by Jaden Skye
NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE
(MURDER IN THE KEYS: BOOK #4)
JADEN SKYE
About Jaden Skye
#1 bestselling author Jaden Skye is author of the bestselling romantic suspense series CARIBBEAN MURDER, which includes 16 books (and counting), and which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), a free download!
Jaden is also author of the romance series A PERFECT STRANGER.
Jaden is also author of the new romantic suspense series MURDER IN THE KEYS, which begins with NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1).
Jaden has always been fascinated with mystery, wrongful death, lies, deception and the power of the truth to prevail. Her romantic suspense/mystery novels feature strong female protagonists who must overcome insurmountable obstacles, and through them, she seeks to get to the very heart of the nature of justice and love. Please visit www.jadenskye.com to find links to stay in touch with Jaden via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, her blog, and a whole bunch of other places. Jaden loves to hear from you, so don't be shy and check back often!
Books by Jaden Skye
THE CARIBBEAN MURDER SERIES
DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)
DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2)
DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3)
DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4)
DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5)
DEATH BY JEALOUSY (Book #6)
DEATH BY PROPOSAL (Book #7)
DEATH BY OBSESSION (Book #8)
DEATH BY DEVOTION (Book #9)
DEATH BY BETRAYAL (Book #10)
DEATH BY REQUEST (Book #11)
DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT (Book #12)
DEATH BY SEDUCTION (Book #13)
DEATH BY TEMPTATION (Book #14)
DEATH BY INVITATION (Book #15)
DEATH BY WEDDING (Book #16)
THE TOM’S RIVER SAGA
A PERFECT STRANGER (Book #1)
MURDER IN THE KEYS
NO PLACE TO DIE (Book #1)
NO PLACE TO VANISH (Book #2)
NO PLACE FOR VENGEANCE (Book #3)
NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE (Book #4)
THE KILLING GAME
INVITATION TO DIE (Book #1)
INVITATION TO MADNESS (Book #2)
INVITATION TO AGONY (Book #3)
Tap here to download Jaden Skye books now!
Copyright © 2017 by Jaden Skye
All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental
Jacket image Copyright De lobster20, used under license from shuitterstock.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER ONE
When Bella finally pushed open the sliding glass doors and stepped out onto the deck of Tyron’s gorgeous beach house, it was hard to breathe. A fog had rolled in from the ocean and the air had grown stultifying all over Naples. As she did so many other evenings, she had to check when Tyron wanted his dinner. Working as an aide for Tyron for so many years had its up and downs—fortunately, things had at least remained stable. But change was happening. In the past few months Tyron had definitely been going downhill, though no one in the family dared to say a word about it.
It was later than usual and Bella hadn’t seen Tyron’s stunning twenty-nine-year-old wife, Megan, all day. Megan was probably still upstairs in her quarters or out shopping, spending Tyron’s fortune as fast as she possibly could. God forbid Megan should take a tray out to him.
Now it was past Tyron’s dinner time, and Bella felt uneasy. Usually he rang the bell, or called for her to bring his dinner out onto the back patio. He loved eating there, sitting in his wheelchair, overlooking the ocean and sand.
But today he hadn’t called.
He probably fell asleep on the deck, thought Bella.
But Bella was surprised, as she’d walked outside, that Tyron hadn’t said anything to her. Usually he greeted her with some comment or other.
She looked around for him and to her total amazement, the wheelchair was there, near the top of the stairs. But it was empty! What was going on?
Shocked, Bella spun around, her eyes frantically darting. It made no sense. Tyron was bound to his wheelchair; there was no way he could have gotten out of it by himself. Was it possible he could have somehow fallen out of it and, using his arms, crawled over to a far corner that she couldn’t see in the fog?
“Tyron,” Bella yelled into the thick air. “Where are you? Answer me!”
A heavy silence greeted her.
“Tyron, where are you?” Bella’s voice rose excitedly, as she flew around the edge of the patio, looking for him.
Suddenly, Bella stopped racing.
She glanced down onto the beach and froze.
A horrible sight met her eyes. Tyron was sprawled out on the sand, face down.
“Tyron!” Bella screamed, racing down the wooden steps to where he lay. “Tyron, answer me!”
Immediately, she felt for a pulse. It wasn’t there.
“Tyron, Tyron.” Bella pounded his chest and shook his inert body. No response.
She put her mouth on his to breathe life back into him.
Nothing. He was cold.
Bella took a step back and stared unbelievingly. Tyron’s scratched face was covered with sand. How did this happen? How long had he been here?
Bella knew she had to call the police immediately. But what would she say? She was the one here with him all day and the one who’d found him.
