Page 86 of Coveted Justice

“I agree,” Kaylee said, nodding in agreement. “He has the strongest motive as far as I can see. I don’t think Janice Gates has a strong motive. Lots of people pull out of investments too early to gain a profit but they don’t kill people over it.”

“Andrew’s alibi is iffy as well,” Ava said. “He has no one to back up his claim of being in Chicago.”

“We’re going to look into that,” Jason replied. “Try and search the traffic or doorbell cameras and see if there was any activity at his home. Plus we’ll check the airlines, of course.”

“Just because you don’t see his vehicle doesn’t mean that he wasn’t on the road,” Brinley pointed out. “He could have borrowed someone else’s car, for example.”

“A gun was found in the trunk of Abby’s car,” Logan said. “While she was driving it and actively ducking the Springwood police. We have to keep that in the back of our minds while we investigate.”

“Because the spouse is always the first suspect,” Ava said with a laugh. “That’s why your life will never be in danger. From me, anyway.”

“You’d be the first person we’d look at,” Jason joked. “Not that we’d be shocked that you finally killed him.”

Ava had found that murder investigators had a dark sense of humor.

“A jury of my peers would never convict me,” Ava said, her tone deadpan. “Do you know that I still have to pick up his dirty socks? And he leaves wet towels on the bathroom floor until I pick them up.”

“A hanging offense,” Logan groaned. “I would pick them up eventually, but you just can’t wait. I’m not even dry yet and you’re pushing your way into the bathroom to tidy up after me.”

Ava rolled her eyes.

“I am not even going to respond to that. You have no defense here. You’re just messy.”

“How about this slob does the dishes?” Logan teased. “Do you trust me to load the dishwasher?”

“I have to, otherwise I’d be the only one doing it.”

It wasn’t the whole truth. Logan and the kids did, indeed, load the dishwasher but when they did it, they seemed to be only able to get a few plates, a bowl, and a couple of glasses in it. Everything else they left on the counter to “hand wash,” except they never got around to it. She’d end up doing it on about day three.

The other guys helped Logan clean up the kitchen as the women sat down to make a grocery list for the rest of the week. They needed to restock the refrigerator, plus Logan wanted to grill steaks tomorrow night.

We might need ice cream, too. Or maybe it’s just me that needs it.

“How about an after-dinner walk, beautiful?” Logan whispered in her ear, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the door. “It’s a great night outside.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Let me get a sweater.”

She wasn’t sure if she’d need it, but the air was cooling as the sun was sinking low.

He held out his other hand. “I’ve got it. Slip it on and let’s get some fresh air.”

Ava and Logan had been married for a long time now, so she had come to know her husband’s moods and facial expressions. He was up to something. He had more on his mind than a simple walk around the property.

“Logan Wright, what are you up to? You’re acting mighty suspicious.”

His grin told her that she was correct.

“I thought maybe you and I might climb a tree.”

“You want to go up into the treehouse?”

Logan loved treehouses. He’d had one at the old house when they’d met, and somehow they’d had one pretty much every place they’d lived. The one in their home in Seattle was small and not very fancy. But a few years ago, Logan had put a brand new one at the Corville house. The kind that might be on television or in a magazine. It even had a working wood stove for a chilly night.

And a king-sized bed.

“I thought it might be nice to look at the stars while my wife was in my arms.”

“I think you’re looking forward to more than a starry night.”

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