Broken Heart Attack

by James J Cudney

  “Well, I much prefer the old Kellan, even if he's a pain in my tuchus. The kind where it's so aggravating, I feel it radiating in every single limb to the point I want to throttle you with my bare hands. But of course, as the sheriff of this fine county, I would never do such a thing.” She tilted her head and smiled at me.

  I felt myself emit a tiny giggle. Was she trying to make me laugh as a way to help me feel better? “I didn't realize you were Jewish. Or did you borrow one of their words to make an eloquent point?”

  “Born and bred. My mother would tan my hide if she knew I was working today. It's the sabbath, you know.”

  “I assume criminals don't stop doing bad things because it's a Saturday, huh?”

  “They're worse on weekends. If I got paid for the number of times I took a call between Friday evening and Sunday morning, I'd be a rich lady,” April replied with a smirk. “Hopefully whatever's got you down will dissipate soon enough. We've got a murder to solve today. And as much as I like to berate you, I don't like seeing this side of you, Little Ayrwick. It's like kicking a puppy. And if I ever saw someone do that, I'm take 'em down with old Betsy here,” she said tapping the gun in her hip holster.

  April raised the volume on the television monitor and indicated Eustacia was starting to talk to her family. We both took seats in the recliners and watched them carefully. I had my cell phone in my hand ready to call at the appropriate time.

  Eustacia sat at the head of the table looking calm and collected. Millard, who had no idea that we were hiding nearby or that this was part of a set-up, sat to her right pruning a small plant on his lap. He either had little interest in the will or was trying to distract himself. With each clip, there was a delicate touch and clear sense of dedication to his craft.

  Further down that side of the table were Jennifer and Sam engaged in a quiet conversation. I couldn't hear their words, but based on Jennifer's caress of her belly, I assumed she'd told her nephew about the pregnancy. When Sam smiled, her eyes opened wide and she whispered 'shh' to keep him from saying anything. It seemed she didn't want to make it a major announcement at the family meeting.

  “What's going on over there?” demanded an irritated Ophelia. From past experience, she never let anyone keep her from knowing what was going on, nor did she like when her children had gotten too close to other people. She sat across the table from Jennifer to the left of her husband, Richard.

  It was the first time I'd seen him other than the brief moment at the funeral parlor when I was focused on other things. He scrolled through something on his cell phone looking up every ten seconds to see what was going on around him. He neither smiled or frowned. He looked more disconnected and bored, if anything.

  “That Taft fellow is certainly interesting, don't ya think?” April said as Eustacia asked everyone to settle down. “I've been doing some research on him. He makes frequent trips out to Los Angeles in support of the family business. Have you ever met him?”

  I shook my head. “No. Contrary to popular belief, us Braxtonites don't all know each other!” I managed a smile so she knew I was starting to feel a little better.

  “Yeah, well, I never trust those west coasters… a little too… well, let's just say it's different than a place like Wharton County where we're rooted in old-fashioned values and beliefs,” she said.

  “Like murderers?” I knew April hadn't meant it as a dig about LA, so I let it go. She was just used to our comfortable mid-west surroundings. “Never been there, I take it?”

  “Nope. But I might have to head out there soon enough. I stumbled upon a connection between Paddington Enterprises and an import/export business out in California called Castigliano International. Ever heard of it?” April casually shared while changing the position of the recliner so she could relax.

  I refused to look at her. Was she trying to hint about my connection to them? Did she know about Francesca turning up? “I've heard of it. How does it connect to the Paddingtons?” I asked feeling my heart begin to race.

  “I'm not sure. I received an anonymous tip last week about a business transaction between the two companies from a year ago while Timothy was in charge. The informant apparently thought there was something illegal going on and wanted me to investigate it.”

  We both stopped talking as Eustacia addressed the family. April's message had unnerved me. What did my in-laws have to do with Paddington Enterprises? If it'd happened a year ago, that's roughly when Charles died and Timothy was about to be removed from the company by the Board of Directors.

