Murder So Deadly

by Eileen Curley Hammond

  I tucked one foot underneath me and leaned back onto the sofa. “All of those sound good. But Richard dying made me realize how little I know about your father. Rob never really talks about him.”

  She sat forward. “It was twenty years ago. It still seems so fresh.”

  “You don’t have to talk about it if it makes you uncomfortable.”

  “It’s okay. My dad was a journalist too. Mom didn’t work outside the home, so they had difficulty making ends meet. We lived in the poorer section of town, but we had fun. We really did. There was so much love.” She gave me a sad smile. “Rob followed in Dad’s footsteps. Rob was in his last year of college, and I was in my last year of med school. Dad was investigating a series of pipe bombing incidents in the town next to us. I guess he got too close to the person responsible because they put one in his car.”

  Elizabeth rubbed her neck. “Mom was never the same. She never finished school—Dad swept her off her feet—so she felt unqualified for the jobs in which she was interested. She panicked and decided that she needed economic stability. Kind of like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. That began her long string of marital conquests, each leaving her more wealthy, but as far as I know, not happier.” She took a sip of her drink. “I’m sorry. We were talking about Rob, and here I am bending your ear about Mom.”

  “I’m curious about something. You and your mom seem much closer than her and Rob.”

  She sighed. “Rob looks so much like Dad. Especially now that he’s older, I think it’s difficult for her. She was disappointed when he followed in Dad’s footsteps, and her distance might be because she’s worried she’ll lose him too. It was worse when he was reporting from war zones.”

  “It’s sad they’re not closer. I was very close to both my parents. When my mother died, my father and I became even tighter. I still can’t believe they’re both gone. And so young.”

  “How did they die?”

  “My mother had a rare form of cancer. She fought so bravely, but it ultimately claimed her. Dad was hit by a drunk driver two years later. They were both such loving people. It’s been ten years since Dad died. I still miss them every day.”

  Elizabeth hugged me. “I’m so sorry.”

  I straightened my shoulders. “Enough about me. Richard’s death must have been a shock.”

  “They’re both older. And I didn’t know him that well. I hope she waits a while before the next one.”

  My mouth dropped. “Surely you don’t think that she would be looking for someone this soon.”

  “It seems to be her pattern.” Elizabeth drank the rest of her Bailey’s.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Work was crazy the next day. I ran home at lunch to change the sheets in Jenny’s room and to run the vacuum cleaner. Checking that off my list, I grabbed a quick sandwich and headed back to work. Knee deep in a spreadsheet, I jumped when Cheryl knocked. She slid through the door and shut it behind her. “My sister-in-law called.”

  “And?”

  “She heard Detective Ziebold talking with some of the other police officers.” Cheryl sat. “Wanda’s husband was poisoned.”

  I jerked back in my chair. “What? With what? When?”

  Cheryl scooted her seat closer to my desk. “She didn’t know. But they were talking about arresting Wanda.”

  Grabbing my phone, I pressed speed dial for Rob and gestured for Cheryl to shut the door after her.

  “Hello, sunshine. How’s your day going?”

  I filled him in.

  “She can’t have done it—” He paused. “Gotta go, I’ll talk to you later.” Rob hung up.

  I paced from one wall to the next. On my third turn, I pulled my purse from my desk and walked out of my office. “I’ll be at home if you need me.” I nodded at Cheryl and hurried out the door.

  Walking fast, I made it home in record time. I swung open the back door. “Anyone here?” Nothing. I ran up the stairs, “Wanda?” No one.

  I pulled out my trusty dust rag and cleaned the bookshelves in the living room. I had started on the mantle when there was a knock at the back door. Rob called, “Merry, you home?”

  I ran into the kitchen. “What happened?”

  Rob and Elizabeth dropped their coats on the kitchen stool. They both looked exhausted. Elizabeth sank onto one of the kitchen chairs. “They arrested Mom. Like she could kill anyone.”

  I sat next to her. “How did Richard die?”

  Rob turned on the coffee machine. “They did a preliminary test. It came back positive for ricin poisoning. They’ve sent a sample out for confirmation.”

  “Confirmation—so he might not have been poisoned?”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “The preliminary tests are usually accurate.”

  “Maybe it was in their motel room? Maybe that’s where he was exposed.”

  Rob poured coffee into three mugs. “There would have been more cases at the motel by now. They think it was in the Prosecco.”

  Rob handed Elizabeth and me a mug. Steam rose in a tiny swirl. I blew on the coffee and then took a sip. Rob slumped onto a chair across from Elizabeth. “Mother said that Richard poured the champagne into the glasses. If that’s true, it would have been difficult for her to pull off.”

  Elizabeth’s mouth dropped. “You don’t think she really did it, do you?”

  He shook his head. “Of course not. But she’s the only one he knew in town. Who else would have a motive?”

  “Maybe it was a random thing?” Elizabeth stirred cream into her coffee.

