CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kari returned to the Sterling property at nine the next morning, this time with an appointment arranged through Charles Sterling's attorney.
The gate opened without the intercom interrogation from the night before, and she followed the winding driveway to a house that looked even more impressive in daylight—modern architecture blending into the desert landscape, floor-to-ceiling windows, immaculate landscaping that somehow made xeriscaping look luxurious.
A man in a dark suit met her at the door—private security, not house staff. He checked her credentials thoroughly before leading her through a foyer with marble floors and abstract art that probably cost more than Kari's annual salary.
"Ms. Gray will see you in the living room," he said, his tone making it clear that this was a privilege, not a given.
Diana Gray was standing near the windows when Kari entered, backlit by morning sun that turned her into an elegant silhouette.
When she turned, Kari saw a woman in her late thirties, strikingly beautiful with sharp cheekbones and dark hair pulled into a sleek bun.
She wore tailored slacks and a silk blouse that suggested someone comfortable with wealth, and a delicate silver bracelet on her left wrist that caught the light as she extended her hand.
"Detective Blackhorse. Thank you for your patience in getting this meeting arranged. Charles wanted to make sure we handled this through proper channels. Please, sit."
They settled on opposite ends of a cream-colored sofa that looked like it had never been actually used for casual sitting.
"I appreciate you taking the time," Kari said. "I understand you've been helping Mr. Sterling with his business affairs?"
"I've been a consultant for Charles for about eight months now. Strategic planning, investor relations, that sort of thing." Diana's smile was practiced, revealing nothing beyond polite cooperation. "Though I'm not sure how that's relevant to your investigation."
"I'm trying to understand the Sunset Ridge Resort project—who was involved, what the relationships were between the key players. You knew the victims?"
"I met them, yes. Richard Garrison at several investor dinners. Margaret Hoffman at city planning meetings. Victor Sheridan..." Diana paused fractionally, "at various business functions related to the resort."
Kari caught the slight hesitation. "Mr. Sheridan was involved in the construction. Did you work with him directly?"
"I attended meetings where construction progress was discussed.
Charles relied on Victor's expertise, trusted him to deliver quality work on schedule.
" Diana's voice remained even, but something in her posture shifted—shoulders pulling back, hands folding in her lap. "Victor was very good at what he did."
"How well did you know him?"
"He came to dinner parties occasionally. Charles liked to maintain good relationships with his contractors." Diana's eyes moved past Kari toward the doorway. "But I think you should probably ask Charles these questions directly. He knew the victims much better than I did."
As if summoned, Charles Sterling appeared in the doorway. He was tall and distinguished, with silver hair and the kind of confident bearing that came from decades of commanding boardrooms. But there was tension around his eyes, stress lines that suggested the past week had taken its toll.
"Diana's right—if you want to know about my business relationships, I'm the one who can give you accurate information. Though I have to say, I've already given a detailed statement to Phoenix PD. I'm not sure what more I can offer."
"I'm following up on some new information about possible irregularities in the resort's approval process," Kari said, watching both their reactions. "Environmental violations, permit issues, that sort of thing."
Sterling's cheek twitched. "Every major development faces scrutiny and accusations. We followed all required procedures and passed every inspection. If someone's making allegations about irregularities, I'd like to know who it is and what evidence they claim to have."
"I'm still gathering information. But three people connected to the project are dead, and I'm trying to understand if there's a motive beyond what's been publicly discussed."
"The motive is clear—Thomas Hatathli made public threats and acted on them," Sterling said. "My understanding is that he's been charged and the investigation is essentially over."
"Except for identifying his accomplices," Diana added smoothly. "The police said there might be others involved."
Kari was silent for a moment, navigating her way forward. "Did either of you have interactions with Thomas Hatathli? Meet him at protests, receive communications from him?"
"I attended one city council meeting where he spoke," Diana said. "He was passionate, angry about the petroglyphs. But we never spoke directly."
"I've never met the man," Sterling said flatly. "I sent representatives to deal with the protesters. Getting personally involved would have just escalated tensions."