  Lilly was the first to speak after Eustacia told everyone they were there to discuss Gwendolyn's will. She sat next to her sister, Dana, on the other side of their father, Richard. “What's this all about, Aunt Eustacia? I don't understand why you called us last-minute and demanded we show up today. This better not be a waste of my time.”

  Ophelia leaned over Richard to pat her daughter's arm. “Let's wait to see what she wants, hon.”

  Dana asked, “And where's Uncle Timothy? How come he gets to avoid this meeting?” I thought it was a good question despite the arrogance oozing from the girl.

  “Your grandmother died, young lady. The least you can do is keep your mouth quiet while we discuss her final words before she got called back to Heaven. Honestly, Ophelia… your daughters are both as spoiled as you were as a child. My parents are rolling over in the graves at what you've let them become.” Eustacia banged her cane on the floor and shouted again, “Enough! I don't want to hear from any of you until I've shared some important news.”

  Eustacia informed everyone that a second, newer will had been located. As she told them about Gwendolyn's last-minute changes the day before she died, April and I searched everyone's faces and mannerisms to see if we could learn anything they might be trying to hide.

  Ophelia reached for Richard's hand and leaned forward with a semi-shocked expression on her face. He gently pulled her back and patted her wrist. It might have been a normal reaction to learning unexpected news. Millard's ears perked up, and he stopped pruning the leaves on the plant. He opened his mouth to speak but then thought better of it. Jennifer looked disinterested. Sam, Dana, and Lilly all sat back in their chairs with alarmed expressions.

  “Unfortunately, there will be a delay in getting to read the new will,” Finnigan added. He was sitting opposite Eustacia at the other end of the table with his back to the camera. “Gwendolyn mailed the will to someone else, but I assure you it is valid. I reviewed it with her the day before she died. She wanted to make one final change that night, which she did. I asked her to drop it off the next day, but she was worried about being able to meet me on Sunday since she was attending the opening of King Lear that afternoon. Instead, she mailed it to a friend for safe-keeping. I'm not exactly sure why she didn't mail it to me, but we'll need to get the final version from him.” It was a long-shot explanation, but we had to try it.

  “That's outrageous,” Lilly stood and yelled. “Why would she do such a stupid thing?”

  Richard reached for his daughter's hand. “Your grandmother was a bit of an eccentric. Let the lawyer talk so we can find out what happens next.”

  “Eccentric? She was a certified nutcase. You should've had her committed years ago,” Dana added while crossing her arms and huffing as she slid down the chair into a sulk.

  “Don't say such repulsive things, Dana” Ophelia chastised. “No one in this family belongs in a psychiatric ward!”

  It was my queue to call. Eustacia placed the office phone on speaker so everyone could hear. “Hello, is that you, Kellan?”

  “Yes, I'm here. Is this still the right time?” I replied.

  Eustacia confirmed and explained to everyone that the package was locked in Paddington's Play House office but had been addressed to me. Jennifer laughed when she heard the news, then turned to Sam to shrug her shoulders. Richard and Ophelia whispered something I couldn't hear.

  “I received the package last night when I stopped at Paddington's P
lay House. When I realized it was Gwendolyn's will, I called Finnigan to let him know what I'd found. Unfortunately, I left it locked in the office and had to head out of town for today. I'll be back tomorrow and can drop it off with him.”

  Finnigan added, “Correct. I will validate the will and we can re-convene again on Monday to go through it once I've had a chance to understand the final updates Gwendolyn made.”

  “Can't Kellan tell us what it says? That makes more sense,” Sam added. He sounded genuine, but I hadn't been able to get a solid read on him since we'd met the previous week. “It's already hard enough thinking about Grandmother being gone, but to delay this any further seems a little excessive.”

  “I agree. I don't understand what he has to do with our family anyway. I'm the one in the theater. Why couldn't Grandmother make me the representative. Why's Kellan in our business so much these days? Is he trying to steal the family money?” Dana growled.

  “Exactly! This is ridiculous. Do something, Daddy,” Lilly exclaimed. “I'm done here. I don't want to hear anything else until the situation is under control. Mom's the oldest, she should be in charge.”

