“My wife would probably cheer for you to catch me,” smirked Ben.
“What’s her name? Your wife. What’s her name?” asked the older woman.
“Harper. Her name is Harper and she’s the love of my life,” smiled Ben. Ms. Rose smiled at him, nodding.
“I can see it in your face that you love her. I had a man look at me like that once. You take care of her, young man.” Ben didn’t want to tell her that they were probably close to the same age. He just smiled.
“I will, Ms. Rose.”
“And you boys? Are you married?”
“Yes, ma’am,” said Adam. “My wife, Jane, is a doctor. One of the best in the city.” Cam smiled at the two men, then turned to Ms. Rose.
“My wife, Kate and I have known one another since we were children. I wouldn’t have a life if it were not for her. She’s my whole world. Her and our children and grandchildren.”
“Alright then,” she nodded. “Now, my heart is full and I can breathe again. Will I see you boys again?”
“Any time you want, Ms. Rose. You call us and we’ll be here,” said Cam.
As the men got their hugs, they wished the two women well and made sure that the neighbors knew to call on them should the women need help. Half-way home, Ben started to chuckle.
“Why are you laughing?” asked Cam with a smirk.
“Because who would have thought figuring out a suicide would make me grateful for the life I have and the woman I’m lucky enough to be married to.” Cam smiled at his friend, nodding.
“Ditto, brother. Ditto.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“One more,” said Eric. “With Edie Rose done, we just have Morgan Segal to figure out.”
“We’ll get there,” said Cassidy smiling at her friend. Cade was beside her, holding her hand, Eric and Joseph in the front seat. Lily was in the third row. “I’m glad you all came with us today. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”
“That makes two of us,” said Lily. “I get the feeling that this might be the most important painting we do.”
“They live on the top floor of this building,” said Joseph as they pulled up to the valet.
“Isn’t this where Morgan was first spotted in the bus?” asked Eric.
“Pretty damn close,” frowned Joseph.
The lobby of the high-rise building was opulent. Tiled with an intricate pattern of varying colors of marble, the walls were covered in dark wood and brass. There was a small seating area for guests who might be waiting or for delivery people.
“Mr. and Mrs. Cordel said you can go on up,” said the doorman.
“Thank you,” nodded Eric. They took the elevator to the seventeenth floor and when the doors opened, they realized they were walking right into the apartment.
“Hello,” smiled a beautiful woman in her mid-forties. “You must be the replacement portraitist.”
“Not me,” smiled Eric. “This is Cassidy and Lily. They’re the artists.”
“Oh, well you must be very important to have three very large men with you,” she said grinning.
“Actually, Ms. Cordel, we were hoping to ask you some questions about Morgan. We’re investigating her death,” said Joseph.
“Please, come in. We’ll have some tea and get to know one another and then I’ll introduce you to your model,” she smiled.
They walked down a long hallway and into a massive, open living area. The ceilings were at least fifteen feet high and the plush Turkish rugs brought color and texture to the room. They took their seats on various sofas and chairs while she sat down.