Bella’s thoughts flew in a thousand directions. Was this a horrible accident? Had Tyron fallen out of his wheelchair and down the steps?
Or had someone pushed him?
Bella trembled uncontrollably as she stayed beside him on the sand. Tyron was her responsibility and he’d ended up dead. She was terrified to imagine who did it and what would happen next.
There was no choice, she realized, but to climb the stairs back up to the patio.
It was time to call for help.
CHAPTER TWO
Olivia smiled as she looked at the plaque on the door. The name had been changed from “Olivia Wells, Private Investigator” to “Wells and Darrington Investigations.” It felt wonderful to have a partner to build the company with.
Olivia and Wayne were almost finished settling
into their office in Key West, and Olivia looked over at Wayne, in the midst of hanging a painting on the wall over his desk. A screen had been placed between Wayne’s desk and hers, delineating their work spaces. They would work together, but also have their own roles and specialties. It was empowering to create a company for those who wanted both a male and a female point of view on a case.
“I’m almost finished.” Wayne grinned over his shoulder at Olivia.
“Looks great,” she replied.
It felt natural to be working with Wayne, almost inevitable, actually. When Olivia and Wayne placed an announcement in the papers about their new partnership, calls came in one after another. Many congratulated them and quite a few mentioned the article about them that had recently been published in the South Florida Chronicle. Word was getting out, and it was exciting.
“Now we just have to get the call for our first case.” Wayne laughed.
Olivia felt certain that the call would be coming any moment. It felt like it was just around the corner.
“How about us grabbing a quick dinner when we’re finished here?” Olivia replied lightly. It was easy and casual, having meals together now; the tension had gone out of it. It was just part of their daily routine.
“Great idea,” Wayne answered as he stood back examining his handiwork. The painting he’d just hung was of hunters in the woods looking for wild game. Wayne’s father and brother had been hunters and bequeathed the painting to him. He put it up there now to honor them.
“The painting looks good,” said Olivia.
“Yes, it does,” Wayne agreed as he turned toward her. “Okay, enough in here for now, let’s go out before it gets dark.”
Wayne knew that Olivia enjoyed being outdoors at twilight, before the streets and restaurants became crowded. He was aware that she liked feeling that she still had part of the day to enjoy before the evening. Olivia appreciated that Wayne thought of that now. It didn’t surprise her, though. There were all kinds of ways in which he was sensitive and caring.
As they turned to the door to leave, the phone suddenly started ringing. They glanced at it briefly and then at one another. Without a word, Olivia quickly picked up.
“Wells and Darrington Investigations?” a woman’s frantic voice sounded on the other end.
“Yes?” asked Olivia.
“Is this Olivia Wells herself?” The woman’s voice rose noticeably.
“Yes, it is,” said Olivia, “how can I help you?”
“This is Megan Barr,” the distressed woman breathed on the other end. “I’m calling you from the police station in Naples. I read all about you and your company. I was very impressed.”
“Thank you,” said Olivia. “How can we be of help?”
Megan paused for a long moment on the other end of the phone. “My husband has come to harm,” she finally managed to utter.
“Harm?” Olivia wondered if he was still alive. “What do you mean exactly?”
“I mean Tyron’s gone,” breathed Megan.
“Did this happen recently?” asked Olivia.
“I’m Tyron Barr’s wife,” the woman announced fitfully, as if Olivia should certainly know who he was. “Tyron’s well known. He’s rich, he’s famous.” Megan paused and waited for a response.
Olivia hadn’t heard of her husband, however. “Tell me more,” she replied.
“Tyron was found dead on the beach at our home in Naples,” Megan continued, her words pouring out fast now. “He was wheelchair bound and his aide found him a few hours ago.”
“A few hours ago? I’m very sorry,” breathed Olivia.
Megan didn’t seem to hear a word Olivia said. “Tyron was laying at the bottom of a staircase leading from the patio down onto the beach,” she continued, fitfully. “Bella didn’t know I was home at the time. She took it upon herself to call the police immediately. The police are at our house now, scanning everything, searching for evidence of any kind.”
“Where were you when this happened?” asked Olivia. It was all very recent and shocking and Olivia felt her heart beat faster.
“I was upstairs in my home office and didn’t hear a thing,” Megan exclaimed. “Bella and I were the only ones at home when the incident took place.”
The incident? It was an odd way for a wife to put it, thought Olivia. Way too impersonal. “Where are you now, Megan?”
“I told you I’m at the police station.” Megan’s voice cracked.
Olivia was startled. “Already?” It seemed very fast. “How come?”
