Deadly Setup

by Annslee Urban

  “Awesome. Peppermint.” Paige changed the subject, plucking the tea bag out of the box. One of her favorite stress remedies. “So, Ruby, I hear you’ve been doing some remodeling,” she said and went to grab a mug.

  Leaning a hip against the counter, Ruby gave a deep sigh. “Oh, my, yes. Lots of updates. New cabinets, carpet, paint. Seth’s been a great help. Next I’ll be looking for new furniture.”

  “Sounds like a fun project,” Paige said, filling her cup, trying to ignore the little twist in her gut when she thought about the plans she and Seth had had for this house. Warm colors. Rustic decor. Timber spindles on the sprawling front porch where one day they’d planned to be married.

  Biting her lip to hold in a sigh, she dropped her tea bag in her cup and killed those thoughts. Dreams, as it turned out.

  “The project has been keeping me busy, to say the least.” Ruby carried her cup and saucer over to the table and took a seat. “So, Paige, what have you been up to these last few months?”

  Paige nearly choked on the sip she’d taken. Nothing as fun as remodeling, that was for sure. She swallowed tightly and cleared her throat, not wanting to get into her brother’s drama. “I’ve been working as a substance abuse counselor for a rehab clinic in Durham. That’s been keeping me pretty busy.”

  “I imagine it would.” Ruby tilted her head ever so slightly, a look of understanding in her eyes. “So, how’s your brother doing?”

  Paige’s heart thudded, as it always did when the topic of her brother came up. “My brother? He’s doing okay.” As well as could be expected, given the circumstances. Paige joined Ruby at the table, part of her not even wanting to get into this conversation. “He has a court date coming up. I’m sure Seth told you that I’m back in town trying to see what I can come up with to help his case.”

  “Yes, he mentioned that you’ve had some trouble trying to do that.” She shook her head. “It can be a dangerous world out there.”

  Yes, it can. Paige agreed with a short nod and then returned to her tea.

  “Well, I’m glad you’re okay, and I hope you find the information you need to help him.” Raising her teacup, Ruby gently blew on the vapors.

  Paige slowly turned in her chair to eye her more closely. She was skeptical. Ruby was so nonchalant. She’d barely batted an eye at Paige trying to help Trey. Paige lifted the mug to her lips and took a long sip. Maybe people weren’t as judgmental as she once thought.

  Sweet relief mingled with a stab of guilt. Maybe she was the one that was being judgmental. Harboring resentment for what she perceived others were thinking. An interesting thought she’d never considered and one she’d have to process awhile.

  “But Paige,” Ruby said, after a moment, “whatever the outcome is for your brother, you’ll have to accept it and pick up and get on with your life.”

  She must have been talking to Seth. Paige had heard that same argument since her brother’s arrest. Paige, you can’t let yourself get sucked into Trey’s issues. Be there for him. Be supportive, but don’t let his mistakes ruin your life. Seth’s words rattled in her head. As daunting today as the day she’d first heard them. He could never get her passion or unwavering belief in her brother’s innocence. And in truth, he still didn’t.

  But now, here she sat, sipping tea and listening to Seth’s mother give her the same advice. Resting against the wooden rungs of the chair, Paige took another long drink, trying to slow her heartbeat, trying to keep her cool. Ruby was concerned, Paige knew that. But it still stung her heart to consider moving on with her life while her brother was stuck behind bars for a crime he didn’t commit.

  She took a deep breath. “Thanks, Ruby, I appreciate your concern.” Intense emotions flooded her, upping her anxiety as reality crashed back in. Six days until her brother’s trial. If they didn’t come up with something, he would likely be spending the rest of his life behind bars. Suddenly nauseated, she set her cup down with a clink.

  And right now they had nothing substantial.

  Paige felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and she flinched. She glanced back and lifted her eyebrows at Seth.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He stared down at her, a sheepish look on his face.

  “No worries.” She waved it off as she willed her erratic pulse to slow. More annoyed by the way she reacted to Seth’s touch. Something that needed to stop, she chastised herself. “So, how did your research go?”

