Page 96 of Deception

“You don’t have to answer.”

“You don’t know him. I don’t have the energy today to handle the fallout, and there would be fallout.” She slid the button and put the call on speaker. “Hello.”

“What is the FBI doing at the judge’s house?”

“The medical examiner in Jackson has ruled his death a homicide.”

“Why?”

She questioned Clayton with her eyes, and he shook his head. If Gregory Thorn wanted to know, he could call the ME’s office himself.

“I don’t have all the details,” she said. “Only that the FBI will be investigating along with the US Marshals.”

There was a brief silence on Gregory’s end, then a sigh. “That means they’ll go through his files.”

The man must be worried the FBI would find Hargrove’s report and photos.

“Yes,” Madison said. “Someone trashed his study earlier today and locked Nadine in her closet, so it’s a crime scene.”

“You’re kidding. Could she identify the person?”

Clayton frowned. Most people’s first concern would have been if the older woman had been injured.

“She couldn’t,” Madison said.

Another brief pause. “Where would you like to eat tonight? I’d like for you to meet Margo.”

Several cars lined the judge’s drive and Clayton parked on thegrass. The man thought of no one but himself. Maybe if Clayton told him—he caught himself before he said anything. Madison would not appreciate it if he fought her battle for her. She must have feared he’d say something and put a finger to her lips.

“I didn’t bring anything nice enough for Monmouth. How about King’s Tavern? We can get a flatbread. And I may bring a friend.” She eyed Clayton as she spoke.

Her father hesitated. “All right. Seven?”

“Make it eight,” she said. “I have several things I need to do between now and then.”

Once Madison hung up, she blew out a hard breath before she turned to him. “Do you mind being the friend I’m bringing along?”

52

Madison held her breath, waiting for Clayton’s answer.

“Sure, if you want me to.”

She’d hoped he would say that. “Thanks—and since we’re going to King’s Tavern, we don’t have to change out of our uniforms.” They needed to get out of the SUV and go inside, except something about the conversation with her father bugged her. But what was it? “Did anything he said sound off to you?”

“Other than he showed no concern for Nadine?” Clayton’s brows lowered as he considered her question. “His voice was tense when he asked if Nadine could identify the person who locked her in the closet.”

That was it. “Nadine indicated Dad had searched the office before he left, and she didn’t think he’d found what he was looking for. Do you think he came back and brought this Margo with him to neutralize Nadine?”

“He could’ve been afraid she might pop in and catch him.”

“Maybe I should tell him he can quit looking—that I’ve already found the file he wants.” She gave a short, mirthless laugh. “And I might just do that tonight.”

Except ... why was she so ready to believe the worst about him? He hadn’t been a horrible father in the sense that he’d beaten her or worse. And while he was a master at put-downs, it wasn’t like he singled her out—he talked down to everyone. Because itmade him feel superior. And in charge. Didn’t he realize that he made her feel like she didn’t belong? And if she didn’t belong at home, where did she belong?

Clayton unbuckled his seat belt. “Ready to go in and talk to Hugh?”

Madison pushed the thoughts away. “I want to check on Nadine first.”

---