Dark Room (Pete 'Monty' Montgomery 2)

“Last week. When I read about the wrong man being convicted of the double homicide. I saw Lara’s name, and I felt ill. I also saw Morgan’s name, and I realized that the woman I was working with at Winshore was Lara’s daughter. I don’t know how I could have missed it; they look so much alike. Probably the reason I never made the connection is that I never knew Lara had a child. We didn’t discuss her personal life; only mine.”

“So first you found out Lara had a child. Then, when you and I met to discuss the hit-and-run, I told you that that child was raised by the Shores. No wonder you were so thrown.”

“I was shocked. Once I realized what a major role Arthur played in Morgan’s life, it struck me that maybe he knew I was back in town and that I was a Winshore client. That scared the hell out of me. Especially after you pointed out that I could just as easily have been the victim of that hit-and-run as Rachel. If I was the intended target, maybe Arthur was trying to scare me out of town. I know it sounds irrational, but I freaked out. I actually considered resigning my new position and heading back to L.A. The last thing I wanted was trouble. I had a new name, a new look, and a new life. I never thought I’d see Arthur Shore again, much less this.”

Monty’s forehead creased as he assessed Karly’s statement. Something still didn’t fit. “If your only fear was for yourself, why did you send this package”—Monty held up the Tyvek—“to Morgan? And why did you warn her not to trust anyone close to her? Obviously, you meant Arthur. Did you suddenly decide he might hurt her?”

“Frankly, I didn’t decide anything. But I spoke to Morgan right after her place was vandalized. She mentioned the homicide investigations, and the fact that Arthur’s political role placed them all in the public eye. I don’t know why, but after the hit-and-run, the break-in just seemed to me like one coincidence too many.”

Karly interlaced her fingers, which were still trembling. “I had no specifics, Detective. I never saw Arthur Shore get violent. That doesn’t mean he’s above doing what’s necessary to protect his standing with his family and constituents. I saw the look in his eyes when he threatened me seventeen years ago—and I’ll never forget it. When I heard the fear and worry in Morgan’s voice, I felt like she should be warned. In the end, it could turn out my warning has no basis. But Lara did so much to protect me; I felt like I owed the same to her daughter.”

Monty leaned forward. “I want you to think carefully before you answer this next question. Did you ever, in any of your conversations with Lara, mention the fact that the man you were involved with was Arthur Shore? Ever say anything that could make her suspect it was him—like the fact that your lover was an assemblyman, or that he had a wife named Elyse—anything?”

“I don’t have to think. The answer is no.”

“You’re that sure?”

“Definitely.” Karly reacted to Monty’s dubious tone with an explanation. “I know exactly where you’re going with this, Detective. I’ve gone there myself a hundred times this past week, racked my brain over and over since you and I talked. I’m fully aware that if Lara had realized Arthur was the man who impregnated and dumped me, she’d either have confronted him or gone straight to his wife. Now I know that not only was his wife her best friend, but the Shores were obviously Morgan’s appointed guardians. Lara would never have been able to stay silent, even if it meant breaking my confidence. Nor would I have blamed her. She had a child to protect. But it doesn’t matter. Because I never said a word. Arthur was a public figure. I was way too afraid to ever let his name or any reference to him slip out.”

“That’s a moot point. Lara knew.” For the first time, Barbara interrupted. Her voice was rough with emotion, and when Monty turned toward her, he saw that she looked positively ill. “She never had to wrestle with whether or not to break your confidence. She was aware of the man’s identity from the beginning.”

“She told you that?” Monty demanded.

“Not his name, but that she knew him—yes.” A hard swallow. “It all makes horrifying sense now.”

“Go on,” Monty urged.

“Lara burst in here one day the summer before she died, more upset than I’d ever seen her. She said she’d walked in on something she wished she’d never seen. Evidently, she’d dropped by the office of a man she’d known for years, and found him having sex with a girl she was fairly sure was underage. Neither of them had spotted her, and she’d ducked out before they did. She didn’t know what to do. She did tell me the man was married, and that announcing what she’d seen would destroy his family, especially if it turned out that the affair was statutory rape. And then there was the girl he was involved with. Did she know he had a family? Did she know she was being used? And was she old enough, mature enough, to make those calls?”

Barbara paused to compose herself. “Lara couldn’t let this one go. She followed the girl from this man’s office to a coffee shop. She struck up a conversation, and found out all the sordid details Karly just filled in for us.”

“You’re saying our meeting wasn’t an accident?” Karly asked.

“Far from it. Lara wanted to hear your take on the relationship. And when she got it, she was livid—not with you, with him. I tried to get her to open up to me, but she said the only person who could help her with this dilemma was Jack. So she went home and discussed it with him. The next thing I knew, she brought you here for counseling. When I managed to pull her aside, talk to her alone, I asked her what Jack had advised. She said they’d been arguing over what the right course of action was. But they agreed on one thing—that they couldn’t turn their backs on the situation—for a whole host of reasons. Now I understand what those reasons were.”

“Oh God,” Karly breathed. “If Lara decided to go to Arthur…If he knew…”

“Then we have a possible motive,” Monty finished.

“What about an alibi?” Barbara questioned. “Do we know where the congressman was the night Lara and Jack were killed?”

“Yes and no. We have some inconsistencies. We’re working on clearing them up. But we have to approach this with a level head and with all the facts in our possession. Remember, we’re talking about murder here. Not sex with a minor or harassment, no matter how menacing the threats. Would Arthur kill two people to protect his secret? Especially when one of those people was his wife’s best friend, and when killing them would mean orphaning their ten-year-old little girl?” Monty’s lips set in a grim line. “Right now, there’s only one person who can answer that.”

“Oh, please, no—not yet.” Karly leaned forward, grabbed his arm. “If you go to Arthur with this story, you’ll have to tell him where you got it.”

“I’m sure Detective Montgomery will make sure you’re protected,” Barbara soothed.

“I don’t give a damn about me. Not right now. Right now, all I care about is convincing Arthur to go through the cross-match process. I need to know if his blood is compatible with my son’s. I need Detective Montgomery’s help twisting his arm. As it is, Arthur is going to be livid that I went ahead with the pregnancy, and that I’m now asking for his help. If he’s blindsided with our suspicions first, I can kiss any cooperation from him good-bye.”

“I agree,” Monty surprised her by saying. “Your son’s health comes first. Besides, I’m not ready to confront Arthur with any accusations—not without concrete proof. So let’s hit him with the news that he’s a father, and save anything related to the homicides for later.” Monty turned to Karly. “You’re going to have to face him. You know that.”

A tight nod. “I know.”

“The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ll be there. In fact, I’ll be there first. You’ll make an entrance. Nothing beats the element of surprise. Give me a few hours to set things in motion. Then we’ll spring this on him.” A quick glance from one woman to the other. “I can’t stress enough that not a word we’ve discussed leaves this room. Understood?”

“Absolutely,” Barbara agreed at once.

“I certainly won’t be blabbing,” Karly assured him. “But do you really think we can persuade Arthur to get his ass over to the hospital and give blood?”