by Gerald Lopez
“That’s enough, Jessica,” Margo said.
“I thought the suit line was rather clever, myself,” Jessica said.
Alex laughed which seemed to make Margo grow even testier. “Sit down and control yourself, Jessica. We don’t need your coarse humor today.”
I looked at Margo and used my most charming smile. “An ice cold lemonade would be great.”
Margo smiled back at me and then addressed Miss Ainsley. “I think we could all do with an ice cold pitcher of lemonade, Miss Ainsley.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” she said, and went inside the house.
“It’s interesting that you refer to your help as Miss,” I said. “That’s a bit formal, isn’t it?”
“She was our former nanny, and even though she’s currently employed as house manager, we still call her Miss Ainsley. It’s a little unusual, but we couldn’t just throw the poor dear out after we were grown,” Margo said, using a sweeping hand gesture to direct me to the finger sandwiches and pastries in front of us.
I put two of the egg and one of the cucumber sandwiches on a small plate that was on the table, leaving the pastries for later. Jessica grabbed some sandwiches as well and was given an angry glare from her sister. Margo then proceeded to prepare a plate, which she handed to Alex before turning her attention back to her sister. I decided to try and diffuse the situation so we could get down to business.
“The heat is known to make people a little crazy and to be honest, the first thing I’m going to do when I get back to my motel is get out of this suit.” I laughed and the others joined in with their laughter, everyone slowly relaxing—time for me to speak up again and go all in to see what reactions I got.
“What exactly is the situation with the estate inheritance?”
“Wow! Good for you, coming right to the point,” Jessica said. “I like direct men.”
“I’m sorry if I came across a bit rude, but I am here to do a job,” I said. “And I would think you folks are anxious to get things figured out.”
“I’m sure you’ve read the paperwork,” Margo said.
“As a matter of fact, I haven’t. I wanted to hear what you and your siblings had to say first.”
“Somebody finally decides to ask us what we think. Isn’t that rich?” Jessica said. “Nobody else gives a damn what we think. They just want to find out which one of us owns the old estate, so they can buy the wretched place.”
“She’s right, you know,” Alex said. “The problem is there are three wills. As you can probably guess, all three of us have been left the old Kennedy property. My father left the property to each of my sisters in two separate wills.”
Alex stopped talking when Miss Ainsley entered with a large tray holding four tall glasses as well as a pitcher filled with lemonade and ice. The hand painted flowers and butterflies on the glasses and pitcher caught my eye. Although I wasn’t an artist, I had an appreciation for the arts no matter how simple or small the objects d’art were.
After taking a sip of his lemonade Alex continued speaking, “My mother left the property to me in her will. Since our parents passed away at the same time in a car wreck, both their wills come into play. The lawyers tried to figure out who died first. If it could’ve been proven either one died first, then the other’s will would’ve been invalidated.”
“You make it all sound so cold, Alex,” Margo said. “They were our parents, don’t forget.”
“How does this leave the three of you while things are being decided?” I said. “The care of two properties can be a handful.” Taking a sip of my lemonade there was a sweet flavor that surprised me. I was trying to analyze it when Margo must’ve noticed and she commented.
“The sweetness is from the addition of rose hip. I discovered it when having high tea in a small town in Florida that we used to visit.”
“It’s very nice,” I said.
“The three of us are fine, as you can see, Mr. Shayne,” Jessica said. “The two properties were handled separately. This estate was left to the three of us to share equally in all the wills.”
Margo interrupted. “There is no argument between lawyers that the wills set aside funds for the upkeep of both properties including taxes, as well as allowances for both the household accounts and our personal accounts. The only thing in question is determining who inherits the old estate. According to the letters we got from our lawyer, that’s what you’re here to do, Mr. Shayne.”
“And that’s what I will do, Miss Margo.”
“God! That poor lawyer must be bored locked away in a religious retreat so his heart can mend,” Jessica said. “I’d rather be naked on a private beach somewhere.”
“That does sound good,” I said, a multitude of thoughts not involving Jessica, but her brother filled my mind.
Chapter 9
Unexpected Opportunity
“Sorry, everyone, but I’ve got to be somewhere,” Alex said. “It was nice meeting you, Layton.”
As Alex started to get up from his seat, Miss Ainsley entered the room.
“Monique Thomson is here,” she announced.
Before anyone could say anything, Monique entered. She walked in like she owned the place and her presence immediately filled the verandah. It was quite an accomplishment for a woman who was short, probably only five-foot four, and petite. Long, auburn hair fell in curls to her bare caramel-color shoulders. Her blouse was worn over a short, floaty skirt. I looked at her closely. Her build and the fact that she was wearing stiletto heels made me think of the woman I’d seen with the forensics team. I was thinking that maybe she and that woman were one and the same. The family finished greeting their new guest, then their attention was back on me. Monique held her hand out to me, which I raised to just below my lips before kissing the air. She gave me a long look before speaking softly and with no accent, just like the others.
“My, my, aren’t you the gentleman, Mr. Shayne. Who would’ve thought that you’d know the proper way to kiss a lady’s hand?”
