Chapter 7
His wife.
No one had mentioned Gideon was married until now, and I had a plethora of questions. But as my attention turned to the front of the room and the man standing behind the podium, it was clear the funeral service was about to start. My questions would have to wait.
“Most of you know me, but for anyone who doesn’t, my name’s Greg Savage, and I’ve been friends with Gideon since we were teenagers. Camille has asked me to say a few words.”
His gaze fell on Camille, and she offered him a slight smile.
“First, I’d like to thank you all for coming,” he continued, “though if I’m being honest, I question why most of you are here.
Maybe it’s out of loyalty to his mother.
Or maybe you were hoping to learn more about the murder investigation.
Dying here was the last thing Gideon would have wanted.
Yet fate stripped him of any say in the matter.
I trust it will all be made right, that his killer will be brought to justice.
For him, and for the loved ones he leaves behind. ”
Greg then lightened the mood, talking about some of the shared memories he had with Gideon—some funny, others heartfelt.
When he finished, it was Camille’s turn to speak, and she was followed by Martin.
Forty-five minutes later, it was over.
As people stood, many walking over to speak with Camille and Martin, I addressed Gideon’s wife, saying, “I didn’t know Gideon was married.”
“Sorry, who are you? And how did you know Gideon?”
“I’m Sloane. And you are?”
“Cecilia.”
“My husband and I were the ones who found Gideon on the night he died.”
She raised a finger. “Ahh, you must be the private investigator, the one Camille hired.”
“I am. When Camille came to see me yesterday, she didn’t mention you.”
“I’m not sure she knows about me, to be honest. Gideon was supposed to tell her we married during his visit, but I don’t know if he got around to it before … before …”
She fisted her hands at her side and closed her eyes.
I waited.
When her eyes opened, red and filled with tears, she said, “I apologize. There’s so much I’m trying to process.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” I said. “How long were you two married?”
“Not long. We eloped last month … and you know something? This last month has been the best of my life. I couldn’t wait to start our future together.”
“When did you two meet?”
“This may sound crazy, but we just met three months ago.”
“Where?”
“I was in Florida at a teaching convention. Gideon was there on business. We were staying in the same hotel, and one night, while I was at the bar having a glass of wine, he walked up and asked if he could sit by me. We got to talking, and before we knew it, we were dating. One month into the relationship, he proposed.”
She lifted her ring finger, flashing one of the biggest diamonds I’d ever seen.
“How did you feel about getting married so soon after you met?” I asked.
“Prior to meeting Gideon, I wouldn’t have ever believed I’d do something so spontaneous. But he wasn’t like anyone I’d ever dated before. He was different.”
“In what way?”
“In every way. He came into my life, and suddenly I couldn’t imagine how I’d ever lived without him. You ever feel that way about someone?”
Cade nudged me on the shoulder, shooting me a wink. “Yeah, Sloane. You ever feel that way about anyone?”
Turning toward him, I said, “Remember when we first met?”
“Yeah, you thought I was up to something.”
“To be fair, you were following me around town.”
“From one detective to another, I just wanted to know what you knew about the case I was workin’ on back then.”
I glanced at Cecilia. “To answer your question, yes. Some years back I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, investigating the kidnapping of two girls. Cade was a detective at the time. We met, and after a rocky start, we got to know each other. Now, we’re married. Best decision I ever made.”
Cecilia reached into her handbag and pulled out a handkerchief, using it to dab her eyes.
“Gideon dying was … well, unexpected—something I never saw coming. You think you have forever. You think you have a lifetime. But I’ve learned a lifetime can slip away in a single moment.
Our relationship was ripped from us before it even had a chance to begin. ”
“I know there’s nothing I can say to take away your pain, or to make any of this any easier. But I will find the person who murdered your husband, and they’ll pay for what they’ve done.”
She stood, snapping the clasp on her handbag shut. “I’m glad you’re here. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’d like to speak with Greg and introduce myself to Gideon’s sister and brother.”
“Of course.”
I’d hoped to get more time with her.
Perhaps we could talk later, somewhere private.
The mourners pressed tight around Camille and Martin, voices low and hushed. Then a woman’s gaze found mine—sharp, unblinking. She slipped from the circle, and before I knew it, she was coming straight for me.