“Yes, and I heard it again from Darrin in the barn. He mentioned wanting to see a DNA test.”
“And did Darrin mention a name, an age, anything that might tell us more?”
Simone shook her head. “I’ve told you—and the police—everything I know. Now, please leave me alone. I’ve just become a widow, with a baby that will never know his father. I need a chance to grieve.”
Sam might have asked her about the bruise on her face. But he’d seen other such bruises, and he knew where they came from. For now, he would spare her the humiliation.
His thoughts churned as he left the hospital and drove back to the hotel. If Simone’s story could be believed, the FBI murder case had a new suspect—Frank Culhane’s illegitimate son. But what were the odds that such a person even existed? The story could be a dead end—a staged prank or a scheme to extort something from Darrin.
Or the phone call to Darrin could have been the real thing, in which case, the caller had to be found. Since he’d requested a meeting, he was likely close by. With so many people here for the big event, searching the crowds would be a waste of time—and time was running out. If Frank’s son existed, there had to be a way to lure him into the open.
Sam took the elevator back to his room and prepared to call Jasmine. She’d been hurt and angry when they’d last parted. He wanted to set things right. But that might have to happen later.
He placed the call. The phone rang once, twice, then a third time. She probably didn’t want to talk to him. But if she didn’t pick up, the next call would be from the sheriff.
He was composing a voicemail in his head when she answered. “If you’re calling to apologize, Sam, you can save your breath. I’m not ready to listen to your excuses.”
“This is something else, Jasmine. Something hard, but I wanted to be the one to tell you.”
“This had better be good.”
“I’m sorry, Jasmine. Darrin’s dead. He was killed in the night—killed by a horse.”
“Darrin always hated horses.” She spoke in a flat voice, as if reading a line from a book.
He gave her the facts in a few short sentences. She listenedwithout a word, but he could hear her breathing. “Are you all right?” he asked her.
“You know I never got along with Darrin,” she said. “But he was my brother—the only one who understood about our crazy parents. It’s like … like part of me is missing. Oh, Sam.”
He could sense her crumbling. If he could, he would have taken her in his arms. “Your mother will need to know,” he said. “I’ll call her if you want me to. Or you can call her yourself.”
“My mother has gone off the radar, Sam. You know she was involved with Louis Divino.”
“I suspected it. I didn’t know for sure. Maybe I didn’t want to know. But Divino’s dead. His body was found in Lake Travis.”
“I know. I can’t tell you the story now; but after Divino died, things got dangerous for her. She sent me away and disappeared. I’m hoping she was able to leave the country—or at least that she’s alive.”
“So you can’t even reach her to tell her about Darrin.”
“Mother wanted it that way. For our safety. She always liked you, Sam.”
He could feel the emotion in her voice. “I liked her, too,” Sam said, meaning it. He had liked Madeleine Culhane even while he was arresting her for murder, a charge that was later dropped.
“I’ve lost them all,” Jasmine said. “My father, my mother, and now my brother. At least Lila will get to keep that blasted house. I’ve never wanted the place. Too many memories.” She stifled a sob. “How is Simone, by the way?”
“She’s had a bad shock. But her doctor says the baby’s all right. I’m guessing once the funeral’s over, she’ll go home to her family.” Sam took a breath and changed the subject. “Jasmine, I’m sorry, but I need to ask you some questions.”
“Go ahead, Mr. FBI man. I expected this.” Sam couldn’t have missed the edge in her voice.
“This is about Frank,” he said. “Do you know of any children he might have fathered besides you and Darrin?”
“He never mentioned any. Neither did Mother. But Dad did get around, bless his heart. I like to think he was smart enough to use protection. But you know, things happen. He might not even have known. Why are you asking?”
“Simone said that Darrin got a call from a man claiming to be his half brother. Darrin was waiting to meet him when Simone threw his phone in the stall.”
“And you think that man may have killed my father?”
“Anything’s possible. I’m grasping at straws here.”