7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Brooklyn Sloane January 2025 Wednesday — 8:19 pm
“Why are you making my job harder than it needs to be?”
Brook had spent the majority of the day at the Montgomery County Police Department while Theo had joined Detective Kitsis in interviewing several individuals. Most of them had worked alongside Mara Miles on her numerous charity boards and had been willing to give their statements about her marriage…or lack thereof. Despite Jordan and Mara’s efforts to hide the truth, those within their inner circle had been eager to share their thoughts about the power couple.
The past twelve hours had been a waste of time and resources.
As it stood, the local police were wrapping up their investigation with a large red bow for the prosecutor. Every word spoken had been another check in the win column for the District Attorney’s office. It didn’t help that those close to Jordan and Mara on a more personal level had been advised to seek legal representation. In those instances, Detective Kitsis had provided the defense attorneys with a list of questions that would eventually be returned with scripted responses that wouldn’t aid their investigation in the slightest.
Brook—more so Jordan—didn’t have the time to play legal games. She had driven straight from the police station to Jordan’s penthouse in downtown D.C. The only thing that had gone right for today was the valet parking out front. With the outside temperature dropping below zero, she wasn’t in the mood for any pushback.
“I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about, Brook,” Jordan stated with a hint of exhaustion before he polished off the rest of his drink. The amber liquid suggested his preferred beverage this evening was whiskey. “I canceled all my offsite meetings and remained inside, both per your suggestions. Do I think it is a bit overkill? Yes. No one is targeting me, Brook.”
“The Montgomery County Police Department and the District Attorney's Office believe this is a slam dunk case, Jordan. I had to fight tooth and nail for them to broaden their interviews.” Brook remained near the elevator bank. She still had the profile to finish, but this meeting with Jordan needed to be face-to-face. “Would you like to know who Detective Kitsis interviewed today? Those on Mara’s charity boards. It was a complete waste of time. My time. You hired me to prove your innocence and find the person responsible for your wife's death, yet you've made that nearly impossible by cutting off any chance of relevant interviews that could result in leads.”
“A man in my position—”
“A man in your position is about to go to prison for murdering his wife,” Brook amended gravely for him as she unfastened the button on her dress coat. “I’m not going to sugarcoat the situation the way Ackles has been doing from the start. It doesn’t look good for you, and your wealth and status aren’t going to help you this time around.”
Jordan tensed upon hearing her last statement, though she refrained from divulging too much since he wasn’t alone. Brook had caught his subtle cue that someone else was present, which was why she had made it possible for her to reach her weapon with ease. She had gotten her point across and was satisfied that her words had the desired effect.
“Would you care to make the introductions, Jordan?” Brook asked as she caught sight of movement in her peripheral vision. “Maybe this day won’t be such a waste after all.”
Brook was coming across as rather harsh, but she needed to impress upon him the severity of his situation. Barry Ackles believed he could shield his client. The man was wrong on many levels.
“Brooklyn Sloane, this is Claudia Hart.” Jordan gestured his empty glass toward the living room in what could only be taken as apathy. It was obvious from his demeanor that he had been somewhat honest last night about his relationship with the woman. His personal assistant held no significant meaning in his life. “Since you felt it wasn’t in my best interest to go into the office today, all my meetings were switched to video conference calls. Claudia has been here all day to ensure smooth transitions of said meetings, as well as scanning contracts and paperwork for the necessary individuals and corporations. Nothing more, Brook.”
She understood the meaning behind his words.
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Miss Sloane,” Claudia greeted as she stood from the couch. Her voice was polished and controlled, which meant the edge of her words had been stated with clear intention. Brook wasn’t in the mood to go toe-to-toe with Jordan’s assistant, but it wasn’t like her day had gone as planned, either. “I spoke to my attorney this morning, and I’ve already turned in my responses to your questions. If you need to hear it directly from me, so be it—I know nothing about Mara Miles’ death.”
