“You wanted me to be someone I wasn’t.”
“That isn’t true. We wanted you to succeed.”
“Nothing I could have done would have made you think I succeeded.”
Her dad sighed. “Well, that part about you hasn’t changed. You’re still as hardheaded now as you were then.”
There it was, his disapproval. She’d known it would come up sooner or later.
“My mom isn’t hardheaded,” May put in.
But Shay ignored her. “If you’d done something to make us proud, we would have been,” her dad said.
“Like what?”
“Get good grades. Go to college.”
“I did get good grades.” She’d had a B average but that hadn’t been good enough.
“You had no aspirations other than going to parties and being with boys.”
It would have been different if her parents had loved her for who she was. But she didn’t comment on that. Instead, she sipped her tea.
“I hate to say it, Lily, but it’s no wonder you were raped.”
Her hand trembled and she almost dropped the glass.
“What I can’t figure is how you could have gone out and done it again right after that.”
Meaning how she’d gotten pregnant with May.
“I don’t regret that.”
“No, you have May, but…hell, Lily, have you no respect for yourself?”
“Stop it!” May yelled and then she pointed at Shay much the same as Lily did when she was mad. “You leave her alone.”
Shay pushed back his chair and stood. “There’s no talking to you, Lily, you never listen.” With that he left the room and then the house, the front door shutting with a thud.
Lily turned toward her daughter.
“Mom, I didn’t mean to start anything.”
The look of heartfelt appeal on her daughter’s face seared her. “I know you didn’t.”
“It’s just that that boy kept saying bad things about you and I couldn’t stand it anymore.”
So she’d thought she’d defended her mother telling that boy about her mother’s tragedy would make him stop thinking of her negatively.
“And your reaction backfired. When are you going to learn to stop lashing out in a difficult confrontation?”
“I’m not like you, Mom. I’m not going to sit back and let anyone slander me. Or you.”
“And now everyone will look at me like I’m weak and vulnerable. I didn’t want that.”
“I know.” She still looked pleading. “I’m sorry.”
Lily moved closer and hugged her daughter. “You don’t have to be sorry. I know you didn’t mean any harm. I love you. The talk will pass.”
The sooner the better.
Sitting in his SUV, Wes tried to concentrate on the entrance to the veterinary clinic where Audrey Damascus worked. He wanted to catch her when she left. But he kept sinking into heated memories of Lily. He couldn’t stop his brain from going there. Checking his watch, he figured he had a few minutes, so he finally gave up and leaned his head back against the seat and shut his eyes.
The last thing he’d expected was that Lily would want to have sex in the back of his SUV. It resembled the old Lily, and yet it didn’t. Some of her adventurous spirit had returned, but rather than a reckless impulse, growing trust in their relationship had compelled her. Wes had felt it with her, and it had drawn him closer than ever. After connecting with her like that, he was worried about what it would do to him if she ever turned away from him.
And then they’d gone home and she’d slept with him. At around three he’d awakened to find her watching him, and this time he’d taken control. She hadn’t been afraid and that had arrowed straight through him. Making love with her was intense that time. He couldn’t wait to do it again.
Wes opened his eyes and watched the clinic. He wished he could leave right now.
Just then, Audrey Damascus emerged. It was five-fifteen. Good. The sooner he got this over with the sooner he could go home to Lily.
He got out of his SUV and approached her as she reached her car, a dented and fading Honda Civic. He had known from her driver’s license that she was a little on the heavy side, but he would never have guessed she was this overweight. If she’d been involved with Mark Walsh, she must have been a lot thinner. Or maybe Mark had secretly liked heavier women.
She stopped at her driver’s door and saw him.
“Audrey Damascus?”
She eyed him in surprise.
“I’m Sheriff Colton.” He showed her his identification.
She glanced down and then looked up at his face. “I know who you are.”
He took out his notepad and pen. “I need to ask you a few questions. Do you mind?”
“What about?” She appeared genuinely perplexed.
“Did you know Mark Walsh?” he asked.
Her brow creased above her nose. “The guy that was murdered?”
“Yes.”
“I know of him. It’s a small town. Are you asking me if I knew him personally?”
“Yes.”
A breath of a grunt accompanied the wonder in her eyes. “No, I didn’t. Why are you asking me that?”
“You moved to Honey Creek in 1995, isn’t that right?”
“Yes. How did you know that? Why are you checking up on me like this?”
Her voice didn’t sound like that from the recording, but the tape was old. “Why did you move here?”
She hesitated as she searched his eyes for answers he could only guess were swimming in her head. “My husband has family here. We were just dating back then, but I moved here with him.”
That would be easy enough to check. “What was your maiden name?”
“Murdock.”
He jotted that down.
“Look, Sheriff, I’ve done nothing wrong, especially where Mark Walsh is concerned. I didn’t even know him.”
“You never met him? Not even once?”
“No.”
“Do you know anyone by the name of Tina Mueller?” He watched her face for telltale signs.
