“George?” Mary leaned closer. “What about him?”
“He owns his own business, doing private consulting work, according to his website. He’s been married twice. Both wives died.” Bert felt his stomach tighten as he read. “First wife died in a car accident twenty years ago. Second wife died of a sudden heart attack ten years ago.”
“That’s...” Mary’s voice trailed off. “That doesn’t make him suspect.”
“Maybe,” Bert agreed. “But Sadie’s instincts are pinging. Widowed twice, both were wealthy in their own right, all of whom left everything to George.”
Mary was quiet for a long moment. “You think George might be the one we should be watching?”
“I think we need to consider the possibility.” Bert pulled up another file. “You said George sought out Diane on day one. He’s been very attentive, very friendly. Playing cards together, discussing books, spending time alone when Colin isn’t watching.”
“But he got food poisoning,” Mary pointed out. “That could have been Colin trying to keep him away from Diane.”
“Or he could have been pretending. It could have been George creating a reason for Colin to let his guard down.” Bert rubbed his face, exhaustion and concern warring in his chest. “If George is running a scam, he might target Colin as the sole heir.”
Mary’s expression was troubled. “That’s terrifying. Diane could lose everything, including her life, and we have no idea who to be suspicious of.”
“Which means we need to move faster.” Bert checked his messages.
“But, in truth, we don’t actually know that Diane is being harmed or threatened. She could just be someone with a caring but overbearing nephew and an unfortunate man as a suitor.”
“That’s why we’re investigating. Remember… suspicions of a threat can be just as important as knowledge that a threat has actually occurred.”
She nodded slowly. “You’re right. I just hope we don’t make things worse. Like Colin is innocent, and we cast doubt on him.”
“But Mary, if either man is targeting Diane, and if either of them realizes we’re onto them...”
“We become threats that need to be eliminated,” Mary finished grimly.
Bert pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Then we stay alert. We don’t go anywhere alone. We keep up the engaged couple act, which gives us a reason to be together constantly. And we trust that Logan and the team will come through before anything happens.”
“I hate waiting,” Mary said, leaning into his warmth. “I hate knowing Diane might be in danger and not being able to do anything about it.”
“We are doing something. We’re building a case. We’re keeping eyes on both Colin and George. We’re working the case until authorities can intervene.” Bert tilted her chin up so he could see her eyes. “And we’re keeping each other safe too. That’s not nothing.”
“No,” Mary agreed. “It’s not nothing.”
They spent the next hour reviewing Sadie’s research, building timelines, and documenting everything they’d observed over the past few days.
But tonight, at this moment, with the woman he loved safe in his arms, Bert allowed himself to simply be grateful. Grateful that Mary had taken a chance on him.
27
“We should get some sleep,” Bert said eventually, noting the time. “Tomorrow’s another shore excursion. We need to be alert.”
“Agreed.” Mary rolled to the drawers and pulled out her pajamas. She then rolled into the bathroom and closed the door. Once inside, she looked into the mirror. She no longer saw just a woman in a wheelchair, but a woman in love with a man who loved her back.
“I’m going to talk to headquarters,” he called out.
“Sounds good,” she replied, knowing he would be on his computer for a while. She washed her face, moisturized, brushed her teeth, then wiggled around in her wheelchair, first undressing and then getting into her pajamas. When she emerged, Bert smiled, set his laptop down, and then headed into the bathroom, kissing the top of her head on the way.
Mary stared at the bed as she wheeled closer. The bed was big enough for both of them, but barely. They’d shared it last night, though they had claimed to start on their own sides. Tonight, there was no pretense of separate sleeping arrangements. They were together. They’d admitted they loved each other. Sharing a bed was the natural next step.
She sighed, then wheeled beside the bed and put on the hand brakes. Once in place, she hefted out of the chair and, with minimal difficulty, sat on the side of the bed. She then turned at the waist and, using her hand, positioned each leg on top of the mattress.
Before she was able to get into place, the bathroom door opened, and Bert walked out. His gaze met hers, and he walked closer. He was in a T-shirt and loose boxers, and she just stared at all his male beauty on display.
“Can I help you get comfortable?”