Claudia assessed Brook with the clear purpose of unsettling her. She remained silent as she dropped her gaze to the wineglass with a red lipstick stain on the rim. The contents had already been consumed, and Brook got the distinct impression Jordan’s evening wouldn’t have been strictly business for long. Jordan’s lack of decorum in the wake of his wife’s death—regardless of their marriage being over in private—was disheartening.
“Miss Hart, I need to speak with Jordan in private.”
As Claudia shot a sharp glance of annoyance in Jordan’s direction, Brook took the brief opportunity to study his assistant. From her perfectly tailored navy blue suit that accentuated her figure, it was clear that she was someone who paid great attention to detail. A crisp white blouse and impeccable makeup completed her attire and appearance. The thin auburn highlights in her dark hair were professionally done, and her manicure appeared fresh. Her jewelry, however, expressed her desire for the finer things in life.
“Give us a minute, Claudia.”
“I don’t see why—”
“You can use the library to go over my schedule for tomorrow. I want at least an hour cleared in the afternoon to speak with Paul Teal regarding the acquisition.”
Claudia hesitated, noticeably weighing her options. Her jawline had tightened with annoyance, and she thinned her lips in irritation at being dismissed from the conversation. She finally picked up her phone and disappeared into the adjacent room without uttering another word.
“I know how this looks, Brook,” Jordan uttered with a hollow laugh, walking over to the beverage bar. “My wife is dead, and you find me here with my lover three days later. But I assure you, it's not what you think. Claudia is the best assistant I have had in years. Our relationship is…casual. No strings. She understands my situation, and I trust her to be discreet.”
“And if you wanted to end things?” Brook inquired, wondering if Claudia leaned in the same direction. “Would she be discreet then?”
“Claudia understands that what we have is purely physical.” Jordan rubbed his jawline, as if he were contemplating adding more to his statement. He went ahead with his first instinct. “We have a non-disclosure agreement in place, Brook.”
She refrained from giving her opinion, treading lightly now that she had some breathing space. It hadn’t been her intention to stay long, but she also hadn’t counted on Claudia being at the penthouse. Whether Jordan wanted to admit it or not, his lover was a suspect in his wife’s murder. While Brook hadn’t finished the first draft of her profile, no one on her team doubted the killing was personal.
“Do you believe Claudia is capable of murder?”
When Brook's question penetrated his thoughts, Jordan had just taken the topper off the whiskey decanter. He shifted slightly to cast a warning glance her way.
“Asked and answered, but I’ll repeat it—Claudia did not murder Mara, so don’t go there, Brook.”
“The police can’t speak to your employees, can’t interview the estate’s staff, and can’t question your lover.” Brook set her purse on the couch before removing her dress coat. “You’re treating this situation like an everyday business deal, Jordan. It isn’t. I don’t know how else to get that through your head. You’re tying my hands together, and because of that, you will go to prison.”
Jordan rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand before turning and pouring a lot more than two fingers’ worth of whiskey into his glass. He didn’t even bother to put the topper back in place. Instead, he tossed it down next to the decanter before grabbing his drink and approaching her.
The atmosphere in the room had become thick with tension, and she was going to have to choose each word very carefully if she stood a chance at getting him to listen to reason. She bought herself additional time by forcing him to speak first.
“Barry believes that any interviews with the staff could give the police more ammunition,” Jordan revealed as he walked past her to gaze into the blazing fire in the hearth. “We don’t know what they have seen or overheard. Barry is doing his best to protect me in case you fail to find the bastard who killed my wife.”
Brook understood that Jordan was under a lot of stress. She didn’t need to remind him of the reason behind his choice to reach out to her. That subject file was closed and sealed to the outside world. She wouldn’t hold it over him now.
