Free Murder for Bid by Susan Furlong Bolliger Page B

octave higher.
    “I’ve been checking a little more into Richard Schmidt and trying to figure out the identity of his mistress.”
    “But, you have no real proof that he was actually having an affair, right?”
    “Well … no. I just think you need to look closer at his love life. It’s obvious that something was going on. Greg even said that Schmidt had a call from Amanda when they were out on the course that morning. He said that they got into an argument. So … don’t you see?”
    “See what?”
    I sighed, “They were arguing because Amanda found out about the other woman. She was cleaning out the closets and found the shirt. You remember the shirt, don’t you? The one with the lipstick stain?”
    I heard a long, drawn out sigh on the other end. “All this doesn’t prove anything,” he said.
    “It all points to motive. An exposed affair could have been strong enough motive for him to commit murder, or another possibility could be that his lover killed Amanda in a fit of jealousy. Amanda probably had it out with Richard, hung up, and immediately called the ‘other woman.’ That’s what I would do. Either way, you should be checking into Schmidt’s love life.”
    “And, I suppose you have an idea of who his lover might be,” he said, his tone facetious.
    “Madeline Reiner,” I spat out.
    Sean’s reply came over the phone loud and clear. “The judge’s wife?”
    “Yes,” I replied, with a little less conviction. “At least she’s a good possibility. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. You’d probably be thinking the same thing if you’d seen how she acted with him at the funeral. She couldn’t keep her hands off him even in front of her husband, the judge. I can only imagine what she does when she and Schmidt are actually alone.”
    “No, no, no … don’t go there. Leave the Reiners completely out of this.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Just don’t get involved with them. There’s been a new development that you don’t know about. You could get yourself into a lot of trouble if you go around asking questions about the Reiners, not to mention that you could seriously hinder my case. You didn’t tell Greg Davis that you thought Madeline Reiner might have killed Amanda, did you?”
    I tried to think back to my conversation with Greg. “I can’t remember … maybe.
    Although, he also thought that Richard was having an affair.”
    “With Madeline Reiner?”
    “Well, he didn’t say that, but ...” I could hear Sean groaning on the other end. “What?” I asked. I was starting to get really ticked.
    “Please don’t talk to anyone else about this case; don’t go snooping into anyone’s yard or house; don’t dress up like Jackie O, and stay away from Greg Davis!”  
    “What’s wrong with Greg Davis? He seems like a nice guy.”
    “He’s a player. He’s been around.”
    I felt some vindication. “So, you are jealous?”
    Sean sighed. “All I’m saying is that you wouldn’t want to be with a guy like him. Besides, you’re not his type.”
    “Not his type? What is his type then?”
    “Not you.”
    That hurt. I guess I was starting to understand where our relationship stood. He wasn’t even willing to put up a fight for me. It would serve him right if I ended up going out with Greg Davis.
    “We’ll see,” I retorted, sneaking in the words right before hanging up. I could hear him backtracking as I replaced the receiver.
    Furious, I shoveled in the rest of the ice cream. Each bite was accompanied with a curse word aimed at Sean. By the time the container was empty, the air was practically blue.
    Sean hadn’t listened to even one of my ideas about the case. I was dumping leads in his lap and he refused to acknowledge them. What was with his attitude about Greg Davis anyway? Was he jealous, or what? Then saying that I’m not Greg’s type? What did that mean? I’m not good enough for a guy like Greg Davis? Well, maybe I’m not the hottest chic around, but I’ve got a lot going