She shook her head. “Never heard of her. You gonna tell me what this is all about?”
This was a waste of time. Wes knew it right then. Her bewilderment was too real to miss. She didn’t know anything and she’d never been involved with Mark Walsh.
He closed the notebook. “Thanks for your cooperation.”
“Wait a minute. What made you ask me about Mark Walsh?” Audrey asked as he walked toward his SUV.
He turned. “Sorry to have bothered you.”
She put her hand on her hip and looked frustrated that he refused to tell her anything. It was better that way. He faced forward again and made it to his SUV. He didn’t want to alert Tina Mueller that he was on to her. Hopefully he’d find her before word got around that he was asking about her.
Next on his list was Eileen Curtis and then Amy Fordham. He drove the short distance to Curtis Real Estate Agency, but didn’t get out right away. It was almost six now. If he got home too late, maybe he’d wake Lily up. He wondered if she knew he wanted her to sleep in his bed from now on. If she didn’t, he’d have to make sure she did. Like, now.
He pulled his phone from his pocket and called her. She answered on the second ring.
“Hi,” he said when she answered.
“Wes?”
“How are you?”
“I’m fine. Just leaving work. How are you?”
“I had to hear your voice.”
“Oh.” She sounded tentative, as if this transition in their relationship was too new for her. “It’s good to hear your voice, too.”
He wanted her to mean that. But he wasn’t sure if she did. Maybe she needed time to get used to this. He was okay with that. He was a patient man. “This is turning into a long day. I have to talk to some people and then I have to finish up at the office. I’ll be a little late getting home. I wanted to let you know.”
“All right. I’ll wait
up for you.”
His heart soared. “That would be great.” She might be a little skittish right now, but she was still attracted to him.
He could hear her breathing. They didn’t say anything, but he could feel the energy between them.
“I’ll see you when you get home then,” she said, her voice sultry now.
“I can’t wait.”
“Me neither.”
He was the luckiest man alive. “Bye.”
“Bye,” she whispered, and he could picture her smiling.
He disconnected. That was more like it. Looking toward the old house that was now a business, he steered his focus back on work.
He got out of his SUV. Eileen had done well for herself over the years. She lived in a refurbished old house in town and her real estate business had grown to service other towns in the county. He had seen Eileen around Honey Creek, but he’d never had a chance to talk to her and get to know her. She had a reputation of being friendly to everyone, Colton or Walsh, it didn’t matter. Once, a long time ago, a rumor had traveled around that his dad had had an affair with her, but that turned out to be false. His mom had had a hard time with that, but things had mellowed after it was discovered Eileen had gone to Vegas the weekend they were purported to be together. Ryan had filled him in on that, compliments of his gossipy wife.
Wes stepped to the door of Eileen’s real estate agency and opened it, a good sign she was still here. The living room was a seating area with a desk on one side. This room opened to what once had been the kitchen but now was a conference room. Two other doors were open, one off the conference room, the other off the living room. Through that door he heard the sound of someone tapping on a keyboard.
The tapping stopped when he shut the front door.
Eileen Curtis appeared a few seconds later. Her short hair was dyed blond, a little on the harsh side. She had green eyes. Dressed in expensive-looking brown slacks and a cream-colored turtleneck with a brown scarf around her neck, her trim body showed her healthy lifestyle.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Curtis.”
“Sheriff?” she queried. “Don’t tell me you’re looking for a new house. I can’t imagine there’s a better place for you to live than your ranch.”
He smiled. “I’m not here to find a new place.”
“What a relief.” She smiled back, straight white teeth another clue to her healthy and successful lifestyle. Her image lived up to her reputation in town.
“I need to ask you a few questions.”
“Wow. Should I be flattered?”
“It’s about Mark Walsh.”
Her smile faded. “Oh, that. I heard he showed up dead again. I’m so sorry. Your brother…”
“Thanks. We’re all really happy he’s free.”
“That must be so hard for him. After all these years…”
“Yes.”
She swung her arm toward the conference table. “Would you like to sit down? Can I get you some water or anything?”
She wasn’t flustered at all. Wes went to the table. “I don’t need anything to drink, but thanks.”
He sat and so did she, across from him.
“You have me at a loss,” she said. “What do you think I know about Mark Walsh?”
“Did you know him?”
“Me?” She breathed a laugh. “No. It’s a little hard to get to know a dead man, isn’t it?”
Wes smiled at her attempted humor. “You moved here the year he was supposedly killed the first time, didn’t you?”
“Was that when it was?” She lifted her head and looked upward as though searching her memory. “Yes, I think it was the same year.”
“And you never met him?”
“No. What makes you think I might have?”
“I’m not sure. That’s why I’m asking.”
“Are you asking every woman who moved here the same year he was killed?” she asked.
“Something like that.”
She considered him a moment. “I heard he had a lot of lovers. Are you questioning all the women who might have gotten involved with him?”
Why had she brought that up? She’d denied knowing or ever meeting Walsh so asking her wouldn’t do him any good. If she had been involved with Walsh, and she was Tina Mueller, she’d deny it.