“I apologize. I shouldn’t be taking this out on you.” Jordan stared into the amber hue of his beverage as if it were a lifeline. The alcohol might take the edge off, but it wasn’t a solution. He sighed in resignation before revealing some hidden truths. “Our troubles began last summer. There is a good chance the staff heard some of our…discussions.”
“Over?”
“You would be better off asking me what Mara and I didn’t argue over,” Jordan replied with a dull laugh. He took a swig of his whiskey before slightly wincing over the residual burn. “Our marriage slowly began to disintegrate a long time ago. Last summer just happened to be when we noticed the pile of ash left behind.”
Brook closed the distance between them, joining him in front of the fire. She was grateful that no one was around to stop him from disclosing intimate details of his marriage. She had many more questions, but this was certainly a good start.
“You told me the other day that there was no animosity between the two of you.” Brook made the statement without judgment. She hadn’t taken this case to cast an opinion. “Now you’re saying that Barry fears the staff will counter your claim. Where is the disconnect, Jordan?”
“Last summer, we went to couple’s therapy. You see, I wanted children. Miles Therapeutics was handed down to me, and I wanted the same for my son or daughter.” Jordan crossed his arms, though the gesture wasn’t defensive so much as he seemed to be staving off vulnerability. “Mara didn’t have the best upbringing, and she refused to even consider bringing a child into this world.”
“You didn’t know this before the two of you married?”
“I never thought about my legacy back then. Hell, I was partners with a college roommate of mine in a start-up medical device company. It was never my intention to take over Miles Therapeutics, but my father’s stroke forced my hand. I stepped up, and the rest is history.”
“Why stay married to Mara then?”
Jordan’s reluctance to answer was significant. Brook casually checked the bedroom door that Claudia had disappeared through to ensure it was still closed.
“Money.” Jordan seemed done sharing pieces of his past, and he dropped one arm while lifting the other to drain the contents of his glass in one fluid movement. “We didn’t have a prenup, and I didn’t want Mara to have a claim on the firm.”
“And what stopped Mara from filing for divorce anyway?”
“Because I threatened to out her past as an escort.” Jordan held up a hand in warning, as if Brook had been going to respond to his blackmail scheme. There had been nothing in Mara’s background that suggested such a lifestyle. It wasn’t a stretch to believe Jordan had made such decisions disappear. His status and wealth had given him the ability to do so. “Before you judge me, I would never have gone through with it. Mara knew me well enough to know that, too. I was desperate, and I spouted some impulsive ultimatums. I just needed to buy some time to liquidate a few assets. We agreed that after two years, she would receive three hundred million dollars in cash. We would part amicably—she could keep her social circle, and my reputation wouldn’t take a hit.”
“I take it Mara’s past was the reason she had no close friends?” Brook asked, figuring she no longer needed to search for an answer as to why Mara would have turned to Derek Haze.
Derek Haze was the CEO and owner of Haze Innovations Group. The company was a direct competitor to Miles Therapeutics. While Jordan believed Mara wouldn’t have fallen for his false demands, he was completely blind to a woman’s scorn.
“I spoke with Barry earlier today,” Brook shared as she continued to take the reins of the conversation. “He couldn’t provide me with the name of anyone Mara might have confided in. Not one.”
When studying Mara’s online planner, it became quite evident that everything she had undertaken was for the sake of appearances. All lunches, social gatherings, and general meetings had to do with the charity boards of her choosing. Such a lonely life made it easier to distinguish specific entries, such as those with coded initials. Brook had once lived such a life, and it made her wonder why Mara had kept herself so guarded.
Brook now had her answer.
The initials DH had been entered into Mara’s planner twice over the course of the past three months. Bit’s software had discovered the timing of said appointments aligned with two large deposits into an offshore bank account under Mara’s name—an account she had opened personally during a two-week vacation in Switzerland. Though the deposits hadn’t come directly from Derek Haze’s personal finances, Bit had been able to trace them to an account belonging to his corporation.
Mara had probably planned to take the three hundred million dollars from Jordan, but she had discovered a way to put a stake in his heart at the same time.
