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“She’s just what you’d think,” she says. “It’s not complicated. She stole him from me. Connie has money and she wanted it. She was fifteen years younger than me and prettier than I ever was, even at her age. I was boring and she was exciting. She was new and I was old.”
Cassandra Barclay doesn’t look boring, and the passage of time hasbeen kind to her, at least how Jane sees it. Fit, thin, nice skin, stylishly dressed. Jane hopes she looks that good at age fifty-five.
“For the record,” says Cassandra, her hand out, “I didn’t steal Connie from anyone. I met him after he was divorced the first time, and he hadn’t built his fortune yet. We were young and truly in love.”
Funny how people care so much what you think of them, even if you’ve never met before and probably won’t ever cross paths again.
“When was the last time you two talked?” Jane asks.
“Well, this morning. When I heard about Lauren, I called him. I told him I was sorry to hear the news, which might have been a little generous.”
“What did Conrad say to you?”
“He was still processing it, I think.” She thinks about it. “I’d imagine his feelings about Lauren had become quite complicated.”
Jane stays quiet, hoping for more. When there isn’t more, when Cassandra stares back at her, Jane says, “Complicated how?”
“Well, it’s never nice to hear something bad happening to someone, even if you’re estranged.”
“Estranged. Conrad and Lauren were estranged?”
Cassandra cocks her head at Jane. “Conrad and Lauren were getting divorced. You didn’t know?”
“I did not. My phone conversation with Mr. Betancourt was short. He should be here soon, though.”
“Very well. But yes, Conrad had already filed.”
“Do you know when?”
“Oh, not offhand. He called me to let me know, but I couldn’t put a specific time on it. September, maybe early October. Within the last month, maybe six weeks.”
“He called to tell you he and Lauren were splitting up?”
“Yes. And to thank me.” She tries to hide any semblance of satisfaction, curling her lip.
“Thank you for what?”
“For suggesting he get a prenup. At the time, I didn’t mean it as advice. I meant it for what it was, an insult. But a truthful one.”
Jane waits for more. Once again, more isn’t forthcoming. Cassandra likes an audience. “Can you elaborate on that, Ms. Barclay?”
“Well, obviously, I was trying to make a point that she was marryinghim for his money, not love. It didn’t stop Connie from marrying her, but apparently he was smart enough to heed my warning and lock her down on that prenup.”
“How much?” Jane asks. “The prenup.”
“I believe it was a million dollars.”
Not exactly chump change, but a small fraction of Conrad’s net worth.
“May I ask you something, Sergeant?”
“Sure,” Jane says.
“Was Lauren involved with another man?”
Jane tries hard not to jump at that question. “Why... would you ask that?”
Cassandra lets out a small chuckle. “Well, becausesomeonemust have killed her. And because it’s Lauren Lemoyne we’re talking about.”
