Wrong Place, Wrong Time (Pete 'Monty' Montgomery 1)

“Don’t blame Diana,” Monty interjected smoothly. “I didn’t give her much choice. You’re a busy woman, Ms. Chambers. Getting in to see you is a real challenge. So I decided to grab you first thing after lunch. You can spare ten or fifteen minutes, can’t you?”

“Of course.” She was definitely ticked off. But she kept it under wraps. “Come on in.”

He waited while she picked up her messages, then followed her into the elegant cream and chocolate brown office. Modern. Classy. Expensive.

“Have a seat.” She gestured at the swivel chair across from her desk.

He complied, waiting until she’d settled herself in the plush leather desk chair.

“I’m sorry it’s been so hard for us to connect.” Clearly, she was going for the penitent approach. “Yesterday, I wasn’t myself. Today, I’m inundated. This whole situation hit me like a ton of bricks.”

“Losing someone who’s important in your life will do that to you. Especially when it’s coupled with the shock of knowing he was murdered.” Monty flipped open his notebook. “I’ll make this as quick and painless as possible. Let’s start with the obvious. You’re one of the few VPs at Pierson & Company who’s not a family member.”

“That was a lucky break on my part. None of Edward’s grandchildren chose to become lawyers. So I was offered an opportunity I otherwise wouldn’t have received.”

“It looks to me like you deserved it. Your credentials are strong: academic scholarships, top of your class at law school, published in Stanford Law Review—the whole nine yards. And then, ten successful years at Pierson & Company. Pretty impressive.” A heartbeat of a pause. “You and Frederick Pierson were personally involved, right?”

Louise’s brows arched. “You certainly get right to the point, Mr. Montgomery.”

“It saves time.”

“Very well. Yes, Frederick and I were involved.”

“Interesting. You’re thirty-four. Frederick was fifty-eight.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“No, just a puzzlement. From all accounts, Frederick was a staid and serious workaholic. Not your typical dazzler of younger women.”

“There was nothing typical about Frederick. Then again, there’s nothing typical about me.”

“Yes, I can see that.” Another pause. “When did you two start dating?”

“About a year and a half ago.”

“Hmm. Frederick’s wife, Emily, died six months before that. Did you know her?”

“Of course. She was a lovely woman. Frederick was very devoted to her, especially after she developed a heart condition. And, to answer your next question, no, Frederick and I didn’t become involved until after Emily passed away.”

“Thanks for filling in that blank.”

Louise interlaced her fingers on the desk and leaned forward. “Before we get into the nature of Frederick’s and my relationship, may I ask you a question?”

Monty glanced up. “Shoot.”

“Can you be objective about this subject? After all, it’s your ex-wife who was at the cabin this weekend. Which means she’s not only right at the heart of Friday’s arson and murder, she’s also clearly involved with Frederick.”

Monty looked amused. “I think I can manage to hold on to my objectivity. The operative word here is ex-wife. Sally’s social life stopped being my business a long time ago. I want her to be safe. I don’t give a damn who she sleeps with. Does that answer your question?”

She gave a tight nod.

“Good. Then tell me about you and Frederick. Were you on good terms?”

“Always.” Louise gave a fond smile. “We weren’t always on the same page, but we were always on good terms. We ebbed and flowed. Sometimes we were exclusive, sometimes we weren’t.”

“And now was one of the ‘weren’t’ times?”

“Actually, yes. We’ve both been seeing other people. But that didn’t change our history, or my feelings for him. I still can’t believe someone killed him.”