Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

Whitlock arrived at the exact time he said he would, carrying enough food to feed an entire family.

“I wasn’t sure which type of soup to get, so I got a little of everything they had,” he said.

He followed me to the kitchen, setting the sacks of food on the counter.

Giovanni walked over and extended a hand. “Nice to see you, my friend. How have you been?”

“Oh, I can’t complain,” Whitlock said. “You?”

“I’m well. Georgiana tells me there’s trouble in paradise.”

“Yeah, this investigation … it’s an interesting one.”

Over the next several minutes, the two of them caught up, and then Giovanni got a call, which he took in his office. Whitlock removed the food containers from the bags on the counter and turned toward me, spreading his hands. “What will it be? We’ve got chicken noodle, tomato, mushroom bisque, and broccoli cheddar.”

“They all sound great.”

“Have a bit of each if you like.”

I went with mushroom bisque, and Whitlock with chicken noodle, and we each grabbed a grilled cheese sandwich and settled in at the kitchen table.

“Before we get going, I should mention something,” I said. “Foley told me I shouldn’t expect any help because I won’t get it. You don’t need to talk to me about anything that might get you in trouble.”

He reached out, patting my hand. “I have the utmost respect for Foley, so I appreciate your concern. I have just as much respect for you and your family. The way your mother looks after me, inviting me to Sunday dinners with all of you, it means a lot to me.”

It meant a lot to me too.

“I’m glad you moved back to Cambria to be a detective again,” I said.

“I couldn’t be happier that I did.” He clapped his hands together. “Now, let’s get down to the reason I’m here. When Foley decided to arrest Owen for his wife’s murder, we had a talk beforehand. I’ll admit, I expressed my doubts.”

“You don’t think Owen killed his wife?”

“I can’t say one way or the other yet. A lot of the evidence points to him. Doesn’t mean he did it. In my opinion, we should have waited a bit longer.”

“What did Foley say when you expressed your doubts?”

“He doesn’t like Owen, for starters. The guy rubs him the wrong way. Rubs me the wrong way too.”

“Why?”

“He can be an entitled hothead at times. When you talk to him, you’ll see.”

I leaned forward, taking a bite of my grilled cheese and thinking about what he’d just said. “Even if the guy’s full of himself, it’s not like Foley to arrest someone this fast just because he doesn’t like the person.”

“In a way, I get why he did it. Like I said before, there’s so darn much evidence to suggest the husband is guilty. I’m guessing Foley thought the case will be easy to wrap up. Ask me, though … he’s been acting strange since we made the arrest. I think he might be questioning his decision.”

“I don’t blame him.”

“I know he told you to drop the case. It’s the reason I wanted to talk to you. I support your decision to take a closer look at the murder. When I heard Owen’s mother had hired you, I was relieved. I feel I must stand by Foley’s decision, but if we’ve arrested the wrong man, I’m certain you’ll find the right one.”

“I appreciate your faith in me.”

“I suppose I do have faith in you, but your track record speaks for itself, my dear.”

“As far as the evidence you have against Owen, I know about the alleged marital problems, and an argument between Owen and Claire. Is there anything else I should know—anything you wouldn’t mind sharing with me?”

Whitlock took a sip of his soup and then set the spoon down, lowering his voice like there was corn in our midst, even though we were alone. “There is one thing, and you didn’t hear it from me. Owen met with a divorce lawyer a few weeks before Claire’s murder. He was planning to leave her.”

“Do you know why?”

“I have a couple of theories. Owen owns a construction company. He made far more than Claire, and as they resided in California, I expect she would have been entitled to half in a divorce.”

The motive made sense.

Perhaps in the meeting with the divorce lawyer, he’d learned just how much he stood to lose and decided killing her was his only option.

“I can see now why Foley thinks he did it,” I said.

“That’s not even the worst of it.”

“I’m listening.”

“Owen was stepping out on Claire. He’s been seeing another woman.”