Page 51 of Cold Silence
Claire had never been to the traditionally furnished home before and liked catching a glimpse of it on the screen. They had good taste and looked like expensive taste at that. Even without medical bills, decorating this home could’ve put them in debt.
“Your house is beautiful,” Claire said. “How long have you lived there?”
“Not even two years.” Inez frowned. “It was supposed to be our forever home, but…” She shrugged, and her eyes got glassy with tears.
“How are you doing?” Claire asked, even though she wanted to avoid this topic.
Inez just shook her head.
“Is there anything I can do?” Claire asked.
“No, but thank you for always letting Alan off work when I need him. He’s been my rock. Holding my hand through all the nausea from chemo. I don’t think I could’ve made it through this last week if he hadn’t been here with me every night.”
Claire cast a quick, knowing look at Travis, and he gave a clipped nod that was barely perceptible. Claire’s work was basically done here. They had a solid alibi for the break-in. Not the attack though.
Inez sat in a wooden dining chair and took a long breath. “I imagine you’ve seen how tired he’s been at work this week. I hope you won’t hold that against him. He stayed by my side from sundown to sunup every day and got little sleep. And he takes me to every doctor’s appointment. But then you probably know that since he has to miss work a lot. Tuesday’s appointment was particularly long. I’m sorry about that.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Claire hated even more that she had an ulterior motive here, but had to admit she was glad that Inez laid it all out there so Claire could forget about Alan as a suspect and actually focus on the gift. “He’s a good man.”
“The best.” A sweet smile crossed her face. “Today seems better for me so maybe we can both sleep tonight.”
“I’ll pray that happens.”
Inez sniffled. “Now you said something about the anniversary. I’m hoping I can come to the party.”
“I hope you can too.” Claire shared her bogus reason for the call. “Since these gifts are a surprise, I’m enlisting the help of spouses. Can you think of anything Alan has been wanting but wouldn’t buy for himself?”
Inez settled a blanket around her frail shoulders. “All of our money and time has gone to this stupid cancer, so he really hasn’t had any wants outside of my healing and comfort.”
As a caregiver, he needed support too, but there were often no funds for such a thing. “What about a massage? Would he like that, do you think?”
“Oh, yes.” Inez’s eyes lit up. “That sounds perfect. Something he would never do himself but would be great to help him relax. If I can convince him to leave me alone long enough to go.”
“What if I made it a couple’s massage?”
“That’s very generous of you.”
“It’s the least I can do for his wonderful work.” Claire smiled. “I won’t take up any more of your time. I hope you’ll be able to come to the party.”
“I hope so too.” Inez’s sadness returned.
Claire hated ending the call and vowed to do more for this couple in the future. “Please don’t tell Alan about my call today. The gifts are a surprise.”
Inez mimicked zipping her lips.
Claire quickly ended the call, feeling like she was running from this sick woman. And maybe she was. Her prognosis wasn’t good, and Claire, like most people, didn’t like to look death in the face.
She battled back tears and looked at Travis. “I feel bad for bothering Inez when she’s so sick.”
“Me too.” Travis leaned back in his chair and clasped the back of his neck. “Cancer’s rough. I’ll be praying for them both.”
“Now Sylvia Norton’s another story. I never thought I’d feel sorry for Kent, but every time I see Sylvia, I do.”
Travis tilted his head. “Why’s that?”
“She has everything money can buy. Diamonds. Expensive clothes. A decorator condo. And yet she wants more. Let me get her on a call and you’ll see.”
Claire looked up the number in Kent’s personnel record and then tapped the screen.