  “How would she even get ricin? It’s not like she could send away for it.” I leaned back in the chair.

  “It’s from the castor bean plant. The hulls contain ricin. Castor oil comes from the seeds, but only after the hulls have been removed.” Elizabeth drank her coffee.

  Rob gave his sister a sidelong glance. “It’s a good thing you weren’t here when Richard died.”

  She shrugged. “Learned about it in medical school.” Her eyes flicked to me. “At any rate, Mom’s lawyer is with her now.”

  My eyes widened. “I can’t imagine her spending the night in jail. Hopefully, he’ll be able to get them to set bail quickly.” I drummed my fingers on the kitchen table. “Richard’s daughter is supposed to come on Saturday. I wonder how she’s going to feel, staying in the same house as the woman accused of her father’s murder.”

  Chapter 4

  The doorbell rang at ten, and I hurried to open it. A carefully put together woman of about fifty was on my porch. She wore a brown tweed skirt, chocolate-colored flats, and a crisp white shirt with a princess collar. Her cardigan rested on her arm. I held out my hand. “Kathy?”

  “Yes. Merry?”

  “Welcome.” I ushered her into the house. “I am so sorry about your father’s passing.”

  “Thank you.” She lifted a small carry-on and brought it in with her.

  “Would you like to freshen up?”

  She nodded.

  I led her up the stairs and ushered her into Jenny’s room. “I’ve cleaned out the top drawer and made some hanging room in the closet if you’d like to use it.”

  She dropped her case in the room.

  “The bathroom is down here.” I pointed it out. “If there’s anything you forgot to bring, let me know.”

  I walked down the stairs, made my way into the kitchen, and turned on the coffee pot. I cut the freshly made crumb cake into small pieces and arrayed them on a plate.

  Kathy walked into the kitchen. “That looks good.”

  “I thought you might want something to eat. I know they don’t give you anything in the way of food on planes these days. Would you like coffee or tea?”

  “Coffee’s fine. Cream and sugar if you have it.”

  I poured her a mug and slid it across the counter. I picked up mine and the crumb cake and sat next to her.

  She helped herself to a piece and took a bite. “Thank you for going to all this trouble. I feel like I should be doing something, but my
dad and I weren’t close, and I hardly know Wanda—I think we’ve only spoken on the phone once or twice.” She looked at the ceiling. “They’ve only been married for a year or two. They had one of those destination weddings in Fiji.” She sipped her coffee. “It didn’t seem worth it to go. It was my Dad’s sixth marriage; I stopped going after the second one.

  “You never really know how long you’ll have with someone. I should have stayed in touch—made more of an effort.” A tear rolled down her face. She swiped at it. “I don’t know why I’m getting so sentimental. I said goodbye to him a long time ago.”

  I poured her more coffee.

  She looked me in the eyes. “It was a man, of course. I was madly in love. My dad didn’t think he was good enough for me. He paid him off.” She sighed. “I guess if he could be bought off, my dad was probably right. But at the time, I thought he ruined my life forever.” She played with her napkin. “And maybe he did. Look at me. Not married, no kids.”

  “I’m sorry you’ve had such a tough time.”

  She pulled my notebook to her. “Enough about that. Why don’t you show me what you have planned?”

  I took her through the Mass, the catering, and the people I thought would attend.

  “You’ve thought of everything. I even like the readings you selected.”

  “Would you like to read one.”

  “I would. I’ll do this one, Acts 10:34-43. I like how it ends ‘…Everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins.’ I think he believed, and he certainly had a lot of sins that needed to be forgiven.”

  My eyes widened.

  The back door opened, and Wanda strolled in. She was wearing a black Chanel suit with what looked to be a very expensive brooch. She walked forward, her hand out. “You must be Kathy. I’m Wanda. I’m sorry we’ve only ever spoken on the phone. Your father admired you so much.”

  Kathy stood and backed away. “I thought you’d still be in jail.”

  “I got out on bail late last night.”

  “The police have been giving me updates. They said you poisoned him.”

  Wanda closed the gap between them. “I didn’t. I wouldn’t even know how to find—”

  “Ricin.”

  “That’s right. How would I know where to get something like that?”

  Kathy sank back onto her chair. “I don’t even know you. I don’t know how I’m supposed to believe you. My lawyer said that you’re getting everything—” She stood abruptly. “This was a mistake. I’ll find a motel.”

  I rose. “I can understand how you feel, but the only place near town isn’t appropriate. Why don’t you go up to your room and rest, and we’ll see what we can work out?”

  She trudged up the steps and shut her door.

  Wanda said, “I can’t believe she would think—I would never do anything like that. No matter how much money was involved.”

  I bit my lip. “Kathy seems pretty upset. I think we’re going to have to make other arrangements until you are cleared of the murder, or she goes back home.”

  “You’re not suggesting I leave?”

  “We need to do some shuffling. At least in the short term.”

  “I’ll be in my room.” She stormed up the steps.