  “Actually, good.” As Ruby slipped out of the room, Seth settled into the seat beside her, a grin in his eyes.

  “Before you say anything else, I want to thank you for today. You saved my life. Actually, for the second time.” She smiled, brushing a wisp of hair from her face.

  “A second time?” His brows rose.

  “Two days ago you saved me from being pounded by a piece of siding.”

  “Oh, yeah.” His mouth twisted in a teasing grin that sent butterflies erupting in her stomach. “That would have hurt.”

  To say the least. She rolled her eyes with a chuckle. “And getting hit by bullets doesn’t sound like much fun, either.”

  “No problem. Just part of the job.”

  The job? Her heart took a nosedive. “Well, good job, then,” she said, almost cringing and mentally kicking herself for venturing to think Seth had a more personal agenda when it came to her. When would she learn to leave the past alone? Get a grip and move on.

  Seth sat up straighter, his eyes widening as if he could read her mind. Her disenchantment was probably written all over her face. “Of course I’m worried about you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

  Good try. But he didn’t owe her an explanation. She stiffened and lifted her chin. “I appreciate that. So, tell me what you dug up.”

  “Well.” Seth shifted in his seat, looking as happy as she was to move on to a more productive topic. “This morning I asked Ted to look into the Cramers’ trust account. And he came up with some interesting facts.”

  Hope ballooned in Paige’s chest as she whirled in her seat to fully face Seth. Maybe this was the break they were looking for.

  “Ted found that a month after Trey and Madison married, Madison changed the beneficiary on her portion of the trust from Gentry to Trey.”

  Paige’s heart stopped. Had Trey known about that? If he had...

  Her brain raced, and as doubt crowded in, for the first time ever she wondered if maybe she could be wrong and her brother was guilty.

  A split second later the small voice inside her said, Are you kidding? She shook off the doubt. Trey was innocent. And there was no way he’d known about Madison’s money. He never would have kept that from her. “So Madison never changed the beneficiary back after they separated?”

  Seth shook his head. “Not that we can tell. According to the executor of Frank Cramer’s will, who Ted spoke to, Madison contacted him several times after the separation, but only to request funds. Which is interesting, because Gentry led us to believe he usually petitioned for funds on her behalf.”

  “So...” Paige said, thinking out loud. “Either Gentry is lying or she went behind his back.”

  “Exactly.”

  Paige’s eyes cut to his. “How much was Madison’s share of the trust?”

  “Three point five million.”

  A hefty amount. Paige’s heart dropped, feeling confused. “How does all this tie into Madison’s murder?” She was almost afraid to ask.

  Seth shrugged. “Good question. I think it’s time for another little talk with Gentry.”

  * * *

  An hour later, Seth’s GPS pointed him toward Boone’s historic downtown. From King Street, he stayed left at the fork and kept traveling north for several miles. He’d just gotten off the phone with Brett, updating him on his plan to talk to Gentry. Although it was a bit of an afterthought. Seth was used to working alone. Had been since he joined the sheriff’s department three years ago, and trying to keep someone up to speed on his every move was an expectation
he needed to stay mindful of—though it required more effort than he’d expect even from a rookie detective.

  But a promise was a promise, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to keep peace with Brett and stay on his good side and on Paige’s case. And from what he was sensing, the investigation on Madison’s murder was also ready to crack wide-open. Clues were coming in. Now, if he could just fit the pieces together—and quickly, before Trey’s court date next week.

  At the stoplight, Seth checked his email and was disappointed that he still hadn’t received a ballistics report from forensics on the bullets used in the morning shooting. He knew it was a long shot, even if they narrowed down the weapon type, to be able to find a possible link between the brand and model of the gun used and gun owners in the area. But he had to cover all bases, probably starting with the local rifle clubs and shooting ranges.

  Seth pressed redial, trying forensics again. Frustrated, he left another message for them to update him as soon they made a positive determination. They were a diligent bunch, and he hated to push. But with a shooter loose on the street, every minute counted.

