Free Patricia Dusenbury - Claire Marshall 01 - A Perfect Victim by Patricia Dusenbury

if there was someone else."
    He let his silence say they both knew that wasn't true. Frank had enjoyed numerous
liaisons over the years.
    She took a tremulous breath. "Do you know her? What's she like?"
    Relieved by a question that wasn't fraught, Paul answered honestly. "I met her once. She
seemed pleasant, but I really had no other impression." One meeting had not been enough to get a
sense of Claire Marshall. She was attractive in an all-American, red hair and freckles way--striking
green eyes--but hardly the woman he'd have chosen for Frank. She'd been polite but reserved and
had contributed little to the conversation until they discussed her work. Apparently restoring old
houses was her passion as well as her occupation.
    "Was he really going to marry her?"
    "I don't know what would have happened if Frank hadn't died." Another honest answer.
Although Frank most assuredly had intended to marry Claire, her reaction to his death raised
questions. If she persisted in denying a relationship, it would certainly raise eyebrows.
    "What about Hatch?" Melissa said. "Where's he?"
    "The police posed that very question earlier this morning. As I told them, I barely know the
man and have absolutely no idea where he is. Isn't he a friend of yours?"
    "Why are they looking for him?"
    "Because they don't know where he is. The police have this thing about loose ends."
    "I can't imagine life without Frank." She sounded as plaintive as a lost child.
    "You're an attractive young woman with your life ahead of you." He winced at the
cliché. Eloquence had deserted him in the face of a grieving Melissa Yates. Could this tramp
have cared more for Frank than for his money? Or maybe that was what she couldn't imagine living
without. "I assure you, Melissa, you're provided for."
    "What do you mean?"
    "You should have no financial problems."
    "I don't. The boutique makes money."
    "So I've heard." That profitable status might or might not continue without Frank standing
behind her. It didn't really matter. Whatever happened to the shop, she'd still own the building.
Frank had deeded it to her last year, and properties in the Quarter were appreciating nicely. Over
the years, he had spent thousands upon thousands of dollars keeping Melissa happy--every penny
against his lawyer's advice--and the subsidy would survive his death.
    The conversation had become tiresome, and Paul began to extricate himself.
    "There are a few things for us to discuss, papers for you to sign, but nothing you should
worry about. I'd like to meet with you sometime next week, once things have calmed down." He
transferred the call back to Suzanne and asked her to set an appointment. Half an hour would be
sufficient.
    Paul freshened his coffee and considered the issue of Melissa's existence. Eventually
Captain Robinson or someone working for him would learn about her. He was weighing the pros
and cons of being the one to inform them when Robinson called to say dental X-rays confirmed that
the body found in the cabin was Frank Palmer.
    "I didn't realize there was any question."
    "The preliminary identification was circumstantial, as you're aware."
    A slight emphasis on that last phrase made Paul wish he'd mentioned his role in the search
of Frank's cabin the first time they spoke. His personal concerns about Frank's welfare had thrown
him off his game, and he'd reacted reflexively. Discretion was an ingrained habit, but in this matter,
it had been a poor choice.
    "I just spoke to Claire Marshall," he said. "She's meeting your colleague in my office at two.
Will you be joining us?"
    "Both Lieutenant Breton and I will be there."
    "I look forward to meeting you in person. Your excellent reputation precedes you."
    Saturday evening, he'd called Assistant Police Superintendent Henry Vernon to tell him
Frank's body had been found under circumstances that should be considered suspicious. He'd
asked for assurances that the investigation would be competent and discreet. "The Lafourche
Parish