Wedlocked?!

“You may have noticed some awkwardness between us,” Annie replied without thinking. “I’m sure Cole resents my presence as well as my involvement in this case.” Now why had she added that? His mother would naturally take his side if she knew the details Annie had no intention of revealing. Heat climbed up her cheeks, heat that had nothing to do with the temperature of the air around them.

To her surprise, except for a flicker of satisfaction, Lily’s expression remained pleasantly friendly as she bit into a delicate lemon wafer. Annie was relieved the older woman wasn’t going to grill her. Taking the opportunity to change the subject, she opened the folder she’d brought with her and uncapped her pen. One by one, she dealt with the list of questions she’d jotted down earlier.

“You weren’t wearing the ruby bracelet at the hotel?”

“No,” Lily replied without hesitating. “I’d lost it before then.”

“But you didn’t tell Ryan. Why was that?”

“Because it was valuable, and I knew he’d want to replace it right away,” Lily explained. “That’s the way he is. I thought someone who knew it was mine might find it.” Her smile wobbled around the edges. “I guess I was right.”

Her explanation carried the ring of truth; Annie figured a jury might buy it. “How many people knew you were going to be at the Austin Arms that night, besides the staff?”

Lily thought for a moment. “I’m sure my name was mentioned in the advance publicity about the banquet,” she recalled. “Anyone reading the newspaper could have known.”

“Did you see anyone that night who might have wanted to cause Sophia harm?” Annie hoped that Lily might remember something, anything, that would give her a new lead.

Lily’s smile was wry. “I’m sure the woman had a few enemies, but I don’t recall anyone in particular other than the names I already gave the police. Do you have a copy?”

Annie nodded. She had a list of everyone registered at the hotel that night, as well as the other names the police had come up with.

“I told them a while ago Sophia had tried to bribe me to stop seeing Ryan,” Lily said. “When that didn’t work, she threatened me. I don’t suppose telling them was the smartest thing to do.”

“Being honest is never a mistake,” Annie told her. “Especially if you’re innocent.”

“You haven’t made up your mind about that yet, have you?” Lily asked, smiling.

Annie surprised herself by smiling back. “I’m working on it.” She was beginning to like Cole’s mother. Despite her own words, she was starting to question Lily’s guilt.

She appeared physically fit enough to have committed the crime, but Annie doubted Lily had the strength to overcome the other woman while remaining totally unscathed herself. Except for one unexplained bruise on her upper arm, Lily hadn’t had any scratches or other injuries indicative of the kind of fight suggested by the condition of the suite.

Thanking Lily for her time, Annie closed the notebook. For now, her questions had been answered to her satisfaction. Lily had heard the rumors about Sophia’s affairs, but she had no idea with whom the other woman had been involved.

As Annie took a healthy swallow of her iced tea, Lily suddenly snapped her fingers. “I just remembered something else,” she blurted. “I don’t know how I could have forgotten, but the way Sophia acted was just so hurtful to Ryan that I must have tried to put everything about her out of my mind.” Her dark eyes sparkled with excitement.

“What is it?” Annie asked hopefully.

“This is third-hand gossip, at least,” Lily said with a nervous laugh, “but you could check with Ryan for more details. He heard it from his niece, Eden.”

“Heard what?” Annie prompted.

“Eden said that Sophia did have an argument with someone at the Austin Arms, where she was killed.”

“The night of the murder?” Annie exclaimed, gaping. “And Eden witnessed it?”

“Wouldn’t that have been convenient?” Lily asked. “No, it was a while ago, and Eden didn’t actually see it. Her husband—well, they weren’t married at the time—he was the one who was there. When the argument turned nasty, he became concerned for Sophia’s safety, so he stepped in. From what he said, she didn’t appreciate his interference. She turned on him like a shrew, demanding that he mind his own business. The whole scene must have been very unpleasant.”

Impatiently Annie waited for Lily to continue. Instead Lily plucked the fresh mint from her glass and sniffed it with obvious appreciation.

“Who was the man?” Annie demanded.

“Eden’s husband?” Lily asked, blinking.

Annie struggled for patience. “No, the man with Sophia.”

“Oh, I thought I told you.” Lily dropped the mint back into her glass. “It was Clint Lockhart. Ryan’s first wife, Janine, was Clint’s sister.”

