thirty-three

I was glad when Harper arrived with her father. Donald Remington was a tall, distinguished man with a broad face, a ready smile, and a thick mane of silver hair. He was fiercely devoted to his family and had been devastated when Harper’s mother died last year. Since Diana’s death, Harper said that Donald focused much of his attention and time on her and Gracie. The result was that Donald came to loathe his son-in-law. Now that other unsavory aspects of Dan’s extracurricular activities had apparently come to light, it was a good thing that somebody had killed Dan. Otherwise, Donald would have done it himself.

Nigel and I made our way over to their side. Donald smiled when he saw me and pulled me into one of his trademark bear hugs. “Nicole!” he said. “It’s so good to see you. How have you been?”

I smiled back. “We’ve been just fine,” I said. “Donald, you remember my husband, Nigel?”

“Of course I do,” Donald said as the two men shook hands.

“It’s good to see you again, sir,” Nigel said. “Sorry it has to be under these circumstances.”

Donald nodded his head sharply and glanced at Harper. “I swear to God, it took every ounce of my self-control not to stand up during the service and announce to everyone just what kind of man Dan really was,” he said.

Harper closed her eyes. “Dad,” she began.

Donald raised his large hand as if to stop her protests. “I know, pumpkin, I know. It wouldn’t have been appropriate, which is why I didn’t say anything. But damn if that mother of his didn’t try my last nerve with her eulogy. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many lies told from the altar of a church before.”

“How are you holding up, Harper?” I asked.

Harper shrugged. “As well as can be expected. I feel numb, to tell you the truth.”

I smiled. “That’s probably for the best, actually. You can have a lovely breakdown later when you don’t have an audience.”

Harper gave a hollow laugh. “Is it weird that that sounds wonderful?”

“Not at all,” I said.

“Harper!” a voice boomed out from behind us. Turning, I saw Fletcher striding our way. With him was a striking young woman I guessed to be in her mid-twenties. She had long auburn hair and green eyes that tilted up at the corners. “Harper, I am so sorry for your loss,” Fletcher said as he took her hands in his. “I was just dumbfounded when I heard the news. Is there anything you need, my dear?”

Harper shook her head. “No, but thank you. I’m fine. Or at least, I will be.”

Fletcher looked searchingly at her face a moment before releasing her hands. The young woman stepped forward and extended her hand. “I’m Pamela,” she said, in a childish voice. “I’m, like, really sorry someone killed your husband. That must, like, suck.”

Harper’s eyes widened. Pamela smiled and quickly shook Harper’s hand before stepping back next to Fletcher. Fletcher patted the young woman on her shoulder and said, “Why don’t you get us something to drink, Pamela? I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Pamela nodded and gave us all a carefree wave as she wandered toward the bar. Once she was out of earshot, Harper turned back to Fletcher. “Pamela, huh? What happened to Ruby?” she asked.

Fletcher’s brows pulled together. “Who?” he asked.

“Ruby,” Harper repeated. “She was at your house the other night.”

Fletcher continued to frown as he tried to make the connection. Finally, Nigel said, “You might remember her as Rosie,” Nigel said.

Fletcher’s face cleared in recognition. “Oh, yes. Rosie! I’m not sure where she is,” he said. “Haven’t really seen her since that night.”

Harper smiled knowingly. “I see. Well, Fletcher, I’d like you to meet my father, Donald,” she said as she turned to introduce the two men.

Fletcher looked at Donald in surprise. After a quick appraising glance, he held his hand out. “Pleasure to see you,” he said. “Sorry it’s under these circumstances. You probably don’t remember me, but we met once before a very long time ago. I knew your late wife, Diana. I was so sorry to hear of her passing. She was a lovely woman.”

Donald nodded as he shook Fletcher’s hand. “I do remember you, of course. Thank you. Diana was very special.”

Both men nodded once more as if to confirm the truth of this statement and released their grips. Fletcher turned his attention back to Harper. “Now, my dear,” he said. “Forgive me if I’m being crass, but have the police made any progress in the case yet?”

Harper shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of. They have only confirmed that Dan was poisoned.”

Fletcher stared intently at Harper. “Poison?” he repeated. “How … odd.”

Harper raised a questioning eyebrow. “Odd? Why is it odd?”

Fletcher blinked. “I don’t know,” he said slowly. “Forgive me. I suppose the whole situation is just hard for me to get my head around. A death when one is so young always rattles.” He took her hand in his. “Well, I won’t keep you, my dear. But please know how terribly sorry I am about all of this, and if there is anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to call.” Releasing her hand, he turned to Donald. “Don,” he said. “It was good to see you again. You’ve got an amazing daughter. She’s so much like her mother. I hope to see you both again under more pleasant circumstances.”

“Thank you,” Donald said.

Fletcher nodded to Nigel and me before leaving to search for Pamela. When he was gone, Donald turned to Harper and rolled his eyes. “God, but he was always an ass. Your mother couldn’t stand him,” he said. “Who the hell brings a date to a funeral, anyway?”