was easy-we never filed a joint tax return. She never changed her name. I thought it was a feminist thing, but now I wonder if she ever intended to stay with me.”
“Did that bother you?” said Milo.
“Why should it? The whole marriage didn’t feel like a marriage. More like a one-night stand that stretched out. I’m not saying I didn’t respect Claire as a person. She was a terrific woman. Considerate, kind. That was the only downer: I liked her-as a person. And I know she liked me. My first wife was twenty when she left me, we’d been together eleven months and she tried to enslave me for the rest of my life. Claire was so damn decent. I wouldn’t have minded remaining her friend.
But it just didn’t go down that way…. I can’t understand why anyone would want to hurt her.”
He rubbed his eyes.
“When did you move to San Diego?” said Milo.
“Right after the divorce. A job opportunity came up, and I’d had it with L.A., couldn’t wait to get out.”
“Fed up with the smog?” said Milo.
“The smog, the congestion, the crime. I wanted to live near the beach, found myself a little rental near Del Mar. The first year, Claire and I exchanged Christmas cards, then that stopped.”
“Did Claire have any enemies you were aware of?” said Milo.
“No way. I never saw her offend anyone-maybe some nutcase at County got an idea in his head, stalked her or something. I still remember those drunks leering, smelling of barf, leaking all over the place when they walked. I couldn’t see how Claire could work with them. But she was real business like about it, giving them these tests, doing research. Nothing grossed her out. I’m no expert, but I’d concentrate on County.”
He folded his handkerchief and Milo and I used the split second to exchange glances.
Stargill didn’t know about the job switch to Starkweather. Or wanted us to think he didn’t.
Milo shook his head. Don’t bring it up now.
He said, “How much is owed on the house, Mr. Stargill?” Quick change of context. It throws people off balance. Stargill actually stepped backward.
“Around fifty thousand. By now the payments are mostly principal; I was thinking of paying it off.”
“Why’s that?”
“Not much of a tax deduction anymore.”
“Who gets the property in the event of Dr. Argent’s death?”
Stargill studied him. Buttoned his coat. “I wouldn’t know.”
“So you and she didn’t have any agreement-in the event of her demise, it reverts to you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“And so far, no will’s turned up-do you have a will, sir?”
“I do. Why is that relevant, Detective Sturgis?”
“Just being thorough.”
Stargill’s nostrils expanded. “I’m the ex, so I’m a suspect? Oh, come on.” He laughed. “What’s the motive?” Laughing again, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked on his heels-a courtroom gesture. “Even if I did get the house, three hundred thousand equity, tops. One of the things I did when I moved to S.D. was invest in seaside property. I’ve got a net worth of six, seven million, so murdering
Claire for another three, before taxes, would be ludicrous.”
He walked to the bare kitchen counter and rubbed the Formica. “Claire and I were never enemies. I couldn’t have asked for a better ex-wife, so why the hell would I hurt her?”
“Sir,” said Milo, “I have to ask these questions.”
“Sure. Fine. Ask. Hearing about Claire made me sick to my stomach. I felt this stupid urge to do something-to be useful. That’s why I drove up, brought you all the documents. I should’ve figured you’d see me as a suspect, but still it’s…”
Shrugging, he turned his back on us. “All I can say is, glad it’s your job and not mine. Anything else you want to quiz me on?”
I said, “What can you tell us about Claire’s family background, her social life?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing about her family?”
“Never met her family. All I know is she was born in Pittsburgh, did undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh, went to Case Western for her Ph.D. Only reason I know that is I saw her diplomas in her office. She refused to talk about her past.”