“Why is his name on the list?” Penelope asked.
“He was questioned because the crime happened on his property,” Doyle said.
“Was he ever involved in anything…shady?” Penelope asked. She thought about Ruby’s death, reading about her fragile final days, in love with a powerful married man.
“I mean,” Doyle began. “I don’t know of any developers that don’t rub up against the…let’s say more shady characters in our city. It’s hard to keep away from organized crime doing that kind of business. You got your contractors, union guys…you know.”
“He would’ve been quite old by the time Mr. Sotheby was killed,” Penelope said with a sigh. “Maybe someone else on here…”
“That’s a copy,” Doyle said. “For you to take. Anything confidential has been redacted, but it’s not much. Like I say, it’s an old case.”
“Thanks,” Penelope said.
“I know there are groups, online like,” Doyle said. “True crime bloggers, who talk about these kinds of cases. I know you like to poke around in things. I think this is safe enough for me to go ahead and tell you…maybe join up with one of those groups and see what you can find out.”
“Thanks,” Penelope said, surprised.
“Just do me a favor and stay out of trouble.”
Chapter 69
Doyle walked her to the door of the station and she gave him a quick hug on the other side of the door.
“You have plans for the holidays?” Penelope asked.
“Yeah, my daughter will be home from college,” Doyle said. “It will be nice to take a break with the family. You?”
“I’ll be with family too,” Penelope said.
“That reminds me,” Doyle said. “I got you something.”
He handed her a red foil envelope.
“Thanks,” Penelope said. “I didn’t know we were exchanging gifts or I would’ve brought something for you.”
“Go on,” Doyle said. “See you soon, okay? But not too soon.”
Penelope laughed and walked toward her car, the sound of the door closing behind her. She pulled her coat tightly around her as she trotted down the subway stairs, welcoming the warmth of the underground station. Once she was seated on the train, she pulled the envelope from her bag and slipped her finger under the flap, opening it.
It was a Christmas card, a picture of holly on the front. A photograph of a woman had been tucked inside. She was wearing a ballet outfit, and was mid-twirl in a studio, a barre running the length of the wall behind her. Little girls in pink tutus copied her pose, their little feet held aloft in ballet slippers.
A note fell into Penelope’s lap and she opened it. She put a hand over her mouth and read the letter.
Elspeth Connor is alive and well, living the life she dreamed of in an unspecified location. She has changed her name and chosen to remain anonymous, does not want to return to her home, which she says was abusive. The Connor family has been notified. She offered Cassie Chadwick, who she met during a dance competition, a lump sum of money to assume her identity and continue the ruse of Elspeth living a life in New York. She feels terrible about what happened to Cassie Chadwick.
Elspeth Connor is of age and is not in violation of any laws. She wanted to remove herself from an abusive home, and never thought her father would set foot in New York, and especially the Vitrine Theater, but was convinced he’d attempt to try and bring her home eventually, wherever she went. Since we spoke, she has decided to relocate again. Her current whereabouts are unknown.
The letter was unsigned, but Penelope whispered a thanks to Detective Doyle.
The train pulled into Penelope’s destination, and she stood up, tucking the card, photo, and letter into her bag.
Chapter 70
Penelope stepped into the kitchen and smiled at Brandi, who was opening the day’s mail and jotting notes in a planner she had open on the counter.
“Good to see you, Penelope,” Brandi said. She looked relaxed in a black long-sleeved t-shirt and jeans.
“How are things going today?” Penelope asked.
“You know,” Brandi said. “Same. Wedding planners lining up to get five minutes with Arlena. I told them they all have to wait until after this engagement party is over. I tell you one thing, if half the folks on this list of potential guests RSVP in the positive, they’re going to have one big gala event.”
Penelope laughed. “I think that’s what Arlena is hoping for.”
“Well, if that’s what the lady wants, she should have it. That’s my motto,” Brandi said with a smile.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Penelope said.
“Me too,” Brandi said. “It’s funny how things come along right when you need them.”
Up in her room, Penelope read the email on her phone for the fifth time, then she pressed Joey’s number and listened to the rings.
“Hey,” Joey said. Penelope could hear a crowd behind him, and the faint notes of a Christmas carol. “Where are you?”
“I’m home,” Penelope said. “Arlena’s got enough footage for the moment, so she’s giving the crew a break. I won’t be back at the theater again, actually. I’ve gotten another job, and Arlena thinks I should take it. It’s a big bid that I didn’t think I’d get.”
“Oh that’s great, Penny,” Joey said. “I’m not going to lie and say I’m sorry to hear you won’t be down there anymore. Even though it’s all been resolved.”
Penelope pulled Richard Sotheby’s file from her bag and set it on her comforter. “Most of it has been resolved.”
“So, where’s this job? You’re not starting before the holidays are over, are you?” Joey asked.
“No,” Penelope said. “We can talk about it when I see you later. I’ll make dinner at your place.”
“Okay,” Joey said, relived. “I can’t wait to see you. Hey, I gotta run, gonna grab this cab and head back to Jersey.”
“Be safe coming home. See you in a couple of hours,” Penelope said.
When he hung up she looked at the email again, the acceptance letter to the bid she’d filled out months earlier, then assumed she hadn’t gotten. She stared at the location, Los Angeles, and the dollar amount next to the word ACCEPTED. It was more than three times the amount she’d ever been paid on a job, underwritten by a major production company. Estimated length of project, six months. Housing covered for her and her team. It was the kind of job she dreamed about when she founded her company.
Penelope thought about the houses she and Joey had looked at together, and about how much nicer of a home they could buy together after this job. She thought about what it would be like to marry Joey, start a family with him, and how opportunities like this one wouldn’t be available to her if she had young children at home.
Penelope sighed and stood up, leaving her phone and bag on her bed, and headed downstairs to her kitchen.
About the Author
Shawn Reilly Simmons was born in Indiana, grew up in Florida, and began her professional career in New York City as a sales executive after graduating from the University of Maryland with a BA in English. Since then Shawn has worked as a bookstore manager, fiction editor, convention organizer, wine consultant and caterer. She has been on the Board of Directors of Malice Domestic since 2003 and is a founding member of The Dames of Detection. Cooking behind the scenes on movie sets perfectly combined two of her great loves, movies and food, and provides the inspiration for her series.
The Red Carpet Catering Mystery Series
by Shawn Reilly Simmons
MURDER ON A SILVER PLATTER (#1)
MURDER ON THE HALF SHELL (#2)
MURDER ON A DESIGNER DIET (#3)
MURDER IS THE MAIN COURSE (#4)
MURDER ON THE ROCKS (#5)
MURDER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS (#6)
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MURDER WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS Page 22
