Chapter 14
Gwen looked around to make sure the neighbors weren’t watching. “I think it's best if we have this discussion in private.”
She stepped aside, pulled the door wide, and invited us in.
We walked into the foyer, and she closed the door behind us, once again glancing to the street. We followed her across the expensive marble tile into the spacious living room. Gwen offered us a seat on the sleek, modern furniture. Copious amounts of light spilled in through the large window walls.
With dark hardwoods, French gray walls, and white trim, it had a classic feel but still light and airy.
Gwen composed herself and took a seat in a chair catty-corner. “I’m going to assume what’s said in confidence will remain in confidence.”
“I’m only interested in who killed Liam,” I said. “But there really aren’t any secrets in Stingray Bay, are there?”
A frown tightened her lips. Everybody in Stingray Bay seemed to know everybody else's business. What else was there to do around the posh neighborhood besides talk about people behind their backs?
“You have to believe me when I tell you I stopped sleeping with Liam the moment I found out he was involved with my daughter.”
“When did you become aware?”
“Just recently.”
It was an intentionally vague answer.
“Define recently,” I said.
Gwen shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe a few weeks ago. I should have caught on sooner. They’d been getting awfully close. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined the two would…” She couldn’t bring herself to say it.
I don’t think she was being a hundred percent honest. According to cell data, the two had spent time together over the weekend at the Seven Seas.
“When did their relationship begin?”
“I’m not really sure. He started coaching her when she was a junior.
With Liam’s help, she ranked top 40 in the National Girls, and peaked at 152 in the Junior ranking.
Now she’s fielding offers from several strong colleges.
Turning pro is her dream, and it’s all possible because of Liam.
As you can imagine, we were ecstatic about the results.
I had no idea there was a growing attraction between the two. ”
“Was your husband aware?” I asked.
“Aware of what?”
“Their growing attraction.”
She frowned and took a deep breath. “He found out the same time I did. Needless to say, it caused a lot of tension around the house. Stephanie seems to think she loves Liam.”
“Is she aware of his demise?”
“I’m not sure. I haven’t talked to her since early this morning.”
“Where is she now?”
“In school.”
I shared a look with Jack, then asked Gwen, “How did your husband react when he found out?”
“How do you think he reacted? He was pissed. Wouldn’t you be?”
“Of course. Did he express any desire to harm Liam?”
"He may have said a few things in the heat of passion, but nothing any normal person wouldn't have said. My husband is not a violent man. He would not have assaulted Liam. He would have handled it through the proper channels.”
"Why wasn't this reported to the police?"
"Their relationship?”
I nodded.
"As far as I'm aware, their relationship began after she turned 18. She's an adult. She can make her own decisions. Though her choices aren't always the best.”
I think Gwen didn’t want to take any responsibility.
She clutched her pearls. "You can imagine my embarrassment when I found out my daughter was involved with the same man I was."
"Is your husband aware of your infidelity?”
"Oh God no.”
"Are you sure about that?”
"He would have said something by now. Believe me.
With everything that's happened, he would have given me an earful.
" She paused. "You have to understand, I love my husband, but I have needs.
" She cleared her throat. "Needs that aren't always met.
What am I supposed to do? I'm not getting any younger.
Am I supposed to live the rest of my life unfulfilled?
No! Of course not. That would be absurd.
If he's not willing to take care of business, I am more than free to seek satisfaction elsewhere. "
She was great at justifying. I figured Gwen could justify just about anything she wanted.
It was about that time when someone burst through the front door.
Gwen sprang to her feet and hurried into the foyer to see what the commotion was all about. "Stephanie, what's wrong?"
JD and I shared a look, climbed off the couch, and joined her.
"Liam's dead!" Stephanie exclaimed, tears streaking her mascara. She stormed up the steps. "Dad killed him! I hate you people!”
Stephanie marched up the stairs and stomped down the hall to her bedroom. She slammed the door shut and locked it.
Gwen shared an awkward glance with us. "She doesn't mean that. She's just upset. I'll go talk to her."
Gwen climbed the grand staircase, and we followed. She tried Stephanie’s door, but it was locked. Pop music filtered out of the room, drowning out Gwen’s voice. “Stephanie, open the door!”