  Millard rushed over to stop Lilly from leaving. “Listen, young lady. I've been through this many times before. I know how hard it is, but your behavior is inappropriate. I suggest you sit down and wait until we have further instructions.” He turned to Finnigan and said, “Can't someone else get the document right now, so we can close this out today? It seems urgent.”

  “Unfortunately, that won't work. Gwendolyn's will was enclosed in another envelope specifically addressed to Finnigan Masters. I didn't open that one,” I said looking back at the sheriff and nodding. “I asked Finnigan the same question, but since the initial envelope was addressed to me, I need to hand it off to Gwendolyn's attorney or executor so there isn't any question about the authenticity of the will or that anything was altered since my receipt. I will be back tomorrow to hand deliver it to Finnigan.”

  I hung up the phone after listening to everyone disagree and express their frustrations. They were all planning to attend the King Lear performance that afternoon since they'd never gotten to see it in its entirety the first time when Gwendolyn died during the second half. The sheriff remained behind to finish listening to the conversation, and I rushed off to Paddington's Play House. I was meeting Officer Flatman to hide out in the office in case anyone tried to break in to steal the will.

  On the drive, I called Nana D to let her know what had happened. “I'm proud of you, brilliant one. You put yourself in the middle of this debacle and found a way to trap the killer,” Nana D said.

  “Let's hope. I couldn't get a feel from the room. Everyone was upset, but it could've been that we wasted their time or they didn't care about the money,” I replied pulling into the parking lot.

  “What about Brad Shope? Have you talked to him yet?”

  “I'm going to call him after I hang up with you and ask him to meet me at the theater. He doesn't know anything about the will, but if Brad's working with someone in the family, he or she probably notified him already.” If Brad was conspiring with someone, he might be concerned that I wasn't out of town, but I'd find a way to dance around that issue if he brought it up. It would tell me someone went running to him as soon as the meeting had finished.

  “Do you think Brad will try to steal the will or ask questions about it while he's with you at Paddington's Play House?” Nana D asked.

  “The sheriff couldn't come up with a way to tip off Brad about the new will, so she told me to invite him over afterward. It covers all our bases, but it might not amount to much in the end.”

  Nana D repeatedly made an excited noise. “I almost forgot to tell you. I talked to Sam. He's definitely hiding someone. He had a date and couldn't chat, but he wanted to talk about something. He said his grandmother told him to trust me if he ever needed help.”

  “I wonder what that's about. Do you think he accidentally did something to Gwendolyn and might confess to you?” I asked not wanting to believe he had crossed such a horrific line.

  “I don't think so, but he had something important he wanted to share. Let's see what happens as a result of this trap you've set. Besides, if you don't solve it today, we'll come up with another plan. I'm starting to like solving crimes with you, Kellan,” Nana D teased.

  “It is exciting, huh? Although, the sheriff seems to know something she's not telling me. I have a feeling she already knows the killer's identity. She mentioned something about the Paddington family doing business with the Castigliano family.” I still couldn't figure out the connection, but I knew it was important. Part of me wanted to call my in-laws, but I worried it could cause a bigger issue. I also assumed Francesca had already told them I wouldn't be returning to LA. Incurring their wrath was not something I looked forward to.

  “It's a good thing you decided to move back to Braxton. It's a better thing you're getting away from those people. I never cared for them much. They'll bring you down, and no one hurts my grandson except me!” Nana D laughed once she finished speaking. I desperately wanted to tell her about Francesca being alive. She would tell me I did the right thing by staying in Braxton.

  “I gotta go, Nana D. The sheriff is calling,” I said before hanging up to accept April's call. “Everything okay?”

  The sheriff said, “Yep. You did well. Richard and Ophelia left together. Sam's outside talking to Eustacia. Jennifer and Millard went to that room with the flowers. I saw them as I sneaked outside.”

  “You mean the Great Hall. What about Lilly and Dana? Did you hear their nasty remarks?” I said.

  “I've got a name for people like them,” April taunted. “But as a lady, I refuse to say any more.”