  Seth turned into the Willoughby Hills neighborhood and began winding down the tree-lined drive that led to Carol Ann Cramer’s residence. Gentry and Madison’s mother. Tall pines and patches of dense forest bordered the old Victorian house. To the right, heavy oak foliage formed a canopy over the road, and parked beneath it was a midsize black truck and a blue sports sedan bearing the distinctive CA & GM logo for Cramer’s Antique and Gift Mart.

  The sedan, he knew, was Gentry’s.

  Good. Seth hadn’t wasted a trip. His first stop had been to the antique shop, where he spoke to Sarah, one of the employees. Like other employees who worked for Gentry, she was also hesitant to talk to him at first, but after a little pushing she finally told him where Gentry might be.

  And her intuition paid off.

  Seth parked at the end of the driveway and got out. After a careful sweep of the area, he started up the cobblestone walk. Nothing appeared amiss, but he did notice tufts of grass and weeds in the brick-lined flower beds in the yard and a cluster of dried-up, dead potted plants along the entry steps. A telltale sign that Mrs. Cramer wasn’t around.

  Otherwise, the place looked about the same as he remembered from the last time he’d been there, when he and Paige attended a dinner in honor of Trey and Madison when they were first married. A little family gathering after the impromptu wedding. And as Seth thought back, he also recalled a rather strained atmosphere throughout the evening. At the time it reminded him of the awkwardness of the two families not knowing each other. But it was more than that. The Cramers, who were sociable around town, he found were also private people. Quiet. Discreet. At least when it came to opening their home.

  Seth stepped up to ring the doorbell, and before it even sounded, the door swung open and a man Seth didn’t recognize stood there. He was a thirtysomething, 250-pound linebacker type, with cropped blond hair and a cold, pointed stare.

  “How can I help you?” The man crossed his thick arms.

  Seth flashed his badge. “Seth Garrison, detective for the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department. I’d like to talk to Gentry Cramer.”

  “I’m sorry, that’s not possible.” The man’s answer was swift, with no regard for the fact that a law enforcement officer was asking. “Mr. Cramer is on an international call at the moment. I’m his assistant, Eli. What can I do for you?”

  The man watched Seth expectantly, like he was waiting for Seth to just hand him a business card and apologize for dropping by unannounced. “Actually, Eli, I’d appreciate it if you’d tell Mr. Cramer that I’m here to see him.”

  Eli’s jaw tightened, and his shoulders went back. Stance wide. Hands now balled on his hips. He meant to intimidate. “Like I said, Mr. Garrison, that’s not possible. But I’ll let him know that you stopped by.”

  Seth held Eli’s stare for a long moment, hoping the other man would catch his drift that his intimidation theory wasn’t working. At six foot two and 220 pounds, Seth wasn’t easily bullied. But he was curious as to what Gentry was involved in that he’d need a bulldozer bodyguard like Eli around. “Sorry, Eli, but I need to speak to Gentry. Now.” Seth put a heavy emphasis on that last word.

  Eli’s expression darkened like an approaching storm. He opened his mouth, looking intent on shooting down Seth’s request, but then stopped and took a deep breath. “I’ll let Mr. Cramer know that you’re here to see him.”

  “Thank you.” Seth nodded.

  Eli turned and disappeared down the hallway.

  Finally. Seth braced his hand against the door frame, irritation building in his chest. Games. He had no patience for any more today.

  Two minutes later Gentry came to the door, wearing the same miserable grimace as his guard dog, Eli, who stood rigidly beside him. “What is it now, Garrison? Has Paige gotten herself into more trouble?”

  “Funny you should ask.” Seth peered at him closely, trying to read him. “Actually, Paige was involved in a little fiasco this morning. To be more specific, she had shots fired at her in a parking lot.”

  With a shrug, Gentry met Seth’s gaze without flinching. “Sounds like the girl needs to find better areas in town to hang out.” He had an inscrutable expression etched on his face that gave nothing away.

  “This took place at the Beaver Creek condo complex,” Seth quipped with irritation. “A rather nice area of town.”

