French Silk(114)

"No. Only in the form of the offering you already know about."

"Then why now, Claire?"

"I'm sick of it, that's why," she exclaimed. "Wouldn't you be? The signs the protesters carry make me out to be a twentieth-century Jezebel. My mother reads them and becomes upset. The people who carry them harass my employees when they report for work. They impede my business by creating traffic jams that make it difficult for us to receive deliveries or ship out goods. One trucking company has already threatened to increase their charges because their drivers have complained about it so much."

She threw back her head as though imploring heaven for relief. "For months before Jackson Wilde was killed, he was a thorn in my side. And now, weeks after his death, he still is. I want the specter of him out of my life. I want to be rid of him once and for all."

She realized at once that her words had been ill chosen. She looked quickly at Cassidy, who was watching her closely. "And killing him didn't quite do it."

"That's not what I said."

"Have I been barking up the wrong tree, Claire? Was it you and Josh who were in cahoots and not him and his stepmother?"

"Don't be ridiculous. I met Joshua Wilde for the first time tonight."

"You're lying, Claire."

"I'm not!"

Cassidy snorted a laugh. He moved away a few steps, turned his head, and studied a stack of shipping crates before swinging his gaze back to her. "Give me a little credit. I know you significantly better now than I did a few weeks ago."

All the excitement and passion that had seized them during the thunderstorm at Rosesharon enveloped them now. Claire was the first to draw her stare away from his. "I'm not lying. I met with Joshua Wilde tonight and offered him a check in exchange for peace and quiet."

"Maybe. But what aren't you telling me?"

"Nothing."

"Claire!"

"Nothing!"

Cassidy swore beneath his breath. "Okay, I'll play along. How'd Josh react?"

"He was incensed."

"Turned you down?" he asked incredulously.

"Flat. He said he isn't an extortionist." She gave Cassidy a level look, lifting her chin a notch. "I believe him."

"Then you're in the minority, because I'm not buying any of this crap. You offered Josh a bribe and he turned it down. Is that what I'm supposed to believe?"

"I don't give a damn what you believe."

"You'd better give a damn, Claire. Because I think you're concealing the real reason you made an appointment with Joshua Wilde."

"What other reason could I have?"

"I don't know, but I find it hard to swallow that you would offer anybody a bribe. First of all, you're too proud. Second, you don't care that much about the public's opinion of you. Finally, you told me yourself that this mess has been good for your business, so the Wildes aren't placing it in jeopardy. And I find it even harder to believe that Josh would refuse a bribe. In either case, it's suspicious as hell."

"You never give up, do you?"

"No. I can't. I'm paid not to."

"But you might be forced to. You're going to be replaced. Powerful people are calling for your head on a platter. Even your mentor, Anthony Crowder, won't defend you much longer."

"What's your point?" he said tightly.

"You're trying to build something from nothing. You're no closer to solving Wilde's murder than you were the morning following the crime."

"Don't be so sure."

"I'm sure of one thing. His son didn't kill him."

"Then that still leaves you, doesn't it, Claire?" He reached around her for the door and left without saying goodbye.

* * *

"Oh, Christ. Go away and leave me alone."

"Open up."

The hotel room door was closed momentarily so the chain lock could be released, then Josh opened it. "It's late," he grumbled.

Cassidy walked into the room and took a slow look around. The bed was still made, although the covers were rumpled. "You hadn't gone to bed yet. My guess is you'll have trouble sleeping tonight, Josh. I know I will."

Josh threw himself into one of the two easy chairs in the room and motioned Cassidy into its twin. "You're a bastard, Mr. Cassidy. I went to you of my own volition, spilled my guts, shared with you what I mistakenly assumed was privileged information. Next thing I know, it's front-page news. Ariel's gone ape-shit and will no longer speak to me. She fired me, you know. The moment the headlines hit the newsstands, Judas Iscariot here was history with the Prayer and Praise Hour. I think she fully expects me to go out and hang myself."

"Bet getting fired came as a blow."

Josh chuckled sourly. "Best thing that's ever happened to me. You'll probably find that hard to believe, but I swear to God it's the truth. I feel freer than I've ever felt in my life."

"Funny. You don't look like a guy sitting on top of the world," Cassidy remarked. "You look like you've been dunked in a tub of shit."

"I've got you to thank for that. The most recent stories I'm reading in the papers are strongly hinting that I might be a suspect again."