was about six o’clock. I finished dinner and went to my room.”

  “And after that?”

  “I believe I was in the shower, and no, there isn’t anyone who can confirm that, but there are cameras down every hallway with a time stamp so I’m sure it will provide you with adequate proof.” He pulled a tablet from his desk drawer and wrote down something, then handed it to Gerard. “Here are the nam
es of everyone who saw me.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Benson.”

  “My pleasure, Detectives.” When his phone rang, he answered it, then pushed back in his chair and walked to the door for his coat. He slipped his arms into the sleeves, picked up his briefcase and began heading toward the door. He stopped talking and looked their way. “Are we done here? I’m due in court in fifteen minutes.”

  “I guess we are. We’ll contact you if we have other questions.”

  “Jackie,” Benson said to the girl manning the reception desk, “please give the detectives my business card, and a list of everyone who works here.” He nodded and walked out the door toward the elevator.

  They stopped at the girl’s desk. “Jackie, can you answer a question for me?” She shrugged.

  “I guess…if I know the answer.”

  “Did one of the partners represent Mrs. Hawkins in her personal life?”

  “I think my father did, but I can’t be sure. You’d have to ask him.”

  “When will he be back in the office?”

  “Well, I know court ends at four thirty Monday to Thursday. They have Motion hearings on Fridays, so unless they have another case they’re working on…I guess you can figure they’ll be back around four-forty-five.”

  “Please ask your father to call us.”

  “Will do. By the way, Detective, I love the color of your red hair.”

  “Thank you.”

  Zach released a low laugh when they exited the office. “I guess she was trying to make nice?”

  “I suppose.”

  8

  WALKING BACK to the vehicle, Jessie was the first to speak. “He’s a pompous ass. What did you think of him?”

  “He’s an arrogant son-of-a-bitch. I’m glad we spoke to him though, but really, I don’t think his ambition to be the best at what he does would lead to foul play. I thought his lack of compassion was a bit off-putting. He was more concerned about the guilt he carried around than he was her death. Regardless of how long she worked for him, I would have expected more.”