  “I just heard about that,” Eli interjected, stepping in closer to the door. His expression sobered; his tough-guy facade cracked. “Is it true that the shooter is still on the loose?” The uneasiness in his tone mirrored how Seth felt about the situation.

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Things around Boone are getting crazy.” Eli looked to Gentry with weary skepticism. “It seems that Madison’s murder was just the tip of the iceberg. Now Amy’s dead and someone’s out there shooting up parking lots. And with Trey in jail there must be another crazy involved in all this.”

  “A crazy loose on the streets,” Gentry corrected Eli curtly, shooting Seth a dark look. “And while the cops are breathing down my neck, that person’s out there getting away with murder.”

  “That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it, Gentry?” Seth replied, emulating Gentry’s annoyed tone. “Who is that person, and why has he targeted Paige?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Gentry proved suitably aloof, giving a weak shrug. “But don’t look at me. I’ve been off and on conference calls with various vendors since six this morning. Isn’t that right, Eli?”

  That brought an uneasy look from Eli. “I know it was early. I arrived around seven fifteen, and you were already here.”

  “There you go.” His tone was smug. “Now, if you don’t have any other questions, I need to get back. I have some replica art pieces I’m trying to negotiate. And the longer I’m gone, the less leverage I have.”

  Seth felt his patience—the little that he had left—wither. “Sorry, Gentry. I actually stopped by about something else.”

  Gentry grunted a low sigh. “Okay, Garrison, what is it now?”

  With frustration knotting his throat, Seth shifted his weight, eager to get this show going. “Yesterday you mentioned you weren’t sure if Trey was aware of the family trust.”

  “That’s enough.” The smugness on Gentry’s face evaporated, and he looked at Seth stiffly. “I really prefer not to discuss family or financial matters publicly. If you need specific details about my personal business, you can talk to my attorney.”

  Seth scratched his cheek, confused. Why would Gentry be so protective of the trust fund? If anything, Trey being beneficiary at the time of Madison’s death gave the charges against him even more credibility. Something wasn’t right here.

  “Gentry, I don’t have time to talk to your attorney,” Seth said, making a production of looking at his watch. “It’s late in the day, and our timeline is short, so why don’t you ask old E
li here to take a hike so we can talk privately. Or maybe we just need to take a trip downtown.”

  “This is ridiculous.” Gentry just looked at Seth, nostrils flaring. Then Seth noticed the slight sag of his shoulders as he seemed to ponder Seth’s words. With a dramatic sigh, Gentry motioned for Eli to leave. “Please go let Mr. Wong know that I’ll call him back later. And then get yourself something to eat.”

  “Are you sure you don’t need me?” Eli’s thick eyebrows knit.

  “I’m good,” Gentry said.

  “All right.” Eli turned and walked down the hallway.

  Good. Gentry looked ready to talk. It saved Seth the paperwork of having to make an arrest and drag him downtown.

  Gentry swung his gaze to Seth and started out as poignant as ever. “Listen up, Garrison. I never even knew anything about Trey being added as beneficiary until after Madison’s death.”

  “So Madison never told you.” Seth scratched his head. “And the executor never mentioned it?”

  “Correct,” Gentry said firmly. “He’s bound by laws, too, and he couldn’t divulge that kind of information without Madison’s permission. And apparently Madison asked him not to inform me.”

  “And why wouldn’t she want you to know?”

  Gentry looked at Seth oddly, as if the answer was clear. “Because I wouldn’t have been in favor of it.”

  Seth nodded, trying to figure Gentry out. A man who liked control. So much so that his sister hid information from him. Seth thought again about Trey and Madison’s elopement. Was Madison’s impulsivity a coping skill to avoid her brother’s control?

  This family Seth once thought of as close-knit was starting to look more frayed at the seams.

  “Okay, Gentry.” Seth placed his hands on his hips. “I don’t want to get into the family drama between you and your sister, but I don’t understand why, after you found out Trey had been named beneficiary, you didn’t inform the detectives. This kind of information would only add to suspicion of his guilt.”