9
“Ididn’t think it was relevant,” Lisa said with a dismissive shrug when we visited her again in Stingray Bay.
“You didn’t think it was relevant!?” I said, incredulous.
“My mind was focused on other things. It was traumatic news.”
A frustrated exhale escaped my lungs. “Tell me about the lawsuit.”
“Well, there’s not much to tell. Eden said some horrible and patently false things. It was hurtful and destructive to Richard’s business. We asked repeatedly to handle this issue in private, but she refused. She had to be stopped.”
“Well, somebody found a way to shut her up,” I quipped.
The muscles in Lisa’s jaw flexed, and her eyes seared into me. She took a deep breath, adjusted her posture, and tried to settle her rage. “I resent the implication. Eden was troubled as a teen with a long history of instability. She was a cutter when she was younger, so I’m told. She’s always had issues with the truth. To her, the only truth was what she fabricated at the time.” Shesighed. “Please understand, I feel terrible about what happened. I can’t help but think the lawsuit pushed her over the edge. It wouldn’t be the first time she attempted suicide.”
“The medical examiner hasn’t made a determination yet.”
“You know she tried to kill herself on two prior occasions.”
“How?”
“Both times with pills, from what I’m told. This was before my time with Richard.”
“This wasn’t a suicide,” I said.
“You just said no determination had been made.”
“Call it a gut instinct.”
“That doesn’t sound very scientific.”
“Is there any truth to her allegations?”
Lisa gasped. “Lord no! She was just trying to hurt Richard in the most effective way possible. How do you defend against something like that? The mere implication of impropriety can kill a man’s career and reputation. Fortunately, people can see what kind of man Richard truly is.”
“Did you have a hand in getting her account banned?”
“I would like to see the whole platform banned. You can’t tell me this kind of thing is good for society.”
“Have you spoken with Richard?”
“Yes. He’s aware, and he’s very upset. I gave him your number, and he said he would call when he feels up to it. I’m planning on flying to Austin and flying back with him.” She made a sad face.“I hate that he’s alone right now.” She paused. “If you’ll excuse me, gentlemen, I need to pack and get my things together.”
We thanked her again and walked back to the Porsche.
I dialed Isabella. “You got anything on the cellular data?”
“A few things.”
We climbed into the car, and Jack fired up the engine.
“Eden’s phone is the only device that pings the tower from her boat during the time of her death,” Isabella said. “Richard Scott’s phone was and is in Austin. Lisa Scott’s phone was in Stingray Bay.”
“What about Eddie Marshall?”
“In Stingray Bay as well.”
I thanked her for the info.
