“I saw that Freddie made a note about getting warrants for her phone,” Sam said. “What’s the thinking there?”
“His theory was that if Dale had started using again, maybe she hired someone to deal with him while he was out of town so she could be rid of him once and for all,” Dani said.
“They both have life insurance policies worth two-point-five million dollars each,” Gigi said.
Sam let out a low whistle. “That’s a hefty amount.”
“They were issued more than ten years ago,” Gigi said. “I dug a little deeper and found that Trisha Carver’s father owns a huge insurance company in the Spokane area. It might’ve been something he set up for them.”
Sam mulled over the new information. “So it’s not like she just got this huge policy for him and then bumped him off. She’s known all along that she’d cash in if he died.”
“They both knew that, which is a hell of a piece of information to walk through life with as a married couple,” Dani said. Affecting a darker tone, she added, “‘Don’t piss me off. You’re worth more to me dead than alive.’”
“How often do you suppose one of them trotted that out during a fight?” Gigi asked.
“Right?” Dani said.
“I want to know more about his addiction and recovery,” Sam said.
“We can talk to the sister in the morning,” Dani said. “She could fill in some more of the blanks.”
“I have her info here in the report,” Sam said. “I’ll call her.”
“Remember, they’re three hours behind us,” Dani said. “Not that I think they’re getting much sleep with this going on and a new baby to care for.”
“Thanks for the reminder,” Sam said. “I probably wouldn’t have thought of the time difference.”
“How’s Ethan?” Gigi asked.
“Last I heard, he was resting comfortably.”
“And Tracy?” Dani asked.
“Trying to recover her nervous system.”
“I can’t imagine,” Gigi said. “What a terrible thing. Did Ethan say anything about what happened?”
“Just that Brecken Mayfield befriended them, and the dad gave them a ride. They were pushed into Asher’s car, zip-tied and their phones apparently used to lure Luna before they were shut off. Ethan said he hadn’t texted Luna, so the texts must’ve come from the Mayfields.”
“It’s so sick,” Dani said. “All because Luna wasn’t interested in Brecken?”
“We believe that was the primary reason.”
“This is why I stay away from all men,” Dani said. “How do you know which ones you can trust?”
“You trust the one who never wavers in his devotion to you,” Gigi said quietly, speaking from some experience. “You choose the one who’d push you out of the way of a speeding car and take the hit so you aren’t hurt. You choose the one who shows up, every day, with the same exact intentions he had the day before. That’s the one you choose.”
“Well said,” Sam said softly. “And I’ll add that you choose the one you couldn’t possibly live without once you know he’s in the world.”
“Yes,” Gigi said. “That, too. For sure.”
“You guys got lucky. Not everyone does.”
“That’s very true,” Gigi said, “but just because you haven’t met him yet doesn’t mean he’s not out there waiting to find you.”
“If you say so,” Dani said with a grin for her partner. “For now, I’m all about avoidance.”
* * *
