by Daria White
Bianca blinked. Bingo. What if Martin had planned on taking over Richard and Judy’s business? What if Richard had killed him to get rid of him? But how, without anyone at the wedding noticing?
The ringing from her purse caught her off guard. Bianca stood to her feet. “Can I use your bathroom?”
Priscilla pointed to the archway that opened to the hall. “Around the corner, and it’s the first door on the left.”
Bianca smiled as she walked down the hallway, only to spot black-and-white photos lining the walls. She saw what looked like a younger version of Priscilla. Then she noticed one with a newspaper clipping inside along with the picture captioned, “Breakout Broadway Star Priscilla Curry.”
Pausing for a moment, Bianca stared at the framed newspaper clippings on the wall. Priscilla Lee, “The Bette Davis of Broadway.” Bette Davis? She read another clipping. The writer praised Priscilla for her emotional acting skills, calling her the “Queen of Tears.”
Bianca didn’t know how famous Priscilla had been on the stage. She’d have to ask her about her career later. She entered the bathroom and checked her phone. A text from her younger sister.
Call me
She called.
“Melanie?” Bianca said.
“I lost my key again. I need you to open the door.”
Bianca groaned. “Mel, how many copies do I need to make?”
Her baby sister was a talented journalist, but she failed to keep up with her things, including her keys. “I know, but this time it wasn’t my fault. You try writing an article on the health benefits of hiking and tell me how to keep up with all your belongings—”
“Okay, I’m on my way. You need to move out.”
“Bianca!”
She giggled. “I’m kidding. I love having you and so does Alyssa.”
“Getting used to our newest member?” she asked.
Casper. “I think so, but I’m thinking of charging him rent.”
Melanie laughed.
A smile grew on Bianca’s lips. “I have to go. I’m visiting with Priscilla.”
“Something happen?” Melanie wondered.
Bianca swallowed. Of course her sister wouldn’t know yet. When off on an assignment, her sister focused on her work only. “Martin. Her husband is… dead.”
Melanie gasped. “What? How? When? I thought Nicole’s wedding was this past weekend?”
“It was. That’s when it happened,” Bianca said.
“You’re kidding?”
“I wish I was. I’ll meet you soon and I’ll tell you more then.” Bianca hung up and returned to Priscilla in the living room. The maid was sitting a silver tray on the coffee table with a pitcher of iced tea.
“I brought your pills. The Digoxin, right?”
“Thank you, Mandie.” Priscilla opened the prescription bottle.
“I have to go, Priscilla. My sister’s back in town and lost her keys again.”
Priscilla nodded. “Thank you for stopping by and for the flowers.” Her voice cracked. “I appreciate it.”
Bianca bent over and hugged her. “You’re welcome. We’re here for you.” She waved goodbye to Mandie.
Stepping outside, she spotted a police car pulling up. Detective Sims stepped out of the car with another officer. He smiled when he saw her, but then his face slackened. Was he trying to remain professional while on duty? Bianca didn’t dare ask.
“Ms. Wallace, I didn’t expect to run into you,” he said.
Bianca nodded at the other officer.
Lamar introduced his partner. “This is Detective Atkins.”
Bianca shook his hand. Detective Sims then gestured for his partner to go ahead of him. Bianca walked the rest of the way to her car, and the detective followed.
“Is there a reason you’re here?” he asked.
“Offering my condolences. Why?”
He shrugged. “Just checking. You seemed pretty intrigued by the case the last time we spoke.”
Bianca faced him. “Would it hurt to be? I’m a concerned citizen. They’re my friends.”
“We’re handling it, Ms. Wallace.” He stared.
Bianca didn’t move. He wasn’t in a suit today. It was dark jeans with a leather jacket covering a gray collared shirt. She cleared her throat. “I’m sure you are, but that doesn’t mean—”
“If you have valuable information, let us know.”
