Shadows of Doubt (Samantha Jamison Mystery Book 16) by Peggy A. Edelheit

Author:Peggy A. Edelheit [Edelheit, Peggy A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Telemachus Press, LLC
Published: 2024-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Other Leads, Suspicions, Pursuits, Conspiracies = Frustration

There were other leads mentioned in Francoise’s notes, that he said had dead-ended and gone nowhere. But he still took note of them. Knowing how meticulous Francoise’s research was, I notated it, too, but set those leads aside for now because they’d all vanished into thin air.

Those other dead-ended leads?

Consortium figures: Giovanni “The Shadow” Moretti: A mysterious syndicate boss with a wily reputation for discreet operations.

Underworld Associates:

Marcus Rodriquez: A skilled contractor with ties to the criminal underworld, involved in discreet operations that crisscrossed many state lines.

Juliana Phipps: An enigmatic figure known for her connections to both the Thornton family and local criminal networks, like a freelance broker that was tied to no one in particular.

All the above, like rats jumping a sinking ship, had disappeared from the scene when it all came to a head with Adrian’s disappearance with those unfortunate blood traces left behind.

On the prospective chance of being investigated because suspicions were mounting, the Thorntons’ untimely deaths had saved them from being charged for their illegalities, because no accounts, digital or paper trail could be found afterward to prove any wrongdoing.

Were they destroyed?

If so, by whom?

I recalled those rumors of a bribed individual alleged to have possibly turned a blind eye to all those criminal activities and connections, suppressing info.

Which made that figure in Francoise’s opinion complicit to all those illegal activities. But the one in question was never identified.

Did Harris know about this individual, the one in question?

I’d have to ask Detective Harris next time we spoke.

The estate was put into a perpetual trust well before the Thornton’s deaths and was untouchable. And since no one had stepped in to claim it, it sat in that trust, protected by Robert Sterling, the estate lawyer still trying to find Adrian out of loyalty to the Thorntons, or for Adrian, himself to show up on his own.

Which, after all this time, seemed doubtful to me and my crew, and somewhat unusual.

Did Sterling know something I didn’t that kept him waiting for so long?

Which lead me next to Carter Thornton, Jackson’s brother.

Carter Thornton never made a claim on the estate. Why? According to Francoise’s notes, his role in the events surrounding Adrian’s forbidden love affair and subsequent disappearance was clouded by rumors and suspicions. And the circumstances of his very own demise shortly, thereafter, added further intrigue to the Thornton family saga.

Was Carter about to make a claim on the estate just before his own death?

Now, that would’ve made him a target, wouldn’t it?

Carter played the role of an observer during the crucial family announcement, noticing Adrian’s absence and observing his somewhat reserved behavior leading up to the event. Rumors swirled about Carter having some awareness of Adrian’s secret love affair, although the extent of his knowledge remained unclear.

Francoise said that some speculated Carter might have been privy to family discussions about Adrian’s affair, while others suggested he was kept in the dark.

All hearsay, as far as I was concerned.

And apparently, Francoise as well.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.