Jason wouldnt have minded it, she knew. As introverted as hed been, hed have welcomed it. Close contact with other people stressed him almost beyond bearing. College dorm life must have been a nightmare for him. It had taken time and maturity for her to understand that, but Tom never had. Hed always insisted Jason could be like other kids if he just tried harder.
Small wonder Jason had taken refuge in his fantasy world. There, he could be in control. He could shut out the outside world and focus on the voices in his imagination. If shed understood that earlier, if his father had grasped it at all...
She pushed the thought away. She couldnt go back. All she could do for Jason now was find out why hed died, and the key to that had to be in his video diary.
Reluctantly, Kate turned her laptop on. The video diary had been Jasons closely guarded secret. Shed known it existed, but shed never had so much as a glimpse of it until two weeks ago, when shed started clearing Toms house for the sale. It still felt as if she were violating Jasons privacy by watching it.
She clicked the diary file, and Jasons face appeared on her screen, looking as hed so often looked in realitysoft brown hair standing on end as if hed been running his fingers through it, hazel eyes magnified by his dark-rimmed glasses, his sensitive mouth unsmiling.
The first time shed watched it she hadnt been able to get all the way through even one entryshed been crying too hard. It wasnt that much easier now, but at least she was able to control the tears. Now a session of trying to understand just left her wrung out and exhausted, her throat tight, her eyes burning.
Even if it hadnt been for the grief, understanding would have been difficult, due to Jasons refusal to be ordinary in referring to people. He almost never used names, instead dubbing the people he met with the identities of the mythic characters from his favorite books and games. Some Kate could understand a little, like the characters from fairy tales or Tolkiens books, while others left her banging her head against the wall.
Now that shed met the cast of characters at Laurel Ridge Financial, she might have a chance of identifying the people he referred to. Maybe even begin to understand what was happening in his life that disturbed him so toward the end of that summer that he would have turned to pills to dull the pain. Or to end it permanently.
Shed like to believe the overdose had been accidental. Unfortunately, she couldnt convince herself of that. Jason had been clean for so long. He knew, if anyone did, the results of combining alcohol with those strong prescription meds.
Telling her stepfather her feelings would just have made the whole situation worse. Better to keep her opinion to herself untilunlessshe knew for sure.
She clicked the video to start it, and Jasons soft, diffident voice sounded, wrenching her heart.
The King was upset today, and Im not sure why. Jasons eyes were serious, concerned. This had been about midway through his internship. She paused the tape and pulled out a notebook to jot down her impressions.
The King. Well, that would probably be Bart Gordon, wouldnt it? He seemed to be running things now.
But what had been his position relative to Russell Sheldon? She didnt know, and such a simple thing could mean a world of difference in interpretation. She noted a queryfind out who was in charge when Sheldon was still with the firm. Probably anyone would know. Like Mac Whiting, for instance, but she dismissed the thought. He was the last person shed go to for help.
A firm knock on the door interrupted her line of thought. Mrs. Anderson again? Shed already been here twice, once with a freshly laundered blanket and again with a loaf of pumpkin bread. It was easy to see why shed gotten on Jasons nerves.
Kate got up, then turned back and closed the file shed been watching. No one need know about the diary, not now, maybe not ever.
She opened the door, prepared to be polite to her landlady, and found the woman from the financial group, Lina Oberlin, waiting.
Ms. Oberlin. She was frankly surprised. Shed hoped the woman meant her comment about getting together, but she certainly hadnt expected a visit so soon. Please, come in. How did you know where to find me? She hadnt said a word about where she was staying while shed been in the office, had she?
Its all over Blackburn House already, Im afraid. With a restrained smile, the woman stepped inside. Please, call me Lina.
Lina, she repeated. How would anyone at Blackburn House know? If she sounded a little suspicious, it was nothing to how she felt. Were people watching her?
Obviously youre not used to the way news spreads in a place like Laurel Ridge. After all, were right next door. Im sure someone saw you moving in. Lina shrugged. People in a small town are interested in their neighbors.
Obviously so. Kate gestured to the sofa. Please, sit down.