Bianca wouldn’t tell him what she’d learned from Priscilla. Detective Sims would probably tell her to stay out of it. Bianca would, once she found out the truth and cleared her friend’s good name.
“I’ll let you know if anything comes up.” Her muscles tightened, but she wasn’t keeping anything from him. It wasn’t as if Priscilla had told her anything incriminating.
“Thank you, Ms. Wallace.”
“Bianca.” She corrected.
A smile grew on his face.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. I’ll try my best to remember that.”
“Though… I can appreciate the respect you’re showing. We’re just not that formal in Edenville.”
“Thanks for letting me know.” He bobbed his head, but his gaze directly met hers.
Bianca got lost for a moment in his gray eyes. Were those contacts? She didn’t dare to ask. What surprised her all the more was her own breath catching in her throat. Swallowing, she collected her thoughts, knowing it was best to leave.
“Have a nice day, detective.” She didn’t intend for her voice to drop. Flirting with the new man in town was not in her schedule. Thankfully, all Detective Sims did was nod. Bianca started her car and headed out of the driveway.
The good thing about a small town was little to no traffic. Bianca pulled up to her farmhouse home, spotting her sister on the swing bench with her duffel bag next to her. Bianca cut the engine and hurried to the door.
Melanie shook her head. “I couldn’t wait so I called Mom. Someone stabbed Martin?”
“Not here.” Bianca opened the door, and they both walked inside. “Yes at Nicole’s wedding.”
“Who did it?” Melanie sat her duffel bag on the couch.
“I don’t know.” Bianca sat at her breakfast table, resting her hands on her thighs once she sat down.
“You’re thinking. What is it?” Melanie asked, pointing at her.
“I saw Nicole’s bracelet. The police think she’s a suspect.”
Melanie’s mouth fell open. “Nicole? She couldn’t have. The woman cries at those commercials showing abused animals.”
“I know.”
Melanie folded her arms. “This is terrible.”
Bianca’s mouth twisted. “Priscilla told me something while I was there. I think I can check it out without being too obvious.”
Melanie shook her head. “You’re not getting involved. Let the police handle this.”
Bianca cocked her head to the side. “They didn’t help Dad, did they?”
Her sister sighed.
“Sorry.”
Melanie groaned.
“What? What’s wrong now?”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You?” A smile built on Bianca’s lips.
“If Mom finds out, at least I can tell her I tried to talk you out of it.” Melanie adjusted her crossbody purse.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Let’s go before Alyssa gets home from school. I told her I’d show her some pictures from my trip.”
Bianca grabbed her keys and her sister followed her out the door.
***
Bianca didn’t break her stride, despite her sister trailing behind her. She filled her in on the details on the drive over. “You know you can stay in the car, right?”
Melanie gasped. “And leave you with a murderer? Mom would kill me.”
Bianca paused. “Well, I don’t need you second-guessing everything. I’m nervous enough as it is.” Her muscles twitched, but she wouldn’t leave until she talked with Richard.
Melanie
touched her arm. “I just think we need a strategy. We can’t just walk in and say, ‘Hey, Richard, how are you? Did you kill your step-brother?’” Her sister cocked her head to the side.
A giggle escaped Bianca’s lips. “I wasn’t planning on saying that.”
“What did they argue about?”
“All I heard was this loud crash. It got everyone’s attention. Next thing I know, Richard tells Martin to get out. I think he said, ‘We don’t want you here.’”
Melanie bit her bottom lip. “You really think he did it? What kind of person does that to family?”
“I guess I don’t have much to go on, but I won’t know until I talk to him.” She turned, but her sister stopped her again.
“I want you to know no matter how many times we disagree, I would never do that to you.”
Bianca smiled. “Can we go?”
Melanie pulled out her phone.
“What are you doing?”
“Recording the conversation.”
Bianca shook her head. “Not yet. I could be wrong.”
The sisters walked inside R&J’s Restaurant and Bakery. People murmured and talked as soon as they walked inside.
