CHAPTER 3

Matt ran by his office to talk to CJ about the lawsuits against the two surgeons. He also took her a couple of bear claws that he had picked up at the bakery when he got the doughnuts. As they settled in on the couch in front of BABY, the computer that they used in their investigations, Matt leaned over and kissed his wife and nibbled on her earlobe.

"Oh boy, bear claws and nibbles. How am I supposed to concentrate on the lawsuits, Matt?" She smiled over at him and he gave her one of those looks – the wiggly eyebrows followed by a devilish smile – and she just had to laugh.

"Be strong, dear." He gave her a peck on the cheek and she leaned forward and brought up the information that Hoyt had sent.

"Well, let's see here… Dr. Siler has been sued four times…the first time was in 1990 and the last was…two years ago. Nothing really unusual, doctors get sued quite frequently. That's why it costs so much for an office visit. Malpractice insurance is pricey. Of course so are student loans for med school." She tapped a few more keys. "Dr. Belieu has been sued twice…not bad. The first was in 2001 and the second in 2004. Once again, nothing unusual. Both doctors settled out of court, but that's usually how it's handled." She leaned back on the couch and took a bite out of the bear claw. "I really shouldn't be eating this Matt, but it is sooooo good!"

"Nonsense. You look great – good enough to eat in fact." He nibbled on her ear again. "Alright, give me a kiss, time to get some work done." He stood up and turned to start over the back of the couch like he always did, but he stopped and looked at CJ, smiling.

"What?" She took another bite.

"Nothing. Love you, babe." He gave her another peck on the cheek and headed for the elevator whistling a tune. "See ya later, Chris!" He was in the elevator and gone.

Down in the parking garage, Matt got behind the wheel of his truck and backed out of his parking space. As he drove toward Dr. Belieu's house, he wondered once again how CJ would look with a baby bump. One of these days… he thought to himself.

He found the doctor's house in an affluent neighborhood not too far from the office. It was on the edge of Beverly Hills. As he pulled up in front of the two story plantation-style house, he thought of how much it reminded him of New Orleans. Then he thought about the man's name – Belieu, and had a feeling that the good doctor might well be from Louisiana. Ringing the doorbell, Matt felt bad for having to come talk to the recently widowed lady, but knew that in a murder investigation it was better to get on the trail of the killer as quickly as possible. The door was answered by a maid who showed him into the living room. She went to see if Mrs. Belieu would talk to him. While he waited, Matt looked around and his idea about the doctor was confirmed: there were pictures of him and a lady that he figured must be his wife that were taken in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He heard a sound behind him and turned to see the same lady standing in front of him.

"Mrs. Belieu? My name's Matt Houston. I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this, but I'm a private investigator consulting with the LAPD on the death of your husband. You have my sincerest sympathies, ma'am." He shook the petite hand that was offered to him.

"Yes, a Lt. Hoyt called to tell me that you would be stopping by today." She sniffled into a handkerchief and sat on the sofa. "Please, have a seat Mr. Houston. Can I offer you something - coffee, perhaps?"

"Thank you, ma'am – no. Do I detect a New Orleans accent?" He gave her a faint smile that was returned.

"Yes, my husband and I both grew up just outside of New Orleans – Napoleonville to be exact." She smiled, stood, and crossed the room to point at one of the pictures that Matt had been looking at. "This was taken the day we were engaged." She picked up the picture that had been resting on the mantle. "Jackson Square was one of our favorite places."

"I've spent a little time there myself. But it has been a few years back."

"Since we're on the subject of accents, I believe you're from East Texas, is that right?" Mrs. Belieu sat back down on the couch.

"Yes ma'am. I was raised just outside of Houston."

"And your name is Houston? You wouldn't by chance be related to a Bill Houston would you?"

"Yes ma'am. He was my dad." Matt had only revealed who his real father was to a couple of people. He still claimed Bill for his dad. "He passed away almost three years ago."

"Well I'm sorry to hear that. He and my father had some business dealings when I was a girl – very nice man." She looked back down at her wedding ring.

"I guess I should get to the point of my visit, Mrs. Belieu." Matt leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

"Please call me Sylvie."

"Alright, Miss Sylvie." Matt smiled at her again. "I was wondering if your husband had mentioned having any problems with anyone lately – a patient, another doctor, someone he worked with by chance?"

"No, he never seemed to have too many problems like that. My husband was a very caring man, Mr. Houston. He believed in giving back. Most of his summers were spent doing surgeries for charitable causes. He traveled to Africa, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, just to name a few. And as far as other doctors or people that he worked with, no, I don't believe so. He was very well liked."

"Can you think of anyone who would have a grudge against him in any way?" Matt was fast running out of ideas. The man sounded like he would be on the fast-track to sainthood.

"No, not at all. That's why it's just so hard to believe that he's gone." She started crying again.

"Well Mrs. Belieu – Sylvie – I want you to know that I will be doing my very best to try to find out who did this to your husband." He stood and started toward the door. "I'll see myself out. Again, my condolences ma'am." He walked on through the living room and back out of the front door.

Matt called CJ. "Hey babe, I've got a question for you: when is Dr. Siler's funeral?"

CJ clicked on the obituary for the man. "Um, today, as a matter of fact at 1:00. Might not be the best day to interview the widow."

"Yeah, that thought just occurred to me. Where is it supposed to be?"

"At Forrest Lawn. Planning on going?"

"I believe I will. Sometimes you can pick up on things at a victim's funeral. Want to go with me?"

"Oh boy, what a date." She giggled. "Sure, I can do that. You aren't planning on going in those blue jeans that you have on are you?"

"No, I'm about to swing by the office and change. See you in a few. Love you." He hung up.

CJ hung up the phone and sat there smiling. When Matt had first started the detective agency he was always wearing a suit – unless he was working on the ranch. These days he rarely wore anything other than blue jeans, button down collar shirts, and boots. Of course he had worn boots back in the old days as well. She looked down at the outfit that she was wearing. "Better quit daydreaming and get yourself changed." She went downstairs and looked through the outfits that were in the closet, finally choosing one that was a little more forgiving. Matt had told her that she looked great earlier, but she felt like she had gained a few pounds recently. Promising herself to cut back on the pastries, she got dressed.