A vein in his neck pulsed with frustration under the tight hold of his collar and tie. “If you get in my way or I find out you held back again, I’ll file obstruction charges against you.” The words rumbled in his chest like a growl.
She’d been in enough legal brawls over the years to know she could hold her own. “Take your best shot.”
“I will.”
Deke arrived at the public relations firm before five. The glass and chrome front doors opened into a lobby tiled with marble. The interior decorating incorporated sleek chrome and leather and told clients they’d found their ticket to success. A guard sat behind a shiny console.
Pulling out his badge, he approached. “I’m here to see the president of TNK Public Relations.”
“Suite 301.”
“Great.” Seconds later he rode the elevator to the third floor where doors opened to the TNK Public Relations agency. More sleek glass, cool metals, and soft grays wrapped around the reception area. He moved directly to the receptionist, a cool redhead, and explained himself again. Within minutes a tall, well-dressed woman in a burgundy suit stood in the doorway.
She extended a neatly manicured hand. “Detective Morgan. I’m Taylor Knight. I own the company.”
“I’d like to talk to you about Rebecca Saunders.”
A slight frown wrinkled her face. “Come into my office.” He followed her into the corner office. As she closed the door behind her, she indicated a sitting area. He took a seat in one of the plush chairs while she took the couch opposite him. “Rebecca is one of our best client servicers. She’s been with us three years and is on track for a big promotion.” She checked her watch. “She did not come in today, which has raised some concern. What’s happened?”
“She was murdered.”
Taylor sat back against the couch, the energy deflating from her like a popping balloon. “What?”
“She was found this morning by the maid at the West Hotel.”
“The West Hotel? That certainly would have been her style. She had expensive tastes.”
“She was a regular visitor there. Every Sunday for the last eight weeks. Have any idea who she might have been meeting?”
She hooked a finger in a slim chain encircling her neck and moved it back and forth. “No. She broke up with her boyfriend a couple of months ago but it was all friendly. They remain friends.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jake Wheeler. He works for the association of churches.”
“Churches?”
“That’s how Rebecca and Jake met. They went to the same church.”
“What is the church?”
“New Community. She was active in her church. Had a real love for it all. I always thought that’s why she did so well with our nonprofit clients.”
Annie had been involved in her church. Dixie had sung in church. Was it New Community? “Do you have names of anyone she might have dated after Jake Wheeler?”
“No. From what I gathered she was single. She seemed happy and her work was top form. I could supply you with a list of the clients she serviced. She might have met someone through work I wasn’t aware of.”
“That would be helpful. What about friends in the office?”
“No female friends. Liked the company of men more.” Taylor typed a message into her phone. “I’ve asked my secretary to print a list for you.”
Ms. Taylor’s image of Rebecca did not line up with what he’d found in the hotel room. “No exes? No threats? No trouble?”
“None.” She leaned forward.
The door opened and a neatly dressed woman handed a list to Taylor. She glanced at it before giving it to Deke.
When the secretary closed the door behind her, he said, “Looks like you work for a lot of nonprofits.”
“Not all our clients are nonprof its. Rebecca had a knack for taking what could have been a small account and growing the book of business. A nonprofit might want press releases sent out and in no time she’d have revamped their website and had them making a promotional video. She knew how to stretch a dollar and get them to dig a little deeper into their pockets. Though I’d dare say all her clients were pleased and reported that their sales or outreach increased significantly as a result of her efforts.”
The list contained the names of churches, animal outreach centers, and food banks. “Places she liked to frequent such as bars or restaurants?”
“I can’t picture that. She was class. She liked to live well and liked the nicer restaurants and clubs. I don’t know where she went but I can show you her office and you can have a look.”
“That would be great.”
She rose and led him to an office. It wasn’t overly large but it had long plate glass windows that overlooked the city. In the distance he could see the capitol. She flipped on the light. “Take whatever you need.”
“Thanks.” He sat behind her desk.
The woman folded her arms over her chest. “I still can’t believe she’s dead. So, so sad.”
“Yes, ma’am.” On the credenza behind him were several pictures framed in silver. They all featured Rebecca. One was at the Animal Rights gala. Another at New Community Church’s groundbreaking. And another at a breast cancer awareness fund-raiser. She had a bright vivid smile and looked directly into the camera as if she owned it. Her blond hair swept over slim shoulders and full breasts. She looked like Dixie. And they both looked like Annie.
A sigh shuddered through Ms. Knight. “Can you tell me how she died?”
“No, ma’am. Not now.”
“I understand.” She drummed manicured fingers against her thigh. “People here will be devastated. Just devastated.”
As he studied the images, his mind drifted to the stills he’d seen of Annie Rivers Dawson. The three women could have been sisters. There’d been instances of killers going dormant for long stretches and he wondered now if Jeb had not killed Annie, then perhaps Annie’s real killer was active again.
He opened the drawer to his left and found neatly arranged files. The names on the folders matched the client’s names on the list he’d been given. To the right, there were three drawers. The top two were filled with note cards, several tubes of lipstick, perfume, and aspirin. The third was locked.
“Do you have a key to the drawer?”
“No. But I can get a letter opener if you think that will help.”
“Not necessary.” He pulled a penknife from his pocket and opened it. It didn’t take much to pry open the lock. He folded the knife and tucked it back in his pocket.
Inside this drawer were condoms, a set of handcuffs, a black mask, and what looked like gags.
Deke dangled a handcuff from his index finger. “I don’t suppose Ms. Saunders mentioned bondage.”
Ms. Knight’s mouth dropped agape and then snapped shut. “No. I’d never have pictured her doing that.”
“There’re a couple of clubs in town that cater to people who like bondage. Maybe Rebecca was a member or at least a frequent visitor.”
Taylor shook her head as she stared at the items. “Looks like she had more secrets than I’d imagined.”