Murder in the River City(39)

“Are you positive?” she finally said as she played with the glass of ice water in front of her. Dooley’s was closed. It was nine in the morning, and her grandfather wasn’t even there. Detective Black thought it would be a good meeting place.

The head FBI Agent, Dean Hooper, nodded solemnly. “We can’t prove it, but I’m positive.”

Shauna looked around, but Sam wasn’t here. Her head was spinning. She’d loved Jason. Loved being the past tense of love. She hadn’t been fair—what if she’d stood by him? What if he’d expected her to? She felt small and manipulated and sad at everything that she’d lost three years ago when Jason went to prison.

“Did Sam know?” she asked John quietly.

“No,” he said. “He found out last night.”

She’d avoided his calls all night because of what happened in the storage room.

“Why are you telling me all this?” she asked. “I went on three dates with Austin. Three. He didn’t tell me anything about his business. I knew he was a lawyer who worked with charities. That’s it. I didn’t even know he knew Jason.”

“You’ve spoken to him this week,” John said.

“He won’t stop calling.” Her eyes widened. “You think he was trying to get information out of me about Mack’s murder.”

“Possibly.”

“That bastard!”

“You know a lot about the investigation,” John said. “Did you say anything to him?”

“No. Maybe Monday, but I didn’t know anything on Monday. He called yesterday, asked me out again after I turned him down.” She frowned. “He asked about Mack’s murder, saying he was concerned about me. I didn’t say anything specific, but—I really can’t remember. I didn’t know about Callie when he called—you told me right after that.”

“Good. Then they don’t know that we’ve put the cases together,” John said.

“Don’t assume they don’t have inside information,” Hooper said. “Ms. Murphy, I have something to ask, and it might be difficult for you, but it would help. Are you on good terms with Jason Butler?” Hooper asked.

This was getting better and better. Was she in the middle of This Is Your Life and all her mistakes were now public? The only consolation was Sam wasn’t here.

“More or less. But I feel really guilty that I believed he was a criminal.”

“He told you he’d done it,” Hooper said. “Why wouldn’t you have believed him?”

“I don’t know.” She rubbed her temples. She’d hardly slept since Mack was murdered and now her head pounded.

“I’ve been talking to Jason every day. I know he asked you to take on the job of renovating the hotel he’s buying.”

“Is that a front? Or whatever you call it? I knew it sounded too good to be true.”

“It’s absolutely legitimate, but he talked to me before he starting the buying process. We’re using his purchase to draw Austin Davis out. Tomorrow night they’re meeting before the big charity event, and I was hoping you could go as well, with Jason. It’s formal, and I can’t put an undercover FBI agent there. Coresco and his people have too many fingers around. I don’t trust that Jason’s cover won’t be blown. We came too close last time. But you have a history with Jason, it’s logical he would bring you.”

“Stop,” Shauna said. “I can’t go with Jason. Austin already asked me.” Not to mention the potential conflict with Sam.

“I’m sorry.” Hooper glanced at Black, but his demeanor changed immediately from confidential to wary. He straightened and Shauna had the distinct impression he might suspect her of being involved in whatever shady dealings Austin was doing.

“Okay, look,” she said, “he asked me on Monday when I met him for coffee. He kept calling me. I thought because he was worried about me after Mack was killed. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea. I’m not involved with him, and I’m not doing anything illegal.” She looked at him, then at Black. “He creeps me out. He asked me again yesterday to go, and had I known I was going with Jason, I would have told him so. But I turned him down.”

“You’re right,” Hooper said. “Too risky.” He glanced at John, then said to Shauna, “Would you reconsider accepting his offer?”

“What?”

“Can you call Davis and tell him you changed your mind about the charity ball.”

“Oh no, he would be suspicious. I never change my mind. But he’ll call me today and ask again. I’ll let him talk me into going.”