“He must have said something to you,” Kelly pressed, jolting Maddie back to the here and now.
“He did.” The blonde bobbed her head as she wrapped her hands around her iced tea glass. She needed something to do with her hands, restless energy threatening to overcome her. “He tried to sell me on the idea that Nick was the one who wanted to kill me. He was adamant that I was confused.”
“You don’t believe that, though,” Sharon countered. “Tell me you don’t believe that.”
The look Maddie shot her future mother-in-law was withering. “Of course I don’t believe that. I remember everything that happened. They’re going to push the issue hard, though. That much is obvious.”
“That doesn’t mean it will work.” Kelly turned philosophical. “I watch a lot of crime shows and most juries automatically believe the prosecution. We hear about the juries that don’t fairly often because they’re the exception rather than the rule, and that’s why the stories are newsworthy.”
“I don’t know what to think about any of it,” Maddie admitted, the emotional upheaval of the day catching up to her as she rubbed the sensitive spot between her eyebrows. “I just wish we could put it behind us and look forward to the wedding.”
“Your wedding is going to be the happiest day of your life no matter what,” Sharon reassured her. “I can promise you that. This trial won’t change that.”
“It’s a dark cloud hanging over everything, though,” Maddie countered. “The trial is bad, but it’s something I could tolerate to get the outcome we’ve been waiting for. The murder is another story. We’re not sure if we have a copycat looking to free Todd or something else.”
“There’s no way he could be set loose, is there?” Sharon was understandably horrified. “He’s a killer.”
“Yes, but if someone is trying to create reasonable doubt, starting up a series of new murders that mimic the old ones and insinuating a killer is still on the loose because the cops bungled an investigation is the way to go,” Maddie pointed out.
“Huh. I didn’t even think of that.” Sharon absently scratched the side of her nose. “What does Nick think about all this?”
“Nick was upset when I agreed to stay behind and talk to Todd. He didn’t want me to do it, but the prosecutor seemed to think it was a good idea and the last thing I want to do is hurt the case. He ended up leaving with Kreskin to investigate the Shelby Capshaw murder. Honestly, the best thing that can possibly happen to any of us is that Nick and Dale will solve her murder before Todd’s trial.”
“Then that’s what they’ll do,” Sharon said firmly. “They’ll simply solve it.”
Kelly snickered. “I think if it were that easy they would be swimming in accolades as super cops, Mom.” She shook her head before sobering. “As for Shelby Capshaw, I saw her photo on the news. She was young and pretty.”
“She was,” Maddie agreed. “Her life was tragically cut short no matter how you look at it. She deserves to be the focus of her own investigation.”
“I’m pretty sure I saw her last week,” Kelly offered, catching Maddie off guard. “In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her a handful of times in the same location.”
Maddie had no idea what to make of the admission. “What do you mean?”
“The Blue Box Hotel out on the highway,” Kelly supplied. “I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her there a time or two over the past few weeks.”
“Who was she with?”
“Who cares about that?” Sharon challenged. “What were you doing at the hotel, Kelly?”
“I was meeting a client for work,” Kelly shot back, making a face. “I was with my boss and two others so you can get your head out of the gutter, Mother. The only reason I remember paying any attention to Shelby is because she was so young. I couldn’t figure out why she was spending so much time at a hotel in the middle of the day.”
Maddie caught on to what Kelly didn’t want to say. “You thought she might be a prostitute.”
Kelly turned sheepish. “The idea did cross my mind.”
“I don’t think she was a prostitute.”
“That’s good.”
“That still doesn’t explain what she was doing at the hotel,” Maddie added.
“Nope. Not even a little.”
MADDIE WAS RESTING IN THE window seat when Nick returned to the house. She had all the windows open in the round space in an attempt to get a breeze going, but her face was red all the same from the effort she exerted opening the old windows.
“I take it you want me to get the living room window units, huh?” Nick’s expression reflected amusement as he looked over Maddie’s flushed features. “You look as if you’ve been doing something else, love, and it’s giving me ideas.”
It took Maddie a moment to realize what he was referring to. “I have no intention of getting dirty with you until I’m cooler.” Her voice was firm. “This is madness, Nicky. I’m actually considering a cold shower.”
“We can’t have that.” Nick stripped off his work shirt and pants upstairs, changing into comfortable shorts and a T-shirt, and immediately headed to the basement. His muscles bulged with exertion as he returned to the main floor. Maddie already had the window open so all he had to do was slide the unit inside and bolt it into place.
“Hold it here, Mad,” he instructed.
Maddie did as she was told. Within five minutes, the unit was plugged in and the room was already starting to circulate cool air.
“Oh, that’s so much better.” Maddie rolled to press her cheek to Nick’s shoulder once he joined her in the window seat. It was still too hot to wrap themselves around one another, but the small contact was enough for both of them. “How was your day?”
“More interviews,” Nick replied, gathering Maddie’s hand so he could trace the lines along her palm. “We’re not any closer to finding the answers we need, and opening arguments on Todd’s trial start tomorrow.”
