Chapter 19
The lobby inside Supernatural Sport Resort was busy when Zane and I entered. I assumed the resort had some sort of Valentine weekend deal going on.
We waited our turn in line, and fifteen minutes later, we asked the witch behind the counter to ring Hunter Quinn for us. She did as we asked and told us he’d be down in five minutes and would meet us at the coffee shop.
I popped my head inside Fairy-Kissed Confections, but Sasha wasn’t behind the counter. Another fairy was. I hurried across the lobby to stand in line with Zane for coffee. Zane also ordered a white-chocolate mocha for Hunter.
Hunter came down alone, no Jayla, no Sasha. Zane handed him the coffee, and we took a seat at one of the empty tables.
“I don’t want to leave Jayla alone too long,” he said. “I have another engagement later tonight, and so I need to be with her as much as possible the rest of the afternoon.”
“Then we’ll make this quick,” I said. “Your accounting business has struggled for a couple of years now.”
Hunter took a sip of his coffee and shrugged. “That’s the way it is with businesses. Some years are good, some aren’t.”
“Hunter,” Zane said, “we know you’ll inherit five-hundred-thousand dollars from your wife’s life insurance policy. A policy that was changed last year.”
A muscle jumped in Hunter’s jaw. “So what? Doesn’t mean I killed her. It means she was looking out for Jayla and me.”
“Is that why she left the house to your daughter?” I asked.
Hunter sucked in a breath. “I see you know a lot.”
I snorted. “Yeah, that’s pretty much our job.”
He set his cup down and stared at it for a moment.
“Yes, I’ve spoken to the lawyer. I know what Mari’s will says.
I know I get fifty percent of her royalties for however long they last, and I know Jayla receives the other fifty percent.
I also know Mari put the house in Jayla’s name for when she turns eighteen.
” He looked up and pointed a finger at me.
“You ask me, Eliza Nordic murdered Mari. This just proves it. Mari probably ran her mouth and told Eliza she’d put her in her will, told her she’d get money, and Eliza decided to kill her for it.
” He shook his head and looked out at the supernaturals strolling by. “I gain nothing with Mari’s death.”
“I wouldn’t call half a million dollars nothing,” I said tightly.
He waved a hand through the air, as though dismissing my statement. “It’s still a disruption in our lives and my lifestyle.” He sighed. “I have a memorial to get to shortly. Are we done?”
I took a sip of my coffee. “So you’re going to your wife’s memorial tonight at Bottoms Up?”
His eyes went wide. “How did you know about that? I only just found out about an hour ago that some of her readers are putting it on.” He ran his hands over his face. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Zane stood, and I followed suit, making sure to pick up my coffee. It had already been an extremely long day, and we still had a stakeout at the memorial to do tonight. I needed this caffeine rush.
“When can I get inside my home?” Hunter demanded. “I need more clothes, and this is really hard on Jayla.”
I’d been wrestling with something regarding Mari and her diaries, and I figured now was as good a time as any to ask. “Where did your wife keep her diaries?”
Hunter’s brow furrowed. “What? What are you talking about?”
“Her diaries. I repeat, where did your wife keep the diaries she filled? We found the one in her nightstand. What did—”
Hunter held up a hand. “I get it. Geez.” He shrugged. “I think she kept them in a box she had in the attic. Why?”
Because I was hoping Mari had written about what happened all those years ago. I caught Zane’s eye, and we turned to leave.
“Wait!” Hunter called out. “When can I get back into my house?”
“We’ll let you know,” I said over my shoulder.
We’d just exited the building when I all but stumbled into one of my besties, Crystal Nobel. She laughed and gave me a hug.
“What are you guys doing here?” she asked.
“Work related.” I glanced down at her outfit. “Did you just finish class?”
“I did. I’m actually running inside here to see if the boutique still had this adorable outfit on sale. I was going to get it a couple days ago but talked myself out of it. But Cade called, and he wants to go out tonight.” She grinned. “So I thought maybe I deserved a new outfit.”
I laughed. “You definitely deserve a new outfit.”
We waved goodbye and strolled over to the Aston.
“You think Mari wrote about what happened in high school, don’t you?” Zane pulled out of the parking lot and headed down the long, winding driveway.
I grinned. “I’m banking on it. If she did, that may be the nail in Rayna’s coffin we’re looking for.” I shrugged. “You know, just in case she didn’t kill Mari, she’ll still be held accountable for her actions.”
“Do you want to talk with Eliza next or find the diary?”
I pursed my lips. “Let’s talk with Eliza, and then search Mari’s attic.”