Page 37 of Cause of Action

“Yes. How can I help you?”

“I would like to meet with you. I have a couple of questions.”

“That was three years ago, Miss Ashley. Her killer is in prison.”

“I know that detective. I just have a couple of questions. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Fine. I’m at The Greasy Spoon having lunch. Do you know where that is?”

“I do.”

“Then hurry up and get here before I finish and leave.”

“I’m on my way.”

Grabbing my purse, I left the hotel and climbed into a cab. When I entered the diner, I saw Detective Lambert sitting alone at a table by the window.

“Detective Lambert?”

He looked up from his phone. “Miss Ashley, I presume?”

I extended my hand before sliding into the seat across from him.

“Hi, honey. Can I get you anything?” The waitress walked over.

“Just a cup of coffee, please.”

“Coming right up.”

“I don’t have a lot of time, Miss Ashley. Theodore Williamson was convicted of the murder of Grace Norway. I don’t understand why you have questions now and why The Hamilton Group has you investigating.”

“Mr. Williamson claims he’s innocent, and Mr. Hamilton hired me to see if I could find any evidence to prove that.”

“It was an ironclad case. All the evidence pointed to Mr. Williamson. It only took the jury two hours to come back with a guilty verdict.”

“I know. I read the transcripts. So, you had no other suspects at the time?”

“No. It was an open and shut case.”

“What if I told you that Theodore’s brother’s car was seen across the street from the restaurant the night Grace was killed?”

“His brother?” His brows furrowed. “How do you know this?”

“I viewed the CCS footage. You probably didn’t notice the car pulling away after Theodore left because you were convinced he did it. And once you learned about his anger issues, the argument outside the restaurant, and Grace’s DNA under his nails, you stopped looking, although he told you from day one he didn’t do it.”

“They all claim they didn’t do it, Miss Ashley. But the evidence was there and enough to get a jury to convict him.”

“You can call me Morgan. I believe he’s telling the truth. The necklace that Grace wore when she died was given to her by Theo’s brother, Gregory. He was the one she was having an affair with. It was his baby she was carrying.”

“And how do you know this?” His eyes narrowed.

“I found a charge on Gregory Williamson’s credit card from Tiffany for the same amount the necklace cost. I went to the store, and the manager pulled the receipt with Gregory’s name.”

“And why would Gregory Williamson murder Grace Norway?”

“Because she threatened his future and family,” I said, bringing the coffee cup to my lips. “Think about it for a minute. He has an affair with his brother’s girlfriend, knowing Theodore has anger issues. Grace gets pregnant and wants to keep the baby. But Gregory couldn’t have that. So, he followed the two of them to the restaurant that night. Perhaps she told him that she was going to tell Theo. He saw them arguing and knew when Grace turned up dead, Theo would be the prime suspect. You put the wrong man in prison, detective. How does it feel knowing the real killer is still out there?”

“All the evidence pointed to Theodore Williamson.” He pointed at me. “Gregory Williamson had a rock-solid alibi.”

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