"Yes. You were researching his last name, but I have since found out."
"His last name is Hawthorn." Curtis shut the file cabinet drawer.
"Yes, what do you know about him?"
"He is from Kingston; he's a widower, with three children."
"What happened to his wife?" Hayley sat down.
"My father did say something about her being ill for a year or so before she died. I was rumored that he was in love with another woman and planned to marry her, but it didn't work out for some reason."
"I am sure it was Maddie."
Mr. Singleton's eyes widened again, and he snapped his fingers. "Oh and there was something about his sister dying in a tragic fire, along with his newborn niece."
"That would be a horrible thing, to have lost a wife, sister and a niece."
"My father says nothing is known about Thor's brother-in-law. Perhaps he is responsible for the fire that killed his wife and infant."
"That would be horrible!" Hayley was startled by the assumption. "Maybe that is why Thor was arguing with my father. He may know something about him. Since Mr.
Hawthorn works for my father, it is possible Thor's brother-in-law did too."
Mr. Singleton stood up and walked around the desk.
"You think it's possible your father is trying to protect Mr.
Hawthorn's brother-in-law?"
"I wish I knew the relationship between my father, Maddie and Thor."
"You believe the connection between Maddie and Thor is that they have been married?"
"It's obvious, since they have the same last name, and he admitted to me, they are in love."
"What if Mr. Hawthorn's sister was killed and after investigating, he found that your father knows the murderer." Curtis rubbed his chin. "Since Maddie is employed by your father, I have to wonder if she knows anything about Mr. Hawthorn's sister and what happened to her, the baby and her husband. Curtis sighed.
"Do you believe she knows something?"
"It's only a guess. There are some facts to consider."
"What facts?"
"The brother-in-law may not exist, because he has not been found."
"But you said my father may have been protecting him."
"We have to consider the fact that the brother-in-law doesn't exist?"
"How can we find out for sure?"
"Perhaps your answers are with Maddie."
"Yes, and I can certainly mention that I spoke with Mr.