“No worries,” Aiden said. “Just glad Ian proved the murder had nothing to do with you and Olivo can’t hurt you or anyone else anymore.”
She shuddered but wouldn’t comment on how terrified she’d been when she’d thought Olivo might have her in his sights. “Let me know if there’s ever anything you need.” She reached for her door handle. “Of course, it goes without saying that you each get free legal advice and representation for life.”
“You know, with the way we like to push the limits, we’ll take advantage of your offer.” Erik grinned over the seat.
She chuckled and got out, feeling odd to be walking up her sidewalk by herself. She wished she had Ian at her side, but that wasn’t meant to be.
17
Ian stifled an early morning yawn and crossed the bullpen toward Londyn’s desk, feeling kind of odd being without Malone. He’d spent so much time with her of late that he was missing her. Had been missing her since he’d fled last night after his talk with Peggy. The woman made sense. So much sense, and after tossing and turning all night, he’d come to realize that he’d be a fool if he let someone as wonderful as Malone go. But just because he was willing to risk failing didn’t mean she was willing to invest her emotions in a relationship that had strong odds of not surviving.
“Glad you’re here.” Londyn leaned back in her chair, a spiky black shoe dangling from her toes. “You’ll never believe what I found.”
“I’m all ears,” he said, thinking now he could forget about Malone and focus.
“Gilbert Flagg Sr. owned Malone’s house before her parents bought it.”
“Seriously?” He perched on the edge of her desk.
“It was listed under a subsidiary to Flagg Contracting, but I tracked it back to Flagg Sr.”
“Why a subsidiary company?” Ian asked.
“Looks like he uses the company for all the properties he’s owned over the years,” Londyn said. “Not sure of his reason. Most likely taxes, but I’ll dig a little deeper. As to Malone’s house, the records reflect permits and improvements right before they bought it, so it looks like Flagg remodeled the house before selling it.”
“It’s since been remodeled again, and I can’t tell you if he did it or not. But we can ask Malone if she knows anything about it. I do know she’s changing it back to the way it was when she lived there.”
“Did you ever hear Junior say anything about Malone living in his old house?”
Ian shook his head. “I have to think he didn’t know.”
“Why’s that?”
“I can’t see him missing the opportunity to tell her that she was slumming it while he was king of the hill in their big house. I know he had a field day with the fact that she was in foster care, and he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to rub the house in.”
“Maybe the house and her parents’ deaths are connected,” Londyn said. “Maybe Flagg Sr. scammed them somehow when he sold the house to them.”
“And then killed them?” Ian shook his head. “Seems odd to kill someone over something like that, but I’ll ask Senior and Karen about the property. Malone too. When I last questioned Flagg, he denied having known Malone’s parents.”
“With the house belonging to a subsidiary company, his lawyers might’ve handled everything except his signature, and he may not have paid much attention to who it was sold to.” Londyn leaned forward. “I already scheduled an interview with Karen in lockup in five minutes. We’ll talk to Snipes afterward.”
He stood. “Let’s get to it.”
Londyn grabbed her notepad and followed him down the hall. He thought about Malone’s house during their walk to the detention center, where they secured their weapons in gun lockers. Once in the interview room, a deputy brought Karen in to see them.
She dropped onto the metal chair. Her face was haggard, her eyes red from crying.
“I can’t believe this.” She lifted her handcuffs. “I never imagined I’d be jailed for anything. Especially murder. Something in me just snapped, and I couldn’t stay in my house any longer. I had to take charge. Make something happen.”
She placed her hands on the table and looked at them. “Not that Olivo was the only person to blame. Living with Gilbert hasn’t been easy. He has to have his way all the time. No matter the cost. Even belittling our son and making him turn to dealing drugs. I was a fool to stay with him. If I hadn’t…” She started to cry.
“I’m sure the jury and judge will take all of that into account,” Ian said, honestly wishing he could help her. It seemed as if she’d been abused all her married life. Not physically but mentally. Or she could be putting on a show for them. He was a good judge of character, and her grief and regret were sincere.
He waited for her to gain composure again and look back up. When she did, he leaned toward her. “When I visited your house, I’d mentioned about the parents of one of Junior’s classmates dying in a car accident. We now know it wasn’t an accident. I didn’t tell you that they bought one of your old houses.” He gave her the address.
“That place.” Her eyes lit up. “I loved that house, but Gilbert had to have something bigger. Something grander. Each time I’d get settled in and really feel at home, he would announce he had a new house for us, and we’d move. Now he’s building an even grander place. Well, he’ll be living in it all alone. Six thousand square feet to himself. Probably what he wants. Or he’ll find some young thing to be by his side for all the business dinners. That was pretty much my only value to him.” Karen’s sigh turned into a shudder.
“Could this couple’s murder have anything to do with the house or even your husband?” Londyn asked.
