Page 80 of Puzzle for Two

Brooke brightened. “Really?”

“Really. The more I learn about Alton, the more likely it seems someone along the way would surely have filed a criminal complaint.”

Brooke was already getting her purse out of the desk drawer. “Do you want me to turn the answering machine on?”

“No. I’ll cover the phones. I’m going to start checking through the NAIC database.”

Brooke’s brows shot up. “The National Association of Insurance Commissioners?”

“I can use the life insurance policy locator service to check for policies or annuity contracts. I want to see for myself what Ransford and Zora have to gain by Alton’s death.”

“You’re so cynical, Zee. I like it!” Brooke headed for the door. “I’ll let you know what I—”

She stepped back hastily, as someone threw open the glass door. “Oh!H-hey, Ben!”

Ben, looking wild-eyed and as close to disheveled as Zach had ever seen, charged past Brooke—it was doubtful he even saw her—and confronted Zach.

“HOW DARE YOU?”

Zach, blinking in the face of that ferocity, protested, “How dare Iwhat?”

“How dare you accuse me of breaking into your house and assaulting you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I never—”

Brooke interjected nervously, “Zach, do you need me to—”

Ben swung on her. “Really, Brooke?Seriously?”

“It’s okay,” Zach said quickly. “We’re fine here.”

Brooke did not look reassured. She looked worried. But, with many glances over her shoulder, she reluctantly pushed through the glass door.

“Look, I didn’t accuse you of anything,” Zach said. “I know it wasn’t you in the garage.”

“No! You didn’t even have the decency to confront me yourself. You sent Flint.Flint, ofallpeople.”

Realization dawned—and it was not a pleasant one.

“Flint accused you of attacking me?”

“That’s what I said!” Ben added bitterly, “You said you weren’t involved with him.”

“We’re working together.”

“Onwhat? You can’t drum up enough business for one agency, let alone two.”

Zach let that pass. Ben subscribed to theNew York Times. He did not read the local paper or watch local news, so it was very possible he knew nothing about Alton Beacher’s death or Zach’s involvement in the case.

“Flint didn’t discuss questioning you with me. I didn’t know anything about it. I’m sorry—”

“He didn’t just question me, heaccusedme. He accused me of being a stalker. He accused me of attacking you. He mademesound—” Ben’s mouth worked. “He mademesound like I was some kind of…ofpsycho.”

Zach winced. “Ben…”

“As if any of this ismyfault! As if you didn’t bringallof this on yourself!”

What the hell was it about Ben that could drive Zach from remorseful to resentful in zero to sixty?

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