Her look of shock was all the answer Kate needed. But Olivia had some choice words, too. Given what Ive been through the last few hours, how dare you ask such a stupid question? Are you trying to be insensitive and rude?
I ask only because that would at least give us somewhere to start looking. If he was involved in something like that, it would give us a series of leads to pursue. Because quite frankly, as of now, we have no witnesses and no suspects.
Suspects? Honey, Ive already told you who did it. It was his hateful wife.
Kate and DeMarco shared an uneasy glance. Whether Oliva Tuckers statement was true or not, this case was going to get quite awkward before it was brought to a close.
Kate let the comment hang in the air for a moment before going on. When she did, she was sure to use her words carefully, choosing each one with great purpose.
Are you sure you want to make such a bold statement? Kate asked. If youre serious about that, I have to consider it a lead and start pursuing Missy Tucker as a potential suspect.
You do your job the way you want, Olivia said. But I know that woman. She wanted something different. She wanted out, but without the risk of losing everything in the process. Now you tell me some easier way to go about doing that than killing your husband.
Throughout all of her career, Kate didnt think shed ever met anyone who was so blinded with hatred for someone elsein-laws, estranged siblings, and so on, shed seen it all. But Olivia Tucker took things to a whole different level.
I have to point out, DeMarco said, that a great deal of time on our trip out here was spent going over everything there was to know about both Jack and Missy. While we dont have full reports by any means, there was more than enough to see that there was no marital discord strong enough to ping any legal issues.
Thats right, Kate said. Additionally, there were no financial troubles, no marks on her criminal record, nothing like that. You, on the other hand, do have a slight mark on your record. Do you want to tell me about the night Missy had to call the cops because you were trying to get into their home?
Jack was having a hard time at work. Hed had a panic attack. I called to check on him and to talk to my grandkids, but Missy wasnt allowing it. She told me that Jack was too nice to say anything, but that I was part of the reason for his panic attack. She hung up on me when I called so I decided to go to their house. We had it out and she shoved me out the door, refusing to let me into the house. After thatwell, I let my temper get the best of me and she called the police.
If we need to, well look into that, Kate said But honestly, there is nothing we have seen and nothing in the records to indicate that Missy would have had any reason at all to kill her husband. Theres no motive that we can see.
Well, if youre that convinced, why the hell are you even here to speak with me?
Honestly? DeMarco said. Its because your name came up. One of Jacks co-workers overheard him having a heated conversation with his wife about you. We checked your records just to cover our bases and found out about the police call.
Olivia smiled the sort of smile often seen on tired villains in movies. Well then, it seems you already have your mind made up about me.
Thats not the case at all. We just
If you ladies dont mind, Im going to politely ask you to leave. Id like to properly grieve my son.
Kate knew that their time with Olivia Tucker was over; if she kept pressing, the woman would only shut down. Besides that, she had been useless for informationunless the vile feelings she had toward her daughter-in-law could be seen as truth. And Kate doubted there was anything to it.
Thank you, Kate said. And we are truly sorry for your loss.
Olivia nodded, got up, and walked out of the room. Im sure you remember where the door is, she said, before disappearing elsewhere into the house.
Kate and DeMarco took their leave, no closer to a solid lead but having been thoroughly rattled by Olivia Tuckers views on Missy.
You think theres a shred of truth to any of it? DeMarco asked. She seemed to be coming out of her funk, apparently motivated by the case.
I think in this moment, while shes searching for answers to what happened, she thinks some of it is true. I think shes taking little nuggets of fears shes had over the years and amplifying them just to have some object to place her blame and rage on.
DeMarco nodded as they got into the car. Whatever it was, it was ugly.
And I think it rules her out of any foul play. We may want to keep an eye on Missy, though, just to keep her safe. Maybe even let local PD know how unhinged Olivia seems to be.
And then what?
And then we regroup. Possibly over a glass or two of wine back at the hotel.
It sounded like a good idea but Kate continued to think of Missy Tucker and how her world was now very much an empty shell of what it had once been. Kate remembered all too well what it felt like to lose the man you loved, the man who knew you like a book hed read millions of times. It was heartbreaking beyond words and drained the life out of you.
Revisiting that feeling in that moment, as she headed toward the hotel, made her more motivated that ever. It made her reach back into her memories to where details of the first case rested, back where the Nobilini case had started.
Her mind tried to latch onto a namea name she knew well but that had faded into the deeper regions of her memory. It was a name she was reminded of earlier in the day, when they had met with Jack Tuckers friends at the yacht club.
Cass Nobilini.
You know there are answers there, Kate thought.
There might be. And shed go looking for them if it came to that.
But she really hoped it wouldnt. She hoped she could make it the rest of her life never seeing Cass Nobilini again. But she also knew the chances of that were very slimthat she may, in fact, be seeing her sooner rather than later.
CHAPTER SIX
They settled in at the hotels bar just as the dinner rush started to pack the place out. While the prospect of a glass of wine was indeed promising, Kate found that she was a bit more excited about the burger she ordered. Usually when on a case, shed somehow forget to eat lunch, leaving her ravenous at the end of the day. As she sank her mouth into the burger for the first bite, she saw DeMarco giving her a small smile. It was her first authentic smile of the day.
What? Kate asked through a mouthful of burger.
Nothing, DeMarco said, picking at her grilled chicken salad. Its reassuring to see a woman of your size and age eat like that.
Swallowing down the bite, Kate nodded and said, I was gifted with an amazing metabolism.
Oh, what a bitch.
Its worth it to be able to eat like this.
A brief silence passed between them, which was shattered by both of them laughing together at the exchange. It felt good to be able to lower her guard around DeMarco after the tense day theyd shared. DeMarco seemed to feel the same way, based on what she said after sipping from her glass of wine.
Sorry I was so bitter all day. The whole thing of breaking news like that to a familyits hard. I mean, I know its hard, but its especially hard on me. I had this thing happen in my past that jarred me. I thought I was over it, but apparently, Im not.