Boss Man. Diana Palmer

to beautiful women even as he got older. I’m sorry, Violet,” she added, patting her daughter’s thigh. “But parents are human, too. Arthur did love you, and he tried to be a good father, even if he wasn’t a good husband.”

      Violet clenched her teeth. She could only imagine how it would have felt to her, if she’d been married and her husband thought nothing of having affairs with other women.

      “By the time Arthur started straying,” Mrs. Hardy continued, “I was too fragile to leave him and strike out on my own. There was Violet, who needed both her parents and a stable environment. And I could no longer take care of myself. Arthur paid a price to stay with me, under the circumstances. I don’t really blame him for what he did.”

      She did, though, and it showed. Violet hugged her close. “I blame him,” she murmured.

      “So do I,” Kemp said, surprisingly firm. “Any honorable man would have asked for a divorce before getting involved with another woman.”

      “Why, you Puritan,” Mrs. Hardy accused with a smile.

      “I’ve got company,” he jerked his thumb at Violet.

      Mrs. Hardy laughed. She folded her hands in her lap. “Okay, so we’ve settled that Arthur probably had an affair with Janet Collins and she may have been responsible for his death. But unless he’s exhumed, and an autopsy done, we can’t prove it. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it, Mr. Kemp?”

      “You’re amazing, Mrs. Hardy,” Kemp replied with admiration in his pale blue eyes.

      “I’m perceptive. Ask Violet.” The smile faded. “When do you want to do it?”

      “As soon as possible. I’ll make the arrangements, if you’re willing. There will be papers to sign. It may make news as well.”

      “I can manage. So can Violet,” Mrs. Hardy assured him, smiling up at her daughter.

      “I can,” Violet assured him. “We’ll both do whatever’s necessary. Whatever Daddy did, she had no right to kill him.”

      “Very well.” Kemp got up from the sofa and shook hands with Mrs. Hardy one last time. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I’ve got things underway. You’re taking this very well.”