“Where are you from originally?” he asked instead.
She eyed him curiously before answering. “I was born in Austin, Texas. I lived there until I came here.”
“What made you choose Montana?”
“I wanted to stay west, but I didn’t want the heat.”
“And Honey Creek?”
“Why Honey Creek?” She looked upward again. “I moved to Bozeman originally, but after checking the area out, I fell in love with this town. It gets a little trying knowing everyone who lives here and them knowing everything about you, but I love the small-town feel, and when no one is taking jabs at others, it’s a supportive community.”
So she didn’t like her privacy invaded? “What about your family?”
“I was an only child and both my parents are dead now.”
“I’m sorry.”
Her soft smile said she appreciated his condolence.
“You’re divorced, is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Is Curtis your married name?” He knew this, but asked anyway.
“No, I kept my name when we married.”
Wes nodded. “Where’s he now? Your ex-husband.”
“He moved to Billings.”
Wes jotted that down on his notepad along with his name, which Ryan had already given him.
“Do you mind my asking what all this has to do with Mark Walsh’s murder?”
“Maybe nothing. I’m just trying to gather all the information I can,” he said, standing. “I think that’s all I need. Thank you for your cooperation.”
“Anytime, Sheriff.” She stood with him and smiled.
He nodded his farewell, wondering if she was another dead end. She didn’t seem to have anything to hide, but then, some liars were better than others.
Wes sat at a table in Amy Fordham’s section. The hostess hadn’t seemed too pleased with his request. The tables were filling up, but he wasn’t going to take long. It was already after eight and he was anxious to get home to Lily.
He missed her and it hadn’t even been twenty-four hours since he’d last seen her. And she had baggage he was afraid she wouldn’t be able to drop. For once he found a woman he thought would fit in his life, and she had a traumatic past and issues with their age difference. He’d never had to go after a woman this hard before, but he swore he’d do it with Lily. Because one thing he was sure of…he wanted many repeats of last night.
He hoped she felt the same.
The waitress approached his table.
“Hi, I’m Amy. Can I get you something to drink to start out?”
Her voice was a little gravelly from smoking and she seemed a little rough around the edges.
“Actually, I won’t be long.” He showed her his badge. “Sheriff Colton. Will you have a seat for a minute?”
She glanced around at the other tables.
“This won’t take long,” he said, and pushed out the chair next to him.
She looked at him. “Did something happen?”
Her curly hair was clipped back and her skin had a slight sheen to it from sweating, but she was an attractive woman, in good shape and looking young for her age and smoking habit. He could imagine Walsh going for a woman like her. Big breasts and all.
“You’ve heard about Mark Walsh’s murder?”
Her confused nod answered him.
“Please, sit down. I need to ask you a few questions.”
“I didn’t have anything to do with Walsh’s murder.”
“Where are you from?”
“Why are you asking me that? Am I a suspect or something?”
He smiled as kindly as he could. “No. Not at all. I’m just trying to piece some things to
gether.”
“And you think I can piece them together for you?” Her eyes grew dubious. “You must not have much to go on.”
“Sit down, Amy.” This time there was no invitation in his tone.
She sat, eyes a little more apprehensive now.
“Where are you from?” he asked. “Bozeman.”
“What brought you to Honey Creek?”
“My mom lived here. I came here after my first divorce.”
He asked what her ex-husbands name was and she told him.
“What is your maiden name?”
“Why do you need to know that?” She looked from his notepad where he was busy writing to his face.
“Was it Fordham?” he asked.
“No, that was my second husband’s name. We had a child together.”
“What was your maiden name?”
“Smith.”
Was she lying? Amy Smith? Well, he hadn’t expected anyone to tell him her maiden name was Mueller.
“How long have you been divorced from your second husband?”
“Seven years.”
“Is he from here?”
“He was. He moved away after our divorce.”
“Where did he go?”
“Why would I care? He cheated on me. He probably moved to his lover’s hometown in Boise.”
He was careful not to feed on her emotions. “Did you know Mark Walsh?”
“I heard his name around town. I never met him, though.”
“Why did you and your first husband divorce?” He was fishing for a connection to Walsh. If she had an affair…
“We were too young when we met. We grew apart.”
“Did you have an affair with anyone?”
She laughed cynically. “You mean with Walsh? No. Guys like that don’t turn me on. I like them younger than me—not the other way around. My boyfriend is three years younger than me.”
He studied her for a moment. There really wasn’t anything else to ask at this point. He had enough to go on for now. He could corroborate her answers with her ex-husband’s, and maybe one of them would reveal something.
He stood from the table. “Thank you. That’s all for now.”
Her eyes followed his movements. “Why do you think I knew Walsh?”
“You’ve lived here long enough to have met him,” he said, knowing it was noncommittal and vague. He nodded a farewell. “Thanks again.” And with that, he left.
The Librarian’s Secret Scandal Page 14