“The attorneys will handle Mr. Wilton’s estate.” Bent gestured to the door. “We’ll let you know as soon as we have anything new on the investigation.”
Vera watched in satisfaction as Bent escorted Erwin from the house. The news regarding Wilton’s bequests was an unexpected turn of events, for sure. But the really unanticipated part, in Vera’s opinion, was how surprised Valeri Erwin was at hearing she’d just inherited thirty million dollars.
Maybe she was a far better actress than Vera had estimated.
When Bent walked back into the kitchen, Vera had to ask, “Do you believe her? That she didn’t know, I mean?”
“She does have the combination to all the safes,” he offered. “It’s hard to believe she hasn’t taken a look at the will at some point. The trouble is, what I just learned from the attorney gives the employees closest to Wilton the most motive for killing him.”
“They’ve all four admitted to noticing tension between Wilton and his wife,” Vera put in. “They all four knew about the planned weekend.”
“They all four”—Bent leveled a knowing gaze on hers—“would know how to get on the property without coming through the one and only gate. Because the security camera footage shows no one coming through that gate after Wilton’s Mercedes returned just after dark on Friday.”
Anticipation seared through Vera. “So what’s next, Sheriff?”
“Olson is getting in touch with the previous owner of the property—not that I expect him to be much help since there was nothingbut woods when Wilton bought the place. I’ve also got three deputies checking the fence all the way around the perimeter of the property. It’ll take some time, but if there’s evidence of someone coming through, hopefully they’ll find it.”
“What about any aerial photographs?” Wealthy landowners loved having aerial views of their property.
“Olson is checking on that too.” He held up a finger. “And I’ve already called Carter and warned that we’ll need another interview with the three of them.”
“Are we meeting with them now?” As much as Vera wanted to be a part of those conversations—especially now—she really needed to check in on her sisters first.
“I didn’t say when.” He grinned. “Maybe tomorrow. I thought I’d let them sweat for a while.”
Despite the ache pounding in the back of her head, Vera managed a laugh. “I think I’m rubbing off on you, Sheriff.” His move sounded exactly like one she would make.
Bent chuckled. “Or maybe I rubbed off on you all those years ago.”
A distinct possibility. Even at twenty-one, Bent had known how to heighten the tension and make a person—especially her—sweat.
Vera remembered well.
14
Carter Residence
Coldwater Creek Road, 3:30 p.m.
Helen reminded herself to breathe again. She had to keep everyone calm for however long this investigation took.
Renata shook her head, her dark curls swaying with her frustration, and warned, “I don’t like this.”
“It’s fine,” Helen assured her for the third time. “Everything went exactly as it should have. We have nothing to worry about.”
This reaction was her only problem with these two. Why the hell could they not just stay calm? They were through the worst part.
“They ask a lot of questions already,” Jose argued. “Now they want to talk to us again. This can’t be good.”
Funny how they could both speak such good English when it was only the three of them. Helen wondered sometimes if she could actually trust either of them. Everything depended upon trust. Maybe she was the fool here.
“Good Lord, Jose,” Helen half shouted. “What do you expect? Thomas was brutally murdered.” She glared from one to the other. “So were the others. When people get murdered, there are questions. Lots of questions. We work for Thomas. Of course the police have more questions for us. Until the investigation is over, we just have to do what we have to do.”
“It’s easy for you,” Renata tossed back at her.
Was she really going there?
“Today was not about your immigration status!” Helen shook her head and paced the floor. “This was about a horrific tragedy that has to be investigated by the police. All you”—she sent another glacial stare at each one—“have to do is stay calm and answer the questions asked of you. It’s that simple. We have nothing to worry about. Like I said, this is exactly what is supposed to happen when a tragedy like this occurs.”
