Simon Says Die

she’d just realized she’d said something she shouldn’t have said.
    He rolled his eyes. “Like I didn’t suspect Agent Matthews was helping you two. I’m sure he’s focusing on the ‘Simon says’ case too. Go on.” He waved for her to continue.
    She nodded her thanks. “Casey dug as much as he could on Damon McKinley. The man is a saint. He doesn’t have a criminal record, not even a speeding ticket. He was born and raised in Montana, was well-respected in his community. The only negative about him that I could find is that he had a lot of health problems, and he didn’t seem to allow anyone to get close to him. He was reclusive, no friends, no family. No one knew him all that well, but he was generous with local charities and had an excellent reputation as a philanthropist in his community back in Montana.”
    â€œHow far back did you go?” Pierce asked.
    â€œAll the way . . . birth.”
    That feeling of unease was starting up inside Pierce again. “That’s not the picture Madison painted of him.”
    â€œHe was an entrepreneur, like she said. He made a lot of money, but he gave away half as much as he earned.”
    Pierce stood and paced behind the couch. “Why did he move to New York if he was such a respected saint in his hometown?”
    â€œThat I can’t answer. My theory is he got bored, wanted new challenges, new territory to invest in and build his wealth. I’m sorry, Pierce, but this man doesn’t sound like someone who would fake his death and stalk his former wife.”
    Pierce stopped behind her. “Are you telling me you can’t find one single bad thing on him?”
    â€œNot so far.”
    The front door opened and Matt stepped inside. When he saw Tessa, he frowned and strode over to the couch.
    Tessa barely spared him a glance. She looked over at Hamilton, who was following the conversation with fascinated interest. “On paper at least, Damon McKinley was a model citizen who had nothing to gain by faking his death. Madison, on the other hand, had everything to gain. She didn’t become wealthy in her own right until after she inherited her father’s money. Her husband had a million dollars in the bank when he died, money that went straight to Madison.”
    Pierce looked between Tessa and Hamilton. “You’re both so convinced Damon is a good guy.”
    â€œI’m not.” Matt crossed his arms and glared at Tessa.
    â€œ Was a good guy,” she said, ignoring Matt. “He’s dead.”
    â€œI’m inclined to believe a woman knows her own husband,” Pierce said. “Madison said the man in the park was her husband. I believe her.”
    â€œYou didn’t seem so sure when she first went missing,” Hamilton said.
    â€œI’m sure now.”
    â€œWhy? What’s changed?”
    â€œTwenty-four hours, that’s what’s changed. Something has happened to her or she would have called. She wouldn’t put me through this type of hell on purpose.” As soon as the words were out, he snapped his jaw shut. The look of pity on Tessa’s face had him wishing he’d never asked for her help.
    â€œWhy would Damon stalk her?” Tessa’s voice was soft, hesitant, as if she were afraid he was on the verge of breaking down.
    â€œI don’t know, not yet. What I need you all to do is keep a few things in mind. First, on paper, Madison is just as innocent and as much of a model citizen as Damon appears to be. There’s no reason to assume she’s the bad guy in any of this.” He looked directly at Hamilton when he said that.
    Hamilton gave him a reluctant nod. “Agreed.”
    â€œSecond, if you turn this around and assume Madison is right—that it really is Damon behind everything that’s been happening since she came to Savannah—then he has some kind of motive you haven’t discovered yet. There’s more to this than you’re seeing, than we’re seeing. Think about the inconsistencies. There aren’t any pictures of Damon. How do you know the man you researched is really Damon without having photographs?”
    â€œI’m still working on that,” Tessa said.
    â€œYou mentioned he had health problems.” Pierce said.
    â€œDamon had several medical problems. Nothing too serious, but one of the articles done about him in his hometown paper said he saw doctors