Birmingham Police Department, 11:30 a.m.

Sandy-haired, golden-eyed, and well-tanned, Johnny Trenton was thirty-two years old and, judging by his rap sheet, a former male prostitute who had discovered a better way to earn a living amid the wealthy and prominent in Birmingham by cleaning their pools and offering private swimming lessons to the kiddies.

Or maybe he’d just assumed a better cover for work in one of society’s oldest professions. At the moment, seated at the interview table and with murder on her plate, unless his occupation was relevant to the case, Jess didn’t particularly care.

Problem was, to her knowledge, the Graysons were neither wealthy nor prominent.

Jess surveyed the file Detective Wells had prepared on Trenton. She reminded herself not to rest her right arm too heavily on the table, since it had one leg shorter than the other three, which was inordinately annoying. “This is your second summer working for the Grayson family?”

Trenton’s boredom with the proceedings loud and clear, he remained slouched in his chair on the other side of the table, barely bothering to lift his gaze to meet Jess’s. “You got it.”

“Who hired you? Mr. Grayson or his wife?”

“Mrs. Grayson.” A smirk twisted his lips. “She said her old man was never home and she needed someone to take care of the stuff he neglected.”

Do tell. “What sort of stuff, besides the pool, was her husband neglecting?”

Trenton hunched his shoulders in a shrug, a lackluster gesture at best. “No clue. She hired me to take care of the pool and that’s what I did.”

“Did Mrs. Grayson seem worried about anything lately that you’re aware of?”

Jess would ask the husband that question as well. She hadn’t gotten to interview him at the scene, which was understandable. He had followed the coroner’s vehicle back to Cooper Green. He was most unhappy that his ex-wife had not been instructed to back off. In fact, according to what Jess had overheard the other cops outside saying, Grayson and Baron had carried on quite the screaming match outside the murder scene. Dr. Leeds, the official coroner of record on the case, had stood his ground on having her at his side and that was that.

“She never mentioned anything to me.” Trenton made a face that suggested he’d just remembered something. “She did complain that since her husband was never home and she got no breaks that the kid was driving her nuts. I didn’t pay much attention though. That’s what I hear from most of the wives. Sometimes it’s a come on,” he added bluntly, “but not with Mrs. Grayson. She wasn’t interested.”

“Interested in what exactly?” Jess closed the file and waited for his response. The man had no shame. She agreed with Harper. Trenton was far too shallow to have invested enough emotion to murder a victim the way Gabrielle Grayson had been murdered.

“In sex.” He lifted his shoulders and let them drop in another lackadaisical shrug. “Some are lonely, others just need a little excitement in their lives. It’s one of the perks that comes with the job, you know. A fringe benefit.”

“Do the wives pay you for these additional services? We do have laws against that sort of transaction, Mr. Trenton. But then you’re aware of that, aren’t you?”

His posture tensed just the slightest bit. “I don’t get paid for sex anymore, Chief Harris. That was a past life I don’t care to revisit. I maintain very expensive pools for very wealthy people. If I provide an extra service here and there or just a little intimate companionship I get a better tip, that’s all.”

Jess resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “But Mrs. Grayson is not wealthy, correct? And she didn’t live in one of the mansions you typically cater to.”

He exhaled a big breath. “All right. You got me. Mrs. Grayson’s pool wasn’t on my regular billing plan. She paid me what she could afford. But I would have done it for free for the rest of my life if she’d let me. But she wouldn’t. This year, she even insisted on paying me the same as everyone else since her finances were better.”

“Why is that, Mr. Trenton?” Guys like Trenton rarely did anything nice for anyone other than themselves. The comment about Grayson’s improved finances she would follow up on soon enough. “Why would you have worked for free for Mrs. Grayson?”

“Three years ago I did a stint in rehab.” He puffed out a big breath. “Gabrielle was the head nurse. She helped me through it. I would never’ve gotten my act together again without her help, and I didn’t make it easy for her to help me, trust me. I owe her my life.”

