“Just call me Gavin. Despite my age, whenever I hear Mr. Durham I start looking for my father. And he’s been gone for more than thirty years. So you came to ask me some questions about Marty? Shame what happened to him. So tragic. I also got a call from the sheriff’s office in Springwood. They want to talk to me, too. I haven’t been this popular since college.” Gavin winked at them, a sly smile on his face. “The ladies love a man with a trust fund.”
It was always easier to question someone who was cooperative. It looked like they wouldn’t have to worry about Gavin Durham being upset about their visit.
Reed and Jason had discussed how the interview was going to go. He would start out and Jason would chime in with any clarifying questions for more detail.
“You and Marty worked together, correct? Real estate projects?”
“Yes, Marty and I have worked together for almost ten years. We’ve done some great work. This office park would have been another home run as well. I’m sorry he won’t get to see it come to fruition. He’s been a major part of the development. He’ll be sorely missed.”
“You have other business partners?”
“Yes, but Marty and I have been a solid team for a long time. The others come and go depending on what we’re working on. I can give you the names of the other people we’ve worked with if that will help.”
“That would be great, thank you. You mentioned the office park project. Is everything going well with that? Has there been any issues or problems? Angry workers, for example?”
Chuckling, Gavin shook his head.
“No project goes off without a hitch. There are always issues and problems. Usually more than one at once, but what you’re asking is there anyone that would be angry enough to kill him. Frankly, I can only think of one person.”
Reed leaned forward.
“And that is?”
“Abby. They’ve been fighting like cats and dogs from the day they married. They’ll do it in front of their friends, the help, anyone. They don’t care. I once asked Marty why he didn’t leave her if they were arguing all the time. He just laughed and said the fighting lit a fire in the furnace, if you know what I mean. I dropped it after that. But when I heard that he was shot dead, I wasn’t shocked in the least. I assumed one of them would kill the other at some point. I’m not sure they even liked each other sometimes. Marty always said that he adored Abby, though. Strange marriage, if you ask me. I like things a bit quieter.”
Gavin hadn’t beat around the bush. He’d simply come out and said what he thought. Reed couldn’t help but admire that sort of forthrightness.
“Marty didn’t like quiet?” Jason asked.
“Marty hated peace and quiet,” Gavin replied with a grin. “He liked having people around him twenty-four-seven. He liked parties and music and dancing until dawn. He liked to drink, smoke cigars and eat unhealthy food. I told him he was going to die young, and he’d just say that life was meant to be lived and enjoyed. If he went young, he’d know that he’d had fun every day and made the most of it. He was unapologetic about his hedonism. But he worked just as hard, although sometimes with a hangover. He was a good man, and a better friend. He’d be there for you day or night, no matter what.”
“Tell me about these parties,” Jason said, checking his phone briefly before tucking it away. “Did you attend them?”
“A few but not very many. Marty said that we were always welcome, but Donna doesn’t leave the house much these days except for her doctor appointments, and I don’t like to go places without her. I’m happy having a quiet evening at home.”
“And you think Abby killed Marty?” Reed pressed. “Because they argued a lot.”
“I think she shot him for the money. Marty loved to spend it, but Abby loved it even more. The only thing he ever complained about was how much money she spent. She went through it like water. He had to cut off her credit cards at one point, although I think she’s had them back for awhile now. His kids were always urging him to leave her, but I don’t think he was ever going to do that.”
“He has a daughter and son, right?” Reed asked. “They wanted him to divorce Abby?”
“They hated Abby,” Gavin said. “As in despised her. They didn’t make a secret of it either. They openly loathed her right to her face. They thought she was after Marty’s money. They said she was spending their inheritance. Can you believe that? That’s exactly how they said it, too. Greedy bastards. Marty spoiled those kids terribly. He always felt guilty about the divorce, so he never said no to them and showered them with gifts and trips. At least the daughter works and has some ambition. She turned out successful. She’s made some excellent financial moves. But the son? He’s a freeloading nightmare. I don’t think he’s ever had a real job in his entire life. He considers himself some sort of millionaire playboy with girls far too young for him hanging off of his arm. It drove Marty nuts, but what was he going to do? He should have put his foot down twenty years ago. It’s too late now.”
Reed was getting a much more complete version of Abby’s marriage and it was a bit disturbing. The marriage didn’t sound fun at all, plus the kids hated their stepmother. Not exactly the picture of familial love and harmony.
Jason pulled a business card from his breast pocket and placed it on the coffee table between them.
“If you think of anything else, will you give us a call? Sometimes it’s the smallest things that boosts an investigation. Even things that you don’t think would be all that important can be vital to finding the truth.”
Gavin reached for the card and nodded.
“You’re working for Abby, right? I guess you don’t think she’s guilty then?”
“We’re going wherever the investigation leads us,” Reed replied. “If it’s toward Abby, then that’s where we’ll go. We don’t go into a case with any preconceived ideas or theories. That’s why we talk to people like you.”
“So I can give you my preconceived ideas and theories,” Gavin said with a laugh. “I hope you find out the truth. Whatever it might be. Marty was my friend and I’d like to see his killer brought to justice.”
“We’re going to do everything we can to make that happen,” Jason said, levering up from the couch. “Thank you again for your time. We do appreciate it.”