Page 95 of Preying Heart
He brings up the pictures of Slade on his phone and to Claudia’s credit, her face turns white and she shakes her head, disgusted.
“There’s only Miss Bruckner’s word that my husband texted those photos to her. I’m sure he didn’t use his own phone. In fact, you won’t be able to place him where those photos were taken because he never carries his own phone when he goes outside of Seattle.”
“I know it’s hard for you to believe your husband would be plotting your murder,” I say. “But I find Miss Bruckner to be a credible witness.”
“She’s his mistress. She’d love to be rid of me,” Claudia says.
“Which is why she’s risking a lot to come see you,” I argue. “Don’t you see? If she really wanted to be with your husband, she’d just keep quiet.”
“Or she’s lying about my Gavin. Wants to drive a wedge between us.” Her eyes narrow and she raises one eyebrow.
“You haven’t said anything to him, have you?” I ask too sharply.
Her gaze flickers from me to Justin and she lays a hand over her collarbone. “Of course not. I wouldn’t insult him that way. Anyway, as amusing as it is to sit with you two and your story, I really don’t have the time.”
“Are you going jogging tomorrow morning?”
“Obviously not,” she says. “I’ll put on my jogging clothes and do my stretching as usual. If what Miss Bruckner says is true, I want you to catch her horrid brother in the act.”
“Give us your jogging route, and we’ll have a female officer who resembles you take the run tomorrow morning,” Justin says.
“Okay, then, that’s pretty easy,” she says. “It’s an out and back from our street down East Mercer Boulevard to Clarke Beach Park as the turnaround. Lots of curvy places where a car can easily go off the shoulder.”
“Thanks for your cooperation.” Justin leaves his card on her table. “If you think of anything or need anything from us, give me a call. Anytime, day or night.”
“I appreciate your concern,” Claudia says. “I assure you I’m not in any danger. However, if you can catch Slade Bruckner and take him off the streets, we’ll all sleep easier at night.”
The interview is over, and I feel like I’m missing something. Claudia doesn’t act like a woman who’s afraid for her life. What if she and Gavin set this up to get rid of Slade and Remi? What is the connection to her father, the Big Dude, and why would he want Remi and Gavin’s baby?
“One more thing.” I take out the photograph of Remi’s mother. “Do you recognize this woman or the place she’s being held?”
“No idea.” Claudia’s lips curl in obvious dislike. “Where did you get this?”
“You know her,” Justin says. “Better tell us who she is or you’ll be an accessory to a crime. Quite distinctive wallpaper, wouldn’t you say?”
“Tacky at best. Why the interest in a random snapshot?”
“Answer us first,” Justin says. “This person could be a material witness against your husband.”
“She hardly seems to be a credible witness. Look at her. And the picture looks old. Remi’s going to end up like her someday. Addicted and living in a basement. Abandoning her baby to foster parents while she scores drugs. Hidden in the dark, high most of the time. Living dead.”
“Whose basement?” Justin persists. “You’re speaking to a police officer in an official investigation.”
“You won’t find her even if I tell you,” Claudia says.
“If she’s here, we can execute a search warrant,” Justin says. “Or on one of Gavin’s properties.”
“What does she have to do with Gavin?”
“He left this picture at Miss Bruckner’s apartment,” Justin replies.
“Oh no, she’s not here, and I can assure you Gavin’s never been to that basement.”
“Why is that?” I ask.
She’s torn between bitterness and caution. I can tell she wants to tell us because she hates the woman who bears a striking resemblance to Remi, but at the same time, she wants to clear her husband of suspicion.
“You have no proof that Gavin left it with Miss Bruckner. That’s what she tells you to send you on a wild goose chase.” Claudia hands the picture back to me. “You two are really amateurs, trumping up wild stories spouting from the lips of a crazy woman.”
