The two officers next to him erupted in laughter which added fuel to his fire.
“Yes, uh, Mr. Tree, where were you between the hours of say 10 am and 12 pm? And you didn’t move all day, you say?”
The chief wasn’t the only laughing stock.
I walked past Coop without saying a word. I wanted to slap the smug look off his face, but more than that, I wanted to get the hell out of there.
CHAPTER 10
The real estate office of Ellis & Marshall sat smack dab in the middle of Old Town right next to one of the transit bus stops. Skiers gussied up like big poof balls with their skis in tow waited in anticipation for the bus to make its rounds. Next stop for them, the slopes. And for me, a chat with Charlotte’s real estate partner.
I entered the office and was greeted by a flat screen television with an on-screen display of homes in the current flavors of the month. Located behind it was an entire wall full of photos, most in the I-could-never-possibly-afford-you-in-a-million-years range. Still, one in particular I couldn’t help but take a closer look at.
“It’s a beauty, isn’t it?”
An older woman around fifty in a fitted dress stood next to me. Her shoulder-length hair was styled in a bob and looked like she had stuck her finger in a light socket for a few seconds. It was an ashy blond color, but her roots were grey, and plastered across her lips was the brightest cherry-colored lipstick I had ever seen.
“I’m just looking,” I said.
Cherry lipstick lady grabbed the photo I admired and took it off the wall.
“This one’s a real charmer, and just reduced too.”
Reduced to a mere million and a half, no thank you, I thought to myself.
“You know, Deer Valley is one of the nicest areas in Park City, and this little beauty, well––between you and me, it won’t stay on the market for long.”
The more she talked the more she reminded me of a starving piranha.
“I’m looking for Vicki Novak,” I said.
She smiled.
“You found her,” she said, and extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. And you are?”
“Sloane.”
She gestured to the stairs on the right.
“Why don’t we talk in my office?”
Vicki’s office was furnished with two desks. One of the desks surfaces displayed a picture of Charlotte and Audrey with their arms around one another. They looked happy. Vicki sat at the other desk, which was devoid of any personal items and polished to a buffed shine.
“What can I do for you today?”
“I wanted to ask you a few questions about your real estate partner,” I said.
The gleam in her eye dissipated. I couldn’t decide whether it was over the fact that someone she cared for had passed away or because she realized that today she wouldn’t make a sale.
“Do you work for the paper?”
“I’m not a reporter,” I said. “Were you and Charlotte partners long?”
“Well let’s see, about five years give or take. What difference does it make?”
She crossed her legs and fidgeted with the phone cord that dangled off her desk.
“It’s terrible, you know, the accident,” she said.
She smoothed her hand across the bottom of her wet eyelid.
“I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve hardly eaten a thing since it happened.”
“How was your relationship with Charlotte before she died?” I said.
“Forgive my rudeness, but Charlotte never mentioned you. “And you sure ask a lot of questions for someone who isn’t a reporter.”
“I’m a friend of Audrey’s,” I said.
“That still doesn’t explain why you came to see me.”
“Audrey hired me to look into Charlotte’s death.”
“I don’t understand.”
“She believes there’s a possibility that what happened wasn’t an accident,” I said.
Vicki had a stupefied look on her face like I’d just administered 50,000 volts into her system.
“How can that be?”
“I can’t answer that yet,” I said. “But, in the meantime, I’d like your help.”
Tears slid down the corner of her eyes and left black smudge marks on both sides of her cheeks.
“I don’t know how much help I can be, but I’ll try.”
“Is it true the two of you planned a transfer to another agency?” I said.
“We discussed it, but that was about it. No decision was made.”
“Why make the switch?” I said.
“Charlotte felt the time was right. A new agency opened in town and they offered a better commission split. She said we should move before the other real estate agents swooped in and snatched up all the offices.”
“And you?” I said. “How did you feel about leaving?”
“I was the one who convinced her to stay.”
“Why?”
“We made a name for ourselves at this office and between the two of us, we made plenty of money. I didn’t see the point, and after I reasoned with her, she agreed.”
“Can you think of anyone who wanted to harm her?” I said.
She bit down on the corner of her lip.
“Mmmph, no, not really. Everyone loved Charlotte.”
“What about Parker Stanton?” I said. “What do you think of him?”
“He’s a perfect gentleman, most of the time.”
“What do you mean by that?” I said.
“He’s a guy. You know how guy’s are, sometimes sweet, sometimes ahh, what’s a good word for Parker…aggressive, yes, that suits him.”
“Are you saying he’s violent?” I said.
“There have been little flare ups here and there. One time Charlotte and I made plans to meet with a high profile client who flew in to tour some homes with us. Parker called and said he needed her or wanted to talk to her, I don’t recall all the specifics. Anyway, Charlotte said she was tied up and Parker wasn’t too happy about that.”
“What happened?” I said.
“When we got back to the office he was waiting for her in the parking lot. I’ll never forget the look on her face when we drove in. It was like she knew she was going to catch hell from him, and she did alright. Once the car door opened he hustled over and grabbed her by the arm and practically dragged her back to his car.”
“And then?”
“I’m not sure; she left with him I think. And right after that, she told him to hit the road and they broke up.”
“How long after?” I said.
“Maybe a few days. It wasn’t long.”
“How would you define your relationship with Charlotte?”
She glanced at the picture on Charlotte’s desk.
“The two of us were in real estate school together. When we graduated she was hired here right away, but I had trouble finding work, and when Charlotte found out, she suggested we team up. And we’ve worked together ever since.”
She scanned her wristwatch.
“I don’t mean to cut you short, but I’m late for an appointment,” she said.
“It’s no problem,” I said, “thanks for the information. I’d like to speak with Charlotte’s assistant, Bridget, while I’m here. Is that possible?”
“Bridget hasn’t shown up for work since the accident. I tried to reach her by phone, but I couldn’t get an answer. I heard she moved out of her condo and in with her boyfriend. I’m not sure where that is but you can ask Jack Montgomery or his secretary for that information.”
“And Jack is?” I said.
“He’s our broker. His office is downstairs, second one on the right.”
We both stood and Vicki walked me out.
“I understand how Audrey feels, but I hope she can come to terms with it. And let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.”
CHAPTER 11
Jack Montgomery sat at his desk with an assortment of papers in one hand when I arrived. His door was open, but I knocked anyway.