Page 61 of Hell Hath No Fury

Emma’s pulse quickened. “Eric’s too smart to leave evidence in his car.”

For the first time since Matthias entered the room, he met her gaze, a glint in his eyes. “Yes, he is, and I don’t think being outed by a drunken jackass is motive enough for him to drive all that way to kill him. I might believe Eric could shove Jones through a window in a fit of rage, but we’re talking some serious premeditation here.”

Emma couldn’t imagine Eric swatting a fly, but something Matthias had just said clicked to the forefront of her mind. “You said an anonymous caller saw Eric put the evidence in his trunk?”

Matthias didn’t reply. He didn’t need to.

“Whoever the witness was would’ve had to be at the murder scene.”

“If we believed Eric was the killer.”

“Which we don’t.” Emma fingered her hair. “The anonymous caller has to be the real murderer.”

“I agree,” Matthias said. “So who else wanted Sonny Jones dead? Who else had motive?”

“Besides Nell and me, I assume.”

“I don’t think him being a jerk was the sole reason our killer wanted him dead.” The glint in Matthias’s blue eyes was flickering into a fire.

“If it was, the line of suspects would reach from here to Erie and back. So, whatdoyou think?”

“I want to follow the money. Who stands to benefit from Jones being out of the picture?” Matthias grinned. “Who gets control of North Star Developing?”

“I… don’t know.”

“Neither do I. First thing tomorrow, we’re going to find out.”

ChapterEighteen

Matthias awoke the next morning to the ringing of Emma’s phone. “Who’s calling at this hour?” he mumbled.

She rolled over, and he heard her slap the bedside table twice before locating the device. “I don’t recognize the number.” She accepted the call with a sleep-fogged, “Hello?” and immediately sat bolt upright. “Yes?” She nudged Matthias, bringing him fully awake. “I want to be there.”

He watched her expression shift from concerned to dismayed.

“Oh. Okay… What happens next?” A long pause. “Yes, of course. You’ll let me know?” She nodded as if the caller was able to see her. “Thanks so much for calling. Tell Eric we’re doing everything we can.” She dropped the phone on the bed and drew her knees in, hugging them as her head hung in dejection.

Matthias shifted to drape an arm around her. “Let me guess. Eric’s lawyer.”

“Yes.” She exhaled. “Eric’s being arraigned this morning. The attorney said it will all be done over closed circuit TV, so there’s no use for me to be there. And he’s not hopeful about bail.” She covered her face with her hands. “Poor Eric.”

“Hey,” Matthias said softly, giving her a gentle shake. “The attorney calledyou. Eric gave himyournumber and asked him to contactyou. Not me.”

Emma lowered her hands. “Maybe he’s forgiven me.”

“You knew he would.”

“The only problem now is that I can’t forgive myself. Nell’s in the wind with drugs and alcohol in her possession. Eric’s going to be arrested for murder, all because he was trying to negotiate with Sonny on my behalf. I’ve managed to screw up the lives of the two people I care most about in the world.”

Matthias tried to ignore being left out of the category.

She must have felt him tense. “Oh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean?—”

“I understand. You’ve known Eric and Nell your entire life. You’ve known me for three months.”

“You’re lucky. Give me time, and I’ll screw up your life, too.”

The bitterness in her voice stunned Matthias. She flung off the covers and disappeared into the bathroom. A minute later, the hiss of the shower drifted through the wall.