What better way than to destroy the one thing he loved most in the world?
Brook weighed the decision on whether to share such information regarding Derek Haze with Jordan. She still needed answers to other questions, and she didn’t want him to retaliate in any way that would prohibit her and the team from advancing this investigation.
“For the past six months, we were able to keep everything amicable.”
“It’s motive, Jordan,” Brook stated, thinking through his options. There weren’t many. Somehow, such an agreement would eventually leak to either the press or the media. Someone on their staff would eventually succumb to an offer they couldn’t refuse, and any and all private conversations that had been overheard would make the national news. No matter that a potential juror would deny any prejudicial bias, the prosecutor would basically have a slam dunk verdict. “Was this agreement between the two of you in writing?”
“No.”
Brook fell silent so Jordan could take a moment to breathe. There was still a lot of ground to cover, and she didn’t want him to revert to the man who believed his attorneys could make poor decisions disappear on a whim. Once she had decided to keep the corporate espionage to herself for a little while longer, Brook carefully constructed her forthcoming questions.
“The list you turned in that contained the names of those you’ve had bad dealings with in the past included a competitor named Derek Haze.”
“What about him? He’s a corporate shark who is constantly on the lookout for blood, but that doesn’t make him a killer. Besides, you and I both know that whoever killed Mara is someone close to us.” Jordan leaned a forearm against the black mantel. He focused on her expressions, clearly searching for some hint as to where their conversation might be headed. “Someone was able to disarm a state-of-the-art security system. I’ve got my theories, but I’d like to hear yours first.”
“You mentioned complications in this upcoming acquisition.” Brook wasn’t going to get anywhere with Jordan if he believed he already had the answers to his problems. She reworded her question to garner a direct answer. “Are the problems you’ve encountered due to Derek Haze?”
“No.”
Brook caught the flicker of apprehension in his eyes that betrayed his response.
“Like I said, Derek Haze had nothing to do with Mara’s death. He is as cutthroat as they come. He cares only about profit, and he views the people working for him as nothing more than a waste of money. Men like him make me sick, but I won’t blame him for my current problems. Besides, Derek has never been to my residence.”
Brook wasn’t so certain that was the case, but again, she didn’t want to push Jordan into taking matters into his own hands. There was no telling what his reaction would be when he learned that his wife had struck a deal with Haze.
“Mara’s written planner is still missing.” Brook changed the subject as she made her way back to the couch. “It wasn’t at the house on the night of her murder. We’ve searched her vehicle, too. Did she happen to leave it in your car? Maybe your office?”
“No, but she does have a gym locker at the country club. It could be there,” Jordan replied as Brook made herself comfortable on the middle cushion. Her position forced him to turn toward her to finish his response. “You’ll almost certainly find it there.”
“What time were you originally due home on Sunday?”
“Seven o’clock, but my meeting ran late.”
Brook made a mental note to have Theo swing by the country club after securing the key from Detective Kitsis. The small key she had noticed in the tagged evidence could very well be the one they needed for such a search.
“Jordan, I need to speak with Claudia.” Brook noticed his expression shift into frustration at the knowledge that she wasn’t going to let some key witnesses remain hidden behind legal representation. “You sought me out to clear your name. I’m doing what I can to keep things amicable between my firm and the detective in charge of your case. While I understand your attorney’s advice on preventing Kitsis from learning too much about your personal life, I still need access.”
“Fine, but before we get to that, Barry told me that Mara was giving her brother money. You should know that Vaughn Queller is more than capable of murder,” Jordan revealed grimly as he closed the distance from the hearth to the chair. He sat directly across from her while filling her in on his brother-in-law. “Vaughn is an addict. As I already told you, he and Mara didn’t have the best upbringing. Mara wanted more for herself. She got it, too. Vaughn, on the other hand, made it his mission to guilt-trip his sister at every turn.”