The seconds ticked off as his admission elbowed its way into what Jess had surmised about him. She hadn’t expected honesty or compassion and it felt as if she’d just gotten both. She suspected there was more behind that peacockish facade he paraded. “Thank you, Mr. Trenton.” She scooted back her chair and stood. “If we have additional questions we know where to find you. Be advised that you’ll need to remain available until this investigation is closed.”

“You got a pool, Chief Harris?” he asked, his gaze blatantly roving over her as he got to his feet. “My rates are reasonable and I’ve never had a dissatisfied customer.”

Jess laughed. “No, Mr. Trenton, I do not have a pool.” In fact, she didn’t even have a roof to call her own. She had to do something about that. Soon. “I’ll see that someone takes you back to your SUV.”

Outside the interview room, Sergeant Harper waited. “Trenton ready to go?”

“He is and, unfortunately, if he knows anything he’s not ready to share just yet. Has Lieutenant Grayson arrived?”

“He and his attorney are waiting for you in Chief Burnett’s office.”

It wasn’t surprising that Grayson would have an attorney already. As an experienced cop he would understand his position in the investigation. Husbands always had to be cleared when wives were murdered. And he was likely still furious that his ex-wife was involved in the case on any level. That decision had legal trouble painted all over it. Who wouldn’t want legal representation considering all that?

“I just spoke to Chief Waters over at the South Precinct,” Harper went on. “He wanted to be sure we understood that Grayson is one of the best BPD has and we’d better take care of him. I let him know the case is in good hands.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.” Chief Waters’s assurances were exactly the accolades she expected. Grayson was a highly decorated veteran detective. Waters and his division couldn’t be involved with the investigation but his input as regards Grayson was duly noted.

Jess’s senior detective gave her a nod. “Waters is reviewing the cases assigned to Grayson over the past two years but he doesn’t recall anything that would have earned him this brand of enemy. He believes the trouble came from his work with Captain Allen’s team.”

Just another reason for her to want to wring Allen’s neck. Was it too much to ask for a little professional courtesy? “Whatever he’s been doing for Allen, we need full disclosure.”

“Already on it, ma’am.”

“Keep me posted, Sergeant, and please escort Mr. Trenton back to his vehicle at the Grayson home.” She leaned in a little. “See if you can learn anything more about his time in rehab. The victim was the head nurse when he was there.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Burnett’s office was on the fourth floor and Jess opted for the elevator. Not that she was opposed to climbing the two flights of stairs, but these were her only shoes at the moment. Snapping a heel would be a problem. And the truth was she hadn’t gotten into a fitness routine since her move south. Even two flights of stairs would probably kick her butt at this point. No need to go into an interview out of breath.

Tomorrow, she promised herself. She would get into some sort of normal workout routine tomorrow. Next week at the latest.

Detective Wells was back in the SPU office gathering the latest financials on the Graysons, along with Gabrielle’s family and employment history. Officer Cook, another member of Jess’s small unit, was tasked with going over the information in Grayson’s official personnel jacket. Jess had scanned his as well as his partner’s as soon as she arrived back at her office. Unless Grayson had changed his mind since bringing in his attorney, he had given carte blanche to this investigation.

As much as Jess wanted to assume the husband was completely innocent, it was her job to vet him the same as she did all other persons of interest and potential suspects.

Tara, Burnett’s receptionist, greeted Jess as she entered the cozy and richly appointed lobby of Birmingham’s chief of police.

“Chief Burnett’s expecting me.”

“Yes, ma’am. Sheila’s still at lunch so you should just go right on in.”

Jess thanked Tara and made the short journey down the hall to Burnett’s private office. His personal secretary’s desk stood in a more intimate waiting area just outside his door. Jess gave the door a rap as she opened it.

At the head of his conference table, Chief of Police Daniel Burnett stood and motioned for her to come in. His gaze swept over her as if he needed to ensure she was in one piece. Or maybe he was remembering those frantic minutes in his SUV last night before all hell had broken loose.

Lieutenant Grayson and his attorney rose, joining Burnett and yanking Jess back to attention. She didn’t recognize the attorney and Grayson looked as if he’d barely tacked himself back together for this meeting.

“Gentlemen, this is Deputy Chief Jess Harris, head of our SPU and the lady we’ve been talking about for the past fifteen minutes.” Burnett underscored the last with a pointed look at her.