  I kept my mouth shut. It wasn't that I didn't think April was a lady. I was still having a hard time figuring out that fine line between annoying her and staying on her good side. “I'll let you know what happens at the theater, April. I'm looking forward to my time with Officer Flatman.”

  Chapter 22

  When I entered the lobby of Paddington's Play House, I saw Arthur walking into the Box Office. I checked my watch and confirmed it was almost time for the theater to open for ticket sales. There was only a matinee performance today since they were still in pre-show for another two days. “Wait up, Arthur. I'll follow you inside,” I yelled jogging toward the door.

  “Kellan, what are you doing here? I sent you a bunch of tickets for opening night next Monday.” Arthur held the door as I approached. He wore a dark suit and tie highlighting Braxton's colors, burgundy and blue. There was a relaxed sense about him now that I'd convinced Myriam to let him keep his job at least through the end of this show. Based on how the whole run turned out, we could extend an offer for him to manage the next production or let him leave on a high note. Unless he turned out to be the killer which was still a minor concern floating around the cobwebs inside my head.

  “I'll be there, thank you very much. I'm bringing Emma, my parents, and my sister with me. They're all looking forward to it, but that's not why I'm here today.” I was curious about his indiscretion in one of the dressing rooms and how it fit into the entire overall puzzle. I closed the door behind me noticing it no longer got stuck. “I guess they fixed that door?”

  Arthur nodded while he flipped on the lights in the Box Office. “Earlier this week. Remember the electrician that helped your sister out? Same crew, they're jack-of-all-trades.”

  We chatted about the performance before I realized I needed to contact Brad. “I'm gonna hang around in the Paddington office while the show is on stage. Just wanted to verify you didn't mind,” I said searching his expression for any concerns.

  “You've got carte blanche. My mother told me you spoke with Myriam to save my job. I still can't believe how vindictive that woman can be. Thank you.” He looked calm and grateful, no trace of fear about me being in the office. It didn't appear as if he knew about the will. I had the package with me now but had to slip inside so
on. I wasn't sure how quickly someone might dash over here from the Paddington estate. “It's unlocked. I was in there to drop off some mail. I need to go back and lock up, but I wanted to grab a few ads I'd left in here first. Maybe you can take them with you?”

  “Sure,” I said taking the envelope. “Can you tell me what Myriam was so angry about?”

  “Umm, well… I had brought a friend with me that afternoon to the theater… and we ducked into a space I thought was private, but… well, Myriam overhead us sorta… well… you get the picture,” Arthur said as his face reddened. “It was unplanned. Myriam made a huge deal out of it and the next thing I know… she's blasting me with some silly quote from A Midsummer Night's Dream. That woman is so thickheaded, she's worse than dealing with the DMV!”

  “You gotta be more careful with Dana,” I said despite knowing Myriam thought it was someone else. I needed to see if he'd tell me his partner's name. I was certain it had to be Sam.

  “Dana? No, I told you last time. I'm staying clear of that tart. She's straight up crazy! I'm more interested in a quieter, calmer… well, never mind. The point is, I owned up to my mistake, and I won't do it again,” Arthur explained before telling me he needed to verify there was enough cash in the Box Office windows for the ticket sellers.

  I followed him out and walked down the hall toward the Paddington Office. Along the way, I called Brad who said he would drop by shortly to talk with me. He didn't seem to know I was supposed to be out of town. I also ordered a pizza since I hadn't eaten lunch. I verified the will was in my briefcase, tossed the strap over my shoulder, and walked into the far corner. When I approached the office, I saw Officer Flatman and waved in his direction. I was going to call out to him, but my phone rang. It was Maggie, and I couldn't let it go to voicemail. I had a massive apology to convey.

  I picked up the phone and said, “You have absolutely every reason to be angry with me, but I truly have a valid excuse.” I felt my forehead to verify the fever was still gone. My head was loopy from the medicine, and my eyes were sore from crying over Francesca, but my health was improving. I explained what'd happened with the medicine causing me to crash.