Page 46 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee
Maybe even covering up the tracks of one Demi Colton, Groom Killer suspect?
Quinn’s butterfly compact was found at the first explosion site. She might have hidden Demi at the abandonedhardware store for a day or two, and accidentally left her mirror behind.
Was there a connection between Tia and Demi and Quinn? Could Demi have planted the bomb that killed Tia? And do it at the same time she knew Quinn would deliver lunch? But why kill Tia, whose biggest vices were her greedy nature and short temper?
And more than that, why would Demi want to kill her only sister?
If Demi Colton had found out Quinn and West were together, it could have prodded her into harming her sister. West was FBI. Maybe Demi figured that Quinn would rat her out to her fed boyfriend. Then there was plain old jealousy. Demi had been dumped by her fiancé, so maybe if she found out Quinn was marrying West, she didn’t like the idea of her sister getting engaged.
Austin, Quinn’s friend,had figured out they were a couple. Chances were that others had, as well. They had been careful, but it only took one time to screw things up.
Planting a bomb took time, money and planning. Shooting Quinn and Tia would have been much easier and less messy.
Unless Demi Colton wanted to hint to people she was still around, still watching and waiting. The two explosions certainly had grabbedthe attention of all the townspeople.
Questions swirled in his mind. Keeping an eye out for pedestrians who might overhear, he dialed Mike’s number. When she answered, he gave his report.
“Fingerprints at the crime scene belonged to Tia. There were more, but none in the system. Nothing else raised a red flag. If Demi Colton was in the real estate office, we have no clue. The Larson twinsare under suspicion for it. We’re checking now to see if they were the intended buyers of a prime piece of property Tia planned to sell to them. The sale fell through.”
“Murders have been committed for less. But a bomb?” Mike’s heavy sigh carried through the phone. “That’s a risky way to take out someone you want to kill.”
“Unless the unsub used the explosion to cover the murder. Tia wasdead before the office blew up. She may have surprised the bomber.” Quickly he explained about the autopsy.
“I’m working on another theory,” West continued. “The same property, Pine Paradise, is where Quinn took her sister, Demi, once. Demi might have hidden out there.” He thought over what he’d found so far. “It’s a stretch, but if Tia found out Demi was hiding there and tried blackmailingher, could be motivation for murder. She’d need help, though.”
The only way to tell for sure was to trigger Quinn’s memory. If Quinn actually saw her sister in the office before the bomb went off...
He swore quietly. Too many unknowns and risky factors in this case.
“Did you share this with the rest of the unit?” Mike asked.
“No. I plan to visit Pine Paradise soon. What about thehair samples and compact I gave you from the first explosion?”
“Lab doesn’t have the DNA yet. I’ll call soon as I have answers.” Mike paused and worry darkened her voice. “West, if Demi Colton is involved, you need to get Quinn to remember. Try anything you can. Have to run.”
West thumbed off the cell phone and leaned against his truck, pondering.
The hairs on the back of his necklifted as he smelled an overpowering, spicy cologne, heard the brisk click of expensive men’s shoes on the sidewalk. West looked up, his hand automatically dropping to the butt of his sidearm.
“Larson.” His greeting for Noel Larson remained curt. Hostile.
“I heard Quinn was coming home today. Good to know. Home’s a good place for her to recover fully.” Carrying a leather briefcase, Larson’sexpression didn’t match his words. He looked sly as his gaze flicked up to where Quinn’s bedroom window overlooked the street.
All West’s instincts fired on alert. Larson was a slick operator, but this kind of crime in town was bad for all the businesses. Unless Larson had a hand in it, and maybe he planned to profit from it?
Still, the man held power over Quinn because the Larsons ownedthe building and the rent was past due. West gestured to the building. “Quinn gave me a check for the rent.”
“It’s already paid.” Larson didn’t even blink. “Her business partner gave me a check for the past due rent, and next month’s, as well.”
He should have been relieved, but the news made him edgy. As her fiancé, he wanted to help her out. He knew Quinn’s pride, too, knew she wouldnot want Austin stepping up to the plate.
“Guess he didn’t want Quinn to get evicted.” His gaze never left that smirking face.
“Oh, I wouldn’t evict her.” The smile grew wider. “Too much trouble, when there are alternatives.”
A tingle pricked his spine. Alternatives such as getting rid of her for good? “Where were you at noon the day of the explosion?” he demanded.
Larson staredat him and laughed. “You officially questioning me? I don’t think so, Brand. None of your damn business.”
