“Some of the cops were indicating is finances, I think,” DeMarco said.“But even then, that would have been circumstantial at best.”
“Well, regardless of that, it still means we need to look at this case from a completely different angle."
"Starting with Dr.Chen?"
"Starting with Dr.Chen," Kate agreed."Maybe she’ll have some insights into what could have happened.And we need to dig deeper into the security system issues.If Carol was having problems with it weeks before Jake came home, someone else might have been planning this for much longer than we initially thought."
As they left the police station, Kate found herself reconsidering everything she'd assumed about Carol Bennett's death.Jake's account painted a picture of a loving reunion between mother and son, not a domestic situation that would lead to murder.If Jake was indeed innocent, then whoeverhadkilled her had been clever enough to make her son the obvious suspect.
The case was becoming more complex than Kate had anticipated, and she realized she might need to call Allen and warn him that this investigation could take longer than the quick consultation Director Duran had originally described.It wasn't a conversation she wanted to have, but she could already feel this case growing larger and more convoluted by the second.
CHAPTER FOUR
Diana Vance settled into her usual corner table at Bean Tree, a cozy coffee shop in Richmond's Museum District.It had become her second home over the past several weeks.She opened her laptop and positioned it at an angle that allowed her to appear focused on work while maintaining a clear view of the entrance and the seating area where Melissa Goldman typically chose to sit.
The discovery of this location had taken considerable effort and patience.Diana had spent weeks driving through Richmond's neighborhoods, learning the rhythms of Kate Wise's family life through careful observation and strategic positioning.She'd started by identifying the areas where Kate lived and worked, then gradually expanded her surveillance to include the places where Kate's family members might spend their time.
The breakthrough had come when Diana followed Melissa's car from her home one Tuesday afternoon, maintaining a careful distance as Melissa drove to this coffee shop.Diana had watched from across the street as Melissa headed inside, noting how comfortable and familiar Melissa seemed with the staff and layout.That observation had prompted Diana to return the next day, where she'd positioned herself as a new customer exploring the neighborhood.
Over the following weeks, Diana had become a regular fixture at Bean Tree, carefully documenting Melissa's patterns and preferences.She'd learned that Melissa typically visited on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, usually around 2:30, and that she had a standing order for a large caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso.
Diana glanced at her watch: 2:25 PM on a Thursday.If Melissa maintained her usual schedule, she would arrive within the next ten minutes.Diana had positioned herself perfectly today, with a clear sightline to Melissa's preferred table near the large windows.
The laptop screen displayed a legitimate freelance writing project Diana had picked up to maintain her cover story, but her attention was entirely focused on watching for Melissa's arrival.Diana had crafted an entire identity as a work-from-home copywriter, complete with business cards and a small portfolio of actual completed projects.The cover was solid enough to withstand casual scrutiny, which was all she needed for her current purposes.
The door chimed, and Diana felt her pulse quicken as Melissa entered, carrying the same old laptop bag over her shoulder. Melissa looked tired, Diana noticed.Her blonde hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, and there were dark circles under her eyes.She wore jeans and a lightweight sweater that had seen better days, the kind of casual outfit that suggested someone prioritizing comfort and practicality over appearance.
Diana had overheard enough conversations over the past weeks to understand that Melissa was struggling with the balance between her work responsibilities and motherhood.During a phone call Melissa had taken at this very table two weeks ago, Diana had heard her explaining to someone, presumably her husband Terry, that she was feeling overwhelmed by client deadlines while trying to manage Michelle's increasingly erratic sleep schedule.
"The usual, Melissa?"called out Liam, the barista who worked most afternoon shifts.Diana had learned his name through careful observation of his interactions with regular customers.
"Please," Melissa replied.
Diana watched as Melissa went through the familiar routine—settling at her table, opening up her laptop, taking out her planner.And by the time she was done, so was Liam.
"Here you go," Jake said, delivering Melissa's caramel macchiato.
"Thank you," Melissa replied.
Through weeks of careful eavesdropping, Diana had learned about Kate's upcoming wedding, which was apparently causing Melissa some anxiety about logistics and family coordination.She'd overheard Melissa discussing flower arrangements with someone, expressing concern about whether Michelle, her daughter, would cooperate during the ceremony and whether the outdoor venue would be appropriate for a toddler.
Diana had also picked up fragments of conversations about Kate's FBI consulting work, including Melissa's mixed feelings about her mother's continued involvement in dangerous cases.During one particularly revealing phone call, Melissa had told someone that she was proud of Kate's professional accomplishments but worried about the impact on family time, especially with a new baby in the house.
These insights had helped Diana understand the family dynamics she would need to navigate when she finally made her approach.Melissa clearly loved and respected her mother, but also felt the strain of competing priorities and responsibilities.Diana planned to position herself as someone who understood those pressures, perhaps as another working mother dealing with similar challenges.
Diana opened a notebook beside her laptop and jotted down the time and details of today's observation, maintaining the appearance of taking work-related notes while actually documenting Melissa's behavior patterns.Her notes from previous visits filled several pages, creating a comprehensive picture of Melissa's routines, preferences, and personality traits.
Diana had learned that Melissa typically stayed for about forty-five minutes, long enough to catch up on emails or phone calls.Today's visit seemed likely to follow the same pattern, giving Diana time to observe and plan while maintaining her cover.
As Melissa continued her routine, checking her phone and occasionally writing something in the planner, Diana continued her surveillance with the patience and attention to detail that had served her well throughout this extended preparation phase.
Her time to strike was indeed nearly here, but Diana understood the importance of choosing exactly the right moment and approach.
The careful groundwork she'd laid over these weeks would soon pay off, allowing her to insert herself into Kate Wise's family orbit in a way that would appear completely natural and coincidental.All she needed now was the perfect opportunity to transform from anonymous observer to friendly acquaintance, beginning the next phase of her carefully orchestrated plan.
And she already knew how she was going to get it done.
CHAPTER FIVE