Jess paused at the chair directly across the table from Grayson. “I apologize for keeping you waiting, Lieutenant. I assure you it was in the interest of this case.” She extended her hand toward him. “I am so sorry for your loss.”

Grayson accepted her offered hand and gave it a feeble shake. “I’m grateful that Chief Burnett put your team on this. I’m aware of your reputation, Chief Harris, and I want whoever did this found as quickly as possible. My wife”—he visibly struggled to maintain his composure—“deserves speedy justice.” A single tear slid down his stony jaw.

Jess studied his face and eyes. The agony was genuine. She’d bet her scrawny savings on it. “I appreciate your confidence, sir.”

The attorney offered his hand next. “Marcus Davenport. I’ll be representing the interests of Lieutenant Grayson and his family during these grim proceedings.”

Made sense. Davenport was the city attorney. Jess hadn’t met him before but she knew the name. Davenport would want his thumb on the pulse of this investigation.

“Of course.” She shook his hand. “It’s a shame we have to meet under these circumstances.”

They settled in their seats and Burnett started the conversation. “Lieutenant, you’ve been in the department far too long for me or anyone else to presume to enlighten you on how this investigation will proceed. Why don’t you offer whatever suggestions or questions you have and we’ll go from there?”

“I’ve tried all morning to think if anything was different… but the truth is, nothing comes to mind.” More of those tears glittered in his eyes.

“What about your work with Captain Allen?” Jess prodded. The gang-related avenue was one she’d like to close as quickly as possible, since her instincts were pointing her in a different direction.

Grayson blinked as if just waking up. “I only started working with the Gang Task Force a week ago.” He dragged in a shaky breath. “I’ve had no run-ins with any gang members. Nothing. I can’t imagine how any of them even know I exist. And yet, somehow…” His face crumpled. “How could this happen?”

“Mrs. Grayson hadn’t mentioned any strangers in your neighborhood? No encounters at the supermarket?” Jess asked.

Grayson cleared his throat and took a breath. “Nothing. We talked every day at lunch and if I worked late, I always dropped by in time to help tuck in our son.” His voice cracked on the words. “There just wasn’t any warning. And absolutely nothing in the house appears to be missing. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Jess reached for her notepad and pencil, then settled her eyeglasses in place. She had resigned herself to the fact that without them she was blind when it came to reading. “Lieutenant, do you work the night shift often?” According to the report made by the first officers on the scene Grayson had been on duty until the call came in about his wife’s murder a few hours ago.

“I hadn’t worked nights in years until I volunteered to support the GTF,” he explained. He lapsed into silence for a long moment. “I should have been at home last night.”

“As you said, there was no warning or reasonable expectation of danger. You couldn’t possibly have known your family was a target.”

Grayson was fifty. Fit and more than a little vain, judging by the lack of gray in his blond hair and the contacts his personnel file indicated he wore. Nothing wrong with that. But he had a small child at home and a wife nearly twenty years his junior. Why volunteer for extra duty? Especially dangerous duty?

“What made you decide to give Captain Allen a hand with GTF?”

Obvious frustration crept into his expression. “My partner, Jack Riley, has been picking up extra shifts with the GTF for months. He believes Captain Allen’s efforts are making a hell of a difference in the mounting wave of gang activities washing over this city. Jack’s conviction made me want to do my part, too. I have a son, Chief. I need to help put these bastards out of business. That’s the only reason I wasn’t home with my wife and child last night,” he said with a notable hint of anger in his tone now. “If that makes me a suspect in your eyes there’s nothing I can do about that except pray you won’t waste valuable time.”

Jess accepted the lieutenant’s not so subtle rebuke with a nod. “A more than worthy cause, Lieutenant. I hope you understand that every question I ask is essential to getting to the bottom of this awful business. I’m not in the habit of wasting time.”

He scrubbed his hands over his face, the platinum wedding band glistening on his left ring finger. “It’s hard as hell to sit here and answer your questions” he admitted, “but I recognize we have to do this. Ask your questions so we can move on.”

