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He needed her.
She had a sharp intellect and a unique perspective.
The doorman had called and told him she was on her way up, but when the bell chimed his heart skipped. He couldn’t wait to see her, and walked quickly across the room and opened the door.
“Jeanette,” he murmured, thinking she looked more beautiful than ever. A light suntan accentuated the sparkle in her blue eyes, and her dark hair was more auburn than brown. “You look fabulous.”
“You always say that,” she replied, kissing him on the cheek.
“And it’s always true,” he retorted, savoring her unique scent as it lingered in the air. “Wine?”
“Absolutely, and information, tell me everything. I won’t be able to eat until you bring me up to speed.”
“I’ve already ordered and Marone’s will deliver when I call. We talk until we’re ready,” he declared, pouring a Meritage wine he knew she loved into Riedel wine glasses.
“Start with this alleged DNA test,” she said as she sat on the couch and he handed her the rich wine.
“It’s not alleged. Jeremy checked it out. The lab is reputable.”
“Is that why you didn’t ask for a second one?”
“I feel like a fool saying this. At the time I thought about it, and I just didn’t,” he replied, sitting next to her.
“Because you felt guilty?”
“I’m not sure, maybe. Once Jeremy verified the lab I suppose I didn’t see the point in pushing for another one.”
“Between the time you met this girl, and the time she produced the test, had she been here much?”
“Yes, several times. She even stayed in the guest room a couple of times.”
“So she had access to Eleanor’s bedroom.”
“Uh, yes I suppose she—you think she pocketed Ellie’s hair from a brush or picked up something with her DNA?”
“It would be an easy thing to do. Did you notice the date of the test?”
“Damn. I can’t say I did.”
“It doesn’t matter, dates are easy to change, and with the right software a copy can look as authentic as the original. Let’s assume for a moment the test is a fake. You said she has her own money, so what else is she after? Maybe it has something to do with the house in Elk Grove. Tell me about that.”
“There’s not much to tell. It really was—and still is—the perfect property for my purposes. I didn’t buy it just to please Bethany. The financing was complicated, and the home needed renovating, especially after that gruesome murder. That’s why I was able to pick it up for a song.”
“But she brought it to your attention.”
“Yes, she did.”
“What’s the issue with her and Eleanor?”
“I’m not sure, and now that’s only part of the problem. I’ve just been visited by two FBI agents.”
“About the house?”
“I’m afraid so. They said they needed the premises vacated right away. They’re placing it under twenty-four surveillance because they learned Jay Whittaker stashed either money or stolen goods there—possibly both—and a criminal gang is after it. They expect them to make a move very soon. The agents said they’re going to wait until the stash is recovered then arrest them.”
“Tom, don’t you see?” Jeanette exclaimed, grabbing his arm. “That’s what Bethany is after! That’s why she’s there.”
“I don’t think a young woman like Bethany would be involved with a bunch of gangsters.”
