He glanced at her and smiled. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me, Ryley St. James, but nothing a date wouldn’t fix once you agree to go out with me.”
The sharp click of heels on tile indicated someone was headed their way. When the woman stepped into view, Logan turned with a sexy smile plastered on his face.
The tall brunette wore wearing five-inch stilettos, adding height that made Ryley feel like she had to crane her neck. Her hair was styled in a low chignon. The skirt was snug and hit mid-thigh, showing off her mile-long toned legs. Jewels around her neck looked like the real deal. If Ryley owned them, they would probably pay for over a year’s worth of rent, maybe two.
The woman smiled and extended her hand. “Welcome to Creative Juices. I’m Melinda Johns.”
Logan shook her hand. “I’m Logan Bane, and this is Ryley St. James.”
“I noticed you were looking at Dawn. It’s a fabulous piece that represents the transition from day to night. We have more by this artist, unless you’re searching for a different art style? We have several types on display.”
“Actually, I’m a Private Investigator, and Ryley is my associate. We were hoping to ask you a few questions about Kitty Lynch.”
Melinda’s smile tightened a smidge. “I hope you’re looking into her death. No way do I believe Kitty committed suicide. Let’s take this conversation to my office. I’d be glad to help in any way I can.”
Ryley and Logan shared a look as they followed Melinda through the building. Melinda smiled at another associate helping a customer dressed in an expensive suit. She paused at the door with her name on it. She gestured them inside.
Ryley and Logan sat in the chairs opposite the desk while Melinda shut the door. Art decorated much of the wall space. The computer monitor was the size of a television. The pen holder and stuff on her desk looked like crystal and onyx. Even the pens looked like something found in a designer store. The knickknacks in Melinda’s office probably cost more than Ryley’s car.
“So, you don’t believe Kitty committed suicide,” Logan asked, pulling Ryley’s attention away from all the shiny stuff.
“No, I don’t,” Melinda said adamantly.
“Was there anything off about her in the days leading up to her death?” Ryley asked.
“Off?” Melinda frowned. “No. Her life was getting back on track. You see, Kitty may have appeared to be well put together, but most people don’t know that her personal life was a mess.”
“Her cheating?” Ryley asked, not wanting to waste any more time.
Melinda scowled. “You know about that?”
“Yes, and we talked to Jim Cantina. He suggested that she might have been having issues at work. He claimed she’d turned moodier and was arguing about everything.”
“That’s true, but that’s to be expected,” Melinda said.
“Why is that to be expected?” Logan asked.
“She quit smoking. She quit drinking. She stopped all of her vices cold turkey at once.”
“That would make me moody,” Logan offered, glancing at Ryley with a smile.
“That’s extreme to do all at once. Was she trying for a more Zen lifestyle? Or was there a different reason to warrant such a change?”
Melinda threw herself back in her chair and crossed her legs. “They didn’t tell you?”
“Who didn’t tell us what?” Logan asked.
“They both had to have known. I know for a fact Jim Cantina knew. I was in her office when she was on the phone and told him.”
“Told him what?” Ryley asked.
“She was leaving her husband.”
“We know that she’d wanted to, but Mr. Cantina didn’t want a serious relationship,” Ryley said.
“She was leaving her husband because she was pregnant.”
“With Jim’s baby?” Logan asked.
“Yes. She and her husband had been living separate lives for over two years. He was having affairs, and so was she. She just never had a reason to leave until she got pregnant.”
“How come no one told us?” Ryley asked.
“I haven’t seen the medical examiner’s report. Have you?” Logan asked.
Ryley shook her head. “Nope, but I’ll be sure to ask for it.”
“Jim Cantina suggested that she’d wanted a more serious relationship, and he didn’t want one. He claims he broke things off, and that he had no reason to kill her,” Logan said.
“He didn’t break up with her. She broke up with him. He was a bad influence and generous with her money. She caught him cheating, too. The baby was her fresh start. I helped her find an apartment and get it furnished. She was ready to leave her husband and take Phillip with her.”
“Did she ever tell her husband her plan?” Logan tipped his head. “I have to admit if I’d been her husband, that might be enough to push me over the edge if she threatened to take my kid, divorce me, and get alimony.”
Melinda shook her head and sat straighter. “You don’t understand their dynamics. They both had money and were independently wealthy. The only reason they stayed together was for Phillip.”
“The kid they sent off to boarding school,” Ryley whispered.
“The day she died was her first appointment with Dr. Linzmeyer. That was going to be her first ultrasound. She’d been happier than I’d ever seen her.”
“Maybe Christopher Lynch found out, and in a fit of rage, he killed her.”
“I highly doubt Christopher Lynch is capable of that much passion. If he’d shown Kitty any, she might not have ventured elsewhere. You know, both Jim and Christopher called her the day of her appointment. I think she had plans to see them both that day.”
“Are her things still at her new apartment?”
“Yes. I’d been debating on what to tell Christopher. I wasn’t sure how much he knew.”
“Can we see it?”
She glanced between them both. “I don’t know you two at all except that you’re trying to find answers to Kitty’s death. She has some expensive items in her apartment. I’d rather give the key to Christopher or the cops.”
“We understand, and you’re