“I know. It feels unbelievably fast even though we’ve been waiting for more than a year.”
“It’s just that everything is happening at the same time.” He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand. “Thank you for the text when you left the jail, by the way. I appreciate it.”
“I knew you were worried.”
Furious was the correct word, but Nick had no intention of pressing matters to a breaking point. “How did things go?”
“Pretty much how you would expect. Although ... .” Maddie trailed off as she propped herself on her elbow, her eyes keen. “I was talking to the guard before they showed Todd into the room and he told me that Todd got a nurse fired. She was apparently having some sort of affair with him — or they were gearing up to have an affair, I wasn’t quite clear on that — and she ultimately got in trouble for the relationship and transferred.
“Now, I know it’s unlikely that a woman could transport a body by herself, but maybe Todd convinced this woman to help him and she found someone to help her,” she continued. “I’m not saying she’s definitely guilty, but it might be a good place to start.”
“It definitely might be a good place to start,” Nick agreed, stroking his chin. “I don’t suppose you got her name.”
“No. I just know she was transferred from the jail to the health department.”
“She shouldn’t be hard to track down. That’s a good lead, Mad.”
Maddie beamed. “Thank you.” She kissed the corner of his mouth. “I have one more lead for you, too. I can’t take credit for this one. It came from your sister.”
“Oh, that’s right. You spent the afternoon with my mother and sister today. That couldn’t have been comfortable after your jail visit. I’m sorry about it.”
Maddie waved off his concerns. “It’s fine. It was actually a good thing because I didn’t wallow. If I’d been alone, I would’ve wallowed.”
“I’m still sorry.” He rolled so they were facing one another, the air conditioner doing its job and cooling the room enough so they could touch. “W
hat did my sister have to say?”
“She saw Shelby Capshaw — and more than once — at the Blue Box Motel out on the highway,” Maddie replied. “She was there with her boss and a few others to meet a client, and she saw Shelby there at least twice and she believes it was more likely three times. She thought maybe Shelby was a prostitute given the fact that she was there during the middle of the day.”
“Well, that there is interesting, huh?” Nick’s eyes gleamed with interest. “I wonder what Shelby was doing at a hotel that often? She clearly didn’t have money to stay there.”
“Maybe she had friends.”
“Or maybe she was meeting someone.” Nick slid his arms around Maddie and pressed her tight as he lowered his mouth, not stopping until their lips were a mere inch apart. “That’s a really good lead, love. You gave me two of them.”
“I aim to please.”
“And you rarely miss. I think your hard work deserves a reward.”
Maddie choked back a laugh. “What did you have in mind?”
“Why don’t I show you, huh?”
Eleven
Even though they worked hard for a sense of balance and focused only on each other for the rest of the evening, by the time Maddie and Nick made it to the kitchen the following morning, the dread they struggled to hold at bay was back with a vengeance.
“I’m going to court,” Maude announced as Maddie set about making breakfast.
Eggs and bacon clutched in her hands, Maddie stilled behind the counter. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” Maude wasn’t the type to back down under normal circumstances. Since the day promised to be anything but normal, she was particularly adamant. “I’m going to court.”
Nick and Maddie exchanged worried looks.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Nick said finally, choosing his words carefully. “The first day of a trial is usually pretty boring. They’ve completed jury selection, but the morning will be filled with meetings between the judge, prosecutor, and defense counsel so they can firm up the rules and then the afternoon will probably conclude with opening statements. I doubt they’ll get to much testimony today.”
“I still want to go.” Maude was firm. “This involves me as much as it involves you.”
“It does,” Maddie agreed, carefully resting the eggs on the counter. “I don’t think you should get worked up, though. It’s not good for your blood pressure.”
“My blood pressure is fine. In fact, my doctor says I’m a modern medical marvel.”
“Fine. It’s bad for my blood pressure.”
“You’ll survive.” Maude wasn’t in the mood to be bossed around. “I’m going. There’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
Maddie thought about arguing but realized it was a moot point. “Fine. Do what you want. I don’t think you’re going to be nearly as entertained by the proceedings as you think, though.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” Maude poured herself a glass of orange juice rather than coffee, causing Maddie to arch an eyebrow. “What?”
“You’re not usually a big juice drinker ... unless you can mix vodka with it.”
“I need my strength. Vitamin C gives me strength.”
“Fair enough.”
Maude sipped again before speaking. “Also, orange juice gives me the toots and I plan on sitting directly behind Todd and his attorney all day so they’ll get to benefit from my gastrointestinal feats.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped open, and when she risked a glance in Nick’s direction she found his shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “It’s not funny.”
“It’s a little funny.”
“No, not even a little.”
“We’ll have to agree to disagree.”
SINCE OPENING STATEMENTS WEREN’T on the schedule until after lunch, Nick reported for work like a diligent detective. He wasn’t keen on leaving Maddie alone after her ordeal the previous day, but she urged him to leave. She had plans to continue cleaning the store and believed the quiet time would benefit her.
