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He nodded. “Without question.”
12
Stratton Residence
Sigler Street, Nashville, 12:50 p.m.
The former Mrs.Ray Johnson, Shelia Stratton, lived in a high-end urban condo on Maverick Row just steps from the Gulch and Music Row. She drove a top-of-the-line Mercedes and, judging by the outfit she wore, shopped at only the finest boutiques in the city. A sleek jumpsuit, white, silk perhaps, that draped her toned, tanned body like it had been made just for her.
Was everyone working out except Finley?
“Well, now,” Stratton said before blowing out a plume of cigarette smoke. “That really was a long time ago.” She tapped out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray, ran her red-nailed fingers through her long blonde tresses. “You know, I was a stripper when Ray and I met.” She smoothed a hand over the silk draping her thigh. “I still could be if I wanted to.”
“I’m sure you could.” Finley smiled. “So, Ray mentioned that you went to dinner,” she prompted. She couldn’t believe Ray hadn’t called and coached the woman. Or maybe he had, and Shelia was just trying to play it cool and act as if he hadn’t.
“Oh yes.” She smiled. “I remember now. We had dinner at Jimmy Kelly’s.” She pursed her lips in thought. “We may have gone for drinks after. We usually did, but I can’t say where. I just can’t remember.” Shegrinned sheepishly. “I generally had too much to drink. But I don’t do that anymore.” She gestured to the Bible lying on the coffee table in front of the white leather sofa in which she reclined. “I found Jesus, and my life has completely changed. That’s why I don’t do the shows anymore. And the girls, of course. I have the girls to consider.”
Finley nodded. “That’s wonderful.”
Shelia held out her left hand and showed off a massive diamond ring. “In fact, I found myself a preacher man.”
This preacher must make a lot of money. Finley banished the thought and asked, “When’s the wedding?”
“Not until June. We’re waiting for school to be out. Then the girls will be with their father for the summer, and I’m honeymooning in Paris!” She stared at her ring.
“Were you close to Ian?” Finley prodded, drawing her back to the moment.
Shelia stared at Finley then. The lady wore some serious eye makeup. She batted those heavily mascaraed lashes as if Finley had said the words aloud. “Not really.” She made a cutesy face. “He was way more handsome than Ray but too young for me. Besides, he wasn’t really into the business, and I needed a man with a plan. No deadbeats for me.”
Of course.
“Do you remember the Lucy Cagle murder case?” So far, the woman had been no help at all. But she had confirmed her husband’s alibi. Sort of.
“Oh.” She pressed a hand to her throat. “It was just awful. Truly awful. And she was so sweet.”
Tension fired through Finley. “You knew Lucy Cagle?”
“I did—well ...” She made another of those cutesy faces. “I didn’t reallyknowher. She was the tour guide when I visited Harpeth. I wanted to get my little Rayelynn signed up early. She was already showing off her genius at just two years old.” She waved a hand and rolled her eyes.“Rayna hadn’t been born yet. Anyway Lucy was just the sweetest thing. So helpful. She did some babysitting for me a few times.”
Finley steadied herself after that jolt. “Really?”
“Don’t tell Ray. He didn’t like me leaving our little girl with anyone else. But she came over to the house ...” Shelia inclined her head and thought for a moment. “Three or four times that September.” She frowned. “Before she was murdered. Poor thing.”
“She probably met Ian when she was there,” Finley suggested.
Stratton looked as if she’d just swallowed a bug. Her hand was back at her throat. A pallor slid over her face. “I don’t think so. Ian would likely have been at work. There was never anyone at home except Rayelynn when Lucy was there.”
“Your little girl must have loved her,” Finley said with a bright smile, in hopes of allaying the woman’s sudden uncertainty.
“Oh she did,” Stratton agreed. “She adored Lucy.” Worry worked its way onto her face. “I hope you won’t mention this to Ray. He would be furious. Talking about Lucy is forbidden. You being his lawyer, I’m sure you understand. Besides, I had a little side gig going at the time, and he doesn’t need to know about that.”
“Side gig?” Finley’s eyebrows arched upward.
Shelia blushed. “A secret friend.”
Finley figured as much. “There’s no need for me to mention our conversation to Ray. Did Ray ever leave sensitive documents in his home office?”
Shelia waved her off. “You don’t need to worry about that. No one was allowed in Ray’s home office. Never. I made sure Lucy knew that. He would go crazy if anyone did. Even when the kids were older, they were never allowed near that door.”