"What about Victor Sheridan specifically?" Kari asked, watching Sterling's face. "I understand he managed the actual construction that destroyed the petroglyphs. Did that create any issues between you?"
Sterling's jaw tightened. "Victor did the job I hired him to do. If there were... complications... in how he handled certain aspects, that was between him and his company."
"What kind of complications?"
"Nothing relevant to your investigation." Sterling's tone made it clear the topic was closed. "Victor Sheridan is dead, and I'm not going to speak ill of him or air business disagreements that have no bearing on who killed him."
Diana stood, smoothly intercepting the conversation.
"Detective, I think we've covered what we can help with.
Charles has been incredibly stressed by all of this—three people he knew are dead, protesters are still demonstrating at the project site, and the resort's future is uncertain.
I'm sure you understand that he needs to protect his energy and focus on what matters. "
It was a polite dismissal, but a dismissal nonetheless. Kari stood as well, knowing she wasn't going to get much more in this environment with Sterling present.
"Just a few more quick questions. It would be helpful to know your whereabouts the past few nights."
Diana smiled thinly. "I'm here at the house most nights. Sterling will vouch for me." She glanced at Sterling with affection, though Kari couldn't tell if it was real or performed.
Sterling nodded dutifully. "That's right. We've been together every night for the past week, I'd say."
Which meant they were each other's alibis. Convenient, but not necessarily suspicious—it made sense that Sterling would want someone with him given the circumstances.
"Can anyone or anything else confirm that?" Kari asked. "Security footage, for instance?"
"It could," Sterling said. "And if you get a warrant, I'll show it to you."
It was clear they had no interest in further conversation. Kari thanked them for their time and let the security guard escort her out.
Back in her Jeep, Kari pulled out her phone and called Maria.
"Tell me you found something useful," Maria answered.
"Maybe. I just interviewed Diana Gray, Sterling's girlfriend. There's something off about her."
"Off how?"
"Nothing I can point to specifically. But she got uncomfortable when I asked about Victor Sheridan.
Sterling did too—got defensive, mentioned 'complications' but wouldn't elaborate.
And Diana's been living at Sterling's house since the first murder, which gives them mutual alibis for all three killings. "
"Convenient alibis," Maria said. "But not impossible. If they're really together and really scared, staying together makes sense."
"I know. That's what bothers me—everything she said is reasonable on the surface, but my instincts are telling me something's not right.
" Kari started the engine, pulling away from the Sterling property.
"Can you pull everything you can find on Diana Gray?
Background, employment history, financial records, previous relationships.
I want to know who she was before she met Charles Sterling. "
"On it. Where are you headed now?"
"Back to the hotel to review Caldwell's files more thoroughly. There might be something in there about Diana, or about the relationship between Sterling and the victims."
"You think there was something personal between them?"
"I don't know. But the way Diana and Sterling reacted to his name… there's something there. Something that made them uncomfortable discussing him."
"I'll see what I can dig up. Financial connections, personal connections, anything that links Diana to the victims beyond business relationships." Maria paused. "Kari, if Diana Gray is involved in these murders, she's been living with Sterling this whole time. Right under his nose."
"Which either means he doesn't know, or he's protecting her. Either way, we need more evidence before we can approach this directly. Right now all we have are uncomfortable moments in an interview and convenient alibis."
"I'll call you when I have Diana's background information. Might take a few hours."
After hanging up, Kari drove back to her hotel, her mind working through possibilities. Diana Gray had appeared in Charles Sterling's life eight months ago, positioned herself as essential to his business operations, and now three people connected to his most controversial project were dead.
That could be a coincidence. Or it could be something much more calculated.
But if Diana was involved in the murders, what was her motive?
Then it hit Kari: If Diana was behind some of the company's corner-cutting, she might've gotten scared about how much attention the protests were drawing. She might've decided that the best way to protect herself was to get rid of those who knew what she'd been doing.
It was a theory, anyway. She knew she was a long way from proving anything.
The questions kept swirling, but Kari felt no closer to an answer.