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The fact scenario got worse and worse. “You have this all wrapped up and solved.”
“We’re getting there.” The detective walked past Gabby and stepped into Kennedy’s room. She stopped by the window, but her gaze never stopped scanning. “Which is good for you. If Baines was murdered, you get your insurance. A substantial amount. A four-million-dollar policy.”
The amount sounded huge, but her attorney had insisted she needed the insurance. Now that Gabby wasn’t getting a dime, she wished her attorney had required a few more protections on the money. She’d be fine, but not where she was before. She’d already started looking for legal jobs she might be qualified for after all these years of not practicing. “That amount was to cover future alimony and expenses for Kennedy and—”
“And it provides motive.”
“Wait...me? You just spent five minutes laying out a case against Liam.”
“I never said we thought he did it alone.”
The woman was relentless. And wrong. Gabby would be the first to admit she’d made mistakes. She’d been furious with Baines and his attitude during the divorce. She’d used old photos and recounted family stories to remind him of their life together, of all those years, but no plea blunted his need to grind her down.
But their marriage, all those years of friendship, meant something, and that’s why she couldn’t blindly agree to the suicide ruling. Now the entire family would pay for her persistence.
The juxtaposition of Detective Schone standing in front of a wall of posters, a sea of young male entertainers Gabby couldn’t identify if someone put a gun to her head, made it hard for her to concentrate. “At least you finally agree Baines was murdered.”
Detective Schone picked a stuffed teddy bear off the shelves above Kennedy’s desk. She fiddled with something in the back of it.
“What are you doing?” Gabby thought about grabbing the toy out of the other woman’s hands but settled for the question.
“We had to be proactive aftersomeoneignored the police tape and came into the house a few weeks ago.” The detective held up a black square. “Can’t be too careful.”
“A camera? What is wrong with you?”
“There’s an easy way to end this, Gabby.” Detective Schone dropped the bear on the desk. “If you agree and point the finger at Liam, all this goes away. You get your money. You get your life back. You might even get this house, depending on how the facts go.”
A devil’s bargain. Her financial well-being in exchange for Liam’s life. Gabby couldn’t believe the detective thought that game would work. “He didn’t do it.”
“This is a simple answer to a complex problem.” The detective leaned against the back of the desk chair, looking calm despite the sick ideas she spewed. “I’m sure Liam can be convinced to confess if it means saving you and Kennedy. Then all those nasty secrets you want to keep hidden, stay hidden. No one knows your business. The dirty laundry doesn’t get dragged out for all to see, dissect, and whisper about.”
Nasty secrets.Gabby didn’t know how she’d missed it before. It seemed so obvious now. “You’re one of them.”
The detective lost her satisfied smirk. “Stay focused.”
“You’re part of the group. You don’t uphold the law. You use your badge and your position to maneuver around it. Manipulate it. Lie, cheat, do whatever twisted act, and then later rationalize it all as being in furtherance of some greater good.” God, it was so clear. Gabby saw it all now. This woman didn’t appear everywhere because this was her jurisdiction. She was there to manage and report back. She acted as Retta Swain’s right hand. “Rob was right. The tentacles are everywhere, even in law enforcement.”
“You sound paranoid, Gabby.” But Detective Schone didn’t sound as confident now. Her voice lacked that calming, almost condescending cadence that telegraphed she was in control.
Gabby hated her. Seethed with hatred of her. “It’s Mrs. Fielding to you. And get out.”
“Sometimes a car accident is just an accident. Sometimes it’s more, and if it is, you should take that as a sign and be careful.”
Thisbitch.“Clearly threats and killing aren’t beneath you.”
“I’m pointing out that secrets have a way of getting out, even those you think no one else knows. Ugly family secrets.” The detective hesitated, clearly to make her point. “Think about that before you make your final decision.”
The stockpile of evidence against Liam sounded strong, but Gabby now understood how easily evidence and circumstances could be twisted and distorted. She silently apologized to Robfor doubting him and to Tami for having paid such a steep price to find the truth.
The idea of condemning Liam to save herself... Never. But Gabby got the message. Comply or her life would explode into a nightmare.
She needed leverage and had an idea where to find it.
Chapter Sixty
Jessa
Jessa’s well-ordered afternoon schedule blew up. She waited until her assistant left her office to unleash on her unwanted visitor. “You can’t be here.”
