Promise Not To Tell(82)

“If I’m right, Fleming is not going to be around long enough to talk.”

She went still. “Do you think he’ll escape?”

“I think he’ll try, but he’ll be in a state of raw panic. I doubt if he had a solid backup plan. The only good news is that whoever tried to use him to find the money will be frantic, too.”

“Why is that good news?”

“Because he or she will also start making mistakes.”

CHAPTER 61

Cabot’s phone rang just as he and Virginia were finishing breakfast. He glanced at the screen and got a rush of certainty mingled with anticipation.

“It’s Anson,” he said.

Virginia put down her fork and waited, watching him with somber eyes.

“What have you got?” he said into the phone.

“Just had a call from my best friend in the Seattle PD,” Anson said. “Schwartz told me that a jogger discovered Tucker Fleming’s body on a private dock on Lake Washington early this morning. The house is on the market. Owners are gone. It’s a very secluded location. No one heard the shots.”

“Shots? Plural?”

“One in the back and one in the head.”

“Starting to see a pattern here.”

“You bet, ace detectives that we are,” Anson said.

“I did some thinking last night.”

“Got a plan?”

“I’m going to talk to someone who knows all the players in this case, a person who might have had a lot to lose if Tucker Fleming had been captured alive and started talking.”

“Who?” Anson demanded.

Cabot told him. Then he ended the connection and told Virginia what he intended to do.

“I’m coming with you,” Virginia said.

“Not a good idea.”

“If you’re right, you’re going to need me.”

CHAPTER 62

Laurel Jenner was in a bathrobe when she opened the door. Virginia watched the expression on her face change from bewilderment to deep wariness.

“I know who you two are,” Laurel said. “Josh warned me about you. What are you doing here?”

“Tucker Fleming is dead,” Cabot said.

Laurel seemed genuinely startled. “Did the police shoot him? I heard he was wanted for arson, kidnapping and attempted murder. The evening news last night made it sound as if he was more than a little crazy.”

“Fleming wasn’t gunned down while resisting arrest,” Cabot said. “But he was shot. They found his body on a dock in a cove not far from here.”

“I don’t understand.” Laurel glanced uneasily at Virginia and then looked at Cabot. “Why did you two come here to give me the news? Tucker and I were just people who happened to work at the same company. We weren’t close. What is this about?”

“Are you alone?” Cabot asked.

“Yes,” Laurel said. She stiffened in alarm. “Why are you asking me that?”

“We just want to be sure you’re safe,” Virginia said, going into her soothe-the-temperamental-artist voice. “We were worried about you.”

“You think I’m in danger?” Laurel gasped.

“Maybe,” Virginia said, “but not in the way you think. To answer your questions, we’re here because we think Fleming’s murder is related to our investigation.”

Laurel frowned. “Josh said you were looking into the death of an artist who exhibited in your gallery.”

“Hannah Brewster,” Virginia said.

“We came here to talk to you because I’ve got a hunch that the person who shot Fleming may have set you up to take the fall for his murder,” Cabot said. “If I’m right, you’re at risk of being arrested. Time is not on your side.”

Laurel caught her breath.

“What are you talking about? You’re crazy, both of you.” She started to close the door. “Leave. Get away from me. I’m going to call the police.”

Cabot stuck his foot in the door.

“Before you do that, answer one question,” he said. “Do you still have that gun you bought when you were concerned that your ex-husband might stalk you?”

“How did you —? Yes, I still have it and I swear I’ll use it if you don’t leave right now,” Laurel said.

“Do me a favor,” Cabot said. “Go see if it’s still in your possession.”

“What?”

“It’s all right,” Virginia said quickly. “We don’t mean you any harm. We’ll wait out here. We just want to be sure that your gun hasn’t been stolen.”

“I’d know if it had been stolen,” Laurel said. “I’ve got a security system. Now get out of here. Leave me alone.”

“Please,” Virginia said. “Just make sure you still have it. If you find it, we’ll apologize and leave. You have my word.”

Laurel narrowed her eyes. “You really think my gun was used to kill Tucker?”

“Maybe,” Cabot said. “Fleming was murdered sometime late last night. The body was found a short time ago. If your gun was stolen and used to kill Fleming, it will be missing – unless you had a late-night visitor?”

“No.” Laurel shook her head. “I was alone all night.”