“Do you think he and Sophia were involved?” Annie asked. “Is he attractive?”

Lily shivered delicately. “I certainly don’t think so, but there’s no accounting for some people’s taste. I guess you could say he was handsome in a very obvious way, though. I didn’t know him well, but he had an arrogance about him that made me uncomfortable. As though he expected women to drop at his feet.”

In Annie’s book, the man sounded like a possible suspect. “I know the type.” She made a note to call Eden. “He doesn’t work here anymore. Do you know why he left?”

Lily shrugged. “I don’t think Ryan ever mentioned it.”

“I wonder if the police questioned him,” Annie muttered as she leafed through the file Cole had given her.

The housekeeper came out and asked if either of them wanted more iced tea. Annie declined absently.

“Thank you, Rosita,” Lily replied. “The cookies were wonderful.”

The older woman was grinning widely as she left. “She’s worked here since she was fourteen,” Lily remarked when Rosita was out of earshot. “And she claims to be psychic. Isn’t that remarkable?”

“Uh-huh.” Having found the appropriate statement, Annie read it in silence. Her shoulders slumped with disappointment. “Unfortunately, Clint Lockhart has what appears to be an airtight alibi,” she told Lily. It didn’t sound as though he could have killed Sophia, but he certainly had been involved with her in some way. He might know more than he’d told the police. Perhaps it would be worth Annie’s time to check him out, after all.

“Do you think Ryan would have a snapshot of Lockhart I could borrow?” she asked.

Lily frowned. “Sure. There are a lot of family photos in the den. I’ll get one on the way out. But why do you want a picture of Clint?”

“Call it a hunch.” Shoving the papers back into her bag, she gave Lily a reassuring smile. “You’ve been a big help,” she said. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“I appreciate anything you can do for my case,” Lily replied, rising. “We’re lucky to have you.” Despite the shadow of worry in her eyes, her smile was warm. “I’ll get you that photo and then I’ll walk you to your car.”

When they got to Annie’s Volkswagen, she tucked the picture in her bag and promised to be in touch.

“Feel free to ask me anything,” Lily insisted. “I think you and my son will make a great team. Are you seeing him again soon?”

“We’re only working together on this one case,” Annie pointed out quickly. “I’m not certain just when I’ll be talking to him next, but rest assured that I’ll keep him informed of any developments.”

“Of course,” Lily murmured.

“Cole told me he’d be going back to Denver as soon as the trial is over,” Annie felt compelled to add, hoping she wasn’t dashing the other woman’s expectations that he would stick around.

“Texas has always been his real home,” Lily insisted. “Maybe he’ll change his mind about leaving.”

Where Cole lived meant nothing to Annie, and she nearly said as much. Then she felt a pang of pity for the woman facing her with such a brave front. If she wanted to pretend her son might stay in Texas, who was Annie to disillusion her? “Wouldn’t that be nice,” she said.

“I’m glad you think so.” Lily’s tone was bland, her expression innocent. Surely, in the midst of everything else she was going through, she wouldn’t be contemplating anything as ridiculous as a little matchmaking on the side, would she?

There was no way Annie could ask without looking like a complete fool. Frustrated, she bid Lily goodbye and climbed into her car. The interior was like an oven, the vinyl seat burning through the thin cotton of her slacks. At least the sudden discomfort was enough to distract her from the awkward and potentially humiliating idea of Cole’s mother playing Cupid.

Considering the circumstances, that would have been a real recipe for disaster.

Three

“Hey, bro, working hard as usual?” Hannah Cassidy asked in a teasing voice from the doorway to Cole’s borrowed office.

Cole looked up from his notes with a grin. He and his sister had always gotten along well. “How’s the wedding business?” he asked.

Hannah owned a shop called The Perfect Occasion. “Business is slow,” she replied. “I got tired of my own company, so I thought I’d come down and visit you.”

“Bull,” Cole responded mildly. “You came to check on your fiancé. All I am is a convenient cover story.”

Hannah blushed, and Cole wondered why he had ever thought she was plain. Perhaps it was because next to their mother and youngest sister, with their dramatic coloring, Hannah had appeared merely pretty. Now he had to admit that love had transformed her. Her gray eyes shimmered with quiet happiness and her normally pale cheeks were flushed a soft pink. “I wanted to see you too,” she protested. “You’re my favorite brother.”

