Cheryl Bradshaw - Black Diamond Death

She smiled.

“You found her,” she said, and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. And you are?”

“Sloane.”

She gestured to the stairs on the right.

“Why don’t we talk in my office?”

Vicki’s office was furnished with two desks. One of the desks surfaces displayed a picture of Charlotte and Audrey with their arms around one another. They looked happy. Vicki sat at the other desk, which was devoid of any personal items and polished to a buffed shine.

“What can I do for you today?”

“I wanted to ask you a few questions about your real estate partner,” I said.

The gleam in her eye dissipated. I couldn’t decide whether it was over the fact that someone she cared for had passed away or because she realized that today she wouldn’t make a sale.

“Do you work for the paper?”

“I’m not a reporter,” I said. “Were you and Charlotte partners long?”

“Well let’s see, about five years give or take. What difference does it make?”

She crossed her legs and fidgeted with the phone cord that dangled off her desk.

“It’s terrible, you know, the accident,” she said.

She smoothed her hand across the bottom of her wet eyelid.

“I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve hardly eaten a thing since it happened.”

“How was your relationship with Charlotte before she died?” I said.

“Forgive my rudeness, but Charlotte never mentioned you. “And you sure ask a lot of questions for someone who isn’t a reporter.”

“I’m a friend of Audrey’s,” I said.

“That still doesn’t explain why you came to see me.”

“Audrey hired me to look into Charlotte’s death.”

“I don’t understand.”

“She believes there’s a possibility that what happened wasn’t an accident,” I said.

Vicki had a stupefied look on her face like I’d just administered 50,000 volts into her system.

“How can that be?”

“I can’t answer that yet,” I said. “But, in the meantime, I’d like your help.”

Tears slid down the corner of her eyes and left black smudge marks on both sides of her cheeks.

“I don’t know how much help I can be, but I’ll try.”

“Is it true the two of you planned a transfer to another agency?” I said.

“We discussed it, but that was about it. No decision was made.”

“Why make the switch?” I said.

“Charlotte felt the time was right. A new agency opened in town and they offered a better commission split. She said we should move before the other real estate agents swooped in and snatched up all the offices.”

“And you?” I said. “How did you feel about leaving?”

“I was the one who convinced her to stay.”

“Why?”

“We made a name for ourselves at this office and between the two of us, we made plenty of money. I didn’t see the point, and after I reasoned with her, she agreed.”

“Can you think of anyone who wanted to harm her?” I said.

She bit down on the corner of her lip.

“Mmmph, no, not really. Everyone loved Charlotte.”

“What about Parker Stanton?” I said. “What do you think of him?”

“He’s a perfect gentleman, most of the time.”

“What do you mean by that?” I said.

“He’s a guy. You know how guy’s are, sometimes sweet, sometimes ahh, what’s a good word for Parker…aggressive, yes, that suits him.”

“Are you saying he’s violent?” I said.

“There have been little flare ups here and there. One time Charlotte and I made plans to meet with a high profile client who flew in to tour some homes with us. Parker called and said he needed her or wanted to talk to her, I don’t recall all the specifics. Anyway, Charlotte said she was tied up and Parker wasn’t too happy about that.”

“What happened?” I said.

“When we got back to the office he was waiting for her in the parking lot. I’ll never forget the look on her face when we drove in. It was like she knew she was going to catch hell from him, and she did alright. Once the car door opened he hustled over and grabbed her by the arm and practically dragged her back to his car.”

“And then?”

“I’m not sure; she left with him I think. And right after that, she told him to hit the road and they broke up.”

“How long after?” I said.

“Maybe a few days. It wasn’t long.”

“How would you define your relationship with Charlotte?”

She glanced at the picture on Charlotte’s desk.

“The two of us were in real estate school together. When we graduated she was hired here right away, but I had trouble finding work, and when Charlotte found out, she suggested we team up. And we’ve worked together ever since.”

She scanned her wristwatch.

“I don’t mean to cut you short, but I’m late for an appointment,” she said.

“It’s no problem,” I said, “thanks for the information. I’d like to speak with Charlotte’s assistant, Bridget, while I’m here. Is that possible?”

“Bridget hasn’t shown up for work since the accident. I tried to reach her by phone, but I couldn’t get an answer. I heard she moved out of her condo and in with her boyfriend. I’m not sure where that is but you can ask Jack Montgomery or his secretary for that information.”

“And Jack is?” I said.

“He’s our broker. His office is downstairs, second one on the right.”

We both stood and Vicki walked me out.

“I understand how Audrey feels, but I hope she can come to terms with it. And let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.”

CHAPTER 11

Jack Montgomery sat at his desk with an assortment of papers in one hand when I arrived. His door was open, but I knocked anyway.

“Excuse me,” I said, “Mr. Montgomery?”

He set the pile of paperwork down on the side of his desk and looked up at me.

“And you are?”

“My name is Sloane Monroe.”

He leaned forward and extended his hand.

“I hoped to get an address from you for Charlotte Halliwell’s assistant,” I said.

He turned toward a picture on the corner of his desk and studied it for a moment. From my vantage point it looked like Charlotte, Jack, Vicki and two or three other people I didn’t recognize. The caption on the photo read Top Agents of the Year .

“If you need any information, you can get it from my secretary.”

“Did you know Charlotte Halliwell wanted to transfer to another agency?” I said.

He squirmed in his chair like a schoolboy waiting for the recess bell to ring.

“She’s dead now. I don’t see why it matters.”

“She was the best selling agent in the office, wasn’t she?” I said.

“Not just the office, in all of Summit County.”

“I imagine others vied for her talents then,” I said.

“Charlotte was unparalleled, a one of a kind in our industry. I’ve never seen an agent with the same drive and ambition that she had, and I don’t expect to, not for a long time.”

“With her track record I imagine the other agents were jealous of her success.”

“If they were, I didn’t know anything about it. She was happy here.”

“Why do you think she wanted to leave?” I said.

He scrunched up his face.

“She didn’t.”

“You don’t expect me to believe she didn’t have offers from other agencies,” I said.

“Why are you here asking about her?”

“I was told Charlotte planned to leave this agency and work for someone else, and I was curious about why she wanted to do that.”

“That’s horse shit.”

“Why is it so hard for you to believe Mr. Montgomery?” I said.

“I don’t have time to answer any more of your questions.”