Smash Cut by Sandra Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

to change for a golf game and saw them on the court when I arrived, which was only minutes before Julie called to tell me that Paul was dead. Our housekeeper, who wouldn’t lie if her life depended on it, said they’d been playing there for at least an hour.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“No problem, really. Retaining you is a precautionary measure. I don’t want my son browbeaten because the detectives have nowhere else to look and nothing else to do.”
“Why would they do that?”
Wheeler hesitated, then said, “Paul and Creighton had their differences.”
“Over?”
“Just about everything,” Wheeler replied with a snuffled laugh. “Basically Creighton doesn’t apply himself to the business as Paul thought he should. Paul was a workaholic. So am I for that matter, but not to the extent my brother was. He didn’t understand people who don’t thrive on work. Creighton has other interests.”
Derek raised his eyebrows in query. “Tennis?”
“He plays nearly every day. He likes cars. Clothes. But his real passion is film.”
“You mean movies?”
“I think he’s seen every movie ever made. They’re more than entertainment to him. They’re an avocation. One that consumes much more of his time than Wheeler Enterprises. He thinks…artistically.” Wheeler sighed. “Paul couldn’t understand or accept Creighton’s disinterest in commerce and pressured him about it, even more than I did. Do. It was a real bone of contention between them.”
“Was this antagonism between them well known?”
“To those well acquainted with the family, yes.” He frowned. “Julie’s mentioned it to the detectives.”
“Hmm. The family discord was exposed to the police by the woman who was with your brother when he died. In a hotel. In the middle of the day.”
Taking the hint, Doug said, “My brother and Julie…Paul never referred to her as his girlfriend per se. But everyone who knew him knew about their affair, even though they kept it under the radar.”
“Why was that?”
“I suppose out of respect for Mary, Paul’s late wife, whom he had loved body and soul. They were a prominent society couple. Inseparable. Totally devoted to each other.”
“Children?”
“No. Apparently Mary couldn’t conceive. But she and Paul made up for it with their philanthropic work. When Mary died, he was devastated. I didn’t think he would ever look at another woman. But then Julie came along, and he fell head over heels.”
“How long ago?”
“Going on two years. Something like that.”
“Did they live together?”
He shook his head. “They were together all the time, though. Several times a week, at least, and for a nooner every Tuesday after noon at the hotel. He told me once that it was their special time, and that nothing would interfere if he could help it. He worked his schedule around it.”
“The hotel staff can confirm that standing reservation?”
“They already have. They provided records to the police.” He set his empty water bottle on the table between them. “Can I count on you for legal counsel, Mr. Mitchell? Will you be our official spokesperson to the media? I hope we won’t need your services at all. But if we do, I’d feel better knowing you’re on standby.”
“I’ll have to do some homework. Catch up on the case and the ongoing investigation. I also want to meet your family, especially Creighton.”
“Of course. He welcomes the idea of having you in our corner should the need arise. Naturally, we’ll provide you a healthy retainer.”
Smiling, Derek stood up and extended his hand. “You certainly will.”
Wheeler laughed. “I’ll have a check delivered by courier tomorrow.”
“You can get the details from Ms. Sullivan on your way out,” Derek said. Then his expression turned appropriately somber. “I’m terribly sorry for the reason behind this meeting. My sympathies to you and your family.”
“Thank you.”
Wheeler turned to go and had almost reached the door when Derek said, “Are the police looking at her? At the girlfriend?”
Wheeler looked confused by the