Lina had apparently come straight from work, since she still wore the tailored suit shed had on earlier. She sat down, looking around the room with frank curiosity. This is really quite nice, isnt it? Her gaze seemed to linger on the desk, and Kate was relieved that she had closed the file. I havent seen the inside before, but its roomier than Id have expected.
You were never inside when Jason lived here? Kate sat down opposite the woman.
Linas lips twitched in what might have been a smile. I can just imagine the talk that would have spread if Id come to visit a young male colleague. Im afraid financial consultants are expected to be models of rectitude in a place like Laurel Ridge.
Yes. Id say Mr. Gordon made it clear that adverse publicity was frowned on. She couldnt seem to keep the resentment from her tone. Gordons facile sympathy had disappeared very quickly at any faint suggestion of fault on the part of the firm.
Thats really why Ive come so quickly. Lina leaned forward, her pale face intent. Im afraid Bart reacted badly, and I wanted to explain. Its not entirely his fault, you know. Our clients didnt like seeing the newspaper stories about one of our staff in such a situation. She shook her head, rueful. Sorry. I dont want to hurt you, but thats the truth.
Kate suppressed her irritation as best she could. I understand being concerned for the reputation of the firm. But Bart Gordon had overreacted, it seemed to her, and she really wanted to know why.
But you think he was over-the-top. Lina seemed to know what she was thinking. Im afraid he was so annoyed because he was the one who suggested taking Jason on as an intern. He talked Mr. Sheldon into it. Apparently Jasons adviser was an old fraternity brother of Barts, and Bart agreed as a favor to him. Then, when things went badly...
She let that trail off, and Kate managed not to point out that things had gone far more badly for Jason than for the firm. She hoped to get information from the woman, not antagonize her.
Aside from the way it ended, how was Jason doing as an intern? Im sure you have an opinion, working so closely with him.
Well, not really all that closely, Im afraid. It was actually Russell Sheldon who seemed to take the most interest in Jason. He took the time to work with the young man, and according to him, Jason did very well. He always seemed very conscientious to mealmost too preoccupied with his work at times, Id say.
That sounded like Jason. Hed focus on a task to the exclusion of everything else.
Im glad Jason found a mentor here. I really should thank Mr. Sheldon personally, then. Is he still living in town? It would be as good an excuse as any to probe into what the man remembered of Jasons time here.
Lina looked doubtful. Yes, Russell Sheldon is quite a fixture in town. Everyone knows him. But I dont know that its a good idea for you to visit him.
She paused, then seemed to realize shed have to explain further if she expected Kate to drop the idea.
The trouble is that Russell has been failing mentally for the past few years. He probably should have retired earlier than he did, to be honest, but he had such a good rapport with our older clients that we hated to see him go. Theyd trusted him for years, and it wasnt easy to convince them that theyd be quite safe in Barts hands.
Surely a short visit with him wouldnt hurt... Kate began, but Lina was already shaking her head.
I understand the poor man is becoming increasingly erratic. Apparently the least disruption of his usual routine causes him to react very emotionally. In fact, his son has been trying to get him into an assisted living facility. Im sure you wouldnt want to cause Mr. Sheldon any distress, and I dont imagine he even remembers Jason at this point.
I see. Somehow she didnt think she wanted to take Linas word for it, as helpful as she seemed. Ive hoped people who knew my brother during those last weeks might have noticed some indication of trouble. Anything that seemed out of his normal routine, any change in his attitude...
There had to be somethingsomething that had pushed Jason into his final act.
I wish I could be of more help. Lina spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness. In retrospect I do think Jason seemed a bit more preoccupied than usual toward the end of the summer, but then hed been sending out résumés and looking for a position, so thats only natural.
Kate nodded. In one of his phone calls, theyd talked about the possibility of Jason getting a job near her. He wouldnt have wanted to move in with her again, but shed wanted to be close enough to provide some support, at least.
She tried another tack. I suppose you dont know any of the friends he made here?
Im afraid not. Jason didnt seem like the social type. He was more serious than a lot of young men his age. Linas smile seemed to freeze. Id be wary of anything Nikki has to say about your brother, by the way. From what I saw, he was usually trying to evade her attentions.