“After they took Tyron’s body to the medical examiner, the police brought Bella and I into the station for questioning.” Megan’s voice grew brittle. “They said it was just routine.”
“That’s rough,” breathed Olivia.
“You can say that again! It’s rough and it’s crazy and I need help.” Megan suddenly broke into tears. “I told them I wouldn’t say another thing without my lawyer. And, I want my own private investigator too!”
“I can certainly understand that,” Olivia murmured.
“Can you come down to Naples right away?” Megan pleaded.
“I actually think it’s possible,” Olivia replied. “I’ll have to check with my partner.”
“Please, please, I need you here with me.” Megan was beside herself.
“I don’t see why we can’t,” Olivia continued. “Let me talk to him.”
“I need you,” Megan rallied. “No one here believes a word I say.”
“Why don’t they?” Olivia felt concerned.
“I’m much, much younger than Tyron. So, naturally the cops are suspicious of me,” Megan breathed. “Everyone’s always had something to say about our age difference! When will you let me definitely know if you can come?” Megan kept up the pressure.
Megan sounded as sharp and calculating as could be; not exactly like a grieving widow.
“Let me talk to my partner now and call you right back,” Olivia replied.
“Okay, make it fast. I’ll be sitting at the phone,” Megan responded. “I have plenty of resources and I’ll pay you well. I’ve got to have my name cleared immediately.”
Olivia took Megan’s number and hung up the phone.
“Who was that?” Wayne asked, fascinated.
“It’s a young woman, Megan Barr,” Olivia exclaimed. “Her husband, Tyron, an older man, was just found dead on the beach at their house in Naples.”
“Tyron Barr?” Wayne’s eyes opened. “I’ve heard of him. He’s a rich tycoon who throws huge parties. He’s in the papers a lot.”
“What kind of parties? What’s he famous for?” Olivia was surprised.
“Who said he’s famous?” asked Wayne.
“Megan just mentioned that Tyron was well known.”
“He’s well known but not famous,” Wayne replied. “Tyron’s in the papers because of his events, many of which are for charitable foundations. He’s wheelchair bound, isn’t he?”
Olivia was impressed with how much Wayne knew about him. “Yes, he is,” she responded. “Megan was at the police station when she called. Seems like they took her and his aide in for questioning right away.”
Wayne grimaced. “The police took her in immediately?”
“They told her it was just routine. She and the aide were the only two at the home when it happened,” said Olivia. “And she said no one there seems to believe her.”
Wayne shook his head slowly. “Why not?”
“She’s much younger than he is,” Olivia replied. “I suppose that might look suspicious.”
“Might?” Wayne looked away. “This doesn’t look good for her, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t, of course,” Olivia agreed. “Megan wants her name cleared immediately and she also wants us to help find the killer.”
Wayne took a quick breath. “This could definitely be a trap for us,” he said. “It would be smart of her to use us as foils. Hiring detectives to find the killer could definitely take suspicion off her for a whil
e.”
“It could,” said Olivia. “But that would backfire if she’s guilty anyway, wouldn’t it?”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Wayne responded. “Who knows what she has in mind? Unfortunately, cases like this are often open and shut. Especially if the only ones on the premises were the young wife and the old husband’s aide.”
“Really? Open and shut?” Olivia was surprised.
“Sure,” Wayne continued, “Florida’s well known for the black widows that drift down this way. I hope Megan doesn’t want us digging up false evidence to cover for her.”
“Black widows?” Olivia asked.
“Young women who marry rich, old guys and spend their money like it was water,” said Wayne. “In Florida, when a marriage ends, each partner gets half, fifty-fifty. Sooner or later these marriages end and the wives end up with a bundle. Most of the marriages end by divorce, but often things go a little further. These husbands can turn up dead for all kinds of strange reasons.”
“That’s why the police don’t believe her?” asked Olivia.
“Probably,” Wayne conceded. “And that’s probably why they took her in for questioning so fast.”
“All the more reason we should take the case,” Olivia retorted. “To get to the truth of the matter!”
Wayne looked glum, however. “Perhaps,” he said.
“You don’t look happy about it.” Olivia pressed him.
“Of course I’m happy to have a case,” he answered. “It’s just not exactly the kind I thought we’d begin with.”
“You never know what it will turn into,” Olivia murmured. “There’s always much more to it than meets the eye. True?”
“Yes, of course it’s true. We have no idea what lays up ahead,” Wayne agreed. “Okay. I’m in. Key West is only an hour flight to Naples. We’ll be there and meet her at the police station in no time at all.”
CHAPTER THREE