Stranger in Cold Creek by Paula Graves

Author:Paula Graves
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-03-05T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“He ran his car off Wildcat Ridge. There was no evidence that he hit the brakes.” Sheriff Paul Leonardi leaned back in his chair, steepling his hands over his flat stomach as he looked across the desk at Miranda and John. “What’s your interest in Jasper Layton, if I may ask, Deputy Duncan?”

Miranda had anticipated the question, and she had her answer ready. “We’re investigating a murder in Barstow County, and Mr. Layton’s name showed up in some of the victim’s personal effects. When we learned that Mr. Layton was deceased—”

“You thought you’d come talk to me.”

“You said there was no evidence he hit the brakes,” John said. “Do you think he intentionally ran his car off the road?”

Leonardi gave John a long, narrow-eyed look of speculation. “You’re not a deputy.”

“No, sir.”

The sheriff flicked his gaze toward Miranda. “You bring a civilian along to all your meetings with fellow law enforcement agents?”

“Mr. Blake is a consultant,” she said, as if dismissing the question. “Do you think Mr. Layton’s accident was intentional?”

“Let’s put it this way. The autopsy determined that cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the head. Layton went through the windshield and landed under the car. There were no signs of alcohol or drugs in his system. It was in the middle of the afternoon, so it’s not likely he fell asleep at the wheel.”

“But you seem reluctant to call it suicide.”

“I didn’t see the point of multiplying the tragedies Mrs. Layton and her children had to face.” Leonardi shrugged. “It wouldn’t have made any difference. He was past the two-year exception in his life insurance. They were going to get the money regardless.”

Miranda glanced at John. He looked back at her, his dark eyebrows twitching upward in response.

“The article I read said this happened three weeks ago?”

“Yes.”

So, she thought, soon after Delta disappeared. But quite possibly before she had died and definitely before her body was dumped on Lizzie Dillard’s farm. And that meant even if Jasper Layton had been one of Delta’s blackmail victims, he wasn’t likely to have been her killer.

“Is there anything else I can help you with?”

“Just one thing, and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

Leonardi sat forward, leaning his forearms on his desk blotter. “You want to talk to Angela, don’t you?”

“I do.”

Leonardi’s lips pressed to a thin line. “Is that really necessary?”

“I’m afraid it is.”

“I’d like to be with you when you talk to her.”

“If you’re worried I’ll tell her something about her husband’s mode of death, rest assured, I won’t.”

“Then what’s left to ask her?”

She glanced at John again. He sent back a meaningful look.

“I’d like to ask her about her husband’s involvement in the Remember the Alamo Fund.”

One twitch of the muscle in Leonardi’s lean jaw was the sheriff’s only visible reaction, but it was enough. “What about it?”

“Did you know at least fifty thousand dollars went missing from the fund earlier this year?”

“You’re mistaken.” His tone was dismissive.

“Are you involved with the fund?” she asked bluntly.

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