“I’m aware of Vaughn Queller’s record, and my team is searching for him now. He hasn’t been to his apartment or his place of work in a few days.”
“A few days?” Jordan narrowed his gaze as he weighed her words. “A few days…meaning since Mara’s death?”
“Yes.”
“Are the police even looking for him? Have they issued an APB?”
“Why would Detective Kitsis issue an APB for someone who isn’t a suspect in a murder investigation?” Brook had intentionally posed the question to hit home the fact that the police were confident in their case. “Jordan, you aren’t merely a prime suspect in their eyes. You are the guilty party, and all the prosecutor needs to do at this point is present those facts in court. Can you see why it's vital for me to speak with Claudia—your personal assistant and lover? Do you think the prosecutor won’t subpoena her to testify in court? Or any other key employees, like your CFO and other board members? Anything said in confidence will be aired for all to hear. The prosecutor will find a way around an NDA, Jordan. If you think the media is having a field day now, you just wait until the first day of trial.”
Jordan didn't hesitate this time around, and Brook braced herself for some pushback. While her preference would be not to judge others, it came with the territory of being a profiler. Unfortunately, from first impressions, Claudia struck Brook as a woman who put herself first in almost every way.
“Claudia! Would you join us, please?”
Jordan had raised his voice loud enough for Claudia to hear him through the thick door. She emerged from the other room, her gaze locking onto Jordan as she glided towards him with a predatory grace. Not once had she bothered to pay attention to Brook.
Claudia's dark hair framed her face, and her full lips had been repainted in the same shade of red that marked the wine glass on the coffee table. Either her purse was in the bedroom, or she kept some of her toiletries and makeup in the bathroom.
It was pretty clear from her demeanor that she believed she held sway over Jordan.
“Brook has some questions for you, and I’d like for you to be honest in your responses.” Jordan stood before Claudia reached his chair. He gestured for her to have a seat, and she hid her irritation behind a practiced smile. “This is important to me, Claudia.”
Brook found Jordan’s statement interesting, but she let it slide as she focused on Claudia. The way the woman perched herself on the edge of the chair with her legs folded to the side told of her unease. Her body language suggested she wasn’t going to be in such a position for long.
“I’m not sure how I can help you,” Claudia said, attempting to take control of the conversation. “I didn’t really interact with Mara on a daily basis. The only time we spoke was if she couldn’t get ahold of Jordan.”
Brook maintained a composed expression, her recollection of the brief discussion with Bit in the back of her mind. One of his software programs had meticulously combed through Miles Therapeutics’ website and social media presence, unearthing several instances where Claudia and Stewart Leone, CFO of the company, were seen conversing in the background of various events.
Their interactions seemed innocuous enough, but Bit's software flagged them just the same. Brook found it curious that a personal assistant appeared to have a close relationship with the CFO. If Miles Therapeutics had been a smaller organization, such a connection wouldn’t be surprising in the least. However, considering its size and market value, it raised some questions.
“Have there been any veiled threats made against Jordan or Mara that you're aware of?” Brook asked, her gaze never wavering from Claudia's face.
“None that I can think of,” Claudia replied, her voice steady. “There was a clinical trial where a patient died from complications unrelated to the drug in question. The patient's family sought legal representation, but since they signed an agreement waiving Miles Therapeutics from liability, we’re not expecting the suit to get very far.”
Brook recalled reading the headlines of such a tragedy last month. Brook continued to ask the standard questions, her inquiries carefully crafted to lull Claudia into a false sense of security before broaching the subject she truly wanted to explore.
“Tell me about your relationship with Stewart Leone,” Brook finally asked, monitoring Claudia's mask of confidence as it momentarily faltered upon the request.
“Stewart is the CFO of Miles Therapeutics.” There was no reason for Claudia to state the man’s title nor give such a lengthy pause afterward. She was buying time, and Brook doubted the truth would voluntarily be given. “We have a business relationship, nothing more.”