“All right. Beyond your recent support of the GTF, have you worked any cases that could have somehow put you on someone’s revenge list? Think carefully, Lieutenant. Sometimes trouble can come from the last place we expect. Could be something that happened in your personal life.”

Grayson shook his head. “I’ve gone over and over the cases in my head, frontward and backward. Not one comes to mind. My partner and I have been pulling surveillance for GTF, nothing more. Most of the time the field ops are reserved for those trained specifically for drug and gang enforcement. Jack and I have been involved in only one field operation. You might not remember but I was on the scene at your recovery Saturday night.”

That was where she’d seen him. “I appreciate the backup, Lieutenant.” The reality that his wife had been so gruesomely murdered scarcely more than forty-eight hours after he’d come to Jess’s rescue made keeping her emotions at bay more difficult. She cleared her mind of the sickening images of the scene at his home and steadied her full attention on the man and the case. Even regret was a distraction she couldn’t afford on this case.

“Nothing in your personal life comes to mind either? No problems between you and your wife? Sometimes the birth of a child can change things. Drive a wedge between a couple.”

Fury lit in Grayson’s eyes. His jaw hardened as if holding back his initial response took enormous effort. “My wife and I could not be happier. Our marriage is…” His expression turned haunted. “Our marriage was as close to perfect as any couple could hope for.”

Jess held his gaze when she felt confident he would have looked away. “Even with you away from home so much? Some women might not have been so understanding. There are, after all, husbandly duties around the house and in the bedroom.”

Burnett sent her a warning look. The attorney shifted in his chair. No one wanted her to go down that path, but the question had to be asked.

“I took care of my family, Chief. Always,” Grayson promised. “If you can find anyone who’ll say otherwise I’ll be shocked.”

The man was sure of himself. He’d thrown down that gauntlet without hesitation. Maybe Trenton was wrong about Gabrielle feeling overwhelmed… or maybe Grayson didn’t know his wife as well as he thought.

“I’m not making any accusations,” Jess reminded him. “Just asking the necessary questions. To your knowledge Gabrielle was having no regrets over giving up her work to be a full-time mother? No depression issues?”

“None.” The snapped word echoed in the room.

“There were no problems when you last saw her around eight last night?” Jess pressed. “She wasn’t upset or feeling bad or ignored?”

“Hell no.”

“But you were there only ten minutes or so”—Jess glanced at her notes—“according to your statement to the first officers at the scene. You didn’t have coffee or anything with your wife. How can you be so certain of her state of mind?”

“I know my wife.” He ground out the words from between clenched teeth.

He was angry at Jess right now and she couldn’t blame him. She made a note or two on her pad before settling her full attention on him once more. “So you and Gabrielle hadn’t argued recently? Neither was mad at the other? No frustrations or grudges at all?”

“No, no. and no,” he said flatly, anger still simmering in his eyes.

“All right then. You have my word, Lieutenant, that my team and I will do everything we can to find the person or persons responsible for this tragedy. I hope you’ll call me with any questions or with anything you recall that might be useful to our investigation.”

Grayson’s only response was a steady glare.

“This has been a terrible morning for you, Lieutenant,” Burnett said, breaking the awkward silence. “I would urge you to stay with extended family or friends and allow yourself to grieve this loss. As Chief Harris said, it’s imperative that you keep her informed of any relevant information.” Burnett pointed his attention in her direction. “As I am sure she will keep you fully informed as well.”

Jess flashed him a smile as she dug around in her bag for a business card. “I absolutely will,” she said to Grayson as she passed a slightly dog-eared card to him. She’d crossed out the bureau logo. At some point she needed new business cards. Along with a new apartment and clothes… and her car back. The list of all that needed doing was overwhelming.

Grayson accepted the card and tucked it into his interior jacket pocket. “Thank you, Chief.” He pushed to his feet. His attorney did the same. “My partner insists my son and I stay with him and his family for now. So that’s where I’ll be.” He seemed to lose his train of thought for a moment. “I have people to call and… arrangements to make.”

Jess stood. “Lieutenant, just one last question.” She didn’t have to look at him to know Burnett would be aiming another of those warning stares at her.

Grayson said nothing but waited for her to go on.

