Truth

and he was more than qualified. He’s got a wife and two kids. The increase in pay was too hard for him to turn down. Most of all, he’s been a tremendous asset to SiJo. Amber isn’t wasting money on him, no matter what he does.
    Anyway, he’s always been a master at digging for information. So, I might have mentioned that there were some inconsistencies in the Samuel and Amanda Rawls case.”
    Claire sat her coffee cup upon its saucer. “Because... you often bring up old homicide or suicide cases during lunch break?”
    “ I might have also mentioned you... and your ex... but I promise, Lee’s professional. I told him about the ballistics and the reported COD. He agreed, it seemed... well, fishy.”
    “ Is that supposed to explain why we’re going to Santa Monica?”
    Harry remained silent as the waitress interrupted their conversation, delivering food. The smell of sand and salt disappeared into a cloud of decadent aromas. Claire noticed the attentiveness of the cute voluptuous blonde, of course, all directed toward Harry.
    She watched as Harry returned the server’s adoration with restrained politeness. Momentarily Claire remembered being at restaurants with Tony. There were times when waitresses or hostesses blatantly flirted. However, as red hot sexy as People Magazine said he was, Anthony Rawlings was also intimidating. More often than not, Claire witnessed shy smiles and platitudes from servers, “ Thank you, sir.” “If there is anything else I can do...”
    Harry, on the other hand screamed sexy, with his tight V-neck, relaxed 7 For All Mankind jeans, and tussled blonde hair. She thought about his free coffee, after their article appeared in popular publications. Grinning into her quiche, Claire inadvertently shook her head.
    Harry looked up from his eggs Benedict to see Claire’s actions, “What?”
    She looked up with big bright emerald eyes, trying for her most innocent; I have no idea what you’re talking about look.
    After a bite of his eggs, complete with Hollandaise sauce, Harry continued their conversation, “Well, Lee is thorough. He, on his own, decided to do a better investigation of the neighbor, Patrick Chester.”
    Claire nodded, interested in Harry’s information, almost as much as her fresh fruit.
    “ It seems Chester was awarded a settlement in November of 1989.”
    “ That’s not long after Samuel and Amanda’s death. What kind of settlement?” She managed between bites of succulent pineapple.
    Harry went on to explain the origin was fuzzy. At first glance it appeared as though Chester was a litigant in a class action suit. However, upon further investigation, the beneficiary seemed to be an independent international company, based in the Cayman Islands. The actual monies were siphoned through a law firm in Los Angles. Of course, this law firm refused to answer questions or divulge any information.”
    “ What kind of settlement are we talking -- how much money?”
    “ The first installment was only 20K.”
    Claire had to ask, “The first?”
    “ Well, his bank account has received infusions every year. I want us to go to him with the pretense of justifying his story.”
    Claire looked puzzled.
    Harry explained, “You’re newly involved in the distribution of wealth. You’re just checking your beneficiaries, making sure they deserve your annual supplement.”
    “ I have no idea what you’re saying. So, if I’m supposed to be clueless, I’ve got this!”
    “ Follow my lead. I used to be very good at this kind of thing. Patrick Chester still lives in Santa Monica, but not on Mongolia Drive like twenty- five years ago.”
    While heading east on highway 10 toward Santa Monica, Harry asked Claire if she wanted to drive by the bungalows owned by the Chesters and Rawls. She declined. What benefit would she gain from seeing the home where Samuel and Amanda Rawls died? She wasn’t a pathologist and what clues would be available twenty-five years later?
    Exiting Highway 10 onto Lincoln Avenue, they wove around side streets on their way to Riviera Estates. It was a posh neighborhood with an amazing view of Riviera Country Club. Claire revisited their plan, “Did you actually speak with Mr. Chester?”
    “ Yes.”
    “ And he’s willing to talk to us?”
    Harry turned toward Claire, “Yes. Well, kind of.”
    “ What do you mean , kind of ?”
    “ He was hesitant until I told him you’re a Rawls. And you needed to talk to him.”
    “ I wasn’t a ...”
    “