Don't Say a Word by Beverly Barton Page A

nasty concubines.”
    â€œWho is his latest concubine?”
    â€œI stopped asking years ago. Maria can probably tell you. She was usually here when he had his trysts. He never brought women into this house when I was in town. I put my foot down about that a long time ago, and I will say that he honored that request. Of course, my walking out on him would’ve caused a stink and sunk his chances for the federal judgeship he so coveted. He finally bought his way into that, but he didn’t get to enjoy it very long, now did he?”
    â€œBought his way in?” said Julia.
    â€œThat’s right. He knew exactly who to wine and dine. My dear departed husband was as underhanded as the day is long. Bribes, graft, whatever, you name it. He was just too clever for anybody to catch him. Maybe that will change now that the FBI’s in on this case. Good luck to both of you. I have a feeling you’re going to get more than you bargained for before this case is wrapped up.”
    Will and Julia didn’t comment, but Will couldn’t say he was shocked by the revelation. There had been lots of rumors through the years that Judge Lockhart was into dirty politics and other felony crimes. He’d heard the whispers himself. As his wife intimated, the judge knew how to cover his tracks.
    â€œNow, Officers, if y’all will excuse me. I’ve got to see to my husband’s funeral arrangements. His position gave him a certain gravitas hereabouts, and I will have to make sure he’s treated with respect, no matter how much he doesn’t deserve it. If I had my way, I’d cremate him and be done with it, but I have always done my duty as the wife of a judge, and I’ll do it now.”
    â€œYou are truly remarkably cold and uncaring,” said Julia.
    Iris gave her a long look, then laughed with utter disdain. “You have no idea, my pretty little girl. No idea at all.”
    â€œYou’ll need to stay in town until this investigation is done,” Julia told her with remarkable restraint.
    â€œMaybe I will. Maybe I won’t. Don’t threaten me. I don’t care for it.”
    â€œYou will, or be faced with an arrest warrant,” Will told her quietly.
    At that, they took their leave. Outside, Will walked swiftly to the truck, jaw set, fists clenched. Pissed off big-time. Julia got in without comment, but once the doors were shut, she said in a tight voice, “I believe she’s the most disgusting woman I’ve ever met. At least your sexy little Ginger Snap had some color in her cheeks.”
    â€œLay off the Ginger cracks, okay? And you’re right. Iris won’t win any prizes for Sweetheart of the Year, that’s for sure.”
    â€œWhat do you think? Is she involved?”
    â€œI don’t know. I think she probably wanted him dead and is glad he is, but doing it herself doesn’t seem her style. Might mess up her snowy carpet.”
    â€œNo, it doesn’t.” Julia adjusted the vents to direct the air-conditioning toward her face, still flushed with anger. “Her alibi will be easy enough to check out and will probably hold up. She’s the type who would hire a thug to kill him for her.”
    â€œMaybe. She seems amenable to maintaining her lavish lifestyle. Bitter, hard as nails, and superior, but she did her own thing for years. If he’s had that many other women during his marriage, why would she suddenly want him dead and rock her boat of plenty?”
    Julia ticked off some reasons. “Insurance money? Freedom to marry somebody else? Maybe she’s got a lover stashed down on Bourbon Street, some lifeguard or pool boy that she wants to marry.”
    â€œCould be. Go ahead and check it out. And check out her daughter, too. Her name’s Tanya. She lives out in Seattle. You can get the number from Willie Mullins. He was the one who notified her, poor girl. Imagine having a mom like Iris.”
    â€œWill do.