Chapter 14
Fourteen
RETURNING TO THEIR CAR, Harper and Deck pulled down the drive, and her taut shoulders eased as they approached the gate, but she tapped her foot in rapid fashion while they waited for it to open. Finally the gate swung open, and Nick’s black Lexus pulled parallel to Deck’s truck on the other side.
Had they been there that long, or had Nick returned that fast? She glanced at her watch. Definitely fast. Hmm. Odd.
Nick powered down his window. “That took you a while.”
“She had so many dresses and a lot of jewelry to go through.”
“She sure did.” A soft smile curled on his Nick’s lips.
“You had a quick game?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
He sniffed and swiped his nose. “Just not up to it yet. It’s only been a few days since she passed.”
Huh. Maybe she was being too hard on the guy.
“See you later.” He raised his hand in a wave as he wound up the circular drive.
Deckard pulled out onto the street, banking left. Once out of view of the house, he gave her a quick sideways glance. “So what’s in the letter?”
“Right.” Pulling the envelope out of the bag, she found it sealed. Opening it, she slid the letter out, and three photographs tumbled into her lap.
“What are they of?” Deck asked.
She flipped them over and sat back, surprise riddling through her. “Nick and another woman.” She held up the first of the photographs with Nick kissing the other woman.
“That’s definitely not Taylor, based on the photographs in the house of Nick and a blond woman—who I’m assuming was Taylor.”
“Correct. That cheating scumbag.” She examined the pictures. “There’s no clear shot of the woman. Regardless, Taylor was right. And to think she felt bad about doubting him. . . .”
“She did?” He made a right onto the two-lane road leading back to downtown Santa Fe, where they’d catch the one road in and out of Jeopardy Falls.
“Yeah. She couldn’t shake the feeling he was cheating, but at other times she felt bad for even thinking it.”
“I doubt she felt bad about getting those.”
“I wonder when she got them. Must’ve been after I left for Syria. Probably had no one else she trusted to talk to. That sucks.”
“What does the letter say?”
“Oh right.” She unfolded the letter. “These are divorce papers signed by Taylor.”
“Whoa. What about Nick’s signature?”
“Nada.” She shook her head.
“Do you think she showed them to him, and he just refused to sign?” Deck made another right—the winter sun streaming through the windshield.
“I don’t think so. I have a feeling she was biding her time for the right moment.”
“Which would have been . . . ?”
“Knowing Taylor—who hated confrontations—I’d bet she’d move out while Nick was on one of his numerous business trips and leave the papers on the kitchen island for when he got back. Though I doubt they were really business trips at this point.”
He tapped the steering wheel. “Wait a minute. Didn’t you say they were trying to have a baby?”
“Yeah. I’m sure that changed as soon as she saw these.” She tapped the photographs into a straight pile against her hand. “I wonder who the woman is and if he’s still seeing her.”
“Unfortunately, I’d guess yes.”
“Me too, and I have an idea.”
“To quote the cliché, why don’t I like the sound of that?”
She smiled. Actually smiled. The first since . . . She shook off the thought.
“You okay?” Deck asked, entirely too perceptive.
“Yep.” Not even close. But she wasn’t up to delving into that pain.
And besides, she had smiled. She’d take that as a good sign.
Working this case—though she was terribly saddened by the loss of her friend—would keep her distracted and focused at the same time.
And if there was foul play involved, she’d prove it.
“So what do we do next?” Deck asked as they entered Santa Fe’s downtown district.
“I think we should talk with Taylor’s lawyer.”