Page 51 of Night Watch
On the way to the house, they stopped at Finley’s apartment to pick up the college records, and now Aiden was pulling into the driveway of Nora’s small bungalow near the city. He wore reflective sunglasses, hiding his eyes and mood, but his body was alert for any potential danger, as was Erik’s.
Erik’s cell rang. “It’s Drake. I’ll put him on speaker.”
“Yo, bro,” Drake said. “Just left the prison. Waldron’s wife was the only person who visited him, and she stopped coming ten years ago when she divorced him. According to Waldron, it wasn’t an amiable divorce, and she married his best friend. He’s bitter about the whole thing. Said she poisoned his son against him, and he won’t have a thing to do with him anymore. I’ll stop by the ex-wife’s place on my way back to confirm, but I just don’t see her or the son trying to kill Silas or Wanda. And Waldron worked this scam alone, except for Silas’s accounting help, and the people he knew in the investment community have turned their backs on him. He really does seem to be on his own.”
“Do you think he was telling the truth?” Erik asked. “He is an expert liar, after all.”
“You can’t fake the bitterness he displayed. Or the hatred of Silas that Waldron still feels. But the only way I can see him taking Silas out would be by paying for a professional hit, and the feds seized all of his assets when he was arrested. He’s broke and couldn’t possibly pay for it.”
“And what about how he feels about Kennedy and Finley?” Aiden asked.
“I don’t see any danger there,” Drake said. “His hatred is pinned to Silas. I could see him wanting to hurt Wanda to pay Silas back if he were still alive, but with Silas gone, there’s no point for him.”
“Okay, let us know what the wife says. We’re about to interview Nora.” Erik brought his brother up to speed on what he’d missed at the meeting.
“Hope she can shed some light on things. We could use a solid lead.” Drake ended the call.
“Let’s not be too quick to dismiss this angle.” Erik ran a hand over his hair. “Waldron could get one of his fellow inmates to act for him, and we don’t want to be blindsided by that.”
Aiden looked at Erik. “There’s a brotherhood in prison so it could happen, and you’re right. We need to keep it as one of our lines of inquiry.”
“Wait, what?” Erik stared at his brother. “I’m what?”
Aiden rolled his eyes. “You’re right.”
“Could you say it again? I don’t hear it often enough.”
Aiden socked Erik and climbed out.
Erik’s good humor vanished as he swiveled to look back at Kennedy. “Okay. The rules again. Don’t leave the vehicle before I get out. Don’t get ahead of or behind me or take off in any direction. Stay by my side at all times. And if I or Aiden tell you to take cover, do it immediately. Don’t ask questions. Just move.”
“Aye aye, captain.” She saluted him to lighten his mood.
He reached back and clutched her knee. “This is serious, Kennedy.”
“Don’t worry.” She smiled but she could feel her chin tremble. “I’ll do as you say.”
He held her gaze for a long moment, then released her knee and got out. She waited in the vehicle, taking in the freshly painted home, which looked recently updated. Kennedy didn’t know how long Nora had lived at this house, but if she’d been a long-time resident, she’d put some money into the place.
Erik stopped outside Kennedy’s door and looked around, then gave a sharp nod as if cementing something in his mind. Maybe he did this for all his clients, but she liked to think he was taking this extra step because he cared about her. She was a very independent woman, but she really liked his protectiveness.
He pulled the door open. The minute her feet hit the walkway, he slid an arm around her back and snugged her up against his body. He whisked her past Aiden, who had a hand on his weapon, and Erik’s gaze was like a constant radar blip, moving over the area.
They hurried up the porch stairs, Aiden coming behind them. Erik stood to her right side, the wall to her left, and Aiden remained behind. She might be exposed to potential gunshots, but these guys would take the hit first, and she figured their vests were up to the task.
Erik pounded on the door, and footsteps sounded on the other side.
Kennedy took a breath to prepare herself as Nora opened the door and ran her gaze over them. Her eyes hooded, her sagging lids narrowing even more. Thankfully, they’d all hidden their vests under shirts, but the bulkiness probably gave them away.
“Kennedy?” Nora pinned her focus on her. “What’s going on?”
Kennedy smiled to try to relax the older woman. “These are my friends, Erik and Aiden Byrd. We’re looking into my mom’s death and wanted to ask you a few questions.”
“Me?” Nora clutched the front of a flowery blouse she’d paired with dressy black slacks. “But what can I tell you?”
“Why don’t we come in, and we can talk about it?” Kennedy didn’t give Nora time to think but stepped over the threshold. The small room she entered had formal furnishings and held the thick floral scent of Nora’s cloying perfume.
Nora held the door handle while Erik entered.
