Page 128 of Beautiful Betrayal

The room spins around me. Now I know how I know his last name. The first wife. “And?”

“And I believe she was murdered.”

“By who?”

“If you believe her journal. She feared him, but I found another journal recently. She was in an intimate relationship with Jim, Mitch’s brother.”

“You think he killed her?”

“I don’t know who killed her, but she didn’t fall down a cliff on her own. And I’m sure you know by now that Jim thought Mitch was dying at the time. And it sure seems like Jim is making a financial investment in Delaney being disinherited.”

“Can I see the journals?”

“I left them at the security desk. I didn’t want Kevin reading them.”

“How did you know Kevin worked with me?”

“The PI was following Delaney’s case. He told me where to find you and who to find you with.”

“Will you testify to help Delaney?”

“I’ll testify to help my sister, and if that means Delaney, yes. I will.”

We disconnect and I dial Nancy. “Please can you go to the security desk downstairs and see if there is a package for me? It’s urgent.”

“Of course.”

I stand up and start packing, thinking about my strategy, when an idea hits me. I return to my desk and dial Reese’s office, and ask his secretary to have Cat call me ASAP. Right about the time Nancy hands me the package, my cellphone rings. “Thank you, Nancy. So much. This was important.” I answer the line, “Cat?”

“Hi, Mia. I should have given you my number.”

“I need a favor.”

“Of course. I’m listening.”

I tell her everything and then pitch her. “Would you agree to out the ADA in your column if I can’t get the DA to drop the charges?”

“Heck yes. That’s a big scoop.”

“Thank you. Do you know the DA?”

“He’s new. None of us have really interacted with him, but the word is he’s not much better than his predecessor, who was shady. In other words, you were smart to use me. Do it. Use me and end this for that poor woman.”

“Thanks, Cat.” I have a thought.

I hang up and look up the DA’s number. I dial his office and get his secretary. “I need to speak with DA Hendrix.”

“He’s out of the office.”

“This is Mia Cavanaugh at the Bennett firm. I need to see him right away.”

“Oh ah, okay. I’ll let him know.” She hangs up. She doesn’t even get my number.

I dial Blake. He answers with, “Damn skippy, you’re right. Jim Wittmore paid off the ADA. I have the proof.”

My heart races. This is it. This is Delaney’s salvation. “Can you email it to me?”

“You betcha. What else?”

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