AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I also talked about the downsides to fracking. And I’m just tired, Joe. Been doing this for nearly forty years.”
“What are you going to do?” Kelly asked.
“Buying a place in France. Only a lot bigger than the one I had before. Got a guesthouse for Caroline large enough for the kiddies when they come along.”
“I wouldn’t count on that,” said Kelly. “You basically sold out her life from under her.”
“I don’t see it that way,” he said crossly.
“Then you’re choosing not to see.”
“I know you were very close growing up—hell, there was a time there when I thought you two would walk down the aisle. But this is none of your damn business.”
“Okay, then let me get back to whatismy business. When was the last time you saw McClellan?”
“When we left the restaurant.”
“Give us the details.”
“It was around eleven. He got in his car and I got in mine. I drove back here.”
“Can anyone corroborate that?” asked Decker.
“No. Everybody here had gone home long before then. It was just me.”
“So nobody can vouch for your whereabouts?” asked Kelly.
“Wait a minute. Are you implying—? Why the hell would I want to kill Stuart McClellan? He just paid me a great deal of money.”
Jamison interjected, “We’re just trying to learn about timelines and alibis, Mr. Dawson. It’s all routine.”
“Well it sure doesn’t come across as routine. Where was Stuart found? At his place?”
“No,” said Kelly.
“And you said it was carbon monoxide poisoning? Could it have been an accident? Like Maddie?”
Decker said, “No, it was clearly deliberate. Can you think of any reason why he would commit suicide?”
Dawson considered this for a few moments. “Not a single one. He stood to make a great deal more money now that he had combined his businesses with mine. He could merge the back-end offices, eliminate redundancies, and increase his cash flow. He was sitting pretty. So why would he kill himself?”
“Then it looks like murder,” said Decker. “Unless we’re missing something. Do you know why anyone would want to kill him?”
Dawson looked warily at him. “I don’t like making accusations against anybody.”
“Let’s call them suggested persons of interest,” said Decker. “It goes no further than this room. But if you have names we can check them out.”
“Stuart was a hard-nosed businessman. He drove tough bargains. Left some with nothing.”
“These people have names?” asked Jamison.
“None of them are still around here. And the one that I might have named has been dead about a year.” He paused and looked uncertain.
“What?” said Decker quickly.
“Look, I like the boy fine. I really do. Fought for his country and all. But Stuart was merciless to him.”
“You mean Shane?” said Kelly.