“What does Stewart have to do with this?” Jordan asked warily.
“I’m just trying to establish timelines for those close to you,” Brook said without taking her focus from Claudia. The woman had curled her manicured nails into the palm of her left hand. “If you don’t allow Detective Kitsis or my team access to everyone in your company, I’ll be forced to collect information from those I can question.”
“I’ll contact Barry and have him set up interviews at our headquarters then.” Jordan held up a hand to indicate he wasn’t done speaking. “You and your team. Not Kitsis.”
Brook nodded her consent without bothering to caution him that the prosecution could—and, in all likelihood, would—subpoena those employed by S&E Investigations during the trial. Jordan was aware of that fact, so she could only take his directive under the guise of trust. He was wary of the questions Kitsis might pose, but he had faith in Brook and her team.
Jordan’s decision to give her access to those he worked closely with put her in a position where she could continue to push Claudia into revealing information about Stewart Leone or ease off to divert her into believing it was an innocent question. While Brook would have preferred to push the issue, she decided against such a calculated move. What she was about to suggest would give the woman enough to worry about in the meantime.
“Where were you between seven and eight o’clock last Sunday?”
“I was with Jordan until after seven o’clock, so he couldn’t have been the one to disarm the security system,” Claudia stated without blinking once. Brook was astounded at the woman’s ability to lie with ease. “I’ll testify to that in court if necessary.”
“Damn it, Claudia,” Jordan abruptly exclaimed in irritation. Claudia was startled to the point that she released her fist to press her palm against her skirt. “Stop trying to protect me at every turn. Brook, we were together for most of the afternoon working on the acquisition. Claudia left here around six o’clock. I stayed a while longer to make some calls before driving home to find…”
“Why are you giving them ammunition, Jordan?” Claudia demanded as she stood from her chair. “If I say you were with me during the time the security system was shut off, then it forces the police to look for another suspect.”
“You’re wrong, Miss Hart.” Brook stood, as well. “You see, the estate’s security system was shut off in a specific manner, which means that I still need to know where you were between the hours of seven and eight o’clock last Sunday.”
“With my mother,” Claudia said dismissively with a wave of her hand. She was still glaring at Jordan with disapproval while rattling off her mother’s name and phone number. Brook reached into her phone and typed in the information for Theo or Sylvie to follow up on in the next day or two. “Is there anything else?”
“As a matter of fact, I do have one more question for you, Miss Hart.”
Claudia's shoulders tensed ever so slightly, clearly anticipating another inquiry about Stewart. With a practiced air of nonchalance, Brook posed a simple question that had a roundabout way to include the CFO of Miles Therapeutics.
“Have you ever given anyone the master code to Jordan’s residence?”
“Of course not.”
Claudia narrowed her eyes upon hearing the insinuation in Brook’s tone. The woman’s response was immediate, suggesting she was telling the truth.
“Brook, I’ve already given you a list of who had the master code—Mara, myself, and Claudia.” Jordan hadn’t refilled his glass. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t left the sitting area at all. “And before you go down that particular road, Claudia and I kept our relationship strictly business when we were at the estate.”
“Where you and Claudia have sex is not my concern.” Brook spotted the tilt of Claudia’s chin in defense of their actions. “Our tech expert was at the estate last night, and he was able to determine which code remotely took down the video cameras all around the property.”
“Brook, why didn’t you say that when you first arrived here?” Jordan asked, quickly reaching into the pocket of his pants for his phone. “Each of the staff members was given guest codes, as well as anyone who has stayed with us for the past few years. I can give you a list of the codes that we—”
“There’s no need for you to do that, Jordan.”
Claudia’s face flushed with anger when she immediately recognized the implication.
“Are you suggesting—”
“Jordan, I’m informing you that the master code was used to turn off the security system. If it wasn’t you…that leaves only Mara and Claudia.”