Olivia's Guardian by Rose St. Andrews Page B

there?”
    Marie nodded. “True, but accents can be faked.”
    “And my motive for doing so would be…?”
    “According to the couple’s daughter, they seemed very happy,” Marie said. “So, you’re right, a motive does not present itself. For the moment.”
    “Has this daughter been investigated?” Olivia asked.
    “She’s the one who filed the report,” Kevin replied.
    Olivia blew a raspberry. “Oh, please, I’ve seen enough detective shows to know that can be a ploy to throw suspicion off of her.”
    “Witnesses report they set sail on their new boat,” Marie said. “That was several months ago, and they never returned. Sir, would you consent to being photographed so we can send the picture to the NHPD for comparison?”
    “He’ll do no such thing,” Olivia snapped. “Without a warrant, that’s a violation of the privacy laws.”
    Caleb smiled. “Honey, it’s all right, I have no objections whatsoever, if it’ll settle the matter.”
    Olivia was amazed, and if the expressions on the faces of the officers were any indication, they were too. Now she was totally confused and didn’t know what to think. She sat there, eyes wide, brain reeling as she tried to process what was happening, and just watched as they snapped a couple of pictures. They thanked them for their time, and Caleb showed them to the door. Olivia’s mind finally shifted out of neutral and an answer (of sorts) presented itself. Moving to the china cabinet, she got it out of the bottom drawer.
    “Goodness, Olivia, what is that?” Caleb said, closing the door and facing her.
    “This is a Smith & Wesson Colt .45, one of the most ancient of human weapons. Fires lead projectiles propelled by expanding gas, and it can be lethal at close range, like we are now. So, let’s have a little chat, ‘Caleb,’ starting with who you really are.”
    She gestured at the chair opposite her with the gun.
    “Where is this coming from?” he said, hands up as he moved to sit. “A moment ago you were defending me to the police.”
    “That was to allow me to ascertain the truth, and I’m only giving you this chance because of the love we once had and I hope can have again. Now, out with it! Who are you?”
    “I… it’s not… how did you know?”
    “You were very good, very convincing, apparently completely honest, but there was one little point: the tiniest of twitches when they mentioned the boat. It made me wonder, and then I put it together with other things: the pig, the spices, fumbling with the car and how you drive, to list only a few, and I got suspicious. I’ve heard of couples getting bored with their lives and each other, and going off to start new lives. That made perfect sense, but when you let them take your picture, I got confused. How could you know about the boat and not be the man they’re looking for?”
    “Wow, you’re good.”
    “I was first a schoolteacher, my man. You don’t do that for fifty years and not learn to tell when a little boy is lying. So, what’s the truth?”
    “Okay, I know when I’m beaten. Come to my room, my old room, and I’ll show you everything I’ve collected and have with me.”
    “Easy there, keep your hands where I can see them, and don’t try any funny business or I’ll plug you!”
    Caleb, keeping his hands up, slowly rose, yet also rolled his eyes. “Olivia, I think you’ve seen one too many of those old shows.”
    Walking to his room, Olivia behind him, but not too close, he moved to sit on the bed. Olivia entered, but stayed right by the door, and watched and waited. He pointed at the dresser.
    “What? All I see are your toiletries,” she said.
    “That’s what you’re supposed to see. Their appearances mask their true uses. I’ll explain everything and you can listen to the reports I’ve been keeping.”
    “Listen? Reports?”
    Caleb launched into an explanation, and Olivia stood there, her jaw dropping lower by the minute, and finally she picked up his recording