Page 45 of Memory of Murder
“And she did. Twenty years later,” Anne picked the story up from there, “Irving dropped dead, and poor Carin was left only the paltry sum of five million dollars. The prenup ensured the man’s grown children got everything else. So she finds herself back at square one.”
“She takes herpaltrysum and returns to Crystal Lake where her old friends have suddenly risen to fame as Senator and Mrs. Langston. She negotiates a job—one which would not cover the cost of a four-million-dollar home and a six-figure automobile. But with her recent inheritance, she buys the home and the car while the nice salary, and whatever blackmail proceeds flow in keep her afloat in the lifestyle to which she had become accustomed.”
Anne smiled. “It’s completely logical and fits the pattern. One of the Langstons killed Neil to get him out of the way because he planned to do something or knew something, and they used Mary as the scapegoat. The Langstons got rich from BioTechand launched their dream political career. Carin somehow knew their deep, dark secrets and has milked the couple for all she can get.”
Jack held her gaze for a moment. “And your mother spent more than half her life in prison for a crime she didn’t commit. She missed raising you…watching you become the amazing young woman you are.” He shook his head. “They stole her life.”
“They stole my childhood.” Anne blinked rapidly, emotion shining in her eyes. “I want to make them pay.” Her voice was thick with that emotion.
Jack placed his hand on hers. “We will see to it that happens.”
The gate started to open once more. Jack watched as the Langston Mercedes rolled back out.
“I guess leaving a quick message was all she needed to do.” This group of friends was definitely up to something.
Anne’s breath caught. “Unless she killed her.”
Jack met her gaze. Unfortunately, that was a reasonable possibility. Not the most likely one, he figured, but not improbable.
“If she’s dead, we can’t change that, but we do need to see where Eve goes next. Then we can come back.”
“You’re right.” Anne fastened her seatbelt. “Let’s follow her.”
They tracked Eve Langston who, surprisingly, returned to her castle-like home without another stop. Then Jack drove back to the Wallace home to follow-up on Carin’s status. Anne remained absorbed in her thoughts. He recognized she had a lot to take in with all this…a lot to resolve internally. Her entire adult life she’d ignored thoughts of her biological parents and their tragic history in order to go on with hers. Now she was seeing a different side. All of this had to be overwhelming.
Jack pulled the rental up to the gate and pressed the button for the intercom. He wanted desperately to find answers for her.
“Ms. Wallace is still not available.” The woman recognized them from their previous visit. The gate was equipped with a camera as well as an intercom. “If you’ll leave your name and number, I will be sure she knows you’d like to speak to her.”
Jack leaned forward so that his face was clear for the camera that sat atop the fence. “Jack Brenner from the Colby Agency.” He provided his cell number. “Tell her it’s important. We know the truth about Neil Reed. She needs to contact me.”
“I’ll pass along the message.”
Jack and Anne exchanged a glance, and then he backed out of the driveway.
“If there had been a fight or any trouble the woman who spoke to you would know it,” Anne suggested.
“Which means we don’t need to worry about Wallace being wounded and bleeding out on the floor.”
“Okay.” Anne laughed softly. “I loved your message, by the way. If that doesn’t get a response, nothing will.”
His cell vibrated on the console. He picked it up and greeted the caller. “Jack Brenner.”
“Mr. Brenner,” a female voice said, “this is Beatrice Farrell.”
He glanced at Anne. “Good afternoon, Ms. Farrell.”
“I hope I’m not calling at a bad time.”
“Oh, no, ma’am. Your timing is perfect.”
Anne was leaning toward him in hopes of hearing the conversation. He wished he had put it on speaker, but that was hard to do while driving.
“I remembered the name of that lab Mary used. It was Trust One. It was the funniest thing. I was watching television, and someone said the wordtrust, and it suddenly came to me. I hope this helps. Please give Anne my best.”
Anticipation fired in Jack’s veins. “Thank you, Ms. Farrell. This is very helpful.”
He ended the call and placed his phone back on the console. “Trust One,” he said to Anne who was waiting, staring intently at him. “That’s the lab Mary used.”
