Page 84 of In the Arms of a Hero

Nodding, he turned his focus back to the interview room.

“I must’ve gone into automatic mode,” Jon said. “James told us what to do, and I just followed. He searched the man’s pockets. By this time, it was dark, and we didn’t know the area, so we decided to go out at the first light of dawn. James had some rope and had taken a couple of large weights from the indoor gym of the rental. I didn’t want to go, but he said Eileen wouldn’t be strong enough. So he and I went out in the smallboat and rowed south. We came to an area with huge breakers in the water that looked like a row of ships, and we went behind them to stay out of sight. The light was just coming over the trees on the dunes when we got the rope tied to the man’s ankle. We weren’t paying attention to where the boat was when we dumped the man overboard. Then suddenly, James looked up and started cursing. I started to look behind me, and he told me to be still. He said there was a woman on the beach taking pictures. We headed away from the breakers and made it back to the house. He jumped in his car and drove away. I had no idea what he was doing. I was just glad he was gone. But then, after a while, he returned, and I realized he was staying for a bit. After he told us that he had seen the woman get back into a car with a man. He followed as she dropped him off and then to an apartment that seemed to be above some shops. He and Eileen began planning how to get rid of the witness.”

“And what did you do during this?” Hunter asked.

“I went upstairs, took a shower, and crawled into bed. I knew that James was going to plan whatever he wanted to do, and I just wanted to forget it all. I figured he would slink back to Baltimore and leave us alone.”

“So you just wanted to forget that this man had a family waiting for him to come home? He had a wife and kids, and coworkers. His parents would want to know what was happening with their son. And you just went to bed while your wife and her cousin planned to do something to a young woman who wanted nothing more than to walk on the beach and take pictures. So you’re saying you didn’t care about any of that?” Brad growled.

Jon’s brow dipped as though trying to understand the question. Shaking his head slightly, he said, “I didn’t let myself think of that. I just wanted to get clean and sleep.” Then he looked up at them and shook his head. “What are the odds thatthe corpse would float back to us a day later? Not exactly on our doorstep, but close enough that we couldn’t ignore it.” Assuming an indignant expression, he said, “It’s like this god-forsaken place has it in for me! Seriously? What are the odds?”

“Well, if you knew that the tides flow northeast and that the body wasn’t taken far enough out, then you would have known that what you did was literally put Mr. Gaston’s body in the exact location to have it come right back to you,” Brad declared.

“And then what? You’re now party to everything James did. Attempted murder. Breaking and entering. Theft?—”

“I disavow anything they’re doing after that,” Jon rushed, his eyes wide.

While Aaron’s blood boiled, Hunter demanded more about Eileen. “You said they? You mean your wife also has something more she’s planning?”

“I’ve told you what I know. I just want to get back to Hercules and Aphrodite before it’s their feeding time.”

“Man, you’re not getting it,” Brad growled. “We need to bring your wife in, and you need to understand, Mr. Matherson, that you have no leg to stand on right now. You’ll be charged with these crimes, but our county prosecutor won’t even consider working with you if you're obstructing our investigation.”

“But who’ll take care of our dogs?” Jon’s voice rose with each word.

Hunter appeared to be losing the last of his composure, and Brad was not far behind. “They’ll be taken care of, so now I advise you to give us what we need.”

Jon turned that information around in his mind before he nodded. “Eileen kept trying to contact James today, but he didn’t return her call. She had already been working alone, saying James was stupid trying to do something with so many people around. She didn’t explain it to me until earlier today. I guess she’d planned on meeting up with the photographer,pretending she would hire her. My wife is vicious, Detective. She’ll do whatever she has to do. I think she’s going to poison her.”

Behind the mirror, Aaron grabbed the wooden frame, gasping. He jerked his head around and said, “Belinda said she was meeting with a woman—a potential client—today. They were meeting at the bakery!”

42

Belinda, Arthur, and Sally entered the cozy bakery, greeted by a symphony of delightful scents that wrapped around them like a warm embrace. The air was thick with the tantalizing aroma of cinnamon, vanilla, and freshly roasted coffee, and Belinda’s senses were ignited with comfort. From behind the counter, the familiar servers chimed out cheerful greetings and well wishes for a speedy recovery. She smiled as she waved at them.

Bess emerged from the back, her smile as wide as her arms were spread, enveloping Belinda in a tender hug. Leaning back, Bess stared with gentle intensity into Belinda’s face and asked, “You’re not doing too much, are you? And don’t even think about lying to me, Sis. You’ve only been out of the hospital a couple of days.”

“I admit I’m tired just from the short ride over here. But I promise I’ll be all right. I’m going to sit here, have a cup of coffee, and meet with a potential client,” she reassured.

“Well, sit close by, and I’ll get everything prepared for you before I head back into the kitchen.”

Turning, she saw that Arthur and Sally had already claimed a small, two-seater table near the back. Opting for a table within sight of the entrance, she selected a table near the frontwindows. A server promptly brought a cup of coffee, then leaned down and whispered, “Bess is getting ready to bake a new batch of turnovers. Eat whatever you want, and then you can take the rest home to Aaron.”

Grinning with anticipation, Belinda eagerly nodded just before the jingle of the bell over the door announced the arrival of a poised, impeccably dressed woman. Every strand of hair was flawlessly in place, and her makeup was perfect. Clad in a sweater twin set with a string of pearls, black slacks, and heeled pumps, she epitomized sophistication.

Belinda felt self-conscious in her casual T-shirt and leggings but hoped that her attire wouldn’t undermine the impression of professionalism she aimed to convey with her photography.

Hoping she wouldn’t wobble, she stood and thrust out her hand. “Carol Winters? I’m Belinda Crowder.”

The woman smiled warmly and took the seat indicated, setting her designer bag in her lap.

“It’s very nice to meet you, and I’m so glad we could have this time together before I have to go back.”

“I’m also glad we were able to meet. You didn’t mention what kind of event you’re hosting.” Normally, Belinda would engage in light conversation with her clients, but today, the act of leaving Aaron’s apartment and venturing to the bakery had drained her. Despite her eagerness for the photography job, she had little energy to establish rapport with Carol.

“A wedding,” Carol said. “It will be a small wedding for my stepdaughter that will take place here in a few months. My husband and I have been down here looking over the shore and love the idea of her getting married here.”

Curious about a bride who was letting her stepmom choose the place for the wedding, she hoped that the girl would also be amenable to whoever was picked to be the photographer. Shedreaded the prospect of investing effort only to have the bride’s vision clash with her stepmother’s.

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