Home > Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor #3)(9)

Three Missing Days (Pelican Harbor #3)(9)
Author: Colleen Coble

His pale-blue eyes blinked rapidly behind rimless glasses. “Yeah, but she’s not home from work yet.”

Jane would have preferred to deliver the news when he had someone to turn to, but it couldn’t be helped. “I’m afraid I have bad news, Mr. Berry. It’s about your sister, Gail.”

He stiffened. “That lousy ex of hers finally cave her head in?”

Jane kept her face impassive, though his comment was way too close for comfort. “Gail was found dead in a fire this morning.”

His eyes widened, and his Adam’s apple worked. “A fire? But she’s a stickler for fire alarms and security. Are you sure it’s Gail?”

“I’m afraid so. Is there someone I could call for you?”

He shook his head and wandered past the foyer into the living room. Jane followed and sat opposite him when he sank into a recliner.

“I can’t believe it.” He raked his hand through his hair.

“You mentioned her ex-husband. Did you fear for Gail’s safety?”

He looked up from his clenched hands. “If she died in a fire, why are you asking about Drew?”

“Your sister had some threatening phone calls, so we’re investigating as we wait on the autopsy results.”

He slumped back in the chair. “She was taking him back to court, you know. She got a new attorney who said she’d been robbed in the settlement. Gail hoped to at least get some alimony out of the bum.”

“We’re reviewing all possibilities. When did you last speak to your sister?”

“We only have contact by email. I don’t want the EMF pollution from the phones in my house, and I only have wired internet, no Wi-Fi. I got an email from her a couple of days ago. She asked me for money.”

“She was in financial trouble?”

“Yeah. That’s why she wanted to try to get alimony. She was being investigated for reporting false blood test results.”

“I’m a little vague on her business. She owned a lab, correct?”

Ned nodded. “Most of her clientele was the government, mostly drug testing for custody cases.”

“Did she say if she was afraid of Drew?”

“She’d always been afraid of him. That’s why she divorced him. The man had a mean temper.”

“Was he ever physically abusive?”

“He sent her to the hospital several times. After he broke her jaw the last time, she finally left him.”

“Did she ever file a restraining order or call the police?”

Ned’s color was beginning to come back. “No. I tried to convince her to throw him in jail, but she claimed to love him. I thought she’d go back to him when she left, but she found out he was seeing someone else. That was the final straw. And she thought she’d get half the property. He weaseled out of that somehow. Her attorney was lousy, and Drew had a whole team on his side. The judge was a golfing buddy too. Justice doesn’t work for everyone.”

“And then the investigation on top of things made Gail’s life miserable. Would you forward me a copy of her emails?” Jane passed her card to Ned. “And if you know the name of her attorney, that might be helpful as well.”

He fingered the card. “I’ll forward you what I have right away.”

Jane rose and put her hand on the man’s shoulder. “I’m very sorry for your loss, Mr. Berry. Thank you for your help.”

He looked up with wet eyes. “Thank you. Do you know yet how she died?”

“The autopsy isn’t back yet. I’ll let you know what we discover.”

“And our parents. Have they been notified?”

“If they haven’t, it should be any time.”

“There might be an email from them.” He heaved himself out of the chair and went to a desk in the corner where he flipped on a computer. It dinged a few moments later. “There’s an email from them. Maybe I’d better call them. The phone is upstairs.”

She held out her cell. “You’re welcome to use my phone.”

“No cell phones. They are the worst about RF radiation.” The color drained back out of his face. “I think I’ll wait for my wife to get home. Please see yourself out.” He pulled out the desk chair and clicked on an email.

Jane shut the door behind her and went to her SUV. She was supposed to meet Reid for dinner tonight, but she wasn’t sure she was up for another battle.

 

 

Six

 


Would Jane even show up?

Reid sat at a back table in Jesse’s Restaurant in Magnolia Springs and listened to the low murmur of people enjoying dinner together. The aroma of seafood and Angus beef made his mouth water, but he wasn’t positive he’d get to eat anything on the menu. If Jane stood him up, his appetite would vanish as well as his hopes for the future.

He checked his phone again. No message, and she was fifteen minutes late. He reached across the white tablecloth and buttered a piece of bread. The ice in the sweet tea he’d ordered for them both was melting. Should he message her?

No, not yet.

When Jane stepped into view, he finally relaxed. She’d taken the time to change into a turquoise dress that skimmed her slim figure and highlighted her hazel eyes. That had to mean something, didn’t it?

He lifted a smile her way as he rose to pull out her chair, but his spirits plummeted when she didn’t return it. He tucked her chair in as she settled.

“Does Will still have Parker?” she asked.

“He does. They were going frog hunting along the Bon Secour. Rough day?”

She finally met his gaze. “Very. I wasn’t sure I was coming tonight.”

He scooted in his chair. “I wasn’t sure you were either, not after being verbally attacked by Lauren. I’m sorry you had to learn about it that way.”

Her eyes were shadowed. “And why did I, Reid? You should have told me as soon as you knew.”

“I didn’t want to believe she’d go that far. I saw Scott today, and he again said there is no way of knowing how a judge would rule in a case like this. The law has never been tested.”

“I think it’s obvious how a judge would rule. If the law reads that the death ruling is set aside, it makes sense every result of a death ruling would be set aside. Including the validity of the marriage. We already know she’d get her property back. I think that would likely include you.”

“I’m not her property!” He picked up a menu to try to calm himself enough to lower his voice. How could she be so callous about something this important? She’d tossed that remark out as if it didn’t cause a seismic shift under all of them.

She reached for a piece of bread. “I didn’t mean it quite like that. But if you think it through logically, a judge isn’t going to set aside only part of the ramifications of her being declared dead. It’s not realistic, Reid.”

“Scott thinks I should file for divorce and do the property split all at one time. Do you have any idea how I feel knowing I’ll have to agree to give her money I’ve worked hard for all by myself?”

“But would you have to give her much? Yes, she was technically still married to you, but she deserted you. I think she’s in a worse situation than either of you suspect. You’ll be able to show how she left you and Will without a word. That she paid nothing to help support Will all those years. Maybe she’ll be ordered to pay you.”

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