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She left the room and returned a few moments later with another woman. Dee was an attractive woman in her midthirties, with chin-length brown hair neatly styled in a bob. She was professionally dressed and, although she appeared a little nervous, she nodded a greeting to Rafe as she took a seat.
Ainsley returned to her own place on the opposite side of the table. “You understand that this meeting is not an official one, Dee?” Very much the attorney, Ainsley clearly wanted to set the record straight before anyone started talking. “You don’t have to answer our questions and you are free to leave at any time.”
Dee’s brown eyes opened wide. “Why would I do that when I’m as anxious as you are to find out who shot your dad?”
“Thank you. That’s good to know.” Ainsley indicated Spencer and Katrina. “This is Sergeant Colton of the MVPD. He is here in an advisory capacity to the board and his companion is observing. Are you okay with that?”
“Of course. I’m happy to go along with whatever needs to be done.”
Watching her, Spencer couldn’t pick up on any clues that she had anything to hide. Beyond a natural unease generated by the situation, she appeared genuinely eager to help.
“The main reason we wanted to talk to you is that we know how close you are with members of the Affirmation Alliance Group,” Ainsley said.
“That’s right.” Dee clasped her hands beneath her chin, her eyes shining. “It’s the most wonderful, life-affirming place. Discovering how to live my best life—”
“How well did you know Harley Watts?” Rafe asked, interrupting her praise for the group.
Dee’s sparkling expression faded. “Oh, Harley. That poor boy. So misunderstood.”
“Dee, that ‘poor boy’ sent an email via the dark web to the members of the Colton Oil board telling us that Ace is not a Colton by birth.” Ainsley leaned forward in her seat as she spoke. “He used the AAG server to do it.”
“It’s so sad that an AAG member would get mixed up in something so awful. And that he would direct his feelings at Colton Oil.” Dee shook her head. “I still find it hard to believe.”
“Do you know how he got hold of the names of the board members?” Rafe asked.
It was a good question and Spencer observed Dee’s reaction closely. Her hands dropped to her knees and she bent her head.
“I’ve thought about it a lot.” Her voice was little more than a whisper. “I may have inadvertently given the names to Harley in casual conversation.”
Rafe shot a fiery look in Ainsley’s direction, but she signaled for him to stay calm.
“Did you give that information to anyone else in the AAG?” Ainsley asked. “Is it something you could have shared with Micheline Anderson, for example?”
“Oh, no.” Dee looked up again, shaking her head. “And, even if I had, Micheline is the most trustworthy person I know. Why, she’s like a mother to me. She’s my mentor, my friend. She makes me feel so positive about the future—”
“Do you think Micheline knew in advance that Harley was planning to send the email to the members of the Colton Oil board?” Rafe asked.
“Absolutely not.” If Dee was faking the horrified look she gave Rafe, she was the best actress Spencer had ever seen. “Micheline would never get involved in anything like that. Harley is gullible and I think someone preyed on him, hiring him to send that email without warning him of the consequences.”
Spencer stepped in with a question of his own. “Do you have any idea who could have done it?”
“I wish I did, but I truly don’t.”
“What do you know about Kenyon Latimer?” Spencer asked.
“Kenyon?” Dee frowned. “He’s new to the group. We don’t turn anyone away, but...” She gave a little shrug. “He’s a very troubled young man.” She turned back to Ainsley. “Will I lose my job over this? Because I gave Harley the names?”
“It’s a breach of confidence and something the board will need to discuss,” Ainsley said. When Dee gave a sob and covered her mouth with one shaking hand, Ainsley continued in a gentler tone, “It’s in your favor that you’ve been honest.”
“Please. You have to believe me when I say this job means everything to me.”
“We won’t keep you waiting long for a response,” Ainsley assured her. “The other board members will already be arriving for another meeting. We’ll discuss this with them and let you know the outcome as soon as possible.”
She got to her feet and led Dee from the room.
“What do you make of her story?” Rafe asked Spencer.
“If she’s lying, she’s good,” Spencer said. “But this whole situation is tough to call. Nothing is how it seems.”