“Your only brother,” Cole pointed out dryly before he relented and got to his feet. “Come on in.” He gave her a brief, hard hug. “How’s Mom today? Have you talked to her?”

A shadow flickered across Hannah’s face. “That’s what I wanted to discuss with you. On top of everything else she’s got to deal with right now, Mom’s worried about Maria.”

Cole clamped down on his annoyance. Their younger sister was as different from gentle Hannah as night from day. For as long as he could remember, Maria had been a huge pain—difficult, lazy and self-centered. Apparently it was too much to hope that for once in her life she’d put someone else’s needs ahead of her own.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “What’s our baby sister done now?”

Hannah closed the door behind her and took a seat, placing her leather purse in her lap. “Am I keeping you from your work?” she asked when she noticed the papers scattered across his desk.

Cole shook his head impatiently. “I’m just making a list of things for the investigator to look into.” He’d paged Annie, but so far she hadn’t responded. “Tell me about Maria.”

Hannah folded her hands neatly on her purse. “Ever since she got back from California last year, she’s been acting odd, even for her.”

“How so?” Cole prompted.

“For one thing, she’s always criticizing Ryan, insisting that he’s just taking advantage of Mom and that he’ll never marry her.”

“Good grief,” Cole exclaimed. “All men aren’t like the jerks Maria hangs out with. Ryan adores Mom. What’s Maria thinking?”

Hannah shrugged. “Mom hardly sees her, and then, when she does, Maria goes on about how Ryan will end up breaking Mom’s heart.”

Cole swallowed a curse. “From the beginning, she’s been dead set against Mom and Ryan’s relationship. Maybe she’s jealous because our mother has found a good man who genuinely cares for her.”

“Maybe,” Hannah agreed. “Maria’s so full of anger and resentment, as if Mom was the one with all the money and Ryan was some gold-digging bum, trying to take advantage of her. Mom’s the one who broke up with him a long time ago and married Daddy instead.”

Because she was pregnant with me, Cole thought, but he didn’t say anything to his sister. When their mother was young, she’d listened to Ryan’s brother’s lies and been seduced by him, even though she was in love with Ryan. Afterward she was too ashamed to tell Ryan that she’d not only slept with his brother Cameron, but was carrying his child. That shame had kept the two of them apart for more than thirty years. Cole had grown up believing the man his mother married when she realized she was pregnant was his biological father. It had only been since Lily’s arrest that she finally told Cole and Ryan the truth—that Chester Cassidy, who’d always loved Lily from afar, had agreed to marry her and pretend the baby was his. No one else knew yet, and Cole intended to keep it that way until after the murder case was resolved.

“All Ryan wants is for Mom to be cleared of these charges so they can get married,” Cole told Hannah. “He’d marry her now if she’d agree, but you know how stubborn she is. Maybe Maria’s biggest beef is that for once she’s not the center of attention. She always wants to grab the spotlight away from anyone else.”

A shadow of pain crossed Hannah’s face. Maria had tried to ruin her happiness by coming on to her fiancé, Parker. Lucky for Maria that Hannah wasn’t one to hold a grudge, even though she’d been deeply hurt by her sister’s betrayal.

“Since she got back from California, she’s gotten downright secretive,” Hannah contradicted him with a frown. “She’s practically forbidden us to visit her trailer without an engraved invitation. Mom’s afraid she may be in some kind of trouble.”

“What else is new?” Cole demanded. “Sounds to me like she’s gotten mixed up with some man. That’s Maria’s usual style.”

“But why would that make her act so strangely?” Hannah asked. “When she does come around, she’s so tense you’d think she was going to snap, she’s skinnier than ever and she looks worn-out. I almost feel sorry for her.”

“That’s pretty generous of you,” Cole said.

Hannah shrugged. “Parker loves me. It’s getting easier to forget what she tried to do.” Absently, she fiddled with her engagement ring. “If Mom dares to ask Maria any questions, she throws a fit and accuses her of prying.”

“Usually whenever Maria has a new man in tow, she can’t wait to show him off,” Cole commented. “I keep waiting for her to strap one of them to the hood of her car like a trophy deer.”

Privately he wondered if resentment of Hannah’s happiness had sent her over the edge. In school Hannah had been the quiet one, while Maria, all flash and flirt, had a line of men sniffing after her. Maria had liked nothing better than to rub her older, less popular sister’s nose in her success with boys. But Parker was an attorney with a lucrative practice—attractive and athletic. Anyone with eyes could see that he adored Hannah. Maria had really misjudged him by thinking he’d respond to her advances.

