“This is ridiculous,” Margot yelped. “Obviously, you have my husband mixed up with someone who looks just like him. My husband’s fully alive, doing business right now on another island.”
Cindy turned at that moment, and saw Graham outside, at the edge of the door, crunched up against it, listening in.
“When did you last speak to your husband?” Brayton asked.
“When he left for his trip,” said Margot, “about three weeks ago.”
“You haven’t spoken since? He didn’t call you?” Brayton looked surprised.
“We weren’t necessarily accustomed to speaking when he was out of town,” said Margot. “It wasn’t his way.”
Brayton took a long breath and swallowed. “What kind of work was your husband in?”
“He imported and exported antiques and art objects,” she said matter of factly, as if the world as she’d known it still existed. “He had a large business in many places – franchises.”
“Were you close to your husband?” Brayton asked suddenly.
“I beg your pardon?” Margot bristled. “That’s absolutely no business of yours.”
“Just wondering how a husband can leave town for such a long time and not check in even one time?”
Cindy saw Mattheus look away.
“We did fine,” said Margot. “We had our patterns and were happy with them.” Then she stood up abruptly. “This is enough. You have to leave now. I’m exhausted. I want to call Gregg.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Brayton, “but we’ve got a long way to go.”
“The man who was killed is not my husband,” Margot said staunchly. “There’s been a stupid mix up of some kind.”
“I wish that were true,” said Brayton.
“It’s this woman’s fault,” Margot turned shrill and furious to Cindy, then. “You did this. You created this nightmare. Who asked you to come here and visit? I should have never let you in.”
Cindy shriveled inside.
“My husband’s alive,” Margot demanded violently. “I’m calling him this instant and putting him on the phone. Then all of you will get out of here and never return.”
She tore over to her phone, which was sitting on a carved, end table and dialed frantically. Obviously, a message machine picked up.
“Gregg, call me immediately. There’s been an insane misunderstanding and I need you to call to straighten it up.” Then she hung up. “He’s not there now.”
Cindy walked over to her. “Is there someone else you can call?” she asked kindly.
“I don’t usually call anyone. I don’t intrude in his life this way. How does it look to have your wife chasing him down?”
“It’s an unusual circumstance,” said Cindy gently.
“I can call his personal assistant,” Margot was trembling.
“Good,” said Cindy, “why not give a call?” She realized that it would be better for Margot to talk to others, slowly absorb the fact that her husband was no longer around.
Margot grabbed her phone again and started dialing. “You see what a humiliating position you’re all putting me in.”
Nojo shook his head as Margot dialed, a look of pain crossing his face. The world he lived in and hers intermingled for a moment and he felt the torment Margot was going through. Cindy was touched to see him caring.
Margot clung to the phone as it rang and rang. Finally, someone picked up. “Wendy,” Margot said, breathless, “this is Margot Kowan.” She paused a moment, and then went on quickly. “I have to get in touch with Gregg right away. We have a mini emergency here. No, it’s fine, no one is hurt. Do you happen to know where he is now?”
A long silence followed.
“Are you sure?” Margot continued weakly. “Really? What day exactly did he fly back? Well, no, he didn’t return home. No, I haven’t seen him. Please, wait a minute, don’t get frightened. I’m sure we can figure out where he is now. I’ll call you back later.”
Margot walked gingerly to the end table, and put the phone down, just before her body slowly buckled, landing her on a nearby chair.
CHAPTER 15
“She said he left two and a half weeks, ago.” Margot said in a tiny voice they barely could hear. “He told her he was going home.”
“Do you live here alone?” Brayton asked softly.
“I live with my son,” Margot sounded numb, “and the household staff.”
“This is your son with your husband?”
“Of course,” said Margot icily.
“She in any danger? Nojo asked Brayton gruffly.
“Who knows?” Brayton replied. “Anything’s possible now.”
“I’ll stay here with her a few days,” Nojo offered.
Margot looked up at him horrified. “No thank you,” she said. “It’s not necessary.” Then she looked over at Mattheus, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her, but was absorbing her every single move.
“What do I need?” Margot asked Mattheus then, “a lawyer, detective? What happens now?”
Cindy moved in then and took over. “You can’t stay here alone, with such shocking news. “Do you have friends or family who can stay with you?”
“I have many friends,” said Margot. “They’ll come to my side. Are you telling me you think my husband has been killed?”