“And the kids knew about this? Did they have any issues with it?”
Another long pause.
“Not really.”
“I’m going to have to say that you don’t sound too sure about that.”
“Listen, the kids had their moments. Recently, Trisha was upset with Marty because he’d changed his mind about a financial decision. He said he was going to invest in Drew’s start-up business after all. She found out and I guess she was very upset. Marty said that they argued, and she told him that Drew didn’t deserve it. After meeting with me and discussing the issue, Marty decided that he would take that money out of Drew’s inheritance to make it fair.”
“And that made her happy?”
“I assume so. He didn’t talk to me about it. He said he was going to tell her, but I don’t know how that conversation went.”
“But he didn’t change his will. You said that they inherited equally. Did Marty change his mind about investing in Drew’s business?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t really have a chance to make any changes. We had an appointment this week to work on that.”
They ended the call and Tanner tucked away his phone. Maddie was eyeing him closely, her plate now almost empty.
“I only caught half of that conversation,” she said. “But it sounded like the kids weren’t too happy with Marty.”
“You heard correctly. I think I need to pay them a visit.”
“We’re close to Drew Parnham’s place. We can go right after you finish eating.”
“I can go. I’m taking you home. I’m not going to take you to the house of a possible killer.”
“You worry too much. He wouldn’t do anything with you there.”
“I’m your husband and it’s my job to worry. You’re going home.”
Luckily, Maddie gave in gracefully because he wasn’t going to change his mind.
But had Marty changed his mind about investing in Drew’s business? Again? Had Trisha talked him out of it? Could it have made Drew Parnham angry enough to want to kill his father? Even hiring someone to do it for him?
Or had Trisha Parnham been the killer? Just how mad had she been with Marty?
One thing was for sure. Drew Parnham had lied to them about his father investing in the business.
Time to talk to the son again. Then they’d move on to the daughter.
Tanner pulled the SUV in front of Drew Parnham’s home, Sam parking behind him. They’d both come to speak to Drew about whether his father had agreed to finance his business venture and then changed his mind. The younger man had denied even needing money when they’d first talked to him, but clearly he’d asked Marty for financing. Did Drew know that Marty was planning to take the amount out of his inheritance to assuage Trisha? He might not have been happy about that.
They also wanted to ask him why his gun was found in the trunk of Abby’s car. Had Marty borrowed it? It might not have anything to do with the case, but they needed to cover their bases.
Drew Parnham might have an airtight alibi for himself, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have hired someone to do the deed. He had access to a great deal of money.
“Just like old times,” Sam said as they approached the front door. “The more things change, the more they stay the same. I’m not going to get used to it, though. You’ll be governor of this state soon.”
Tanner and Sam had worked together for years, and they’d been a good team.
“Everybody seems convinced about that, but I’ve had plenty of people tell me that they’re not going to vote for me. They seem to really enjoy telling me that, too.”
“You’ve got my vote,” Sam said, pressing the doorbell. “Although you might be too honest for politics.”
Tanner was beginning to wonder about that himself. Perhaps he was too optimistic. In truth, he was a hell of a lot less naive than he’d been when he had become mayor. And as a former lawman, he hadn’t exactly been innocent and starry-eyed to begin with.
There was no answer at the door, not even a sound coming from within. Sam tried to peer into one of the large front windows, but he didn’t see anyone inside.