“Whatever do you mean by that?” Jessica said. “There’s only one way to kiss someone’s hand. I certainly wouldn’t have expected Layton to slobber all over it.”
Monique looked over to Jessica, clearly annoyed by her comment. Putting her hand on her hip, she turned to Jessica and replied with attitude in her voice. “A real lady knows that when a gentleman kisses her hand his lips don’t ever actually touch her hand. They stay slightly above it as a sign of respect. Oh, but I forget who I’m talking to. You’re not really used to not being mauled by men, are you Jessica? The exact opposite of your sister I would say.”
Margo stood angrily and addressed Monique. “How dare you come into our home and speak to us like that.”
Monique didn’t back down, instead she stood tall and faced Margo.
“I’ll dare speak however I like. I’m not your Negro slave. Those days are long gone. Just because I’m Black doesn’t mean I can’t speak my mind.”
Alex yawned. “I’m going upstairs to change. Sometimes you girls are just too catty to be around. Nobody would ever guess that the three of you actually get along,” he said
Alex looked back at me, smiled, then left me to fend for myself.
“Alex is right,” Jessica said, standing and placing a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “It’s too damn hot for all this today. Monique, you know we’re not prejudiced. Hell, we’ve all known each other since we were kids. Margo, you know Monique is just showing off for Layton’s benefit. So everybody just take a seat and cool down.”
The women all sat down and gave each other steely looks before plastering large, fake, resigned smiles on their faces. I held in the strong desire to laugh at that moment, especially when the previously angry women now spoke so cordially to one another.
“So what brings you here today, Monique?” Margo said.
Miss Ainsley, who had quietly left the verandah moments earlier, returned with a glass and handed it to Monique. While speaking, Monique helped herself to both lemonade
and sandwiches.
“Well, I just had to get the latest gossip from our handsome visitor Mr. Shayne. On the way here I passed a burning heap in the Shelby Motel’s parking lot. Rumor has it the car belonged to Francisco Torrea. He’s a cop and his grandfather owns the Men’s Clothing Store downtown.”
“I missed that, it must’ve started burning after I was on my way here,” I said. “What did you think of the accident involving poor Nia last night?”
“Mr. Shayne, you are observant, or are you just keeping an eye on me,” Monique said in a flirtatious way.
“You were hard to miss.” I was doing my best to sound flirty, but when I saw Jessica shoot me an angry, jealous look, I realized I’d better fix things with her and sound more business like before I ticked off the entire family.
“There aren’t many females on a forensics team who would wear stiletto heels to work. They were like the shoes you’re wearing right now.”
Monique lifted her leg up to show off her high heel shoes.
“They are nice, aren’t they? I wore them last night on my date with a member of the forensics team,” Monique said. “I went along with him to the accident site so we could continue our date afterward.”
“Well then, you must know more about everything than I do,” I said.
“All I know is what everyone else does,” she said. “Nia ran into the street and was hit by a car. There was some sort of gas leak or something from the car and it exploded. That ox of a brother of hers is going to be pissed.”
“Her brother is trained to deal with all sorts of stress, I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Jessica said.
“You don’t know those island boys,” Monique said. “He’ll be out for revenge, I’m sure of it. Anyway, what I want to know about is today’s car explosion.”
“That makes two of us,” I said
“Oh, good God!” Jessica said. “Who gives a damn about a couple of local nobodies?”
“Where’s your sense of charity, Jessica? Besides, I’ve heard that the shop owner’s grandson is quite handsome,” Margo said.
“A good looking man has always caught your interest, Jessica, if I remember correctly,” Monique said.
“Good looking men do catch my eye, but the grandsons of shop owners don’t,” Jessica said.
I stood. It was time to make my exit before things between the women got heated again.
“I’d like to use your facilities before I leave, ladies.”
“Miss Ainsley is inside somewhere, so I’ll show you to the powder room,” Margo said.
“It was very nice meeting all of you,” I said.
Following Margo back inside the house to the bathroom, I pointed to the Indian goddess statue under the hall mirror that I’d passed earlier.
“Interesting statue,” I said.
“Yes. It’s a holy relic from a society that understood the value of women.”
“And you don’t think that society today values women?”
“Some ancient societies had female gods as well as male gods, Mr. Shayne.”
“Layton,” I said.
“Layton, the male gods may have been in charge, but the goddesses also had their place. Society today has forgotten the goddesses in favor of male gods and male-centered religions.”
“I studied a bit of Greek and Roman mythology and religion in school—I remember reading about Hera and Athena. We also read about some of the Indian goddesses.”
“It was very nice meeting you, Layton, if there’s anything we can do to help in your investigation please be in touch.”
She’d dismissed my inquiry quickly, shook my hand, opened the bathroom door, and went back outside to her sister and Monique. I walked into the bathroom and shut the door. The powder room, as Margo called it, featured a small crystal chandelier, gold wallpaper, and a white pedestal sink. To the right of the sink was what looked like a small altar. There was another goddess statue, but this one was dressed in Greek robes and surrounded by flowers, incense, and potpourri. Surely these women, or this family, didn’t worship the gods or rather goddesses of ancient societies. Once I was done, I walked back out to the hall and ran into Alex who gave me a perfect smile.
