Firebreak (Josie Gray Mysteries #4)(64)

Julia raised her shoulders in an exaggerated shrug, as if to say, What could I do about it. “He’s had his share, and then some.”

“Anyone who would want to hurt him? Someone angry enough, or unstable enough, to want to kill him?”

She sighed heavily and her shoulders deflated. “Honestly, if he dumped me the way I’ve seen him dump other people I’d want to kill him too.” She seemed to notice Josie’s scrutiny again. “Figuratively.”

Josie nodded. “I see what you’re saying. He didn’t let people down easy.” Josie hesitated, unsure how to bring up his HIV status with his sister, who might not have known. “Were you aware of any illnesses? Any serious diseases he may have had?”

Julia looked closely at Josie, but didn’t respond.

“Do you mind if I call you Julia?”

“I don’t mind.”

“Okay, Julia. I can’t let you go through Ferris’s house yet, but I’d like to move in off the street. Are you okay with sitting in the living room for a few minutes with us? I’d like to talk about his medical issues with you.”

Josie noticed Julia’s face tighten, her mouth draw down into a frown, but she nodded and entered the house. Josie knew she shouldn’t be allowing the woman into the house at this point in the investigation, but she had several tough questions to ask, and it seemed cruel to make her stand on the front porch.

The three women sat down on the leather couches. Julia scanned the living room. “He had good taste, didn’t he? He never used a decorator. And he certainly didn’t get taste from our parents.”

“Why do you say that?”

“My dad owned a manufacturing plant that made metal parts for car companies. My mom was his secretary. They were obsessed with the business and didn’t care much for Ferris and me. We spent every summer and holiday with our grandparents, my mom’s family. When my grandparents died in France a few years ago they left everything to Ferris and me. They were loaded. My parents were furious. Mom contested it, fought us for the money, but the court said the will was legal. She spent a few months trying to make nice and convince us to share the loot, but it was an act.”

“Do you talk with your parents anymore?” Josie asked.

“When Dad called a few days ago to tell me about Ferris? That was the first time I’d talked to him in five years.”

“Did your dad mention anything about health issues that Ferris had?”

Julia frowned. “I don’t know what you’re getting at.”

Josie glanced at Susan, who was sitting quietly, occasionally jotting down a note in her notebook.

“Ferris tested positive for HIV.”

Julia squinted her eyes at Josie and leaned forward, as if not hearing her correctly. “What? HIV?”

“The coroner confirmed with the blood test.”

“Oh, Ferris.” She whispered his name and gazed out the long window facing the street. The bright afternoon light made her face appear even paler. “I talked to him every week on the phone, sometimes a couple times a week. He never mentioned it. Not even a hint that he was sick.” She looked back at Josie. “Why are you telling me this? You think it had something to do with his death?”

“You know his body was found at Billy and Brenda Nix’s house? We found him after the fire?”

“Dad said he was burned in the wildfire. He told me about the Nixes.”

“Do you think Ferris was having a relationship with Billy?”

She picked up her hands and dropped them back onto her lap, her expression helpless. “I’m sure he was. Billy seemed to be his latest obsession. Ferris only obsessed over someone until he gained their love, or their approval. Once he found love, he lost interest. I’m sure a shrink could write volumes about our family.”

“I guess what I’m wondering is, could someone else have found out about the relationship with Billy and killed Ferris out of revenge? Or, maybe they found out about his HIV status and killed him because—” Josie hesitated. It was a cruel conversation to have with this woman, but Julia knew Ferris better than anyone, and Josie hoped she might have an idea of who might hold a grudge.

“You think Ferris might have passed HIV on to someone else who killed him when they found out?”

Josie said nothing.

“I can’t answer that,” Julia said.

“I’m sorry to bring something like this up. We’re just really struggling to find out what happened.”

Julia just nodded once. Her expression had turned angry and Josie knew she had offended her. Josie stood and put her hand out, stepping forward to Julia so she would stand as well.

“I want to thank you again for talking with us today. I want you to know we’ll do everything we can to find out what happened to Ferris and to find justice for him. If you think of anything at all, please call me. Day or night. And I’ll be in touch about the investigation.”

*

After Julia left, Josie and Susan spent another two hours collecting letters and financial papers, and searching each of the rooms inside the house. Other than prescription medicine that Cowan confirmed by phone was used to treat HIV, they found little more in terms of new evidence. In the end, their original summation of Ferris stood firm. He was a playboy with enough funds to live comfortably on his own and enjoy the games of life as he wanted to play them. Any number of people could have had the motivation to kill Ferris Sinclair.