Murder by Page One by Olivia Matthews (read aloud txt) 📗

decide to go into business with Fiona? Weren’t you concerned the vicious gossip that followed her around town would hurt your firm?”

Nolan shifted on his seat. Again. It was a signal he was uncomfortable about something—and it wasn’t the chair. Did Spence also have the impression his friend was being evasive? At a glance, I couldn’t tell what Spence was thinking, though he seemed to be watching the other man closely.

Propping his elbows on the arms of his chair, Nolan linked his fingers together over his flat abdomen. “I’m not comfortable speaking ill of Fiona. We may not have been friends, but I did care about her.”

Spence spread his hands. “We understand. We don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position, but you worked closely with Fiona for almost two years. You could give us insights that could help shed some light on her murder and perhaps help identify her killer.”

Nolan cocked his head. “Are you doing a follow-up story on her murder?”

Say yes! Say yes! I fisted my hands, willing Spence to read my mind.

He nodded. “We’re gathering information in preparation for a series of articles. Murders don’t happen often in Peach Coast, fortunately. This is a big story.”

Knowing Spence, that was the truth. He had too much integrity to lie to a friend.

Nolan switched his attention to me. I sensed him wondering why Spence had brought a librarian along to the interview, rather than one of his newspaper’s reporters. For whatever reason, he didn’t ask the question.

He turned his attention back to Spence. “I’ve told the deputies everything I know about Fiona, which unfortunately isn’t much. Have you spoken with them?”

Mention of the deputies and their handling of this case triggered a rush of frustration. “Their investigation seems to be stalled on Jo. Please, anything you can tell us at all about Fiona could help us persuade the deputies they’re focusing on the wrong person. We’re after justice for Fiona, for Jo, and for the community.”

Nolan’s reluctance to speak was almost like another presence in his office, seated on the table between us. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d taken a vow of silence. When he finally spoke, the words seemed to be dragged from him. “All right. Fiona had a secret. I think Buddy and I were the only ones in town who knew about it. Buddy didn’t find out until after they were married. Fiona was rich.”

I blinked. “How rich?”

Nolan smiled. “Very.”

I frowned, jabbing a thumb toward Spence seated beside me. “Like, Holt rich?”

Nolan shook his head. “Close, but not quite. The reason she didn’t want people to know is she’s had a lot of bad experiences with personal relationships in the past. Friends who wanted her to invest in phony businesses. Boyfriends who tried to pressure her into marriage, thinking they’d have access to her accounts. Moving to Peach Coast allowed her to get away from those mistakes and start over.”

“I can understand that.” Spence’s voice was low, as though he was wading through memories as he spoke. “People pretending to like you so they can use you. It takes time to learn the signs that let you know who you can trust.”

Reading his eyes, I saw the hurts from Spence’s past. “That’s a lot of pressure to grow up with.”

He forced a smile. “It’s a different kind of pressure. Everyone has something they’re struggling with.”

I nodded my agreement before returning my attention to Nolan. “That’s why Fiona was so distant. Well, that and I’m sure she resented the gossip Betty was spreading. But you’re saying Buddy didn’t know Fiona was rich until after they were married?”

“That’s what Fiona told me.” Nolan seemed much more relaxed now that he’d shared his insights. With both Fiona and Buddy dead, neither would be hurt by his revelations. “And she only revealed it to him because his business was failing. She wanted to help him save it.”

“When did you find out?” Spence asked.

Nolan spread his arms. “When Fiona approached me about forming a partnership.” He switched his attention to me. His voice was somber. “Fiona didn’t have to work. She wanted to work. She knew who was spreading the lies about her, and knew she could’ve stopped it. She chose not to because she didn’t want to hurt someone she loved. You asked what made me agree to go into business with someone who had so much baggage. It’s because her actions showed me who she was. Our actions always do.”

Wise words. No wonder Spence and Nolan were such good friends. They were good people. I was beginning to suspect Fiona had been as well, in spite of what Betty had put her through.

Shaking off a sense of sorrow and regret for what Fiona had dealt with, I hurried to ask a few remaining questions before leaving. “How bad off was Buddy’s company?”

Nolan’s expression implied it was pretty bad. “If it wasn’t for Fiona, Buddy wouldn’t have been able to keep his company open.”

Spence’s brow furrowed. “How can you be so certain?”

“I saw his books.” Nolan leaned into his desk, dividing his attention between Spence and me. “Fiona was very, very smart. She was great with finances. At first, Buddy didn’t want her help to save his company. He was too proud. So she asked me to consult with her on strategies to restructure his company.”

Spence arched an eyebrow. “Did you have any suggestions?”

Nolan’s sigh was heavy. “Buddy had two choices. He could either close his business or accept Fiona’s help. He didn’t like either choice, but Fiona finally persuaded him to accept her offer.”

I took a moment to absorb this new information. Spence seemed to be doing the same. “Thank you. You’ve given us a lot to think about.” I glanced at my watch. “We should get going. We’ve taken so much of your time already.” I raised the strap of my chocolate handbag to my shoulder and stood in preparation of leaving. The two friends rose with me. “If I could ask one