Patricia Dusenbury - Claire Marshall 01 - A Perfect Victim Read Online Free Page A

couldn't
resist wishing her well when she called the bank."
    "About Frank?" Paul said. Had she actually tried to investigate his financial
situation?
    "No, no, no." Bobby answered the unspoken question. "Nothing like that. Her company's
doing some work for him, and they had a problem with one of his checks. I was happy to help. Have
you met her?"
    "Only briefly," Paul said. "But I'm aware of their plans to marry, and you're right. We
should call. Do you have her number?"
    "No, and when we spoke, she was in Michigan."
    "Jeanette said she returned today."
    "Really? I had the impression she was staying through the weekend." Bobby picked up the
phone book. "I like Claire, and she strikes me as a woman who'd have a listed number. Aha, here she
is." He dialed but hung up without speaking. "Her machine picked up, and I couldn't think of a
tactful message."
    The police called back to report that no one was home at the Palmer residence. A note on
the front door, dated Friday 3:30 pm, asked Frank to contact Claire. Paul relayed that information
along with a summary of Jeanette's romantic blather.
    "She thinks he's with Claire. If I hadn't cut her short, she'd still be mooing about glorious
romance. I don't understand how Frank puts up with that woman, much less why he employs her."
Actually, he did. Frank valued loyalty above all other virtues, and Jeanette personified it. If Frank
asked her to jump off a bridge, she'd ask which one.
    "This time, she might have a point," Bobby said.
    "Why do you say that?"
    "Claire planned to spend the weekend in Michigan, but she didn't. Frank planned to be
here, but he isn't. It's almost midnight, and we can't locate either of them. I'll bet they're together."
Bobby smiled. "I wouldn't be surprised if they've eloped."
    Paul walked over to the window and watched the rain pelting down while he considered
Bobby's words. He would never describe Frank as a romantic, nor could he imagine him skipping
this award, which was a triumph for an ambitious man from humble beginnings. Frank Palmer
cared deeply about his reputation, almost to the point of obsession, and he'd worked hard to attain
both social and financial success. Being named Citizen of the Year validated that success. He shook
his head.
    "I don't see it."
    "You know Frank. Once he's made up his mind to do something, he does it, and Claire
doesn't want a lot of fuss."
    "Perhaps you're right." He hoped not. Frank's will had been changed, but the prenuptial
agreement hadn't been finalized. Frank would be a fool to marry this impecunious young widow
without it. Nor was Paul reassured by Bobby's good opinion of Claire. Yes, she seemed like a
pleasant person, but neither one of them knew much about her, and Bobby trusted too readily. He
was president of the bank only because he inherited the position. He was far too easy-going to have
scratched his way to the top.
    "Don't look so gloomy," Bobby said. "The more I think about it, the more I think they're
together."
    "We've done what we can." Paul shrugged. "I'm ready to go home. I'll call if I hear anything.
You do the same."
    Paul was halfway home when he saw the implication of calling Melissa first, even though he
knew Frank intended to marry Claire. He chuckled and admitted he might just be the most cynical
man in New Orleans.

CHAPTER 4
Saturday, October 16, 1993
    Dawn had given way to morning, but the Garden District remained so still and silent it
could have been preserved in amber. Claire turned the key in the ignition and, when her engine
caught, felt as if she should apologize for the disturbance. The gravel driveway crunched under her
tires, compounding the offense. Across the street a man walking a small white dog looked up as if
surprised to see another human being. New Orleans is not an early-to-rise city, least of all on
Saturday.
    The bright blue Miata was Claire's only extravagance. She'd named the car Felicia because
sitting behind the wheel of the spiffy little roadster made her happy.