Where the Blame Lies(33)

Zach didn’t answer.

Archibald let out a slow breath. “That woman has issues, Detective. It’s true that I made an offer on the property, but only because I feel sorry for her.” He leaned forward more. “Do you know who my cousin is?” He lowered his voice as though what he was about to say was almost unspeakable. “She’s the woman who was held prisoner by that sicko nine years ago. The one who chained her up and raped her for a year. She had his baby. How disgusting is that?”

Zach’s vision turned red, a slow simmering anger boiling through his blood. He detested Archibald Phillips. He’d known guys like him all his life. He was mean and self-centered and he used his size to intimidate, to bully. But the minute you came for him with any kind of fight, he’d become the victim. Zach would have disliked him in any scenario, but the fact that he was adding to Josie’s stress at the very least, and the idea that he might have broken into her home and placed a bloody, dead rat on her kitchen table, made him feel violent. “I’m aware of the crime perpetrated against Josie Stratton,” he said slowly, his words controlled.

Archibald nodded, sitting back. “Then you understand why she has the mental problems she does. And a woman alone trying to fix up that ramshackle old place?” He made a disbelieving hissing sound. “She doesn’t stand a chance. She’ll be bankrupt and out on her ass in no time. I was simply trying to do her a favor.”

Zach forced his lips upward. “How benevolent of you.”

Archibald narrowed his eyes, assessing Zach, realizing Zach wasn’t buying what he was selling.

“What’d you offer her?”

“A fair price.”

“Really? Half a million dollars? Because that’s what it’s worth. Acreage like that in the area she’s in. I looked it up. But I think you already knew what it was worth, didn’t you, Cousin Archie? And my guess is that you lowballed the hell out of her. Tell me, did it make you angry when she refused?”

Anger clouded his expression, answering for him. “If I lowballed her, it’s only because she manipulated my mother into leaving that property to her in the first place. A vulnerable old woman with dementia. How’s that for benevolent?”

“So the way you see it, that property should be yours?”

“Damn straight.” He adjusted in his seat. “I told Josie I was considering getting the courts involved, and I meant it.”

“I see.” Zach paused, leaning forward. “But if she decides she doesn’t feel safe there, decides to take you up on your offer after all and head out of town, it would save you the hassle, and the lawyer’s fees for a case that you’re not likely to win.” Zach held up his hand when Archibald opened his mouth. “That’s okay, it was a rhetorical question.” Zach leaned forward. “Do you still have a key to Josie’s house?”

“No.” Archibald schooled his expression quickly, but Zach had seen the flash of something in his face that made Zach believe he was lying. Archibald glanced pointedly at the large watch on his wrist. “Will that be all, Detective? I have a call with a client in ten minutes.”

Zach sat back slowly. “How’s business, Mr. Phillips? I couldn’t help noticing your reception area was empty.”

Anger simmered just behind Archibald Phillip’s eyes but his thick lips turned upward in the semblance of a smile. “I do the majority of my business on the phone and on the computer, Detective. I see clients when need be, of course, but the office is often quiet. It’s a nice perk, honestly.”

“So if I checked into your financials, I’d find that everything was fine and dandy?”

Archibald’s face darkened. “My business ebbs and flows,” he gritted. “Just like many businesses. Now”—he stood—“I’m going to have to ask again if that’ll be all. I’m a busy man.”

Zach took his time coming to his feet and as Archibald began to pass him, he stuck his foot out so the big man tripped. Zach swung his arm out as if he might steady him, but pushed him backward instead. Archibald slammed against his desk with a whumf, papers flying out around him. Zach leaned over him. “Oops.” His lips turned upward in the mockery of a smile. “I’d suggest staying away from your cousin, Mr. Phillips. Because if I find out you’ve done anything to even so much as annoy her, I’ll nail your ass to the wall.” He grabbed the front of the man’s suit and yanked him to his feet. “Try to be more careful where you step.” He smiled, a real one, as he headed for the door.

**********

What a prick.

Zach got into his car and pulled out of the parking lot where Cousin Archie’s office was located. A nice area of town, rent was probably high. And Zach suspected business wasn’t great. He probably needed cash, was bitter that his mother hadn’t left a property worth half a million dollars to him, instead of his cousin. He figured he’d lowball her, turn it for a good profit, and use the cash to bail himself out of whatever financial fix he was in.

Was it possible that in believing Josie to be emotionally fragile and mentally unstable, he’d set out to spook her by leaving a dead rat in her kitchen so she’d change her mind about selling to him? As angry as the suspected scenario made him, it also brought relief. It seemed likely her cousin had either used his key to enter Josie’s house the night before, or hired someone to do it. It wasn’t the dangerous copycat who had been in her home, but a disgruntled relative. Or at least there was a very good chance that was the case.