When She Dreams（Burning Cove #6）(72)

“When did Dolores Johnson and Arthur Ellis become the Guilfoyles?” Sam asked.

“They did not become Mr. and Mrs. Guilfoyle until Dolores discovered she had inherited the Flint estate,” Raina said.

“Hah,” Maggie said. “Arthur married her because she inherited Summer House.”

“The timing is somewhat questionable,” Raina said.

“But why the name change?” Sam asked.

“That,” Raina said, “is a very good question. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that four years ago, Dolores Johnson and Arthur Ellis were living in Keeley Point.”

Sam smiled slowly. “Well, damn.”

“According to the librarian at the Keeley Point Library, they were running ads in the local paper promoting the Ellis Dream Program. Arthur Ellis billed himself as the Dream Master. They both disappeared shortly after Virginia Jennaway was found dead on the beach.”

Maggie looked at Sam. “The Dream Master signature on the bracelet. That’s Arthur Guilfoyle.”

“That’s it.” Sam snapped his fingers. He went to stand at the edge of the small pond. “The blackmailer found out the couple now known as the Guilfoyles could be linked to the Jennaway death.”

“At this late date it won’t be possible to prove that either of the Guilfoyles drugged Jennaway on the night she drowned.”

“That’s the thing about blackmail, isn’t it?” Sam said. “The extortionist doesn’t have to prove that a crime was committed. All that is necessary is to threaten the target with public exposure. The fear of scandal and tarnished reputations does the rest.”

“Very true,” Raina said.

“But why blackmail Lillian Dewhurst?” Maggie said.

Sam turned away from the pond. “I’ve got a feeling Dewhurst was a target of opportunity. The blackmailer must have discovered that she was a member of the Astral Travelers Society for a while. Dewhurst has a big secret to protect—her identity. A scandal involving drugs and a dead woman could ruin her career.”

“How did the blackmailer know Aunt Cornelia would attend the conference?” Raina asked.

“There was no way to know,” Sam said. “That’s why the instructions in the note told her to purchase a ticket and attend the opening event.”

Raina nodded. “A target of opportunity, but not one of the primary targets. Things got confused because the imposter showed up claiming to be Cornelia.”

“I’m almost positive now that Nevins was the blackmailer,” Sam said.

“Who was murdered by one of her intended victims that first night,” Raina said. “That fits.”

“Where does all this leave us?” Maggie asked.

“It leaves Detective Brandon with a probable murder on his hands,” Sam said. “But I doubt he’ll be able to pursue the Nevins investigation. There isn’t any hard evidence, and no one seems to be applying pressure.”

“One thing is clear,” Raina said. She closed the notebook. “The Guilfoyles have to make the Institute pay off. If it doesn’t start making money soon, they will be destroyed financially.”

“Dreams and drugs,” Sam said. “You really can’t go wrong selling either one, can you?”

“Wrap up both in one package, tie it with a pretty ribbon, sell it to a few stars, and you’ve got the foundation of a financial empire,” Raina said. “Do you need anything else from me?”

“Not right now.” Sam took out a business card and gave it to her. “I appreciate the help. I owe you, and I’m happy to repay the favor. I’m in Adelina Beach. Call if there is anything I can do for you there. I’ve still got a few good connections in L.A., as well.”

Raina smiled. “I’ll keep that in mind. Our business runs on connections. I am always happy to find a new one.”

“Don’t forget the bill,” Maggie said.

“I won’t.” Raina looked at her. “One more thing before I leave.”

“Yes?”

“About the advice you suggested I give to the artist who painted the landscapes in Luther’s office.”

Maggie braced herself. “I’m sorry; I should have kept my mouth shut. I realize I had no business offering that advice.”

“I want to thank you,” Raina said.

“You do?”

“This morning when I stopped by Luther’s office to tell him I was on my way to meet you, I found him in his studio. Painting.”

“Another stormy landscape?” Maggie asked, her heart sinking.

Raina smiled. “No. Looked like a couple of doors in an endless hallway.”





Chapter 42




Evidently Oxlade decided not to leave after all,” Sam said.

He stopped on the garden path and looked at the sedan sitting in front of the guest villa. His cop intuition wasn’t just whispering—it was shrieking a warning.

It was ten thirty. After the early-morning meeting with Raina, he and Maggie had returned to the hotel for a late breakfast and then opted to walk to the Institute for what was supposed to have been Oxlade’s lecture. He wanted to see the reactions of everyone involved when it became evident Oxlade wasn’t going to show up. The path took them through the lush grounds and close to the villa.