Cole envied them their obvious devotion to each other. He hadn’t felt that way about a woman since…since Annie Jones. The realization was a sobering one.

“Maybe Maria’s gotten herself involved with a married man this time,” he suggested. “One who insists on keeping a low profile.”

Hannah’s frown cleared. “You think it’s something as simple as that? It sounds as though she’s turned into a recluse down in Leather Bucket. She hardly comes to town at all.” She let out a deep breath. “Maybe you’re right.”

“Have you tried talking to her?” Cole asked. Despite Hannah’s comment to the contrary, he knew her wedding consulting business kept her very busy. She and Parker had delayed their own ceremony until after Lily’s trial, but she had other commitments. Parker had grumbled to Cole just the day before that Hannah put in longer hours than he did.

Hannah shook her head. “I stopped by her place one day after an appointment, figuring it was time to smooth things over, but she wasn’t home.” There was a slight edge of resentment in Hannah’s voice. She and Maria had never been close, even before Maria tried to steal Parker. But they were sisters, and Hannah had a forgiving nature. “I just wish she’d quit worrying Mom and trying to put a damper on her happiness with Ryan. Mom has little enough to be happy about right now.”

Hannah glanced at her watch and got to her feet. “Well, I have an appointment back at the shop,” she said hastily. “Sorry I unloaded on you when you’re so busy.”

“Don’t concern yourself,” Cole said. “I’ll give Maria a call myself and see what I can find out. Meanwhile, Mom needs all our support until this mess is resolved. Just keep reminding her how much we all love her. I’m getting sick of our baby sister’s selfishness.”

“Thanks.” Hannah hesitated in the doorway. “How’s the investigation going? Any news?”

It wasn’t the time to explain about Annie. “It’s going fine,” Cole replied. “The state’s case appears to be full of holes. Establishing reasonable doubt should be easy.” Not that he intended to go to court with anything that unreliable. Juries could be unpredictable, and there had been a lot of publicity. He wanted proof of their mother’s innocence that no one could overlook.

“Mom couldn’t have better representation,” Hannah said loyally. “Will you tell Parker I said goodbye? He’s in consultation until lunchtime.”

Cole agreed, gave her a brotherly kiss on the cheek and watched her light step as she hurried from the office. He hoped the other attorney realized how lucky he was to have found her.

How could two sisters be so damn different? And how would Hannah deal with the news that Cole was only her half brother? He suspected he already knew what Maria’s reaction would be—more fuel for her hatred of the Fortunes.

It was late when Annie locked the door to her office and headed for her car. The other shops were all closed and the parking lot was nearly deserted. Storm clouds had rolled in this afternoon, blotting out the sun and replacing its warmth with something heavy and cloying. Now even the darkness seemed to have an ominous substance.

Discouragement sat on her shoulders like dead weight. She’d spent the day interviewing employees of the Fortune empire she thought might know something about Sophia and Clint Lockhart, or the identity of the woman’s most recent lover. Although the murdered woman hadn’t been well liked, people were still reluctant to talk. Annie hadn’t learned anything helpful. Back at her office, she had called Eden, who could add nothing helpful concerning the argument between Sophia and Clint Lockhart. She’d returned Cole’s page, but he’d been unavailable. Then she had gone back over her notes, looking for something—however slight—that she might have missed before.

Glad the long day was over, she had just opened the door to her Volkswagen when another car drove into the small lot and pulled up beside her. Annie’s gun was in her purse. Out of habit she checked to make sure the flap was unfastened as she squinted past the brightness of the headlights, trying to see the driver. The moment the lights blinked out, she recognized Cole behind the wheel.

Annie’s weariness disappeared. Bracing herself, she waited for him to emerge from his fancy sedan. He was here on business; of that there was no doubt. The two of them didn’t have a personal relationship, not anymore. So why was her heart thudding in her chest and that little knot of tension in her stomach twisting like a corkscrew?

“I’m glad I caught you,” he said as he joined her on the pavement. His hair was mussed as if he’d been raking his fingers through it. He used to do that when he was distracted or frustrated. It made him look more approachable, less polished. “Have you found out anything about the identity of Sophia’s lover?” he asked. Apparently he considered a simple greeting unnecessary.

