Kerri parked on the cobblestone drive in front of the Thompson home. The towering limestone structure sat on more than three acres of gorgeous landscaping. Huge windows, grand entrance doors—the place was like a palace.

Four steps led up to the veranda. Kerri paused at the door and pressed the bell. The deep bass of the chime echoed through the house. She glanced up at the camera tucked discreetly above the door. Whoever was home had likely already checked to see who had arrived.

The door opened, and the lady of the house herself stood in full regalia before Kerri. Her shoulder-length blonde hair was perfectly coiffed. Her face was without a blemish, much less a wrinkle, even as she edged closer to fifty. Her brown eyes surveyed Kerri as she flashed her badge.

“I’m Detective Kerri Devlin, and I’d like a moment of your time, ma’am.”

Mrs. Thompson produced a polite smile. “I’m always happy to accommodate the BPD; however, I would very much like to know the topic of discussion before I commit.”

The elegant cream-colored sheath she wore along with the matching pumps spoke of having just left an important lunch engagement or of having a significant appointment. Surely no one lounged around the house dressed so smartly.

“Of course,” Kerri said, humoring her. “I’m investigating the Abbott homicide.”

Thompson caught her breath. “Such a tragedy. Please do come in.”

She led the way across a small foyer and down the steps into a lavish great room that soared three stories with overlooking landings from the upper two levels. The furnishings were every bit as sophisticated as the lady. Wealth exuded from every angle.

She sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, and folded her hands in her lap. Kerri chose the chair opposite her. Thompson didn’t offer refreshments or ask any questions; she simply waited.

“How well do you know the victim’s wife, Sela Abbott?”

“I really didn’t know her,” she answered, chin held high. “We met at several social engagements, which is to be expected. But I hardly knew her otherwise.”

“You worked with her on a fundraising event,” Kerri pointed out. “Did the two of you spend much time together during the planning and execution of the event?”

Thompson scoffed. “Heavens no. Although my name was on the event, my personal assistant handled most everything. I made an appearance at the actual function. My time is very limited.”

Kerri hummed a surprised note. “So you really don’t know Mrs. Abbott at all.”

“I do not. Only what I hear from others.” She shrugged. “Rumors, you know.”

“What sort of rumors?” Kerri readied her notepad.

Thompson glanced at the notepad, then said, “Would you prefer that I be brutally honest, or shall I give you the gentler version?”

“Please be brutally honest,” Kerri urged.

“Most of the other ladies in our circles believed her to be a gold digger. Ben was a bit of a strange one. Always with his head stuck in a computer. He was never very sociable. A geek or nerd, I suppose you’d say. Worked all the time, according to his mother. But Sela came along, seemingly from nowhere, and changed all that.”

“Was she friendly with anyone in your circles?”

“Oh no. Not at all.” Thompson shook her head. “But she watched us. All of us. As if she was planning our demise. It was quite unsettling.”

“But you never had any personal one-on-one dealings with her?”

“Never.”

“What about her husband’s recent purchase of your parents’ home? Did the two of you ever discuss this transaction or the Abbotts’ plans for the property?”

Thompson’s face turned a bright red. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her red nails lingering there, the color almost matching her cheeks. “The whole ordeal was infuriating and painful, but to answer your question, no, we did not talk about the travesty of her husband’s plans. The very idea was unconscionable. It was as if they understood how deeply painful this would be for me, and they chose to do it anyway.”

“Pardon my frankness, ma’am, but if you were so attached to the place, why sell it in the first place? As long as it stayed in your family, you had control.”

“It was an impulsive decision. One I should never have made.” She shook her head. “But the family who bought it was so happy there and seemed to be taking such wonderful care of the place that I came to the realization that it was likely for the best. My mother would have wanted someone to enjoy the home she’d loved so much. My father’s new wife wanted something more manageable.”

“But this wasn’t really your childhood home,” Kerri pushed.

“No. It wasn’t. But it was the home my mother had always wanted. I helped her to decorate it, and she lived the final years of her life there. She loved it so much.”

Kerri nodded. “It’s difficult to see something that meant so much to someone you cared about be destroyed.”

“It was her,” Thompson accused. “There was something about her, Sela, I mean. Something evil, I believe. She probably killed her husband and her mother just because a plan she’d hatched up didn’t go her way.”

That was quite a statement. “What sort of plan?”

She huffed a breath. “I have no idea. I’m simply saying that Sela Abbott is intensely self-centered and determined to take everything she can.”

“If you didn’t know her very well, what makes you say so?” Her statement sounded so resolute.

“These are the things others said about her. She would do anything to get what she wanted. Anyone who had the occasion to spend time with her said the same.”

So maybe the saint wasn’t so saintly after all.

“Mrs. Thompson, I really need to learn all I can about Sela Abbott. If you or your friends can shed light on any part of our investigation, it would be immensely helpful. But I do need facts rather than innuendos.”

“Really, I’ve told you all I know, and most of that was, as I said, rumor. My friends weren’t involved with Sela Abbott.” She glanced at the antique grandfather clock on the other side of the room. “I’m afraid I have an appointment at our offices. We’re very busy with the campaign.” She stood. “I hope you solve this case, Detective. I’m certain Daniel and Tempest are beside themselves with grief.”

“Thank you,” Kerri said as she followed her to the front door. Before leaving, she asked, “Perhaps your husband would know more about Ben and Sela Abbott.”

“I’m certain he does not,” she said firmly. “If you feel the need, I’m confident one of his assistants could help you. Good day, Detective.”

The door closed in Kerri’s face.

She walked to her Wagoneer and climbed in. Apparently Sela Abbott wasn’t so popular with the wives of her husband’s family and friends.

All Kerri had to do was find the real reason.

11

5:35 p.m.

Devlin Residence

Twenty-First Avenue South

Falco was waiting for Kerri when she pulled into her driveway. She glanced up to the second floor. Tori stood at her window. When she saw Kerri, she moved away. A very concise text at four thirty had declared that her friend had gone home and nothing more. Kerri supposed she should be grateful for that small gesture. It was more than some parents got, but it was so unlike her daughter.

At least she’d made it home before six as promised. She exhaled a weary sigh. Wondered if her mother had suffered through times like this with Kerri and Diana.

Her new partner sat on the front steps. Kerri climbed out and walked toward him.

“Your daughter offered to have me wait inside, but I figured it was best if I waited out here.”

“Good call.” Kerri sat down beside him. “I don’t know you well enough to have you hanging out in my house alone with my daughter.”

He turned his head to look at her. His bloodshot eyes and rusty chuckle classic Falco. “Wait. I didn’t go in, because I was worried I would be the one in danger. The kid came to the door with a can of mace in one hand and the phone in the other with 911 already on the screen. One tap of her thumb, and I was headed for trouble.”

In spite of how unproductive and frustrating this day had been, Kerri laughed. “Smart girl.”

“Definitely,” he agreed.

The sound of a car coming down the block drew their collective attention to the street, and they watched the minivan roll past.

“So I staked out Bellemont’s office, and he never came out.” He exhaled a big breath that ballooned his cheeks. “I guess his secretary or assistant, whatever, was telling the truth about him being out of town. After she left, I had a look in the window, and the place was dark.”

Kerri wasn’t sure what to make of the attorney just yet. He’d visited the Abbotts last night. She supposed he could have had an out-of-town appointment today. Why wasn’t he here doing whatever he could to help the family in the search for Sela? She was the wife of his lifelong friend, after all. The Abbotts had offered a sizable reward for her safe return. Had he advised them to make that move? She wouldn’t know, because he was too busy to meet with her.