Tyler nodded, wiped his face off with the towel, and trudged from the field.
“That kid is right on the edge,” noted White.
“Hopefully we can bring him back.”
“Is that our job, Decker?”
He looked at her. “Maybe it should be.”
“You earlier gave Barry Davidson some good legal advice. I didn’t think that was our job, either. So why was that?”
“Everyone deserves a fair shake. And something about this whole thing is off. I mean, someone who kills someone else with a gun rarely offers up the murder weapon so freely to the cops. If he did kill with it, there’s a big body of water right around here he could have dumped it in.”
“So someone really might be framing him? Who?” asked White.
“Who stands to benefit if he goes down for this?”
“Tyler already gets his mother’s money, so he’s out. Maybe Langley framed Davidson.”
“Motive?” said Decker.
“Just to screw over Davidson. I think both men were still in love with Cummins.”
“If so, he would have had to kill Cummins, too.”
“Lots of men kill the women they supposedly love,” noted White.
“Let’s talk to Gloria Chase then, and see how much she loves Langley.”
“Apparently enough to marry him,” said White.
Chapter 66
CHASE WAS AT HER OFFICE located in the downtown area. The space was done in a minimalist but costly manner. There was an energetic flow of young, enthusiastic people and large computer screens with fascinating images and reams of data pouring over them. Decker felt like he was on some hip film set where they drank flavored sparkling water, wore chic clothes, and drove exotic cars, which meant he was as far out of his element as it was possible to be.
She met them in her spacious, light-filled office that was full of high-end build-outs and expensive furnishings. She looked equal parts indifferent and bored.
“I hear the ex-husband has been arrested,” she said.
“News travels fast,” said White.
“Like a bullet.”
The emphasis on the word showed them its use was intentional.
“So if he killed his wife and her guard, why are you here?” she asked.
“That ‘presumed innocent’ thing,” said Decker. “But first, I understand congratulations are in order.”
Chase smiled and held up her hand. A four-carat diamond rose from her finger like a miniature crystal mountain.
“Nice,” said White. “Even if it doesn’t work out, be sure to keep the rock.”
“Oh, it will work out. We love each other very much.” She glanced at White. “He did the knee and everything. Very romantic.”
“He’s close to fifty, right? Big age gap,” White noted.
She frowned for a moment, but then smiled. “But he looks far closer to forty. And wants kids, same as me.”
“Big wedding planned?” asked White.
Chase looked a bit crestfallen by the query. “No. Um, we’re getting married next week in a very low-key affair, just the two of us. And then flying to Vegas for our honeymoon.”
“Vegas, interesting choice. Do you like to gamble?”
“No, but they have great restaurants and shows.”
“And as soon as you say your vows, everything he might have told you about Julia Cummins or anything related to her death will be confidential,” pointed out Decker.
Chase glanced sharply at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Florida has a spousal communication privilege. So Langley can invoke it to prevent you from talking to the police or anyone else about any communications he might have made to you about Julia Cummins or anything else that might be incriminating. He could have told you that he killed her, but once you’re married, your lips are legally sealed.”
“He didn’t kill her. He was with me!”
“So no worries there. I’m just wondering if that law was the impetus for a quickie marriage as opposed to some societal extravaganza. But maybe you didn’t want that.” He looked around the posh space. “I mean, you don’t strike me as someone who likes to make a big splash.”
“Look, I won’t deny that I had plans for something here that was going to be pretty fabulous, but Dennis explained things to me. I mean, why pay all that money for what’s basically a big party for everybody else? Instead it’ll just be us and we’ll pamper ourselves, not three hundred guests.”
“Makes perfect sense,” said White. “What every woman wants, right?”