Finding Her Son(24)

“Who is it?”

“Victoria. The woman who believes I’m the worst thing that ever happened to her family—especially Eric.” Emily swiped at the errant hairs and the char and dirt on her clothes. Nothing like looking as if she’d just climbed out of a ditch to give her oh-so-perfect mother-in-law more ammunition.

Emily bit her lip and slid a glance to Mitch. “Do you mind staying in the car while I get rid of her?”

“Yes, actually I do. I’m interested in what Mrs. Wentworth has to say. Like how far she’d go to make you look suspicious. And why she happens by for a visit on the day you were almost killed.”

The implication of his words sent waves of shock through Emily. No way. The Wentworths wouldn’t risk anything that could cost them an ounce of respect.

Mitch pulled the SUV into the driveway. Just as he and Emily exited the vehicle, a driver opened the back door of the Mercedes. Victoria Wentworth stepped out and paused. Her simple black Chanel suit said much more in subtlety than her biting insults said with a smile. She waited, clearly expecting the peons to approach her. Emily sighed and started to her, but Mitch grabbed her hand and tugged her back.

“I don’t want you out in the open. Go inside. She can come to you.”

“You don’t understand—”

Mitch’s eyes twinkled a bit, and Emily recognized that hint of mischief behind the layers of steel. “Oh, I comprehend the situation quite well. Get in the house, Emily.”

She turned to the front door before she realized she didn’t have her keys. Quickly, she fished the spare from beneath a pot on the front porch. She chanced a glance back at Mitch, and he shook his head, clearly frustrated that she had stashed the item in such an obvious place. Well, at least she didn’t have to break into the house.

She opened the door and slipped inside. Home. Finally. She so desperately needed to be here. Safe. Secure.

With more than a little curiosity at how Mitch would handle the formidable Mrs. Wentworth, Emily peered out the window at the driveway. Mitch’s conversation with her mother-in-law would’ve been worth a front-row seat, especially since Victoria had actually let him escort her up the sidewalk.

How long had it been since the Wentworths had set foot in this house? Maybe only once in her and Eric’s three-year marriage?

“I appreciate your understanding, Mrs. Wentworth. In reopening the investigation into Eric’s death, we want nothing more than to find out what happened.”

Mitch’s smooth voice filtered through the open doorway. As he escorted Victoria into Emily’s house, she bristled. What was he up to? Victoria had made it perfectly clear what she wanted: Emily to pay for Eric’s death.

“Well, I’m not one to speak out of school, but I’m quite dismayed to see you accompanying Emily. She should be your prime suspect. Look at what she did today. Trying to sell Eric’s home. It’s disgraceful, and I’m going to put a stop to it.”

“Now, ma’am. You know that I have to keep my options open.” She’d never seen Mitch smile like that. It didn’t reach his eyes. Each movement, each gesture was calculated and focused. Mitch led Victoria into the house’s formal living room to the sofa that faced a photograph of Emily and Eric. He pulled up a chair as her mother-in-law settled into her seat but made sure she could see the happy picture. Emily recognized the ploy. He wanted a reaction from Eric’s mother.

“I’d like to hear your thoughts,” he said. “About your son.”

Mitch’s voice held just the right note of sympathy. He turned his face away from Victoria to Emily and gave her a small wink. “Could you fix your mother-in-law some hot tea, please? It’s cold outside.”

Amazing. He manipulated like a pro. Emily didn’t know what he expected to gain, but she’d let him have his way. For now. “Certainly.”

She pulled out a small, antique teapot she and Eric had found in a little shop on their honeymoon and set the water to boiling before edging back into the room where Mitch played Victoria like a Stradivarius. He charmed the woman. Emily placed her fingers to the lips he’d almost kissed. He’d done the same with her.

“I told Eric not to marry a girl like that, but he wouldn’t listen. He was young, idealistic.”

“Sounds like he was a good son.”

“Perfect. The best son any mother could ever want. Until he met her. He stopped coming by to visit. We never saw him anymore.”

Mitch laid his hand on Victoria’s. “You miss him.”

For the first time in a year, Emily really studied Victoria’s features. Grief had etched lines in her formerly smooth face. Why couldn’t they have clung to each other? That’s all Emily had ever wanted. Acceptance. Support. To be part of a family again.

“She was so intent on getting the insurance money.” Victoria’s face turned harsh. “That’s when I was certain what I’d always suspected was true. She never loved Eric. She loved the Wentworth money. And now she’s selling his house. She’s throwing away his memory.”

“That’s not true.”

Emily stalked into the room. She couldn’t take the attacks anymore. “I never cared about the money for myself. I just want to find Joshua.”

“Then why was William paying for plane tickets and bills for that private investigator?”