Winds of Fire, стр. 41
“I don't either.”
Johanna exhaled loudly. “He could poison her.”
“He would be the first one suspected.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “I don't know. He could sneak into her bedroom and smother her or something.”
“Calm down. There is no way in hell Thatcher would do anything to her on his own.”
“But that wouldn't stop him from hiring someone to do it. That's what you think. Admit it. Alec even said that he wouldn't put it past him.” An uneasiness seeped into Johanna's bones. “He has to be planning to do something soon. Why else would he blatantly be putting himself in a public place with Kristin where he can be identified? Is he using Kristin as an alibi?”
“I don't know. So far nothing about this case is making any sense.” She grunted. “If Kendall was to suddenly die and it was proved that Thatcher was having an affair with Kristin, I would think Alec could still stop him from inheriting her estate because it would prove his infidelity. Thatcher surely knows that.”
“I suppose.” Johanna didn't feel any better. She wished she could figure out what Thatcher Longman was up to. She watched as he helped Kristin into his sports car and then walked to the driver's side. Johanna settled back into her seat as Frankie started the car.
“Well, we'll see if he makes any more surprise stops tonight,” Frankie said as she followed him. She patted Johanna's knee. “I know you're worried about Kendall's safety. I am too, but we'll get him before he can do any more harm to her. I promise.”
“That's a promise you have no right to make and can't keep.”
Frankie didn't respond and they drove in silence to the Bronson Hotel. Kristin exited the car and Thatcher watched as she walked inside. A few minutes later, Thatcher's car door opened.
“What's he doing?” Johanna asked.
“Well, he's getting out of the car and now he's walking to the entrance.”
They watched as he quickly disappeared inside.
“I wonder if he's planning to spend the night,” Frankie said.
“Maybe he went to check on something,” Johanna replied. “I doubt he walked in and will follow her to her room.”
Frankie cocked an eye. “I'm sure he's checking on something, all right.” She leaned back in her seat. “Looks like it could be a long night.”
“And a long day tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow will be a nice break. Swim, eat, relax with friends.” She stretched her arms. “I can't wait.”
“Me either,” Johanna said squeezing Frankie's arm. She straightened when she saw Thatcher hurry out of the hotel and walk with long strides to his car. “That wasn't even long enough for a quickie.”
“Let's hope he goes home.”
“Do you think we should start staking out his home all night? I mean we have no way of knowing if he sneaks back out.”
Frankie squinted. “According to Kendall he usually stays home once he goes there for the night.”
“True, but by her own admission she can't be certain since they share separate bedrooms and don't always take their meals together.”
Frankie exhaled loudly. “Okay, tell you what. We can start Monday night.”
“Good. If he's not sneaking back over to see her, then how in the world will we be able to prove he's having an affair?”
Frankie pulled on her chin. “If he never leaves his office, she must meet him there.”
“That's a possibility. In any event, I hope he goes straight home tonight. We need to get everything ready for tomorrow. Besides, maybe Kristin will give us the ammo we need against Thatcher once we talk to her.”
“Now that would be nice, but I won't hold my breath.”
Chapter 13
Frankie sat sipping her coffee as she looked at the bright blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. Johanna came out on the back patio and sat across from her. “It doesn't get any better than this.”
Johanna breathed deeply. “No, it doesn't. I can't wait to get into the pool.”
“Go now, sweetie,” Frankie prodded. “I'll come with you.”
“I'll wait for everyone to get here. Do you think we can coax George to take a dip?”
Frankie's mouth curled up into a smile. “If we can, you'd better have your camera ready.”
“Oh, I definitely will.” She sighed happily. “Everything's set. Now all we have to do is wait for everybody to get here. Which won't be for another three hours.”
“I want to go for a swim now.” Frankie peeled off her shirt, stood, and pulled off her shorts. “Race you to the pool!”
Johanna tossed her head. “No fair until I get my shorts and top off. She stripped off her clothes.
Frankie's jaw dropped as she stared at Johanna's beautiful naked body. “No fair to tease me like this,” she called as Johanna sprinted by her on the way to the pool.
* * * *
“Hey, sweetie, let me take that,” Trey offered grabbing a covered dish from Johanna. He smiled appreciatively at her.
“Thank you. I can't get over what you and Will did out here.” Tears sprang to her eyes. “In my wildest dreams I could have never imagined anything like this.”
Trey set the dish on a table and enveloped her in his masculine arms. “Nothing is too good for you. Frankie insisted on only the best for you.”
Johanna hugged him. “I love every bit of it.”
“That's all that matters.”
Frankie walked to the table carrying a platter heaped high with burgers, hotdogs, and chicken. “Everybody out of the pool!” she called good-naturedly. “Time to eat!” She turned to Johanna and Trey. “This is like old times,” she said. “We need to do this more often.”
“With your cooking, you know that Will and I will definitely be here,” he teased.
“Did I hear my name?” Will asked toweling his hair dry as he made his way to the picnic table. “Ah...must be the aroma of this delicious food calling me. I'm starving.”
Trey put an arm around his shoulder. “He's always hungry.”
Frankie lifted an eyebrow. “I'll let that one pass.” She grinned.
“Behave, Frankie,” Johanna warned with a hint of laughter in her voice as they