“He’s notmyguy,” I argued, but I noticed there wasn’t a lot of conviction behind my words. I didn’t even sound convincing to my own ears so how did I expect others to believe me? I didn’t know what was going on with Josh; he was a complete mystery to me. He kept everything extremely close to his vest and didn’t seem like he wanted me to know anything personal about him. Well, beyond finding his prostate and making him moan with pleasure anyway.
“Yet,” Adrian said with a confidence that I didn’t feel.
I wasn’t even sure I wanted Josh to bemyguy. We were both honest when we said that we weren’t sure we liked one another. It all went back to not knowing enough about him. I mean, what if he was one of those people who talked throughout a movie or made a lot of noise when he ate? Worse, what if he wore socks during sex or to bed? I watched as he removed them the last time, but I had no idea if that was a fluke on his part. Those were important things to know.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Rocky Beaumont showed up with his slick-as-fuck lawyer just then. The lawyer stood in his pristine suit that probably cost more than my monthly salary, looking around the precinct like every single one of us was beneath him. I hated him upon first sight.
Then I took in the sight of Rocky, who attempted to stand all big and bad next to his overpriced mouthpiece. He reminded me of a bulldog with his smashed-in face and short, stocky build. That smashed face was cute on a dog, but not so much on a human. I didn’t know if Rocky was a killer, but I knew without a doubt that he was a poor excuse for a human being. He sure as hell was a pathetic excuse for a husband and I doubted his parenting skills were much better.
Adrian and I rose from our chairs and walked over to greet the pair. “Mr. Mayor,” I said respectfully, “my name is Detective Wyatt and this is Detective Goode. Thank you for coming in today and speaking with us.”
“Were you the same men who went to my home yesterday and harassed my wife?” he demanded to know.
“Is that what she said?” Adrian asked him doubtfully.
“You had no business speaking to my client’s wife in an attempt to get information out of her to use against him,” the pompous windbag lawyer said.
The captain approached our small group. “I think we should take this to an interview room.” Once inside the interview room, the captain turned to the lawyer and held out his hand. “Captain Shawn Reardon,” he said, introducing himself and gesturing with his hands for us all to have a seat at the table.
“Nash Carringtonthe third,” replied the slick bastard. “I was just telling your detectives that they had no business interviewing Nadine Beaumont without me being present.”
“I don’t agree,” the captain said in a clipped tone. “Quite frankly, you said that you represented Rocky Beaumont, not Rocky and Nadine Beaumont. Someone as smart as you surely are should know that we’d want to talk to Georgia Beaumont’s former assistant about people who might potentially want to hurt Georgia and then ransack her house looking for something.”
“We didn’t ask a single question about Rocky, his whereabouts, or their relationship,” I told the lawyer. “However, Nadine voluntarily told us that Rocky was in Tennessee on a hunting trip when we were leaving her home. We were shocked to hear that from her because Mr. Beaumont’s secretary stated that he was in Columbus at a mayoral convention.” I pinned Rocky with a look that told him I wasn’t fucking around. “Where were you really, sir?”
Rocky looked at his lawyer for guidance on whether or not he should answer the question. Mr. Fancy Pants City Slicker didn’t look too happy with his client at the moment. He probably could have cared less if Rocky was a killer, but he did care if he was made to look a fool in front of us lowlife hicks. Carringtonthe thirdnodded at Rocky to answer the question.
“Um, I was at the cabin in Tennessee,” Rocky answered reluctantly.
“Alone?” Adrian asked.
“No,” Rocky replied, but offered nothing further.
“We’re going to need the name of who you were with to corroborate your story,” I told Rocky. I could tell by the guilty look on his face that whoever he was with was not a cousin, unless it was of the kissing variety.
“Look,” Windbagthe thirdsaid in a lowered voice. “My client doesn’t want this to get back to his wife. What he’s about to tell you has nothing at all to do with the murder of Georgia Beaumont and I’d appreciate it if this could stay private.”
“Let us be the ones to decide if this is relevant to our murder investigation,” I said hotly. I had no use for this bullshit. “We’re not in the business of destroying marriages,” I told the two men sitting across from me.
“I was with someone that I don’t want my wife to know about,” Rocky said, obviously not concerned about wasting our time as he doled out one little tidbit after the other.
“Did your wife and Georgia know that you were sleeping withsomeoneother than them?” I asked, no longer willing to beat around Rocky’s bushes.
Rocky’s mouth fell open in shock and he audibly gasped. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The sweat that popped out on his forehead and the way he averted his gaze from me, were classic signs that he was guilty as charged.
“Rocky, this is a very small town,” Adrian said, as if he wasn’t talking to the mayor. “You have to know that there are no such things as secrets.” Rocky’s eyes darted up to meet Adrian’s then returned to the table in front of him. “Surely you realize that someone has seen you coming and going from Georgia’s house on Thursdays.”
“Don’t forget the biological evidence left behind on the sheets,” I added, and enjoyed the way Rocky flinched.
“You don’t have to answer them,” Carrington told his client.
“We haven’t asked a question yet,” I told the attorney.Arrogant prick.“Right now we’re telling you that we have witnesses that have seen your client enter and exit Georgia Beaumont’s residence on Thursdays.” I stretched to truth to suit me. “We also know emphatically that the biological evidence is only present after he leaves. Now, it’s in your client’s best interest to be honest with us from this point on.” I turned to look at Rocky. “How long has your affair with Georgia been going on? How long has your affair been going on with the person you took to the cabin with you?”
“How is any of that relevant?” Carrington asked. “My client has an alibi for the night of the murder and the break in. What would be his motive for harming Georgia Beaumont?”
“Maybe she was about to ruin his marriage by telling Nadine about their affair. I find the timing of her death to be rather convenient,” Adrian replied to Carrington. “Nadine and Georgia had a big fight and Georgia is murdered that same night.”
“The alibi for the night of the murder is a bit shaky,” I told the attorney. “We’re not going to blindly accept what Nadine says. Georgia might not have gotten along with a lot of folks, but none of them really had a motive to kill her. Besides, it doesn’t mean that he didn’t hire it done.”