Annie clutched her purse more tightly and stared up at him. It figured that the oppressive humidity didn’t appear to affect him, despite his dark suit. Except for his disorderly hair and the shadow along his jaw, he managed to look irritatingly well groomed. The man was unreal.

In comparison, Annie felt as grimy and disheveled as if she’d spent the day working as a field hand. Absently she licked her bare lips. No doubt her face was shiny too. Her stomach chose that moment to emit a low growl not unlike an unfriendly dog.

She was feeling distinctly unfriendly. And hungry—she hadn’t eaten since lunch.

“Hello to you too,” she replied, annoyed. “You’re beginning to sound like a broken record. Is that why you paged me?”

If Cole noticed her sarcasm, he chose to ignore it along with her question. “Have you had a chance to interview anyone on the list Mom and Ryan gave you?” he asked instead.

“How did you know about that?” Foolish question. Lily had probably mentioned it to him.

“We’re supposed to be working on this case together,” he pointed out, annoying her further because he was right. “Mom mentioned it, along with that argument Eden’s husband witnessed, when I talked to her last night. I thought you might need some help. I can take half the names and talk to them tomorrow.”

“Thanks, but I’ve already interviewed everyone,” Annie said, managing to keep the smugness from her voice. “Including Eden and her husband.”

His brows rose in apparent surprise, but all he said was, “Any leads?”

Annie’s exhaustion returned and she lifted her hair off her sticky neck, wishing she hadn’t left it loose. “Not really. Look, can we discuss this in the morning? It’s been a long day and I want to go home. I’m tired and hungry.”

As Cole glanced at his watch, something gold and heavy, he had the grace to look uncomfortable. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I’ve been working too, and I never thought about the time. How about we go somewhere and grab a bite? You can bring me up to speed.”

“I don’t think so,” Annie said quickly. The last thing she needed when her defenses were down was to spend time with him. “There’s nothing to tell. Eden’s husband Ben was the one who actually saw the quarrel. He never told Eden about the specifics until Sophia was killed. It didn’t seem all that significant until then. The only thing Eden’s husband had been able to add about Sophia’s argument with Clint was how angry they both were, and then how quickly she leaped to his defense. Ben figured she was sleeping with him, but unless I can find a dent in Lockhart’s alibi, none of that will matter.” She rolled her shoulders to loosen them. “Maybe Sophia had moved on to someone else before she was killed. Either no one knows, or they don’t want to tell me. As unpopular as Sophia was, I can’t imagine why people would want to protect her.”

“Maybe they’re afraid,” Cole suggested.

“Of what? The woman’s dead.”

His eyes narrowed. “Maybe it’s not her they’re protecting. Someone killed her—that’s pretty scary. Clint Lockhart has been known to have a nasty temper. He could have threatened anyone who might put the finger on him.”

The possibility had already occurred to Annie. “I haven’t been able to find out where he went yet or why he left, but I will,” she said aloud. “It just won’t be tonight. Besides, my cat’s waiting to be fed.”

Cole stepped closer. “So we’ll eat at your house.”

She was tempted to lean against his solid bulk for a few moments and draw strength from him, as she had so many times in the past. Instead she gave him the lethal stare that usually worked quite well on persistent men. “I beg your pardon?”

“Give me your address,” Cole said, obviously unfazed by her show of hostility. “I’ll pick up a pizza or some Chinese. You can go home and feed your cat, then we’ll eat while we talk.”

“We have nothing to talk about that can’t wait.” He wasn’t going to invade her personal space. When this case was over, the only memories she wanted of him were impersonal ones. “I’ll call you in the morning.” She got into her car, but, before she could pull the door shut, he grabbed it.

“What are you afraid of?” he asked as he closed it gently and leaned down to gaze at her through the open window.

“Not a damn thing.” Just myself, she thought as she stared down at his hand—so close—and resisted the ridiculous urge to cover it with her own.

“Prove it,” he persisted. “Where do you live?”

For a moment she withstood his gaze, ignoring the intense blue of his eyes and the sweep of his lashes. Did he think she was scared to be alone with him, that she couldn’t resist the great Cole Cassidy? Annoyed, she rattled off directions, knowing as she did that she’d fallen for one of the oldest tricks in the world—blatant manipulation.