The Suspect by Terry Lynn Thomas

Author:Terry Lynn Thomas [Terry Lynn Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2024-05-28T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

In the nine months since Brian had moved in with Olivia, he’d come to enjoy the early mornings spent in the kitchen with his laptop open, getting a start on the day, as he sipped his coffee. Brian shivered in the morning chill, reached for his favorite sweatshirt and slipped it over his head before he did a quick check-in with Scott Levering, Blake Curtis, and Ian Greely. He sent a flurry of text messages, discussing assignments for the day and making sure Lauren and Ava were safe. Once that was handled, he opened the software he used to conduct deep background checks, typed in Ken Ridgeland’s name, and prepared to slip down the rabbit hole.

It didn’t take long for Brian to discover that Dr. Ridgeland was floating in a morass of legal issues. His medical license had been suspended. He had no reportable source of income, and likely wouldn’t get hired anywhere once his future employer called for a reference. Despite this, he’d managed to rent an apartment in the Avenues right near the beach and lease a new Mercedes. Where was this guy getting his money? From his wife?

“Good morning,” Olivia said in a sleepy voice.

Brian shut his computer just as she came up behind him and kissed the back of his neck. “Why did you let me sleep so late?” Grabbing a mug, Olivia poured herself a cup of coffee.

“I thought you’d be glad for the rest. Did you sleep well?”

“No nightmares.” Olivia sat next to him. “What are you doing?”

“Digging into Ken Ridgeland,” Brian said.

“What have you found out?”

“He’s got troubles, as you can imagine. Tell me about his wife.”

“How much would you like to know?” Olivia asked. “Sabine Trembley Ridgeland is an eccentric woman. She’s all about appearances, and what other people think matters to her. You know who she reminds me of? Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. I don’t think she’s psycho or anything, but she’s just – I don’t know – odd.”

“What do you think she’d do if she found out about Ken’s issues?”

“Such as flagrantly cheating, losing his medical license, and being accused of sexual assault?” Olivia hesitated. “I don’t know. I do know that she is imperious and not quite living in the real world, if that makes sense. She’s an odd duck, but I doubt she’d ever do anything to invite scandal. Her devotion to Asher is a little much.”

“Hover mom?”

“To the nth. But Asher seems to deal with it.”

“Off topic, but after what happened yesterday, are you sure you don’t want to file a restraining order against Mark Bledsoe?”

“Not yet. He hasn’t really threatened me. If he approaches again, we’ll revisit the issue. We’ve got the video the woman took at the grocery store. I’m hoping that once Ava’s gone, Mark will be gone too.” Olivia hesitated, as though she wanted to say more.

“What is it?” Brian asked.

“I might reach out to Dan Winters, maybe mention what happened.”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

Olivia stood by the kitchen sink on tiptoes, craning her neck as she searched the street.

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