Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122440 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 612(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 408(@300wpm)
“How do you know her?”
“She was one of the first people I met here. She’s a realtor, and I needed to find the right property. I went to her because she was open and friendly and explained everything to me up front. She spent weeks searching for the perfect property to meet my needs. It wasn’t easy; she kept saying she had a property in mind but it wasn’t up for sale yet. She was certain it would be if I had patience. She was right. I love where I live. I love the studio. I had to do some renovations to the house, but that just ensured everything was exactly the way I liked it. She even helped me with those. She’d come over, bring food, and we’d discuss color schemes and wallpaper. She was very knowledgeable about Knightly and the various businesses, and she graciously shared information with me.”
Not only was she astonished and shocked, but she was hurt as well. She considered Guadalupe a friend.
“What you’re telling me, Harlow,” Rainier said, “is that Brown knows this property inside and out. She knows every entrance and exit. She knows which windows open and which don’t.”
Harlow hadn’t thought of that. She rubbed her face against Wilder’s shoulder just to inhale his scent.
“Did you discuss security with her at any time? Where you would put cameras outside or inside? Did you have any discussions with her of that nature?” Rainier persisted.
Harlow nodded. “Actually, several. She was the one to suggest cameras and an alarm system. I thought it sweet that she worried about me being alone here. Rainier, if she talked about that when I bought the property, that would mean she was planning something against me almost from when she first met me. That doesn’t make sense either. I’ve lived here for years.”
That was really difficult to believe. She tried to recall every conversation with Guadalupe and never once had there seemed to be any discord.
“Have you ever had a fight with her? An argument?” Rainier questioned.
Wilder shifted closer to her, his body heat warming her when she hadn’t realized she felt cold. Very fine tremors shook her body. The way he moved into her felt even more protective. In a world that seemed to be turning upside down, Harlow was grateful to have a rock to anchor her. Two of them, really. Rainier was definitely on her side.
“Never. Why would we? It makes no sense that she would make death threats.”
“What of your parents? Does she know who you are? Did you ever discuss your parents with her?” Rainier asked.
Harlow shook her head decisively. “I moved here to get a new start, far away from them and their world. I didn’t say a word to anyone about them.”
“Where did you get the money for this property?” Wilder asked. He rubbed his chin onto the top of her head. “It couldn’t have been cheap, and the down payment had to be quite a lot.”
“My grandparents on my mother’s side left me an inheritance in a trust. There were specific criteria I had to meet in order to receive the money. I had to have an education and an occupation that served the community in some way. I paid my own way through nursing school and didn’t get any money from the trust until I found this property.”
“The trust would have been in your mother’s maiden name, not anything to do with the senator or your mother,” Rainier reiterated.
She nodded. “That’s correct.”
“That doesn’t mean anything,” Wilder said. “Her family is quite famous, and the senator made certain all of them had a tremendous amount of publicity. It’s possible she was recognized.”
“True, Harlow. We can’t exclude that someone has a grudge against your parents and is willing to harm you because of their political views,” Rainier agreed.
“Guadalupe didn’t seem like a political person,” Harlow objected.
“You don’t seem like a woman someone would want to kill,” Rainier pointed out.
She sighed. “You have a point. I’ll talk to her.”
“No, you won’t,” Wilder said instantly, with hard authority that set her teeth on edge. “You’ll stay away from her and let us handle it. We’ll pick her up and question her.”
She shook her head, her breath catching in her throat. She was fairly certain she wouldn’t approve of Wilder’s and Rainier’s interrogation methods. “We should just watch her to see what she does. What if someone forced her to deliver the threats?”
“What will that accomplish?” Rainier asked. “The threats have escalated to the point that everyone believes, eventually, and I think, sooner rather than later, that an attempt will be made on your life.”
“That’s cheerful news. Thanks for that.” She put her head back, resting it on the chair. “Wouldn’t it be better for me to talk to Guadalupe and find out what is going on? Maybe we could work it out amicably.”