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“Mostly about money and how time was being spent or what meals they were having for dinner.” Catherine shrugged, looking unfazed. “Henry, even though he was a businessman, was very laid-back. He’d never admit it, but Henrietta wore the pants in the family.”
“What about being in debt?” Duke asked. “We heard a rumor there were some financial struggles.”
Catherine’s expression remained rigid. “Henry was in charge of finances in the community. As far as I know, he was doing a good job with them. But I heard there could have been some pressure for him to spend more than he was bringing in.”
“What did people want to spend money on?” Andi asked. “Everyone was pretty self-reliant, right?”
“I don’t know. I assumed it was some of the equipment we used in the community or maybe even for the church. I didn’t ask questions.”
Andi shifted, knowing her next question would turn this conversation into uncomfortable territory. “What about a man named Russell Blakeman who went to church with you all? We heard that there could have been a relationship brewing between him and Henrietta.”
Andi waited to see how Catherine would respond.
Based on the way the woman went pale, Russell was one subject Catherine wasn’t keen on talking about.
* * *
Duke waited for Catherine’s response, curious what she’d say—especially considering how uncomfortable she looked.
“Russell and Henrietta would never have an affair.” Catherine almost sounded offended as her voice stiffened. “Even if she was unhappy, she wasn’t that kind of woman.”
“Would she tell you if she did do something like that?” Duke studied her expression, his old investigative methods rising to the surface again.
Catherine squirmed, tension stretching through her gaze. “I’d like to think so. But . . .”
Duke knew what that meant. Henrietta probably would have kept anything like that to herself, especially if others in the community looked up to her.
But Catherine knew Henrietta and seemed convinced she wasn’t the type to sin so egregiously.
Russell and Henrietta were now both dead so he wouldn’t be able to talk to either of them about it. They only had hearsay to go by.
“Who do you think is responsible?” Duke stared at Catherine, studying her face before she responded.
She squirmed again and tugged at the collar of her sweater as if she were getting warm. “I’m not one who likes to spread gossip.”
“This isn’t gossip.” Andi leaned forward, her voice relaxed and casual—not judgmental. “We’re just talking about possibilities. We’re talking about justice. No one is saying anyone else is guilty.”
Her gaze darted to Andi’s, and she licked her lips as if gathering her courage to say what she wanted. “Personally, I’ve always thought that . . . well, I’ve thought that Obadiah was responsible.”
“Obadiah?” Duke hadn’t expected that. “Why? Doesn’t he have an alibi?”
“His girlfriend must have covered for him.” Her expression darkened. “Henrietta and Obadiah used to constantly argue. They didn’t see eye to eye about anything.”
“What did they argue about?” Andi rushed.
“Obadiah wanted to marry his girlfriend, Emily. Henrietta opposed his choice. Emily had a wild streak that Henrietta didn’t approve of. The girl was sneaky. She’d been caught lying a few times—about things that were fairly inconsequential. But lying is lying.”
“So you think Obadiah killed his mother because she didn’t approve?” Andi repeated slowly, sounding as if she only wanted to clarify.
“That question has always lingered in the back of my mind.” Catherine shrugged, her jerky motions making it clear she was uncomfortable. “Obadiah knew his family’s schedule. He could walk right into the house too. And he had a reason.”
Motive, means, and opportunity, Duke realized.
What if Obadiah was their guy?
chapterfifty-three
Twenty minutes later,Catherine left.
