Loose Ends by Terri Reid Page B

murdered?”
    The fine bone china slipped from his hand, crashed against the coffee table and broke. The Senator’s face was pale and he was visibly shaken.
    Well, if that’s acting, he’s good , Mary thought.
    Susan Ryerson had been able to lower her cup to the saucer, although her hand shook. She sat still for a few moments and then belatedly placed her hand on top of her husband’s. He automatically turned his hand over and squeezed. Susan’s hand stayed woodenly motionless.
    “How did you…,” he paused for a moment, closing his eyes. When he spoke, his voice was slightly hoarse, “Are you sure?”
    Mary nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”
    “Did she get the chance to share that news with you, Senator?” Mary questioned.
    He shook his head, “No. No. I never knew…”
    “Mrs. Ryerson, did you by chance know of Renee’s pregnancy?”
    Susan pulled her hand away from her husband’s and clasped them together tightly. Her eyes narrowed and she said, “Do you think I would have hired you if I had known?”
     
    No, she wouldn’t have hired me, Mary thought. She would not have been willing to expose her husband’s position, their position, to public scandal.
    Susan turned to her husband. “How could you have been so stupid? She was only a child herself.”
    Joseph shook his head and turned to his wife. “I was foolish. I was careless. And I was enamored with the idea that a cute, young woman would be attracted to me.”
    Then he turned to Mary, “But I didn’t know about the...,” he paused, “...the baby. We were supposed to meet that night, but when I got there she was floating on top of the pool.”
    “Susan, you never answered my question. Did you know about the pregnancy?” Mary said, “I need you to answer me.”
    “No, I did not know that Renee Peterson was pregnant,” she said, “Although, as I mentioned to you earlier, I did suspect that my husband was having an affair with her.”
    Joseph looked surprised. “You knew?” he asked.
    She shook her head. “I was your wife, didn’t you think I’d know?” she replied.
    The Senator looked down at the floor for a few moments. He lifted his head and sought his wife’s eyes. “I was so stupid,” he said, “Thank you for staying with me.”
    She hesitantly smiled back at him, “Well, you’ve made it worth it.”
    He reached over, took her hand and enveloped it in both of his. This time, the clasp was returned.
    “I love you, you know.”
    Susan smiled, her eyes tearing slightly. “Yes, I know.”
    Mary knew politicians were used to being in the public eye. She also knew politicians were used to putting up a good façade in the midst of turmoil. Could she believe the emotion she had just witnessed or was it merely for her benefit?
    “Senator, Susan, was there anyone else who might have spoken with Renee that evening?” she asked, “Anyone who might have learned her secret and thought she was a liability to your political future?”
    “Renee didn’t confide in the other members of my staff because she didn’t want to accidentally expose our relationship,” Joseph said, “She didn’t want to jeopardize my campaign.
    “Besides,” he added, “I don’t believe that anyone on my staff would have the ability to commit murder. They are all good people.”
    “Well, begging your pardon, Senator,” Mary said, “But one of those good people, either someone from your staff or one of your supporters, did murder Renee Peterson on the night of your party.”
    Joseph was taken aback for a moment. He nodded, “You’re right, of course, it’s just hard to believe.”
    “Can you tell me anything about Renee before she came to work for you?” Mary asked, “Anything about her family life or her previous work experience?”
    An hour later Mary had more data, but she knew she was no closer to finding Renee’s murderer than she was that morning. She hadn’t ruled out the senator, he had plenty of motive, especially if he had, indeed, known