Jennifer Morey - Mission - Colton Justice

Jeremy shook his hand. “Good to see you again.”

“Wish it was under other circumstances. Adeline just told me you hired her to look into Tess’s accident?”

He nodded. “I can’t believe she’d drive into a pole without even trying to stop or swerve, drinking or not. It’s also known Livia didn’t like her, and had held a long grudge against her...”

Knox ran his hand down his stubbly face. “Yeah, I have to admit that’s bothered me, too—her body not being found. And it wasn’t hard to incite her wrath.”

Jeremy didn’t miss how he used the past tense, as though he considered Livia dead. She hadn’t been much of a mother to Knox. He’d basically written her off long before she’d been sent to prison. He, as much as anyone, and maybe more, had reason to despise the woman and never trust her. She had escaped once from a maximum security prison. What would stop her from using an accident in her favor?

“What about it bothers you?” Adeline asked.

He turned patient blue eyes to her. “Growing up with Livia as a mother taught me many things about deceitful people, but she was a special case. She had an assortment of husbands she used to her advantage, worked with a criminal organization, and trafficked drugs and people.”

“People?”

“Don’t forget murder,” Jeremy added. She may have added Tess to her list of victims.

“Yes, that, as well. I often wonder how she ended up so evil,” Knox said. “Her half brother was a serial killer. Maybe that’s what turned her into a sociopath. Maybe it’s in her blood.”

“If she’s still alive, she’s definitely capable of evil,” Adeline said.

What hadn’t that woman done? Hearing Adeline’s skepticism, Jeremy subdued his rising irritation. Didn’t she see why he and Knox were so concerned that Livia still walked the earth?

“That’s putting it mildly. Her family history is only part of her character,” Knox said. “On top of murder and trafficking, you can add kidnapping. She kidnapped my sister Claudia’s mother and took Claudia from her real Russian family. As an adult Claudia hired a PI and is now reunited with them.”

“She fell in love with the PI,” Jeremy added.

“Yes, she did. Hawk Huntley. He’s a good man. I’m glad she found happiness after all she’s been through.”

“You’ve all been through a lot because of Livia,” Jeremy said.

Adeline looked thoughtfully at Jeremy. Would she finally buy into his reason for thinking Livia could have killed Tess? He wondered if asking her to investigate had been a mistake. But then he remembered her pregnancy and the secret feelings he’d had back then, and the feelings that had renewed when he first saw her come into his office. Desire. The mother of his child...

No matter how many times he told himself the real reason he’d asked her here was for her expertise, he couldn’t get past the secret feelings. Guilt stabbed as always whenever he thought of Adeline that way. He’d loved Tess.

“Your security company said someone entered the code around the time the burglar broke in,” Knox said.

That’s what Jeremy had figured. “Then we should talk to my ex-nanny, and maybe my general counsel, Oscar Biggs. He came to me and confessed he had an affair with Livia long before he also had an affair with Tess, and that he met with Tess the day of her accident. He said she wanted to get back together and he declined. She supposedly left upset because of that.”

“When did they meet?” Knox asked.

“Oscar said for a late lunch the day of her accident,” Adeline answered.

“Her accident happened later than that,” Jeremy said.

“Much later,” Knox added.

“Excuse me, Sheriff.”

Jeremy turned to see one of the deputies holding a small device in his palm. “We found three of these planted throughout the house. We’re searching for others.”

Knox took the object and held it up. “It’s a listening device.” He looked at Jeremy. “Whoever planted them wants to know what you’re doing.”

“With Tess’s accident?” Adeline asked, her voice full of disbelief.

“What other reason could there be?” Knox asked. “This has the earmark of Livia if I’ve ever seen one.”

Jeremy nodded, glad he at least had the sheriff on his side. “Have you or your siblings heard from her?”

Knox scoffed. “If I had, do you think any of us wouldn’t let the Feds know?”

Jeremy didn’t doubt they would, but he might ask anyway.

* * *

Late the next afternoon, Adeline walked with Jeremy down the sidewalk downtown. They were going to stop in Claudia’s boutique to ask her about Livia when they saw her leave and duck into an Italian restaurant. They followed.

Jeremy held the door for her and Adeline couldn’t help a tiny warm smile at his considerate gesture. Claudia went to the bar area and sat with a menu. Adeline admired her black lace, fit-and-flare dress with horizontal stripe detail breaking up the floral pattern.

Adeline stopped just behind Claudia, Jeremy to her other side. Claudia didn’t seem to notice them, too involved in the menu.

“The usual to go?” the bartender asked her.

“I think I’ll try something new this time.” She closed the menu and looked up at the bartender. “What do you recommend?”

“The chicken piccata and the herb-grilled salmon are my favorites. The salmon comes with broccoli and is a lighter option, which you seem to prefer.”

“Great. I’ll try the salmon, but I’d better get Hawk something else. How about the chicken for him?”

“You got it.” The bartender took the menu and poured her a glass of water. “Can I help you folks?” he asked Adeline and Jeremy.

“No, thanks, we’re here to see her.” Jeremy pointed to Claudia, who paused as she lifted the glass to look at him.

“Jeremy Kincaid?” Swiveling the bar stool, she smiled up at him and then caught sight of Adeline. “And a friend.”

He smiled. “Hello, Claudia.”

She put her hands on her thighs. “Knox told me you had an eventful night.”

“Someone broke in and tried to plant some bugs,” Jeremy said.

“That’s what Knox said. He also told me you might come talk to the rest of the Colton clan. I haven’t heard from Livia and I’m sorry to say that I’m very glad about that.”

“When is the last time you did hear from her?” Adeline asked.

“I’m sorry again, I didn’t get your name.” She tucked a few strands of her long, blond hair behind her ear.

“I’m being rude,” Jeremy said apologetically. “This is Adeline Winters. She’s a private investigator.”

“Ah.” Claudia frowned. “Did you hire her or do the two of you have a thing going?”

“I hired her.”

Why had she asked if they had a thing? Was their attraction that obvious? Or maybe they looked good together.

Claudia eyed Adeline and then Jeremy. “But possibly something going on?” She winked. “It’s been a while since Tess’s accident. We all would love to see you moving on. Such a tragedy. How are you and Jamie doing?”

“We’re doing quite well. Even better now that Adeline is here.”

Claudia sipped her water through a straw and then put down the glass. “Having her around is probably good for Jamie. And you. But why the need for a private investigator?”

“He thinks Tess was murdered and Livia might have been behind it,” Adeline said, hoping she didn’t sound too cynical. She caught Jeremy’s look and felt his offense. She didn’t mean to be offensive; she just thought Livia killing Tess was a little far-fetched. She needed proof. That’s why she’d become a PI. Her brain was hardwired that way. He was just going to have to adjust.

“Oh.” Claudia glanced at Adeline and then stared at Jeremy. “Why do you think Livia killed her?”