“She is breaking Gil’s heart, and I don’t like it. I’m very interested in what she did back then and what she’s up to now. Someone else can deal with Harry getting angry and killing someone long ago. Besides, I don’t think Barbara did it.”
“I do,” Randal said softly. “I think she had a strong motive to kill. She was facing the end of her career before it even began. She married a gay man to get what she wanted. That’s powerful ambition. And Derek Oliver was going to take it all away.”
“Do you think she got my father to saw the man’s head open?” There was warning in Jack’s voice.
“I don’t know!” Randal snapped. “Love and money can make a person crazy.” If anyone knew about that, he did.
“I vote for Reid,” Kate said. “He’s so good and sweet and nice that I want to run away from him.”
“He owns this place,” Randal said. “But the papers were hidden. If he’d been told back then, surely he wouldn’t have murdered the man who knew. But I don’t think Reid was told. He certainly doesn’t seem to know it now.”
“Maybe,” Kate said. “But you guys haven’t worked in real estate as I have. People do awful things in a fight over property.”
“Surely, if he’d known, he would have claimed the place after Oliver disappeared,” Randal said.
“Unless Reid was the murderer,” Kate said.
Sara spoke up. “I’m with Kate. He’s yours. Find out all you can.”
In unison, they looked at Jack. It was his turn to choose a killer.
“Lea,” he said softly and looked at Randal. “It’s usually the spouse.”
Sara turned to her brother. “Did you saw his head open for her?”
Randal was serious. “I coveted the jewels and was tempted. But murder? I can’t even deal with live lobsters.”
They all nodded. What he’d said was true.
“Shall we divide and interrogate?” Sara asked. “Each to their own suspect?”
Jack looked at Kate. “I’ll take Reid and you get Lea.”
She smiled. “I love your jealousy. Do you think it will last forever?”
“No,” Sara said. “It lasts only about four years. Kate can’t take Lea. She’s too close to her. We’ll meet back here at four and tell all. Are we agreed?”
Again, they nodded. They’d made a pact.
As they started to leave the room, Randal said, “Might I suggest that we issue luncheon invitations to our suspects? With wine. It will help break the ice as we ask about a murder.”
“Says the man who gets the movie star,” Jack said.
“I’ll trade you,” Randal shot back.
They all knew Randal would like to have every meal with Lea, but that would leave Jack with Barbara—who tended to faint at the sight of him. “Thanks, but no.” Jack smiled. “Does Lea like roses? White or red wine?”
Randal didn’t take the jealousy bait. “Champagne and pink peonies.”
“Hate to interrupt this male bonding,” Sara said, “but we should ask each one who he or she thinks is the killer. That might give us some insight. And text meimmediatelywith anything important that you find out.”
“Good ideas,” Jack said.
“I’m going to change clothes,” Kate said.
“I’ll help,” Jack said, smiling broadly.
They started to walk out, but Sara caught Kate’s arm. “I saw Reid kissing Rachel.”
