be the one. I know it's very late but I thought we could call her and meet with her.'
'On what pretext?'
'My wanting to know who my mother's friends were? Stories she could tell me. Quaint memories that might just lead me to a murderer.'
'And if that person turns out to be your father?'
'I don't make exceptions to that rule. If he's the one, so be it.'
Donna Rothwell agreed to meet with them despite the late hour. She was in her early sixties, about five-five, with a compact, athletic build. She had meticulously styled hair and carefully applied makeup. She exuded considerable warmth and even vivaciousness. Her home was about four miles from the Maxwells'. It was large, richly furnished, and immaculate; a woman in full maid's uniform had answered the door. The lady definitely had money, and from the many photos and mementos arrayed on shelves and tables, it was clear that she had traveled the world in high style.
She explained, 'My late husband, Marty, was CEO of a large computer company and cashed out early. We lived a good life together.'
'Your husband passed on?' Sean asked.
'Years ago. His heart.'
'Never remarried?'
'Marty and I were college sweethearts. Doubt I'd get anything that good again, so why take a chance? But I date. Going steady right now, in fact. Sounds like high school, I know, but things come full circle if you live long enough.'
'So you and my mom were close?'
'We did lots of things together. She was fun, your mom. I know this is all so horribly sad and depressing, but I want you to know that your mother knew how to have a good time.'
'And my dad?'
Donna picked up her cocktail and sipped from it before answering. 'He didn't get out as much. He liked to read, or so Sally told me. More reserved. He was a policeman, right? Seen the bad side of life for so many years. It probably does something to you, or at least that was my conclusion. Maybe causes you to be unable to have fun. I don't know. I'm just speculating here,' she added quickly, probably noting the souring look on Michelle's face. 'Your dad is a nice man. Very handsome. Lot of women around here thought your mom was very lucky.'
'I'm sure. So Mom was coming to see you the night she died?'
Donna put down her cocktail. 'Who told you that?'
'Does it matter?'
'I guess not.'
'So was she?'
'We had talked about it, sure.' She paused, seeming to gather her thoughts. 'I actually think we were going to do something. Dinner, maybe a movie. We did that about once a week.'
'It wasn't all that long ago. Can't you remember for sure?' Sean said politely. 'I mean, the police will want to know for certain.'
Donna picked her drink back up. 'Police!'
'My mother's death is a homicide, Donna. The police are investigating.'
'I thought she had a heart attack or hit her head or something.'
'That's not how it happened.'
'So what did happen?' When neither of them said anything, Donna exclaimed, 'Are you telling me she was murdered?'
'Why would you think that?' asked Michelle.
'Because if her heart didn't stop and she didn't hit her head and the police are investigating, what else is there?'
'What can you tell me about my mom's life here? Other people she knew? Things she did?'
Donna was staring off, her mouth moving but nothing coming out. Finally she said, 'If there's a killer loose…'
'Nobody said that was the case. Now, getting back to my mom.'
Donna gulped down the rest of her drink and said hurriedly, 'She had a lot of friends. All female as far as I knew. We did things together. Had fun. That was it.'
'Can I have their names?'
'Why?'
'Because I want to talk to them like I'm talking to you.'
'Are you investigating this?' She eyed Michelle nervously. 'Sally told me you used to be with the Secret Service. And that you're a private investigator now.'
'That's true. But all I am right now is a daughter who's lost her mother. Can I have those names?'
Donna gave them to her along with addresses and contact information.
As they drove off, Michelle's phone rang. She answered, listened, and then clicked off. 'Shit!'
'What is it?'
'That was my brother Bill. The cops just picked up my dad for questioning.'
CHAPTER 35
THEY DROVE with Bill Maxwell to the police station but despite Bobby's connection to the force they learned very little and ended up waiting in the lobby drinking bad vending machine coffee. Two hours before dawn Frank Maxwell, looking pale and worn, shuffled down the hall. He seemed surprised to see them.
Bill immediately put a hand around his father's shoulders. 'You okay, Pop? I can't believe they pulled this crap.'
'They were just doing their job, Billy. Just like you'd do.'
'What did they want?' Michelle asked.
'The usual wheres, whats, whys,' Frank said casually without looking directly at her.
'What did you tell them?' she said.
Now he gave her a hard stare. 'The truth.'
Michelle drew closer to her father. 'Which was?'
Bill stepped between them and put a hand on his sister's shoulder. 'Will you just back off? Mom's funeral is this afternoon, for God's sake.'
'I know that,' Michelle shot back, tugging his hand free. 'What did you tell them, Dad?'
'That's between them and me. And my lawyer.'
'Your lawyer?' gasped Bill.
'I'm being investigated. I need a lawyer.'
'But you didn't do anything.'
'Don't be stupid, Billy. Innocent men have gone to jail before, you and I both know that. I'm entitled to counsel like everybody else.'
They drove home together, Frank and Bill Maxwell in the back. Neither of them said a word the whole way.
Later, as Sean was leaving the Maxwells' house to go to his hotel, he told Michelle, 'Why don't you watch your dad and I'll take the list of friends and try to hit some before the funeral?'
'No, I'll go with you. We can do it afterwards.'
'But your family-'
'He's got my four brothers. I doubt he'll even miss me. It might be a good thing since we're not exactly hitting it off.'
'Okay, I'm going to grab a few hours' sleep.'
'Me too,' she said.
Back at his hotel Sean raided the minibar, slept for four hours, then made some phone calls. Tuck Dutton had