Kreskin was waiting for Nick when he entered the building, seemingly chomping at the bit to get to work. “I got the information you texted last night. Those are both good leads.”
“I wish I could take credit for them. Maddie came up with both.”
“It doesn’t matter who came up with them. Let’s just hope they lead somewhere.”
They headed for the health department first. It didn’t take long for them to track down information on the nurse supposedly snowed by Todd Winthrop’s charms despite his incarceration. They lucked out and discovered the nurse was currently on shift, which meant they had an open window to interview her.
“Natalie Gains?”
The pretty blonde was working behind the front counter when Nick and Kreskin approached, and she appeared to be surprised to be addressed by name. “That’s me. Can I help you?”
Kreskin held up his badge. “We’re detectives with the Blackstone Bay Police Department. I’m Dale Kreskin. This is my partner Nick Winters. We’re here to talk to you about your relationship with Todd Winthrop.”
Whatever she was expecting, that wasn’t it. She immediately blanched. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She looked furious.
“Ma’am, we don’t want to pry into your private business,” Kreskin started.
“Then leave.”
“We will pry if we have to.” Kreskin kept his shoulders squared and his gaze locked on the diminutive nurse. “We’re in the middle of a murder investigation that could lead to Mr. Winthrop. You have ties to him. You can either cooperate or we’ll go above your head and force you to cooperate.”
“And you think a county government body is going to kowtow to a township entity?” Gains was incredulous. “You must be off your meds.”
Nick’s expression darkened. “I have no idea if they’ll back us, but I’m guessing they want the blight that is Todd Winthrop lifted from this county as much as anyone. If you’re not willing to help even though you have answers, they’ll probably be interested in forcing the issue. That’s just a guess, though.”
Instead of lashing out, the woman’s shoulders slumped. “I just knew this was going to come back to bite me.”
“We won’t take up much of your time,” Kreskin promised. “If you’re more comfortable talking in private, we can go to a conference room or office.”
“I can’t leave the front desk,” Gains shot back. “Ask your questions and be done with it. I don’t have all day.”
“Fair enough.” Kreskin drew out his small notebook and pen. “Tell me about your relationship with Todd Winthrop.”
“We didn’t have a relationship. I was a nurse at the county jail before being transferred here.”
“That’s not what we were told.”
“And who have you been talking to?”
“We’re not at liberty to say.” Kreskin was in control of the interview and he knew exactly what buttons to push. “We’ve been told that Winthrop cozied up to you while you were serving at the jail and there was some sort of incident that resulted in a sexual encounter.” That was a bit of a stretch, but Kreskin wanted to see if he could push Gains over the edge, cause her to explode. His tactic worked perfectly.
“Oh, that is not what happened.” Gains dramatically rolled her eyes. “There was no sexual encounter. If those idiots are telling that story, then they’re the ones at fault. That’s not even close to the truth.”
“Then tell us the truth.”
Gains ran her tongue over the back of her teeth, considering. “Fine. I want this over with. I’m tired of being persecuted.”
“I can imagine.” Dale’s delivery was so dry it caused Gains’s eyes to flash.
“It started out simple enough,” she began. “He came into the hospital wing because he had a rash on his foot. He didn’t know what to make of it. He’d never been in a situation like this so he didn’t recognize normal foot rot. It wasn’t dangerous or anything,
but it was gross.
“I told him he should buy some of those rubber shoes from the commissary to wear in the shower,” she continued. “He thought I would simply give him medicine or a cream to fix it, but it wasn’t a serious ailment. That didn’t make him happy, but I apologized ... and he immediately thanked me for trying to help him.
“I put it behind me,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking about it at all. Then he started coming in more often. He always had some little ailment that wasn’t serious and that I really couldn’t treat. Small bruises ... little cuts ... we’re talking minor stuff here.”
“Basically you’re saying that he was exaggerating ailments so he could visit you,” Nick noted.
Gains hesitated. “He never came out and said that. I don’t want to give you the impression that he was actively pursuing me or anything. It was little things ... and he was charming. You could tell he was someone on the outside and it didn’t sit well with him to be nothing on the inside.”
“Did he talk about that with you?”
“No. He played himself up, said that he was going to get everything back as soon as he was free. He said he was innocent, that he’d been framed, and he was going to reclaim his life.”
“Did you believe him?”
Gains held her hands palms out and shrugged. “I don’t know. When you work in the jail, you get used to inmates saying stuff like that. Most of the time you can disregard it because you know they’re full of crap, but there was something about Todd that was different.”
“How long did the flirtation last?” Kreskin asked.
“It wasn’t a flirtation.”
“How long did the conversations last?”
“About a month. He would come in every other day. We would talk; he would recommend a book for me to read. Like I said, he was charming.”
“He always was,” Nick agreed, grim. “How did the incident that got you transferred occur?”
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