Page 33 of Dangerous Obsession

“You don’t have to do that.” Her hands fell to her sides.

“I want to.” He crossed his arms. “What’s the matter? Afraid I can’t cook?”

“I’m certain there’s nothing you can’t do.” Her compliment was genuine and lacked the usual hint of snark.

“Wow, thanks.” He started toward the kitchen.

“Whatever,” she mumbled as she walked behind him.

There it is.He smiled.

His cell phone vibrated. He slid it from his pocket and tapped the screen. “What’s up, Cole?”

Marigold leaned into the fridge, giving Viking an opportunity to check out her nice backside. She grabbed the package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs and straightened.

He looked away before she caught him gawking.

“Hey, Viking. I’ve got Jonathan on, too. We’d like to speak with both of you.”

“Sure, she’s right here. Hang on, and I’ll put you on speaker.” He pulled out a chair for her and waited until she sat before taking a seat. “What’s up?”

“Hey, Marigold,” Cole said. “Jonathan is on, too.”

“Hi, Marigold.” Jonathan’s baritone voice boomed from the phone.

“Both of you? Must be important.” Her cheek dented in as she chewed on it.

Viking reached over and stroked his thumb over the spot. She stopped, and he winked before lowering his hand.

“Sammy did her thing and dug up some interesting things about Deborah Whitcomb.” Papers rustled in the background. “Seems her son was locked up with Cliff.”

“Seriously?” She cast a confused look at Viking. “I don’t suppose that’s just a coincidence, is it?”

“Afraid not,” Cole said.

Jonathan took over. “Sammy pulled the visitors’ logs and reviewed a bunch of surveillance footage inside the prison. Cliff and Deborah’s paths crossed when they were both in the visitors’ room at the same time.”

“Let me guess, his visitor was the Dragon Lady.” Marigold’s voice held more venom than he’d ever heard from her.

“If by Dragon Lady, you mean his mother, then you would be correct,” Jonathan confirmed.

“Figures.” She tsked. “She is such a nasty person. She’s totally blind to the ugly side of him. He was her baby, and in her eyes, he could do no harm. Even after my photos were introduced into evidence. Pitiful.”

Photos?Viking turned to her for an explanation, but she avoided looking at him.

“The video showed him initiating contact with Deborah in the community visitors’ area, where they exchanged introductions. She slipped a business card from her pocket and tried to give it to him, but the guard stopped her.” Jonathan continued. “Here’s the troubling part—Deborah has been visiting Cliff ever since.”

“Are you sure she wasn’t visiting her son?” Marigold was a smart woman—she didn’t believe that any more than the rest of them.

“Her son was released four months ago. And with the exception of one week when she was out of town at a Realtors’ conference, she’s been visiting him every Wednesday and Sunday since the day they met.” Cole’s sympathy was obvious in his voice. “I’m sorry, Marigold, but her being in your store today was no coincidence.”

“Well, that’s just peachy.” She propped her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand.

“That explains her reaction to Marigold.” Viking shared his suspicions about Deborah.

“As usual, your instincts were spot on,” Jonathan said. “Also, while Sammy was reviewing the surveillance footage from outside your store, she noticed that the guy was built a lot like her son, Greg.”

“You think Deborah’s son is the one who delivered the note?” Marigold asked.

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