River Road(22)
Author: Jayne Ann Krentz

“It’s nice to see you again, Mr. Fletcher,” she said.

“Real sorry to hear about Sara and Mary.”

“Thank you,” Lucy said quietly.

“Good morning, Lucy,” Mason said. “Jillian. Mind if we join you?”

Jillian opened her mouth in what Lucy was pretty sure was going to be a no.

“Please do,” Lucy said.

Neither man hesitated. They each grabbed a chair from a nearby table, snapped it into position and sat down.

Jillian looked seriously irritated, but she was trapped and she knew it. The table was Lucy’s, after all.

Deke inclined his head at Jillian in a crisp, military-style acknowledgment of her presence that gave away nothing of what he was thinking.

“Jillian,” he said. “Surprised to see you here this morning.”

“I heard Lucy was in town,” Jillian said. Each word was chipped from ice. “She and I have some private business.”

“Is that so?” Deke looked at Lucy, brows raised.

She smiled. “Trust me, it’s nothing that can’t wait.”

Jillian got a pinched look and rose quickly.

“You’ll have to excuse me,” she said. “I’ve got an appointment. Lucy, I’ll get in touch with you later to set up a private meeting.”

“I’m going to be quite busy for the next few days,” Lucy said. “But I’ll check my calendar and see if I can free up some time for you.”

“You might want to do that,” Jillian said evenly. “There is a considerable amount of money at stake, and you stand to do very well out of the deal if you manage to find the time to discuss the details.”

“Sounds good,” Lucy said. “I like to talk about making money as much as the next person. But right now I’m a little busy.”

Jillian looked torn. Then she appeared to come to a major decision. She smiled.

“I understand,” she said. “Listen, Quinn and I are having a reception at the winery to celebrate Warner’s birthday this evening. We’ll be opening the first bottles of the Colfax Reserve. Everyone at the winery feels it will set the wine world on fire. I know it’s awfully short notice, but I would love it if you could join us.”

“Wow, déjà vu all over again,” Lucy said. She smiled. “Got a surprise in store for me this time, too?”

“Good question,” Mason said.

Jillian looked blank. “I’m afraid I don’t get the joke.”

“The last party you invited me to wasn’t intended to end well for me, was it?” Lucy said. “I was just wondering how this one is slated to finish.”

Jillian’s eyes went very cold. “That was a long time ago.”

“And Brinker is dead,” Lucy finished quietly.

Jillian’s hand tightened around the strap of her purse. “Yes. I doubt if there is anyone who will mourn him.”

An acute silence descended on the table. Lucy knew they were all waiting for her reaction.

“Thank you for the invitation to the reception,” she said. “But I’d feel very awkward attending alone. Okay if I bring someone with me?”

Jillian was almost pathetically relieved. “Yes, of course. You’re more than welcome to bring a date. But I thought you were here in Summer River on your own. Is someone joining you?”

“My date for the evening will be Mason.” Lucy looked politely at Mason. “Assuming he’s willing.”

Mason watched her with a steady, calculating expression. “He’s definitely willing. I’ve never been invited to one of those classy winery receptions. This should be interesting.”

Jillian did not look thrilled, but she managed a determined smile. “Fine. We’ll see you both tonight, then. Seven-thirty.” She paused to give Lucy one last bright smile. “Dress code is the usual—wine-country casual.”

“I’ll make sure to clean my boots,” Mason said.

Jillian ignored that. She adjusted her shoulder bag and walked briskly toward the door.

Lucy looked at Mason and Deke. “Wine-country casual?”

Deke chuckled. “Don’t look at me, I’ve never been invited to any of those shindigs at the wineries.”

Becky appeared at the table. “Neither have I, but I can give you one piece of advice, Mason: Whatever you do, don’t wear a suit and tie. You’ll stand out like a tourist.”

“Wouldn’t want to do that,” Mason said.

Becky took herself off to seat two more customers who had appeared in the doorway.

Mason looked at Lucy and lowered his voice. “Just out of sheer curiosity, what the hell were you thinking by accepting Jillian’s invitation?”

“I’m thinking that a Colfax family gathering is an excellent place to start asking a few questions,” she said.

“Damn,” Mason said. “I was afraid of that.”

Deke looked interested. “What kind of questions do you plan on asking?”

Mason exhaled slowly. “She doesn’t think that the car crash that killed Sara and Mary was an accident.”

“Well, hell,” Deke said. He said it very, very softly.

“I was willing to accept that verdict at first,” Lucy said. “Accidents happen. But now I’m working on the theory that Sara’s and Mary’s deaths are linked to the shares of Colfax Inc. that I inherited.”

“Huh,” Deke said. He looked intrigued.

“Must be something about being back in Summer River,” Lucy said. “Brings out my suspicious side.”

“Yeah, mine, too,” Mason admitted.

Deke looked at him. “Hell, you’ve been suspicious your whole life.”

“Same with you,” Mason said. “Probably in the blood.”

“Probably,” Deke agreed. He turned back to Lucy. “Got any evidence of this theory of yours?”

“Three dead people, all of whom are in one way or another connected to Colfax Inc.”

Mason picked up his coffee cup. “As the only professional investigator present, I feel obliged to point out yet again that one of the deaths occurred thirteen years ago and in all probability is unrelated to the deaths of Sara and Mary.”

“I’m aware of that,” Lucy said. “And as I told you, I agree with you. But still, there are three deaths.”

“Are you going to mention your theory to Chief Whitaker when we talk to him this morning?” Mason asked. His tone was neutral, but there was a sharp, watchful curiosity in his eyes.