Judy greeted them with a faint smile. “Can I get you a table?” She grabbed laminated menus and handed them Bianca and Melanie. “Good to see you back, Melanie. How was your trip?”
Melanie bobbed her head. “Thank you. It went well. I uh… heard about Martin.”
Judy’s chin dropped.
“How are you holding up?” Bianca asked.
She lifted her gaze and forced a smile. “Still letting it sink I guess. Were you wanting a table or…”
Bianca said, “I think to-go would be best, but does Richard have any specials today?”
Judy gestured for them to follow her to the takeout area. “I’ll also see if Richard has a moment. He’s been meaning to call you.”
What? Call Bianca? She sat on the wooden bench as Melanie lifted her menu to cover her face.
“He wants to talk to you?” Her sister whispered.
Bianca lifted her menu too. “I know. I wonder what it’s about.”
“Bianca?”
She lowered the menu to see Richard in his chef uniform. He nodded at Melanie.
“You mind?” He gestured to the corner of the room.
Melanie stood. “I’ll take care of our order with Judy. You want the salmon?”
Bianca nodded and followed Richard.
“I was wondering… if we can have some more time with our payment.”
Her design she did for their stargazing party. “Oh?” Not what she expected.
“Judy and I have been talking and with everything going on… we need more time,” he said. Richard’s hand curled around his husky mid-section. “Nothing’s going on as planned.”
Bianca only stared at him.
He gave a faint smile. “I’m sorry. I know you’ve been working with us already and I know you’re running a business.” Richard glanced around the area. “I know the feeling.” His teeth bit down on his bottom lip for a moment, but he faced her again. “I can guarantee we’ll pay what we owe.”
The desperation in his voice could not be denied. “That’s fine,” Bianca said.
He released a deep breath. “Thank you.” Then he folded his arms. “I hear you found Nicole’s bracelet.”
“It can’t be all over town.” Bianca only hoped the police didn’t arrest her friend.
“I heard it this morning with our breakfast crew.” His pupils appeared to dilate. “Nicole may need to think about getting a lawyer.”
Bianca’s mouth dropped. “What… How… Why?”
“I’m not saying she did it, but… Nicole and Martin have history.” Richard blew out his cheeks.
“What do you mean?”
Richard ran a hand down his neck. He looked around to see if anyone was listening. “Nicole knew Martin before she met Chad. I only know because it was before I left the company. He was…”
“Was what?”
“Blackmailing her.”
Bianca’s breath hitched. Why hadn’t Nicole told her that? They were friends. Bianca’s muscles felt frozen. Was it possible that Nicole had killed Martin? But how? Bianca didn’t recall her leaving the venue during the reception.
“Richard, are you sure?”
He bobbed his head.
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because I know you’ll help her. She needs you.”
“Does Chad know?”
“I think she was too ashamed to share the details. Martin was older than her, but…” He cleared his throat. “I think it would better if you asked her. I only wanted to give you a heads-up since I heard you found the bracelet.”
“Have you talked to the police? You and Martin had a bad argument at the rehearsal. Did you see him after the wedding?”
Richard pressed his lips together, but he answered. “I didn’t talk to him at the wedding or the reception. I wasn’t planning on patching things up.”
“You two didn’t get along at all?”
Richard grimaced. “He was no brother of mine. We were in business together. The most we did every now and then was play golf. I knew I couldn’t trust Martin with anything. Whoever did this must have hated him as much as I did.” His nostrils flared.
Bianca didn’t respond to Richard. Despite his information about Nicole, his body had stiffened when she’d asked about his own arguments with Martin. He’d hated him. Hated was a strong word and Bianca wondered if that hate was strong enough to kill.
“Anyway.” Richard continued. His pale face softened somewhat. “Thanks again for giving us time on the payments.”
“You’re welcome.” Then she looked at her sister at the counter as Judy handed Melanie a takeout bag.
