Chapter Twenty-Three Judson
Chapter Twenty-Three
Judson
I’d let Raine slip away seventeen years ago. Football had been a means to an end. I wasn’t the most talented player, but I could outwork anyone. Riding the pigskin to a better future wasn’t easy or guaranteed, but it was all I knew. Loving Raine hadn’t been in the plan.
The rumble of a hospital cart focused my thoughts. I found Gabe sitting in the waiting room alone, a half-drunk cup of coffee in hand. When he saw me, he glanced up but didn’t stand. I sat beside him.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“Shaken up. Relieved. Still trying to wrap my head around it all.”
“This can catch anyone off guard.” His vanishing act nagged me. Gabe wasn’t the steadiest person. Was this real panic or cover for something else? “Did you see any signs that Maria was in distress?”
“Nothing. She went for an early-morning run that day. She’s the fittest person I know.”
“What kind of medications does she take?”
“None. She doesn’t even like to take aspirin. You asked me that before. Why again?”
“Her blood work came up positive for very high levels of cyanide.”
Gabe’s gaze snapped up to mine. “How’s that possible? It’s a mistake.”
“It’s not. Dr. Webber ran the test twice.”
Head shaking, he searched my face for any chance I was bluffing. “This doesn’t make sense.”
The cyanide had been in both Maria’s and Gabe’s wineglasses. Meaning he could’ve also been a target, too. “You don’t drink wine, do you?”
“Not much. I bought a bottle for Maria. Kind of a peace offering. She served some at dinner the other night. Said it was nice to treat ourselves. I took one sip but didn’t like it.”
“How much did she drink?”
“Finished her glass. Why does this matter?”
The forensic team had taken pictures of both. The one with lipstick on the rim had been empty. The other was nearly full. “The poison caused her heart attack.”
A frown creased his brow. “Heart problems run in her family. That’s why she’s obsessed with cardio.”
“She never had any heart tests done?”
“No. I think she didn’t want to know.”
“Was she ever winded? Blue lips? Odd pains in her body?”
“No. She was in top health.”
“Okay.”
“I didn’t put cyanide in my wife’s wine or food or anything.” His voice cracked. “I wouldn’t hurt her.”
“You were having an affair, Gabe.” I didn’t have proof, only Maria’s word, but he didn’t know that.
Tension rippled through his body. “I never said that.”
“Who were you sleeping with?”
“No one. This is bullshit.”
“Gabe, you’re my friend. But if you keep lying to me, I won’t help you.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Did Maria threaten to leave you?” I challenged.
He paled. “She never said that.”
Not yet. But if she suspected an affair . . .
I leaned back. “Okay. Asking hard questions is part of my job.”
He rubbed his face. “She’s the best person I know and doesn’t deserve this.”
“Good. Then this will be easier for us both. How’s the job going?” I asked.
“Job.” Confusion pinched his features. “Fine. I picked up a little one. I’m hoping it leads to more work.”
“Money tight at home?”
He frowned, considering the question. “Maria took extra shifts. And she doesn’t like it. But it’s temporary.”
“She wasn’t hassling you about money?”
“You keep circling the same things—money, an affair. Like you’re looking for a motive.”
“I am. Someone poisoned your wife. I want to know why.”
The fear behind Gabe’s gaze hardened to something akin to survival. “It wasn’t me. I would never do that. Jesus, Judson. I love my wife.”
I’d missed their wedding. A case was consuming me, as many did in those days. I’d donated to their honeymoon fund via the wedding website. The generosity eased my guilt, and I’d gotten on with life.
“Gabe, don’t get worked up. I’m only doing my job. I need to rule you out so I can focus on other people.”
“I get it.” He ran fingers through disheveled hair. “But being under the microscope feels like hell.”
“It’s supposed to.” I added, “I want to see your finances. Will you give me permission to access your bank records?” I could get a warrant, but if Gabe didn’t resist, then the process would go faster.
He dropped his gaze. “Sure, if you need to.”
“Any other problems at home?”
“She wanted more help with Molly—to find another home. She hates being dependent on Raine. But we can’t afford it right now.”
“Raine’s birthday is Wednesday. She takes control of the estate then. Rumor mill says she’ll sell and walk away.”
“Yeah, I heard.”
“That would leave you, Maria, Molly, and Edith without a house.”
“I don’t think Raine would throw us out,” he said. “She’d help us.”
“Has Edith mentioned having to leave?”
“She’s worried,” he said. “She’s been on the land for almost twenty-five years.”
“You said Maria and Raine haven’t spoken in a year.”
He frowned. “Maria asked Raine for money several times. Maria’s not great with money, and my work has been sparse. When Maria asked for more money, Raine called her out on her spending. Maria blew up. Said she had every right to spend the money however she saw fit. Raine stopped sending checks.”
“What did Maria say?”
“Nothing. She worked shifts at the hospital.” He shook his head. “They’d still be talking if this damn economy wasn’t eating into my business.”
Maybe if he’d gotten a job. But Gabe never liked being told what to do. “And there’s nothing else you need to tell me?”
He met my gaze, defiant but tired. “No, man. Nothing.”