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Josie wasn’t sure if he was joking or not, but Noah simply smiled. “My wife is a formidable woman, an impressive woman, yes. Demanding? No. But even if she was, I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. I like a woman who knows what she wants and makes that very clear. Was your wife demanding?”
Beau shifted in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction that the conversation had taken. “I don’t think I’m communicating clearly enough. My wife is—was an impressive woman as well, but we just became so busy that I think our marriage was pushed all the way to the bottom of our list of priorities. Plus, as I said, Claudia’s primary focus is still the practice. Mine is the growing number of couples we’re able to help through the show, the book, and the podcast. Anyway, it’s something I had hoped to discuss with her after this anniversary dinner.”
Josie brought the questioning back to that day. “So the last time you saw your wife was around noon today after you taped the show. What were the two of you doing for the rest of the day?”
She could practically feel Beau’s relief. “Oh, like I said, Claudia had patients for the rest of the day. I had meetings.”
Noah asked, “What kinds of meetings?”
“With our literary agent, the publisher, and then with some network people, my manager, our attorney. Like I said, we just closed a deal for the show to go national. We were also in talks to do two more books.”
“Claudia didn’t need to be involved in those meetings?” asked Josie.
“Claudia prioritizes her patients,” he explained. “She trusts—trusted me to take care of the details when it comes to the show or the books.”
Noah said, “Did you talk to her at all today after the show?”
“Briefly. After the meeting with the network people, I called her, and we discussed their terms. She was busy. We were going to talk more about it tonight.”
Josie said, “Let’s talk about tonight. What time were you supposed to get home?”
“Five thirty.”
“But you were late,” said Noah.
Beau swallowed. “Yes, I, uh, I got caught up at the studio. Lost track of time. I called Margot to see if she could pick up the anniversary band that I had ordered for Claudia and meet me at the house with it. When we got there, Eve came running outside. She was screaming and crying. I didn’t believe her at first. I had to go inside and see for myself.”
Josie said, “You weren’t worried that the killer might still be inside?”
His eyes widened in surprise. Clearly, the possibility had not crossed his mind. He stammered, “I—I didn’t—I guess I just didn’t think…I only went inside for a few seconds, a minute, tops. I had to see for myself. There was so much blood. I came right back out.”
“Mr. Collins,” Josie went on. “You have a Summers Security system in your home but no cameras? Why is that?”
“Oh,” he said, a slight blush staining his cheeks. “We just didn’t think we needed them. In all these years we’ve never had an issue. It’s just me and Claudia.”
“And video crews,” Josie pointed out. “And assistants. Do you have a company for lawn care and snow removal?”
“Sure, of course. The property is pretty large. We don’t have the time or the skill to maintain it ourselves.”
“Your home requires a code to enter it,” said Noah. “You, Claudia, Eve and Margot have the codes. Is there anyone else?”
“I don’t think so. Unless Claudia gave out the codes to someone, but I can’t imagine who that would be.”
Noah leaned in closer to Beau. “Is there anyone you can think of who might have wanted to harm Claudia?”
Beau shook his head vigorously. “No. No one. People loved her.”
“Are you sure?” Noah said. “A former patient? Disgruntled former employee? Internet stalker?”
He shook his head no to each suggestion.
Josie’s mind played back the pre-Christmas encounter. Had Claudia given her maiden name because she didn’t want to be recognized as a local celebrity? But why? What difference would it have made?
Carefully, Josie said, “I’m afraid we have to ask this. Is there any chance that Claudia was having an affair?”
Beau waved a hand in the air. “Oh no. Claudia would never.”
Josie said, “Okay. Can you tell me, did Claudia still use her maiden name?”