“Thank you. I know this will be delicious.” Melanie left a tip in the glass jar next to the register.
Bianca walked up to the counter, not too far behind Richard. He smiled at her sister.
“Enjoy your lunch.” Then he focused on his wife.
“Did they find the butcher knife?” she asked.
Richard rubbed the back of his neck. “No, so I ordered a new one.”
“Do you know how much quality knives cost? The set alone costed—” Judy asked.
“I know, but I’m not wasting time looking for it when I can get a new one. If it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said. With a pinched expression, he marched to the kitchen.
“Excuse me,” Judy said as she hurried after her husband.
Butcher knife? Richard was missing a butcher knife? Bianca walked beside her sister as she shuffled to the door. Melanie only bumped into a man they spotted washing the windows when they parked the car earlier.
“Excuse us,” Melanie said.
“Sorry, I should have watched where I was going,” he said, though he couldn’t tear his eyes from Bianca’s sister.
Bianca spotted the yellow towel that had fallen to the floor from his hand. She bent to retrieve it and handed it to him. “Here you go.”
The man cleared his throat. His dark brown ringleted hair brushed the top of his broad shoulders. “Thank you.”
Bianca led her sister back to the car. “Well, this just got interesting.” She slid into the driver’s seat after placing her bag in the backseat.
Melanie clicked her seatbelt on in the passenger seat. “What has? What did I miss? What did Richard say?”
Bianca started the car. “He says Martin was blackmailing Nicole.”
“Why?”
“He said I should ask her, but from what it sounds like, Nicole and Martin were… involved.”
Melanie’s mouth fell open. “What? No way. How old is he?”
Bianca faced her sister. “You’ve dated older men before.”
Melanie held up her hand. “The most I’ve dated is five years older. Nicole is in her thirties and Martin is over fifty.”
“That surprised me too, but it happens.”
; “What else did Richard say?”
Bianca pulled out of the parking lot. “He hated Martin.”
“Enough to kill him?”
She sighed. “I don’t know, but did you hear him about the butcher knife?”
“He’s a chef. I’m sure he misplaced it.”
Bianca shook her head slightly. “The police didn’t confirm it, but I honestly think Martin was stabbed.”
Melanie gasped. “Wow.”
Bianca wasn’t sure, but had Richard killed Martin and was he pointing the blame on Nicole? He even went through the trouble of buying a new butcher knife. Did he not want the other one found because it was the murder weapon? Or perhaps he or someone on his staff lost it. It could be nothing and he was innocent, but why did it sound suspicious?
Chapter 9
Bianca pulled her car onto the wet concrete of Luther’s Lather and Rinse Car Wash. Though she kept her car clean despite Casper’s dog hair, she never wanted dirt to pile up on the outside where someone could write “Wash Me” on the window. Her nose wrinkled at the notion.
She approached the ticket booth with an attendant. Luther. The man owned the place, but he insisted on greeting the customers. Bianca let down her window.
“Well, aren’t you the prettiest woman in Edenville,” his raspy voice said.
“You say that all the time when my mother’s not around.” Bianca winked at him.
Bianca inhaled the smell of moist air and water as Luther’s grin grew. She handed him her card to pay for the works. She didn’t have to pick up Alyssa for another half hour, so she could get a few more errands done.
Everyone in town knew Luther had feelings for Bianca’s mother, including her mother, but nothing had happened between them yet. Bianca would always miss her father, but she didn’t see a problem with her mother dating again or even remarrying.
“Don’t tell Ms. Deborah I said that. I wouldn’t want her to get jealous.”
“Sure about that?” Bianca raised her eyebrows.
He rubbed a hand down the back of his neck. Salt-and-pepper hair covered his head and face. For a man in his early sixties, Luther Burkes was quite handsome. Could Bianca do some matchmaking on her own again? It worked for Chad and Nicole.
