Page 57 of Deeper Than the Dead

“Every member of the team has confirmed as much,” he agreed. “Apparently it was all an act—on Bedwell’s part—kept carefully away from everyone, save Detective Carver. Detective Carver was suing her soon-to-be ex-husband for half of certain assets, and he needed to prove she had cheated on him to get her off his back.”

The words stung like a slap. Vera started to pace. Couldn’t help herself. Lorna had insisted she hadn’t needed any extra time off to sort out her personal issues. How could she have fooled Vera so completely?

“Detective Carver had no idea what was happening between her husband and Detective Bedwell until the day of the event. We’ve learned the two went to college together—I believe you’ve been made aware they had a history.”

“Yes.” Vera’s throat constricted with the idea that this went far deeper than just old acquaintances.

“They were buddies. They’d lost touch years ago, until Bedwell joined PAPA. To get to the point, Bedwell agreed to help Lee Carver prove his wife was unfaithful, since apparently, the man had done him a similar favor some years back. We have no idea what that favor was, since the husband has lawyered up and isn’t talking.”

Oh dear God. This was even more twisted than she had known. “He set Lorna up.”

What the hell was wrong with people? Vera had not recognized what was happening, because there was no way to see it if Lorna truly believed all was well. As for Bedwell, he was only returning a favor ... he wasn’t worried or upset in any way. It was just a ruse. A game.

One that ultimately got him and Lorna killed.

“He did. It was all supposed to be quick and painless, except Lorna found out and, well, you know what happened then. Either way, she snapped, went over the edge, taking Bedwell with her. The DA is working on the charges that will be brought against Lee Carver for his part in this. It’s a real nightmare here, Vee.”

The silence that followed was more telling than anything Talbert could have said.

“Just say the rest,” she told him. Why put it off?

“The recommendation is that you be relieved from duty and reassigned. I’m sorry, Vera. No matter that we can see this couldn’t possibly have been your fault, the powers that be need a scapegoat. I’m working on the reassignment part. But don’t worry, I’ll find the right place for you.”

Vera forced herself to take a breath. “No,” she said tightly. “That’s not necessary, Chief. Although I appreciate the offer, I’ll tender my resignation, and this will be done.”

“No. The MPD needs you, Vera.” The urgency in his voice underscored his words.

“I appreciate your saying so, but we both know what needs to happen.” She battled back the sting of emotion. “The MPD needs to evict me from its ranks and move on from this. Let’s not pretend it will fade away, Will.” She rarely called her boss by his first name, no matter that they had been friends for a very long time. “I’ll be fine. Really. You don’t need to worry about me.”

“Vera,” he argued, “you are far too valuable a resource for us to lose. We need you.”

Her lips trembled into a smile. “I appreciate your saying so, but let’s not beat around the bush here. This is the best for all involved.” Her gaze locked on Bent. “I have to go, Will. Take care of yourself and the team. Maybe we’ll talk again sometime.” She ended the call before he could argue.

Their team. PAPA had been their brainchild, his and hers. Now it was his. At this point, she had no problem with that. She had bigger troubles right here in her hometown. She’d just have to figure out where her life went once this was done.

Assuming the answer wasn’t prison.

She groaned, slid her phone back into her pocket, and strode toward the other man who held the rest of her life in his hands.

And all this time she’d thought she was in charge of her own destiny. Turns out she had control over nothing at all.

“You okay?”

“Are you seriously looking at my father as a suspect in the murder of my stepmother?” she demanded. She could not talk about Memphis right now. Instead, she made a face and snapped, “Why wouldn’t I be okay?”

He held his hands up. “Dumb question.”

When she stood directly in front of him, she said, “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Your father was closest to Sheree, but I personally have no reason to believe he did this. Officially, since Sheree was his wife, he has to be ruled out—the same way Fraley ruled him out last time. You know the way this works.”

She did. Her point was to see if there was more than relationship dynamics at play. The discovery of those additional remains changed everything. “All right.” She gestured to the facility they’d just exited. “Clearly ruling him out won’t be easy, considering his condition and the new development in the cave, so what now?”

“We need to talk about what we know so far.”

Vera thought that was what they were doing, but maybe there was more he had been holding back. He surely was aware Eve had passed along his thoughts from this morning. “Where would you like to do this?”

“There’s something I’d like to show you back at my place.”

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