Page 48 of Whispers of Sin

“Rachel is always attempting to reconnect with her high school friends. She’s one of those people who have a hard time letting go of the past. Her mother cuts hair down at the salon. I see her during my standing monthly appointment. If Rachel happens to be there, she’ll always ask me how Bella is doing, but I’m always vague. Bella was climbing ladders in the art world, and being stuck in the past would have only held her back. If it helps, I can call down to the salon tomorrow and ask for Rachel’s phone number and address. Last I heard, Rachel was residing in the apartments on the other end of town. She had a bit of a money problem.”

“I appreciate that,” Brook said, not having the heart to take away Lorelei’s sense of contributing to the investigation.

“Odd.”

“What’s odd?” Brook asked as she forced herself not to look over her shoulder to where Lorelei’s gaze had locked in on someone in particular. One who apparently stood out as not belonging. “Is there someone here you weren’t expecting?”

“Bella’s neighbor is here,” Lorelei said with curiosity. “I didn’t know that she was a member. As a matter of fact, I don’t believe that I’ve ever run into her at any of the functions that we attend. Two events in one week are unusual.”

This time, Brook did peer over her shoulder. Sure enough, Adeline Murphy was having a conversation with an older woman. The two were so engaged that they had no idea that they were being monitored from afar.

Brook turned her focus back to Lorelei, who appeared to have noticed that Detective Hartley had moved closer. He was far enough away that he couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Lorelei had caught the slight inclination of his head toward Brook. He wanted to speak with her, but he clearly didn’t think it would be wise to do so while she was standing next to Lorelei. Brook politely excused herself after once again urging Lorelei to speak with as many people as possible this evening.

“Detective Hartley,” Brook greeted as she came to a stop in front of him. “I appreciate you changing your plans for this evening.”

“I’m here, Sloane. Unwillingly,” Hartley replied wryly as he took a sip of his club soda. He must have caught her arched brow, because he answered the unspoken observation. “No alcohol tonight. I don’t want a repeat of my past embarrassment, if you get my drift.”

“Wise.” Brook lifted the champagne flute to her lips, allowing the alcohol to coat her upper lip. The champagne was drier than she preferred, but there was no doubting the beverage had come with an exorbitant price tag. “Theo is going to make it a point to speak with Sophia Delacroix this evening. I’m going to see if I can corner Rachel Lee, though I haven’t spotted her yet. For all we know, she’s already changed her hair color.”

“I don’t know Rachel personally. I know of her family, and they’re good people. They keep to themselves, and they don’t cause trouble.” Hartley shook his head in doubt. “Rachel never came up in my part of the investigation.”

“The painting that was posted inside a social media group never would have made itself known had Bit not had one of his programs running,” Brook said just as Sophia walked into the large dining room. “We wouldn’t have found it otherwise.”

“I know that I asked you this over the phone, but what you and your team discovered is more than enough to bring Rachel Lee in for questioning.”

“You and I both know that Rachel would lawyer up in seconds.” Brook followed Sophia’s entrance through the room. “I want to speak with Rachel outside of a formal setting. Let me know if you see her among the servers. Right now, I need to speak with Sophia Delacroix.”

The country club seemed to come alive around Brook as she navigated through the sea of wealthy guests. Their laughter mingled with the festive tunes drifting from the overhead speakers.

“Excuse me.” Brook waited for Sophia to turn around, her vibrant red dress twirling as she did so. “Sophia, I know this is probably an inopportune time, but I need to ask you a few questions regarding your mother.”

Sophia’s smile gradually faded, and Brook began to suspect that Sophia knew more than her mother and Martin Kingston were aware. It wasn’t long before Sophia told the group that she’d been conversing with that she would only be a moment. Sophia led the way to where one of the smaller Christmas trees had been nestled in front of a corner window. She spoke first, heavy concern lacing her tone.

“Why are you asking me about my mother? Mom is at home right now, and she had nothing to do with—”

“Why did your mother stop working for Martin Kingston?”

Sophia lost a bit of color in her face, but she cleared her throat in order to speak.

“I don’t see how that is any concern of yours,” Sophia murmured in agitation as she shifted on her high heels so that she faced the crowd. “I have answered your colleague’s questions, I have offered him my opinion when asked, and I didn’t say a word when you and your team showed up at the art exhibit last night. It’s been a very trying year for me, and it is finally coming to an end. I would like to enjoy one evening. One.”

Brook took a moment to study Sophia, who wasn’t so naïve as she tried to portray herself. Her reaction to Brook’s question spoke volumes. As a matter of fact, she was finding that out about almost everyone connected to this investigation. The quaint town of Harbor might seem idyllic to an outsider, but it was slowly revealing its secrets. Brook decided to peel back another layer.

“Your mother had an affair with Martin Kingston,” Brook said, pausing for effect. Her intention had been to bring up Rachel Lee. Had Sophia known that Rachel was an aspiring artist and that was the reason for her reaching out to Bella? The question would have to wait. “For years. You knew about it.”

“What my mother does or doesn’t do in her private life is of no concern to you,” Sophia whispered harshly with enough rage that would have most people taking a step back. Brook wasn’t most people. “Stay away from me and my mother. I’m through answering questions. Make sure you tell your colleagues.”

Brook monitored Sophia’s departure, not surprised at all when the woman didn’t rejoin her group of friends. Sophia had purposefully sought out Maxwell Vanderbilt, who was standing across the room in deep conversation with Robert Jameson. Maxwell and Robert both lifted their gazes to Brook, though it was Maxwell who took Sophia by the elbow and steered her away to speak in private. Robert began to make his way over to Brook, but his advance was interrupted when an older gentleman called out his name.

“It appears as if you stirred up a hornet’s nest.”

“Chief Rogan,” Brook greeted as politely as she could given their last encounter. “How are you this evening?”

“I’d be better if you stopped upsetting the residents of Harbor.”

Chief Rogan didn’t even bother to look in her direction as he came to stand next to her. He shifted his stance so that he could cross his arms, giving the appearance to others that he was the one in authority.

“Does that include Robert and Lorelei Jameson?” Brook asked with true curiosity. “It’s my understanding that Robert helped get you appointed to your position. Odd, though, how you put yourself in Martin Kingston’s camp shortly thereafter. Is there a reason that you shifted alliances?”