34. Kathy Keeps Her Focus

Kathy kept her expression neutral. He’d ‘forgotten’ that he’d had an intimate photo session with Catrina days before she died. Her jaw tensed, the pretzel she was holding snapped, but Ashbury didn’t notice.

Kathy brushed crumbs from her lap. “Did you ever see anybody else at the cottage with Catrina?” It was an awkward moment, the question sounded like an interrogation and he turned back sharply. She mentally kicked herself, but tipped her head and smiled innocently.

“I don’t remember,” he said stiffly. “Maybe. She had a few suitors, but nobody springs to mind.”

Kathy nodded and reached for her bag, then sat back as if she’d just had a thought. “I’d like to look at your pictures some time, if you’re open to that. Did you know I’m a judge for amateur photo contests the magazine runs at the high schools? The kids like seeing older film-based stuff, and you could be an inspiration to them.”

He studied her for a moment. “Might be interesting. I could let you see some. I don’t have them with me of course so we’ll have to have another date. I really wouldn’t want to bring them into work, could I could bring them to your office?”

“Good idea. Our conference room has good light and is closed off from the main office. We’ll be private there, no one can see in.” He looked happy with that.

“Does next week work for you? I can get some sorted out by then.”

His bland good humour had returned and Kathy was relieved. She had probed a little, he hadn’t shut down. He was willing to show and tell her more.

“Absolutely! Let me know when you can make it, I’ll provide coffee and doughnuts.” She asked one more question. “Did you take any recent photographs of Shaye?”

His mouth tightened and she was reminded of that corporate mask, but then he smiled, “Sadly I didn’t. The last ones I took of her were on the beach some time ago. I never got around to asking her approval to post them, so you won’t have seen them online. They’re not nudes,” he added hastily. “Just Shaye at the beach, in a bikini.”

Kathy filed this away. From what she’d seen, he often used a long lens, so his subjects wouldn’t necessarily be aware they were being photographed.

Two women had entered the room and were perched on nearby chairs, waiting for the comfy couches to be free. As he stood up, Ashbury gestured grandly to the vacant couches. His hand was again on Kathy’s waist as they headed for the door, and she resisted the urge to pull away.

...

Standing beside her car in the sunshine, she frowned. Grant Ashbury was pleasant enough, but something about him gave her the creeps. She’d go over it all on the drive home.    She turned the key in the ignition, flipped open her glove compartment and pawed through the contents looking for snacks. She was disappointed when all she found was a bag of stale airline pretzels.