don’t care what other affairs happen.”
“So you think Delia was one of those affairs?”
“She would never say, but Howard—Mr. Moran—seems to pay a lot of attention to his employees when they go through divorces.”
Bates glanced at Scott. “Did he ‘pay attention’ to you when you got your divorce?”
Shawna met Bates’ gaze. “Oh, he started to.” She looked away. “He bought me a potted plant and took me to lunch once, but I didn’t want to get into that.” She uncrossed her legs. “One of the women who got into it with him lost her job when it was over.”
“How did he react when you turned him down?”
“He got real quiet when I told him I’d slap him with a sexual harassment lawsuit if he caused me any problems.”
Bates let a smile tweak his mouth. “You play hardball.”
“I do when I have to.”
“Would Delia have played hardball if she wanted to end it?” Scott spoke up.
She turned her attention to him. “I don’t think so.” She clasped her hands around her knees. Her nicely manicured nails made him think of Rica. Because she worked surgery and wore rubber gloves, she kept her nails short, though he knew she loved to have manicures. He’d have to encourage her to have one soon. Shawna went on. “Delia was kinda quiet, not so much a fighter, unless it involved her daughter.”
“Did she and her ex fight about the baby much?”
She sat in silence for a moment, thinking. “No, not really. They fought about money some, but he always seemed to want whatever Delia thought was best for the baby.”
“Why did they divorce if they got along so well?” Bates turned a page in his notebook.
“I think they wanted different things out of life.” She looked from one man to the other. “Delia was a sweet gal, much too smart for the job she had or for her husband. I think she just finally realized that his idea of the good life—beer and a motorcycle—was far different than hers, more like museums and fine cuisine.”
“Marriages have fallen apart on far less.”
“Did Mr. Moran approach Trish?” Scott’s gut kept him pursuing this line.
Shawna stared at him, deciding, he assumed, if she should betray a confidence. “You should ask her that,” she said finally, with her chin thrust out. Scott thought this formidable group would resemble a pack of she-wolves on the hunt. He suppressed a shiver.
“Could you give us a list of names of men that Delia went out with?”
“I don’t know all of them, but I’ll give you what I know. When do you need it?”
“Could you have it done by tomorrow morning?”
She nodded. “Of course. I should be at work tomorrow.”
Bates stood, closed his notebook, and offered his hand to Shawna. “Thank you, Ms. Turner.” She shook it without enthusiasm. “We’ll contact you if we have any further questions.”
Scott shook hands with her as well. Despite her bravado, there seemed to be a hint of fear in her eyes. She rose to let them out the door.
“That gave us some food for thought.” Bates followed Scott down the flagstones to their car.
“Yeah.” Scott opened the driver’s side door. “So shall we go back and interview Moran?”
“That and get the list of dates from Trish.” Bates slipped into the passenger seat. “Then we’ll need to follow up on that list, too.” He tapped his fingers on his notebook. “Should be easy enough to find out if Moran stayed in the office the day she disappeared.”
Chapter 9
Sandy looked up as they came back through the door. “Hey, guys.” Apparently, nothing bothered Sandy for long. “Who do you want to see now?”
“How about Mr. Moran?”
Sandy shook her head. “No can do. He’s at the Oklahoma plant until Friday.”
“Well, then, we’d like to talk to Trish again, if she’s available.” Scott waited by her counter, Bates silent at his side.
“I’ll buzz her.” Sandy pushed buttons on the phone console, spoke briefly and then looked up at him. “She’s free.