“Your ex-wife, Dr. Sylvia Baron, remains adamant about being involved with this case when I feel strongly that she should step aside. Her superior, Dr. Leeds, has backed her up. In any event, are you and Dr. Baron still friends? That wasn’t the impression I got this morning, but there must be some reason she refuses to budge on the issue.”

“Chief Harris,” Davenport offered, “as Chief Burnett pointed out, my client has suffered a great deal today—”

“No,” Grayson cut him off. “I’ll answer the question. That crazy woman”—he spoke through gritted teeth—“is likely reveling in my pain. She refused to be a real wife to me or to have children in the ten years that we were married. Her career was too important. And now…” His voice cracked and trailed off. He shook his head. “We are not friends. I don’t trust her motives. I can’t believe she’s getting away with this.” He closed his eyes a moment. “The idea of her touching my wife pains me more than you can imagine.”

“I understand your reservations,” Burnett put in. “Unfortunately the decision belongs to Dr. Leeds. We spoke just before you arrived. He is aware of the department’s objections and has assured me that he will be personally responsible for your wife. Dr. Baron will be an observer and nothing more.”

That was news to Jess. A few hours ago Burnett had basically told her to back off on the Sylvia Baron issue. Sylvia Baron had reveled in setting her iPhone to speaker so Jess could hear the words straight from the horse’s mouth. So far there hadn’t been time in Jess’s day to demand an explanation from Burnett. But she’d get around to it.

“I’ve lodged my objections with Leeds as well,” Davenport added. “I suspect we haven’t heard the last on that issue.”

Burnett assured Grayson and Davenport that he would stay on top of the matter. Jess waited until Grayson and his attorney were gone before turning to Burnett. Here they were, just the two of them, with a few minutes on their hands. She decided now was as good a time as any to question him about Sylvia Baron.

But she’d have to tread carefully or he would see right through her motives. No one wore jealousy well. And as much as Jess would love to say that distasteful emotion had nothing to do with her curiosity, she tried not to lie to herself too frequently.

“This is going to be a tough one,” Burnett said before she could launch her interrogation. He plowed his hand through his hair. “Grayson’s holding up a hell of a lot better than I would, I can tell you that. The guilt over not being there to protect his family has to be eating him alive.”

“It’s the kind of nightmare no one ever wants to face,” Jess agreed. “And speaking of which, I should get to my office so we can begin building a case board.” She could ask him about the haughty ME later. Right now she had far more important things to do than whine about the women in his life, past or present. Besides, Wells or Harper could get the skinny on Sylvia Baron. Being armed with a little more info before questioning Burnett would be a good thing. To bring it up right now would simply look petty.

As Jess gathered her notes, he moved closer, making a deep breath ridiculously burdensome. Damn it. She hated that she had absolutely no control on her most basic reactions when it came to him. But after nineteen days back in Birmingham she had no choice but to admit defeat on some level.

There was still something between them, even after two decades apart. She could deny that until the day she died and it would be a lie. It had been there ten years ago when they’d run into each other in that damned Publix the night before Christmas and it was there now.

And, much to her dismay, she had learned that every cotton-picking southernism she’d ever heard as a child still lived somewhere in the far recesses of her brain. Evidently changing latitude and longitude had somehow propelled her vocabulary into some sort of time warp.

“You okay? You need anything?” he asked softly.

And Burnett knew just how to make her squirm. His simple question wouldn’t have carried nearly as much impact had he not moved in close enough for her to smell that subtle yet sexy aftershave he wore. “I’m fine. Thank you.” She hefted her bag onto her shoulder and scooted away a few inches. “I should be prepared to brief you by the end of the day. Say five thirty?”

“We’ll need a statement for the press before the department briefing at six. I’ll need time to prepare. So how about five?”

“Why don’t I just give you a statement for the press now?” She gifted him with a big old smile. “We are doing all we can to solve this heinous crime,” she said in her most authoritative and somber tone. “Any information that might facilitate that effort would be deeply appreciated. Otherwise, stay out of the way and keep your innuendoes and unsubstantiated claims to yourselves.” She flashed another fake smile. “How’s that?”

