Cadie wrapped her hands around the paper cup."What's next?"
"I want to follow up on several things," Barrett said, "including pharmacy records for those medication bottles.I need to verify the refill dates and see if they match expectations for proper usage.I also want to talk to your aunt's doctor and learn more about the medication changes that Olivia mentioned."
He took a sip of coffee, thinking through his strategy."And I plan to talk to neighbors who might have observed things during your aunt's final months.Sometimes people see details they don't realize are significant."
"Do you think you'll find anything?"
"Your aunt's instincts told her that something was wrong.Whether that was true is something we're going to find out."
Cadie appeared determined."I'm going to finish reading the journal.If she wrote more about what she was feeling or experiencing, it could be important."
"It could beveryimportant," Barrett said."Take your time with it.Note anything that seems relevant, and any mentions of symptoms or concerns."
Barrett drank his coffee, watching people pass by.There were joggers, parents with children, and visitors taking photographs.He reflected on his observations of Olivia, her nervousness in response to certain questions and her comment about medications being hard to track.
He was beginning to think Celia Ann Stratton had been right to request an investigation.
"Barrett?"Cadie's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
"Yeah?"
"What are you thinking?"
He looked at her."Olivia cared for your aunt, but she could have misjudged or made a mistake."
Cadie nodded."True, we can't rule out negligence."
"We don't know yet," Barrett said."But if that was the case, it would be enough to make Olivia nervous when questioned."
Cadie frowned and Barrett instinctively put his hand on her thigh.He didn't pull back right away.A moment of recognition sparked, but Cadie glanced away.
Walking back to the car, Barrett was acutely aware of Cadie.If circumstances were different, he would have held her hand or pulled her close.His urge was to keep her safe, but also to be with her.Yet he didn't want to ruin this.He had a job to do, but he realized that he hadn't really stopped caring about Cadie.
Chapter 7
Barrett opened the car door for Cadie like the perfect gentleman.He slid into the driver's seat, one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting on his thigh.He appeared unaware of the effect he had on her.The afternoon sun slanted through the windshield, highlighting the strong line of his jaw.
She remembered the pressure of his hand when he'd touched her thigh, and how he hadn't pulled back.She wanted more, but she wasn't about to say so.
If she didn't watch it, she'd be lost in a daydream about Barrett kissing her in the parking lot after a school dance, his hands gentle on her face.There had been promise in that kiss.Then he'd left for the Navy, and she'd spent years dreaming of him.
But this was not the moment for romantic fantasies.
She cleared her throat."I have a couple of things to do this afternoon."
Barrett turned to look at her."Sure…I'll drop you at the hotel."He pulled from the curb."I'll visit Charleston Pharmacy and contact your aunt's doctor to see what I can learn about the medication changes.Your estate attorney has provided me with documents to show that I represent the administrator of the estate."
She watched his hands on the steering wheel as he drove, strong and capable.She forced herself to look out the window at the scenery.
When they arrived at the hotel, Barrett said, "Why don't we have dinner tonight at that restaurant you mentioned, the one with good gumbo?"
"NOLA Cookery," Cadie said.
"We're both here for as long as this investigation takes," Barrett said."Why should we eat alone?"
Cadie opened the car door."Okay, pick me up at six, then."
She stood on the sidewalk and watched his car pull away, disappearing into traffic.