“I’ll walk you out, Layton.
I nodded and followed behind him where I could get a better look. His slim, almost boyish body was nicely accented by blue jeans and a snug, semi-sheer, V-neck black shirt. He did not, however, have Jimmy’s perfect bubble-butt. Looking down, I noticed he was wearing black flip-flops on his perfectly shaped feet. It was like he’d been plucked from a fantasy I’d never even known I had.
We were outside and going down the front steps when Alex looked back and caught me checking out his feet and outfit.
“I like to dress comfortably and casually—when I’m here I practically live in my flip-flops. To be honest, I dress this way whenever I can. I’m not one for suits.”
“Great,” I said. “And for the record, this suit I’m wearing was more for you guys than for me.”
Alex smiled back at me. “It looks good on you, Layton. Although, I’m sure you’re more than a little hot in it.”
* * * *
I left the Kennedy estate and decided to stop for a drink at Cicero’s where I could soak in some of the local flavor. I was greeted immediately upon entering the restaurant.
“Hello, Layton, it’s nice to see you,” Sophia said.
As before, she was dressed very professionally in a knee-length black skirt and long sleeved red blouse. Her hair was worn in a loose updo.
“It’s nice to see you again too, Sophia. I just stopped in for a drink and a snack out on the deck if there’s room.”
“There’s always room for you, just follow me, please.”
She was the epitome of class and elegance if not more than just a bit cold around the edges. There were some patrons sitting around the deck bar and a few at the tables. For once I was the best dressed man in the room as the others were more casual—in shorts and polo shirts.
“Layton!”
I turned and saw Alex Kennedy waving to me from a far table and walked toward him with Sophia by my side.
“Hello, Alex, fancy meeting you here.”
“I’d invite you to join me, Layton, but I’m meeting someone.”
“Oh,” Sophia said. “It’s funny you should mention that because I have a message for you from a Mr. Bolton. Something came up and he won’t be able to make it. So sorry.”
“Well then, Layton, if you don’t mind being second choice you’re welcome to join me.”
I turned to Sophia. “Thanks, Sophia, it looks like I’ll be joining Mr. Kennedy.”
“You gentlemen enjoy yourselves,” Sophia said before leaving.
I sat down across from Alex which gave me a view of the water behind him.
“Don’t you like the view here,” I said.
“I like the view in front of me very much,” Alex said.
His response caught me off guard and I wasn’t sure what to say so I changed the subject. “What’re you drinking?”
“A mango mojito. I usually don’t like alcoholic drinks but the sweetness of the mango rum helps mask the taste of the liquor. I highly recommend it if you have a sweet tooth.”
I turned and saw a familiar blonde headed our way.
“Hello, stranger,” I said.
“Hello yourself,” Anjelica said with a smile. “What can I get for you to drink?”
“I’ll have the same as Alex is having.”
“Can we get an appetizer of the popcorn shrimp with tartar sauce too, please?” Alex said.
“I’ll put that order in for you, Alex, and I’ll be right back with your mango mojito, Layton.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Have you heard anything from Jimmy?” I asked Anjelica, but was keeping an eye on how Alex reacted to hearing the name.
“Nothing yet,” She glanced quickly at Alex. “Was there anything else, Alex?”
“Not right now, thank you,” Alex said.
Anjelica smiled then left, she was smooth and a natural. She’d clearly caught on to what I was doing and glanced at Alex for the same reason I had. Thankfully she was smart enough to cover her stare with a comment.
“You’ve already made friends here, I see,” Alex said.
“Friends may be too strong a word but they’re nice enough. Do you know Jimmy or anyone else here?”
“No, actually this is my first time eating here.”
“Isn’t that strange considering you live here at least part-time?”
“It’s not easy living even just part-time in a town where everyone knows my name and treats me like something other than just plain ole me. I tend to eat at home or the club.”
Anjelica reappeared with my drink which she placed on a napkin in front of me.
“That was quick,” I said.
“You’re with Alex Kennedy,” she said. “Alex, management has informed me that everything you and Layton have to eat and drink will be comped.” She walked around to Alex and put her hand on his shoulder then spoke in almost a whisper. “If it was me I’d charge you full price.” She smiled. “I’ll check on those shrimp.”
I watched her leave. She was awesome and as warm a person as her sister was cold. It was clear she had a knack for knowing people.
“Do you see what I mean, now?” Alex said. “Believe it or not, getting treated like the town’s royalty does get old after a while.”
“If it makes you feel better it looks like even royalty gets stood up.”
He raised his glass for a toast and I tapped my glass against his before taking a sip of the mango mojito.
“Mmm… damn this is good,” I said.
“I’m glad you like it. And by the way, I wasn’t exactly stood up.”
Anjelica headed our way with a tray holding a small metal bucket which held popcorn shrimp, two plates and two cups of tartar sauce.
“I wonder if we’ll see any blue lights in the sky tonight, Anjelica,” I said.
She gave me a wink but didn’t reply before leaving. There was no reaction at all from Alex.