He ignored her question. “Whatever you do, be careful. I’m not happy with you moving forward as if Saturday night didn’t happen. You’re still a target, Jess. Your face has been all over the news. You really should be lying low for a while.”

She made a derisive sound. “And let Chief Black hijack my case? I don’t think so. Besides, you know you want me on this one. Grayson mentioned this was your idea.”

“I need you on it,” he corrected. “There’s a difference. I want Wells or Harper with you at all times. You can keep your head down and still work this case. Stay out of the limelight. Don’t piss off any reporters and have them hounding you more than they do already. Their focus on you adds to your visibility as a potential target.”

“As long as they stay out of my way we won’t have a problem.” She absolutely did not need Burnett telling her how to play nice with the reporters or how to take care of herself. They had been over this before.

Instead of arguing with him as he spouted all the reasons he was right and she was wrong, she used the most ridiculous observations to distract herself. He was wearing the navy suit today. The one she really liked. With the pale blue shirt and the red tie. The suit with its narrow lapels and sleek cut accentuated his broad shoulders and the color did amazing things for those blue eyes of his. None of which she wanted to notice, but she had no more will power where he was concerned than she did with a bag of peanut M&M’S.

The abrupt silence made her blink. He had stopped talking and was watching her stare at him. “You shouldn’t wear that suit.” She made an unpleasant face for emphasis. And to think just the other day she’d almost told him it was her favorite.

He looked down at his jacket, smoothed a broad, long-fingered hand over the trim lapel to the one button fastened at his lean waist. “I like this suit. What’s wrong with it?”

Her shoulders poked up then fell. “Don’t know. Maybe it’s the color.” She backed toward the door. “Or the cut. Something is”—she held up a hand and moved it back and forth as if she couldn’t excavate the precise words—“just not right with that one.”

He waved her off and headed for his desk. “I want a proper sound bite by five o’clock.”

There was something else he did exceedingly well. Tick her off. “Maybe then you can brief me on Sylvia Baron and why she thought you would take her side over mine.” The demand was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Her insecurities notwithstanding, Burnett was supposed to have her back at moments like the one that occurred today between her and Baron. And he’d fallen down on the job.

“She’s Senator Robert Baron’s daughter. The Baron family believes they still run Birmingham the way they did in the old days.” He shrugged. “She’s throwing his office around, that’s all. It’s what she does.”

A senator’s daughter. Well, well. Jess remembered something about him and a senator’s daughter. “Weren’t you married to a senator’s daughter the first or second time?”

Burnett glowered at her from behind his desk. “I was not married to Sylvia.” He shuffled a stack of messages.

Oh my God, that was it. If he hadn’t been married to her it had to have been someone close to her. “Her sister then.”

“Yes,” Burnett confessed as he reluctantly met her gaze once more. “I was married to her younger sister. It was a long time ago but Sylvia doesn’t seem to notice. When it suits her, she uses that ancient history to her benefit.”

Right there, in a nutshell, was the number-one reason Jess disliked small-town life. Everyone knew everyone else and made it a point to know his or her business. Furthermore, most people were related by blood or marriage, or both. The whole small-town mentality was as pervasive as it was invasive. It made her crazy.

“Do you have any other ex-wives or ex-sisters-in-law running around here that I’m likely to lock horns with?” Might as well get all the cards on the table. Burnett had married the first time less than a year after his and Jess’s breakup. Just like that, she did a mental finger snap. Six years together and he was over it in less than one.

But, like he said, that was ancient history. And yet, she couldn’t put it fully behind her.

“That is none of your business, Chief Harris.” Burnett faked a smile. “By the way, I almost forgot to ask. How’s Agent Duvall?”

Chief Harris? “Don’t even go there. Wesley is my only—only—ex. Everyone’s entitled to one.” Jess promptly turned her back. “I have a case to solve.”

“See you at five,” he called after her.

“Five thirty,” she tossed back on her way out the door.

That was the thing about exes. Whether it was the other half of her one failed marriage or her twenty-year-old love affair with Burnett, an ex was like a bad penny, they just kept showing up again.

And these days a penny was pretty much worthless.