Lost Souls by J. Bishop (the giving tree read aloud txt) 📗

him a dirty look. “You lost it during a game of cards.”

“That guy was cheating─”

The office door opened, and Tony returned. “Good news. Daphne is on her way up.”

Chapter Twelve

Mason splashed cold water on his face in Tony’s private bathroom, and grabbed a hand towel. He dabbed his skin dry and stared at himself in the mirror. His eyes looked a little bloodshot, but his cheeks had some color and his energy levels were decent, although he knew as the day progressed, that would change. Allowing a spirit to speak through him taxed his mental and physical strength, which is why he rarely did it. But in this instance, it seemed the logical approach, and he’d been in a hurry. He didn’t want the reading to drag out, which they often did if the connection was strong, so he took the chance and let Tony’s mom and grandfather in.

“Red.” Trick called his name, and with a last look, Mason returned the face cloth, straightened his shirt, smoothed his mustache, and left the bathroom.

Trick stood beside a woman near the couch. Heavyset with round cheeks and bright eyes, she fiddled with her fingers. She was already holding a tissue, and Mason thought she might burst into tears the moment he said hello.

He took a breath and hoped for the best. “You must be Daphne.” He held out his hand.

“It is,” said Trick. “Daphne Stewart, Chad’s assistant, and apparently his right-hand woman.”

“Hello,” said Daphne. She took Mason’s hand in a delicate grasp. “Tony said you wanted to talk about Chad.” At the mention of his name, her eyes welled and she dabbed at them. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “It’s still difficult.”

Mason’s guilt bloomed. “Are you sure you’re up for this? We can arrange to meet at another time.”

Trick frowned at him, and Mason shrugged.

“No, no. I’m okay.” Daphne sniffed. “I want to help.” She walked around and sat on the couch.

Trick sat beside her, and Mason took the seat Tony had occupied.

“Tony said you’re a private investigator?” she asked.

“Yes, I am,” said Mason. “And Trick here is Chad’s stepbrother.”

She glanced over at Trick. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you,” said Trick. He shifted toward her. “Did Tony tell you why we wanted to speak with you?”

“Not really, no.” She wiped her nose. “But I already talked to the police. Does this have to do with his death?”

“Yes, it does,” said Mason. “I assume you know they arrested his wife?”

Daphne’s face drooped. “It’s awful. Poor Cissy. Such a nice woman, at least she always was to me. I can’t imagine she’d do that to Chad, no matter what they might have been going through.”

“Were they going through something?” asked Mason. “That you know of?”

She played with her tissue. “Every married couple does. I should know. I’ve been divorced twice.”

“Can you tell us anything about their relationship?” asked Trick. “I don’t believe Cissy hurt Chad, and I’d like to find out what happened.”

“Yes. Of course.” Daphne stared off. “Chad confided a little in me, but not too much. I know he was at work a lot, and a few times I heard him on the phone with Cissy, and he sounded frustrated.”

“Was he spending more time at work because he had to, or was he avoiding home?” asked Mason.

“I suppose a little of both,” she said. “But again, it’s just based on my observations. He didn’t tell me specifically. We were busy, though. That much was true. Business was booming, and Chad was a hard worker. We spent more than one several-hour days together.”

Trick nodded. “Did he work with anyone else, besides you?”

“Well, yes. I could name several people. There’s a lot of meetings around here.”

“We mean someone who he might have spent more time with outside of the office, as well,” said Mason. “Without his wife knowing.” He raised a brow.

Her mouth fell open. “Like an affair?”

“Yes,” said Trick.

“Chad? Seriously?” asked Daphne.

“If anyone would have insight into that, it would be you,” said Mason. “You saw him the most, and probably knew him best, other than Cissy.”

“I…I don’t know,” she said. “Let me think.” Her eyes darted away and back. “Did you have someone in mind? I mean…off the top of my head, no one comes to mind.”

Trick looked at Mason. “Did you know Lydia Stanford?”

Her mouth dropped open again. “Lydia Stanford? You can’t be serious. Why do you suspect her?”

“We have our reasons,” said Trick. “But again, we can’t be certain, which is why we need to ask. Did Lydia and Chad work together?”

Her eyes filled, and she swiped at them. “You realize Lydia died, too, just before Chad? Horrible.” She shook her head.

“Yes, we know,” said Mason. “And we have to consider a possible connection between the two deaths, which is why we wanted to talk to you.”

Daphne held her head and closed her eyes. “Dear, Lord. This is too much.” She opened her eyes. “You think Lydia was murdered, too?” Her eyes widened. “Do the police think Cissy killed them both?”

“It’s possible,” said Trick, “which is why the faster we figure this out, the better.”

“Poor girl,” said Daphne. “I mean, I saw her get upset with Chad once or twice, but I’d never suspect her of doing anything violent.”

Mason perked up. “Upset? When was she was upset?”

“Uhm…well…she came into the office one day, and Chad was out. I told her I didn’t know where he was, and I could tell she wasn’t happy. I texted Chad and told Cissy to wait in his office. He came in about thirty minutes later, and they spoke for a few minutes before they left together, but I saw her face and heard her ask where he’d been. He’d told her he’d had a client meeting, but I knew his schedule, and the meeting had ended that morning.”

“Could he have been with Lydia?” asked Trick.

“I have no idea,” said Daphne. “It may be that he had an impromptu meeting, and it didn’t get added to the calendar.”

“When was this?” asked Mason.

“Oh, gosh. It’s been