After saying goodbye, Barrett and Cadie went down the stairs and out to his car.Neither spoke until they were inside with the doors closed.
Cadie turned to him."What did you think?"
Barrett started the engine but didn't pull away from the curb yet."I think we should take a walk.There's a park nearby where we can talk."
*****
American Gardens wasn't far.Barrett parked on the street then escorted Cadie onto the paths.The park was beautiful, with oak trees providing shade, and walking paths winding through well-maintained gardens.A fountain splashed at the center, and benches were scattered throughout.
Barrett strolled for a while.He wanted to give Cadie a chance to think, to form her own impressions, before he shared his observations.
Finally, Cadie spoke."She seemed really broken up about my aunt."
"She did."
"But she was clearly upset about not being mentioned in the will."Cadie glanced at him."I don't know what to think."
"Her grief appeared genuine," Barrett said, "and her resentment is understandable.Four years is a long time to care for someone."
They walked a bit farther along the path.A couple passed them going the other direction, and Barrett waited until they were out of earshot before speaking.
"But I noticed a few things that seemed off," he said.
Cadie stopped walking and turned to face him."Like what?"
Barrett chose his words carefully.He didn't want to bias Cadie's perceptions, but she deserved to know what he'd observed."When you asked how your aunt died, Olivia said it was peaceful, in her sleep.But then she said she found her in the morning when she came to give medications.If Olivia wasn't there overnight, how would she know it was peaceful?"
Cadie frowned."I didn't think about that."
"It could have been her assumption," Barrett said."If there were no signs of struggle, she assumed it was peaceful—or it could be a slip.She said it without thinking."
They started walking again.The path took them past flower beds still blooming despite the season.
"What else?"Cadie asked.
"She seemed focused on Stratton House and asked about your plans," Barrett said."Maybe her concern about honoring your aunt's wishes was innocent, but maybe not."
Cadie was quiet for a moment."She did bring it up more than once."
Barrett motioned for Cadie to take a seat near the fountain, then he sat next to her.The sound of water created a pleasant background noise, making their conversation feel more private.
"Do you think she knows more about my aunt's death than she told us?"she asked.
Barrett considered the question."I think we need more information before we draw any conclusions.Grief and resentment aren't cause for alarm.But inconsistencies in a story are worth noting."
"She was a caregiver.Of course she managed medications."But Cadie's voice held uncertainty.
"That's right, she was a professional caregiver."Barrett turned slightly to face Cadie."So why did she say it was hard to keep track of all the pills?Managing complex medication schedules for elderly patients was her job."
Cadie's eyes widened."Thatisstrange."
A woman walked past with a dog, and they fell silent until she was gone.
Barrett noticed a coffee cart near one of the park entrances."Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, that sounds good."
After buying coffee, Barrett found another bench with a view of the fountain.
