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“What exactly did Mr. Jeffries do?”
Kara knew, of course—he owned in full or part several different companies across multiple industries. His business reputation was solid, according to Matt, and Zack in DC was digging deeper into his finances to make sure they hadn’t missed anything.
“He had a knack for seeing the diamond in the rough,” Madelyn said wistfully. “He would look at a fledgling company and know whether he could save it, make it blossom, he used to say. He’s well respected in that world.”
“And you? Do you work with him?”
“No. I have no marketable skills.”
“Nonsense,” Anne said. To Kara and Marcy she said, “Maddie has two degrees from the University of Puget Sound—in English and history.”
“I didn’t say I was unintelligent, Mama. Just that unless I go back to school for a teaching degree, what would I do? Pierce valued education, and we talked about books and history all the time. I’ve read more since I graduated than I did in school and enjoy it a lot more now.” She looked out at the water.
Kara said, “You told Deputy Anderson on Saturday that you didn’t join your husband on the sunset cruise because you weren’t feeling well.”
“Yes.”
“Why did he go without you? A sunset cruise seems romantic.”
Tears again. “He offered to come home with me, but I knew he wanted to talk to Vince Marshall about a business venture. I don’t know the details, so don’t ask me—I never cared about the details. Justin—Pierce’s oldest son—would know. But it was important to Pierce, so I told him to go, I’d see him at home, and then...” She took a deep breath but couldn’t stop the tears. “I thought I would be okay, but I miss him. I want to rewind time and insist he come home with me. I should have been on the boat and died with him.”
Anne squeezed her hand. “No, Maddie, do not talk like that.”
“Madelyn,” Kara said, her voice calm but firm, “walking to or from the boat, did you see anyone who acted odd? Out of place?”
She was shaking her head. “I was angry. I wasn’t paying attention.”
“At your husband?”
“Of course not. At myself for letting Tina get under my skin.”
“Tina Marshall?”
“I knew her in college. She was a year older than me, and we were in the same sorority. But...she was... No. I’m not going there. She’s dead, and I didn’t want her dead. We had disagreements in the past, but that’s irrelevant.”
Kara heard a car in the driveway. Two doors slammed and Madelyn jumped.
“Are you expecting company?”
“No.”
Anne got up and walked to the edge of the deck, where she could see the driveway below. “I don’t believe it!” She turned back, hands on her hips. “You don’t have to talk to them, Maddie. Go to your room.”
“Who are they?” Marcy asked.
“Pierce’s children,” Anne said. “Brats, all of them.”
“No, Mother, they’re not. They’re grieving, too. And Justin has been kind—”
“I don’t trust any of them after how they treated you when you married Pierce.”
Family drama, Kara thought. She shot a glance at Madelyn. She was pale and distressed.
The bell rang multiple times. Pause. More buzzing.
Anne, hands clenched, started for the door, but Kara said, “Ma’am, let Deputy Anderson get the door.”
Marcy gave her an odd look, but Kara tilted her head toward the front of the house. “Authority,” she said under her breath as Marcy passed by her. Marcy exuded authority in her uniform, and Kara wanted to make sure these people remained calm.
