Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108849 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 544(@200wpm)___ 435(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“Did you call your wife that night?”
He sighed. “No. She seemed more than happy to be leaving for the spa, and frankly, I was tired after bowling. We hadn’t been talking much for a while, and after her arrest, it just got worse.”
“Were you angry about that?” Laurel asked.
Steve Bearing leaned forward. “Watch yourself, Agent Snow.”
“No,” Saul said, ignoring his son. “I wasn’t angry. I was just, I don’t know, tired.” He sighed. “I should have talked to her, or I should have tried to figure out what was going on, but I’ve been so busy. Life is exhausting sometimes.” He looked at his son. “I didn’t know she was having an affair. But don’t be angry at her. She’s gone, Steve.”
“I’m not angry,” Steve said, the pitch and volume of his voice rising.
Saul nodded. “Whatever went wrong, it was on both of us. I wish she’d talked to me though, instead of turning to . . .” He jolted. “Did you say Pastor John?” His voice rose.
“Yes,” Laurel said.
Steve slammed his hands on his legs. “That bastard. He was in a position of trust, and he took advantage of somebody in need.” He looked at his father. “You don’t suppose she went to him for counseling and then he seduced her?”
Saul nodded vigorously. “I’m sure that’s what happened. With me so distant, she was vulnerable, she was lost, and instead of talking to me, she went to a trusted clergyman. I’m going to kill him.”
“Whoa.” Laurel held up a hand. “Mayor, I need you to take that back. I can’t have you threatening Pastor John.”
Saul swallowed and took a deep, shaky breath. “You’re right. I’m not going to kill anybody, but you can bet your ass I’m going to sue that bastard and that whole church.”
Steve looked at his dad and then at Laurel. “Does Pastor John have an alibi for the night of the murder?”
Laurel cleared her throat. “I can’t discuss the case with you, but I can assure you that we’re looking at all possible suspects. Mayor Bearing, can anybody confirm that you were here all night Wednesday into Thursday morning?”
Saul’s shoulders sagged. “No. I was by myself. Unlike my wife, I don’t have a lover. I go to work. I come home. I engage in activities like bowling for the city. We don’t have any live-in help.”
“What about your younger son?” Laurel asked.
Saul shook his head. “Tommy was at a sleepover Wednesday night after his basketball game. On Thursday, he was at school when the sheriff arrived to notify me of Teri’s possible death.”
None of that sounded helpful. “Where is Tommy now?”
“Sleeping,” Steve said. “He finally crashed an hour ago—hasn’t slept in days. I can awaken him if you like, but he doesn’t know anything more. I’d prefer you let him sleep.”
She’d need to speak with Tommy, but right now, she believed Steve. “Please have him call me when he’s up and around. Preferably later today or tomorrow.” Laurel looked around. “Do you have security cameras?”
“We have one with our doorbell in front,” Saul said.
But not in the back or even on the garage, so Saul could have easily slipped out and returned without anybody seeing him.
“We are going to canvass the neighborhood to see if anybody saw you,” she said gently.
“I don’t care,” Saul said. “I didn’t kill my wife. If I had found out about the affair, I would’ve talked to her. I would’ve tried to make things right. I certainly wouldn’t have murdered her.”
Laurel nodded, noting the deep lines extending from his eyes. They could be a result of sorrow, or they could be guilt. “Have you ever met a woman named Delta Rivers?”
“No,” Saul said. “Why? Is she one of the victims?”
“I can’t discuss that,” she said. “How about Haylee Johnson?”
Saul frowned. “Haylee Johnson. That name is familiar, but I can’t think of who she might be.”
His son leaned forward, his eyes glittering behind the stylish glasses. “You do know the name. She was the woman dating Jason Abbott, the serial killer who murdered Aunt Sharon.”
“Oh,” Saul said. “That’s right. I remember the name, but I never met the woman. Why?”
Steve looked up at a family portrait over the fireplace that depicted the four Bearing family members. “Haylee Johnson’s body was found yesterday. She’s another victim of this guy. I heard about it on The Killing Hour.”
“She’s another victim?” Saul asked. “What could Teri and that woman possibly have in common?”
Steve pushed his glasses up his nose. “According to The Killing Hour, Fish and Wildlife Officer Huck Rivers is a suspect in the killings. Rachel Raprenzi cited a confidential source, but she’s asking more questions than providing answers. You know him, Agent Snow. What do you think?”
“I don’t think he’s the killer,” she said.
But could she prove it?
Chapter 28
Laurel finished drying a plate and handed it to Huck to put away in his cupboard.