And there was that pesky thing Max craved called Truth. Truth with a capital T. Victoria’s murder had created a chain reaction over the last two months … no, actually, Denise Albright’s murder had created the chain reaction, because Max believed—but couldn’t prove—that Victoria was killed because if she knew her best friend was dead she would expose Harrison Monroe. That she would believe that Harrison had her killed and wouldn’t allow him to get away with it.

So he had her killed.

No, someone who knew Victoria killed her. Remember the crime scene. The evidence.

Maybe Harrison Monroe got his hands dirty for once.

Stay or go, she had to be honest with Grover Mills, so she drove out to Fredericksburg, arriving shortly after noon. Grover was surprised to see her. “Judith and I are sitting down for lunch; please join us.”

“I don’t want to intrude.”

“You came all this way from the city, and you are always welcome.”

Max followed Grover into the house. Judith was in the kitchen. She looked like she’d been ill for weeks and only recently regained her strength.

“Don’t get up,” Max said, and leaned over to kiss her cheek. “I’m sorry we couldn’t talk the other day.”

“I sleep too much,” Judith said. “I’m adjusting to a whole new life.”

Grover motioned for Max to take a seat, and then he dished her up a bowl of chili. “Nothing fancy, but I make a mean pot of chili. The bread is fresh, too.”

They ate while Judith talked about the bright spot in her life, that Jordan, her youngest, was expecting their first grandchild. “It’s a girl, and I couldn’t be happier for them,” she said. “We need joy, and babies bring such joy.”

Max dreaded believing that Simon was involved in this conspiracy. She didn’t think he killed Victoria or that he knew it would happen, but it was clear to her after their conversation that he knew—or suspected—who was responsible and why. Why wouldn’t he come forward? Was protecting whatever illegal activities he and Harrison Monroe were involved in that important?

At the end of the meal, Max said to Grover and Judith both, “The police and the FBI are now both investigating Victoria’s murder.”

“The FBI?”

“They believe that Victoria’s murder is connected to the death of Denise Albright and her family.”

Judith shook her head. “I saw the news report. Awful. I cannot imagine such a thing.”

“I’ve turned over everything I’ve learned in my own investigation, plus made a statement about what Stan Grant told me before he was released. I don’t know how much more I can be of help. I investigate cold cases—since Victoria’s murder is an active police investigation, I can watch but not really get involved.”