Thanks. Ill bear that in mind.
Well, you dont need my advice. Im sure a woman of your experience could see at once just how much you can rely on Nikki for the truth. A smile warmed her rather restrained manner. What was she doing when you came in? Filing her nails?
Kate had to laugh. Actually, I did spot her doing that earlier.
Wed get someone better, but there isnt really all that much choice. The bright kids take off for college after graduation. At least Nikki knows how to operate the office equipment, and shes better on the computer than Bart is. Lina smiled. Although thats not saying much.
I sometimes think a five-year-old could teach me something new, despite my job. In the interests of possibly getting more from the woman later, she should respond to any friendship cues.
Lina reached for her bag. I wont hold you up any longer, but if theres anything I can do, please, let me know. Jasons death must have been a terrible shock as well as a devastating loss.
The womans sympathetic tone got to her, and for a moment Kate considered taking Lina into her confidence. But only for a moment. Her native caution reasserted itself. She didnt intend to give too much away to anyone in this town, not until she had a better idea of where she stood.
* * *
MAC PULLED INTO his parking space in front of the police station the next day, fuming. The meeting hed had with the district attorney had been an exercise in frustration. They both knew of the increasing presence of drugs in their community, and of illegal prescription meds in particular. But the problem wasnt solved by talking about itor at least, not by talking with a DA who was up for reelection this fall and wanted to be able to show voters hed been actively involved in fighting drugs. All the DA wanted to do was give lip service to the problem.
Mac spared a passing thought to appreciate the crisp, clear weather that was so typical of fall in Pennsylvania. He didnt have time to enjoy it today, unfortunately. He headed for the door of the solid redbrick building that had housed the station for the past century. The cement block addition along one side might not have the beauty of the original structure, but it gave much-needed space for police cars as well as the paramedics.
A glance at the clock on the bell tower of Town Hall informed him that the morning was nearly gone, eaten up by talk that led nowhere. Marge Bailey, their dispatcher/receptionist, gave him a sympathetic look as he came in out of the bright fall sunshine. Marge was fond of telling people how she used to babysit for Mac and his brother, and her motherliness with him was balanced by the crisp, no-nonsense way she dealt with police matters.
No fun?
He grimaced. Maybe itll satisfy him for the moment, so I can get some work done. Did the state police crime stats come in yet?
On your computer. She glanced toward his office door. But first, you have a visitor. Marge rolled her eyes. Bart Gordon. All het up about something. I told him you were tied up in a meeting, and that if he had something to report, another officer could speak with him, but he insisted on waiting for you.
Right. Bart was one of those people who always had a list of complaints, most of them not police business at all. Looked as if the last shreds of his morning were being swept away. Well, his job was to protect and serve the community, even when they wasted his time.
Mac strode into the office, tossing his cap onto the desk. Morning, Bart.
Bart Gordon shot out of the visitors chair that took up too much space in Macs tiny office, already crowded with desk, chair and files, made to seem even smaller by the framed photos of various town dignitaries and events that covered most of one wall.
Its about time youre getting back. Ive been waiting. Bart looked prosperous, self-satisfied and florid, as usual. He was enough older than Mac that their lives hadnt really touched at any point.
Didnt Marge tell you I was at a meeting with the DA? he asked blandly. Ill have to speak to her about it.
Taken aback, Bart sat down again. She mentioned it, he said reluctantly.
Well, what can I do for you? Mac edged around his desk and sat in the creaky swivel chair hed inherited from his predecessor.
Bart seemed to get up a head of steam again. Are you aware that Jason Reilleys sister is in town? He made it sound like an accusation.
Now, what was there in Kate Beaumonts presence to make Bart so hot under the collar?
Yes, Ive met her. He kept his voice carefully neutral. Is there a problem?
A problem? When a perfect stranger walks into my office and starts prying into my business? Bart seemed to take a breath, maybe deciding that wasnt the way he wanted to present himself. After a moment he leaned forward, an earnest expression on his ruddy face. Now, Mac, you know I always have the best interest of Laurel Ridge at heart. Adverse publicity about a prominent business like ours cant do anyone any good. Im just trying to protect the reputation of our town.