FOURTEEN
Saturday mornings should be full of hope and fun plans. Amanda’s wasn’t so bright. She was in the car with Trent on the way to see Claudia. The last time she’d seen her, Claudia had been married to Tony, and the real kicker was, as far as Amanda had known, the two of them were happy. But who really knew what was going on inside another person’s marriage—or mind, for that matter?
“Tell me about her.” Trent looked over at Amanda from the driver’s seat.
“Claudia? Well, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen her, but she and Tony were seeing each other some in high school. They were always on and off, but Claudia became pregnant at the end of grade twelve. She and Tony got married when they graduated from college. Beth was just a little girl then.”
“I see.”
“Must not have been all bad. They were married for a while.”
“Until the point Claudia strayed and asked for the divorce. I’m all caught up now.”
“Quick study.” She smirked at him, but her expression faded quickly. “Going to see this woman has me stressing some.” She hadn’t intended the confession and wished like hell she could reel it back in. “Never mind what I just said. We’re there because of a murder investigation. That’s all.”
“That’s not all.”
She was about to snap, ready to defend herself, insist that she could remain objective, but he was smiling.
“Murder is a big deal,” he said.
“Oh.” She’d thought he was going to stress the personal tie between her and Claudia. “Yes, murder certainly is.”
“Though I could handle this alone if you’d be more comfortable.” He’d gone serious now.
“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine.”
“All right.” He returned his attention to the road, leaving her with her rambling thoughts.
The conversation she’d had with Becky played on repeat. Amanda could rationalize her feelings toward Trent. He was always within arm’s reach. He was a good-looking guy, loyal, and funny. He always had her back. He had a dash of a temper, but it only flared when warranted, often in defense of an underdog. Admirable. Otherwise, he was easygoing while not being a pushover. Maybe she was just imagining that he felt things for her too, because she was lonely. Nothing more.
A few minutes later, she and Trent were on the front stoop of Claudia’s two-story house. It was where she’d lived with Tony, and Amanda had to wonder why she hadn’t moved. Was she clinging to the past?
Amanda raised her hand to knock, and the door opened. Claudia, all five foot four and ninety pounds of her, was standing there.
“Amanda?” She swept her eyes from her to Trent, back to Amanda.
“Claudia, this is my partner, Detective Stenson. We’re here in an official capacity.”
“Should have known you weren’t here for a personal visit.” Claudia spoke low and turned as she did, so Amanda wasn’t sure she’d heard her right—more like wished she hadn’t heard her. The jab poked like a bee’s stinger. Painful.
Trent met Amanda’s gaze, his eyes seeming to ask if Amanda was good to proceed. She nodded and butted her head for him to follow Claudia, who had retreated into the home already. Amanda closed the front door.
“You do remember where the living room is?” Claudia called over her shoulder, directed at Amanda.
Another jab, and it had Amanda’s temper firing. The friendship had fallen apart because both sides failed to work at the relationship. The separation wasn’t entirely Amanda’s fault. After all, she was the one who had lost so much at that time. If anything, Claudia and Tony should have made more of an effort. But the sharp remarks reminded Amanda what Claudia could be like. She was a pro at holding grudges. Had she held one against Tony for marrying Alicia so quickly? But how did that reconcile with Claudia working for the woman?
“Amanda, you did hear me?”
“Yes, Claudia,” Amanda mumbled. She entered the living room, and it was just how she’d remembered it, almost as if time stood still here. Amanda sat down on a puffy chair and crossed her legs. Trent sat on the couch, and Claudia joined him there.
“You don’t look much different.” Claudia slowly drew her eyes over Amanda as if she were a vulture sizing up a meal, searching for any weakness in its prey.
“You too.” She thought things might be weird between them, but this was even more uncomfortable than Amanda had imagined. “You’ve heard about Alicia Gordon’s death?”
“Of course, but I’m not sure why you’re here wanting to talk to me about her.”
“What was your relationship like with her?” It was impossible to keep all the snip out of her tone. Blame it on the way Claudia was treating her. But pain often caused its victims to push others away.
Claudia narrowed her eyes and worried her bottom lip. “Alicia was a strong woman. She knew what she wanted and how to get it.”
Amanda sensed one of these acquisitions was Tony as if he were an object to acquire and possess.
“You didn’t exactly answer Detective Steele’s question,” Trent stepped in.
“We got along well.”
Amanda found that claim a little hard to swallow. Even if Claudia had accepted that Tony moved on with his life and was making a home with Alicia, it would be hard to discard the history. “And the nature of your relationship with her?” Amanda knew what Tony had told them already, but she wanted to hear it straight from Claudia.
“I worked for Alicia.” She squinted, studying Amanda. “I’d be surprised if Tony didn’t tell you that.”
“He did,” Amanda admitted, taking some pleasure in doing so.
Claudia glared at her. “Then why ask about our relationship if you know everything?”
“We’re conducting an investigation,” Amanda said firmly. “We ask questions; you answer them.”
“Not if I get a lawyer,” Claudia snapped. “That would shut things down real quick.”
“If you feel you have something to hide, then by all means, do that.” Adrenaline was pumping through Amanda’s body and had her pulsating.
“Just ask what you need to and get out.”
“Ms. Bishop,” Trent cut in, “were you ever in your husband’s home, the one he shared with Alicia and her children?”
“Yes,” Claudia hissed.
“Did you ever go into the primary bedroom or en suite bathroom?” Trent asked.
“Of course not.”
There was an edge to her voice, which Amanda pounced on. “You’re lying to us.”
“No, I’m not, and frankly, I’m insulted you’d say that.”
Amanda remained silent; Trent followed her lead. Claudia eventually broke the silence.
“Fine. Yes, I was in their room.”