Page 103 of Skeletons in the Closet

“Anything stand out?”

“Not really. I looked for David and Roan, but they were dead ends.”

People started streaming out of the lecture hall, halting our conversation. We let the crowd dwindle before entering.

The downward-sloping gradient seating ended in a well where a beautiful woman organized her briefcase. David Shore was in his sixties, but Natalia looked a decade or more younger. Her golden-blonde hair shimmered in the overhead lighting, sweeping her shoulders in gentle waves. She was tall and shapely, wearing a navy pantsuit that fit her like a glove.

She startled when Diem said her name, jerking her head up with instant terror in her eyes. She dropped the papers she’d been arranging and reached for her phone, backing up a step. “Leave, or I’ll call the police.”

I placed a hand on Diem’s arm, stopping our advance, unsure why Natalia was on alert. “We’re not here to hurt you, Mrs. Shore.”

Why was she acting so afraid?

Darting her wary gaze between us, she held her phone at the ready, prepared to make good on her threat.

Diem stayed quiet, subtly nudging me, and I got the hint he wanted me to take over, knowing he was too imposing and abrasive to calm down a scared woman.

I held my hands in a placating gesture as I spoke. “My name is Tallus Domingo, and this is my partner, Diem Krause.”

The bear stirred and growled quietly in Diem’s chest, and I smothered a grin. He was so sensitive to the suggestion of partnership.

“We’re private investigators. We mean you no harm.”

“Private investigators?” Natalia frowned, flicking her gaze from Diem to me.

Diem fished his wallet from his pants pocket and opened it to the identification that proved he was a certified investigator. He tossed it toward her. It landed several feet away, but she advanced and picked it up, still armed with her finger over the phone screen.

She glanced at Diem’s ID, and her shoulders relaxed. “I’m sorry. I thought you were that kid’s dad. He’s been harassing the staff and students ever since my husband’s arrest, looking for information. The police were supposed to take care of him.”

“What kid?”

“The one my husband killed.” She rolled her eyes. “Allegedly killed.”

I glanced at Diem, whose expression was unreadable.

“I suppose this is about my husband too?” No longer fearful, Natalia looked tired. The shadows under her eyes suggested she hadn’t been sleeping. Her makeup only went so far in covering her stress.

“In essence,” I said, hoping to ease her in. “We were asked to investigate three students and discovered David might have been involved with them in 2010, the same year as the incident. We were wondering if you’d seen or talked to them recently.”

Natalia’s hand holding the phone dropped to her side. She glanced at a wall clock nearby. “Will this take long? I’m supposed to meet my daughter after class. She’ll wonder where I am.”

“A few minutes.”

Natalia peered between us as though contemplating what to do. “Are you working with the police?”

“No,” Diem said, entering the conversation for the first time.

Natalia eyed him warily. I couldn’t blame her. Diem was intimidating, and the woman was on edge. “I… I’m sorry. I don’t think I want to get involved. My husband made his bed, and he can lie in it. I should have known. He’s always been secretive.” She shook her head. “No. I don’t know what my husband was up to then or now. He can burn in hell for all I care. I’ve already filed for divorce, but this isn’t my problem. Please leave me alone.”

She returned to the table and continued to pack her briefcase. I touched Diem’s arm, silently telling him to stay put as I joined her, keeping a moderate distance.

“Mrs. Shore, I understand you’re under a lot of stress.”

She huffed. “You have no idea.”

“Ma’am, your husband could be responsible for far more deaths than one hit-and-run from fourteen years ago.”

She stilled and lifted her gaze. Pale-blue, glassy eyes peered back at me. “What do you mean?”

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