  I called Rob. “Need you to intervene. Kathy doesn’t want to stay in the same house as your mother.”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  I collapsed onto the chair. Houseguests.

  Rob walked in with Elizabeth ten minutes later. “Where’s Mother?”

  I pointed up. He kissed the top of my head and ran up the stairs. A door opened and shut.

  Elizabeth poured a cup of coffee. “I’m sorry for all this bother.”

  “Not your fault. We’ll get through this.”

  A few minutes later, Rob returned. “She’s packing. She’s not happy, but at least she’s leaving.” He went to get her suitcase, and then they came back down the steps.

  Wanda nodded to Elizabeth and then walked out the door without looking at me.

  Rob trailed. “Sorry. I’ll talk to you later.”

  I put my coffee cup down. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” I strode up the steps and knocked softly on Kathy’s door.

  “Come in.”

  I shut the door behind me. She lay on the bed reading; a quilt tucked around her. I said, “We’re going to move people around. Wanda is going to stay at her son’s house, and her daughter is going to stay here. I want you to feel comfortable.”

  She put her book down and sat up. “It seems like an awful lot of trouble.”

  “We’re all set. We’ll have lunch at one if you feel up to it.”

  “Thank you.” She curled up again, and I left.

  I stripped the sheets from the guest bed and put on new ones. Elizabeth stood in the doorway. “I could have done that.” She picked up one side of the quilt and helped me put it on the bed.

  I smoothed an errant crease. “All done. Thanks for the assist.” The clock chimed twelve. “Welcome to casa March.”

  She giggled. “It will be fun to have more time to get to know you.”

  “I’ll let you put your things away. Come down when you’re ready.” I carried the sheets downstairs and put them in the wash.

  Sitting at the kitchen counter, I finished making a list of the things needed from the store. Task accomplished, I doodled in the margins. If Wanda didn’t kill Richard, who did?

  Elizabeth came into the kitchen. “Can I help you set out lunch?”

  “Yes, hopefully, you like tuna salad; I made a ton of it.”

  “You’re in luck. It’s my favorite.”

  “Since you’re a surgeon, I’ll let you slice the tomatoes.” I handed her the knife. “Do you get that a lot?”

  “What?”

  “People expecting you to do the carving.”

  She chuckled. “Every day.”

  Kathy joined us. “Can I help?”

  Elizabeth turned from where she was making precise cuts on the tomatoes. “I’d shake your hand but—” She waved the knife.

  I handed Kathy the bowl of tuna salad. “Set the table?”

  “Sure. I love tuna.”

  I finished washing the lettuce and put it on a plate lined with a paper towel. “What would you ladies like to drink with lunch? I have milk, sodas, or lemonade.”

  In unison, they said, “Milk.”

  “Milk it is.” I poured three glasses and handed them to Kathy. She deposited them on the table.

  “Anyone want chips?” Two heads nodded. I grabbed a bag and placed it on the table, along with the bread. Elizabeth brought over the tomatoes and lettuce, and we sat.

  Elizabeth added an extra piece of lettuce to her sandwich and turned to Kathy. “I’m so sorry for your loss; it must be difficult for you.”

  Kathy shivered. “I can’t believe he’s dead. And poisoned. I was sure he’d get shot.”

  My eyes grew round. “I know you said he wasn’t the nicest man in the world, but did you really think someone would shoot him?”

  “Well he was in ‘sanitation.’” Kathy motioned with air quotes.

  “Why would that make someone want to kill him?” Elizabeth took a bite of her sandwich.

  “I don’t think she really meant he was in sanitation,” I said.

  Kathy pointed at me. “Bingo. That was his front. I heard some things. I think he was connected.”

  “What made you think that?”

  “A man came to our house in Lancaster ages ago. I was playing hide and seek from the governess and ended up in a closet in my dad’s office. The door was slightly ajar. My dad came around the desk and sat. I was very quiet and stared at him.” She popped a potato chip in her mouth. “I wasn’t allowed to be in there.” She gave a thin smile. “That’s what made it such a great hiding place.

  “Anyway, a few minutes later, another man came in. I couldn’t see him; he must have been across the desk. He begged my father to extend the time to pay back a loan. My dad
slowly picked up the bat he had lying on the floor under his desk. He slapped it against his hand several times and said, ‘If I give you extra time, Mrs. Thomas will want extra time, and then Mr. Duncan; pretty soon I’ll be out of business. No. I want my money, and I want it by noon tomorrow.’ He pointed the bat toward where the man must have been sitting and said, ‘Understand?’

  “I crawled to the back of the closet and waited for what seemed like an eternity. I finally heard my father’s office door shut. I crawled to the opening and scanned the room. It was empty. I slid out, tiptoed to the door, and slowly opened it. I peered out. No one in the hallway. I jumped through the door and shut it behind me. That was the last time I used his closet as a hiding place.”

  Elizabeth leaned forward. “Do you think he was a loan shark?”

  “I didn’t know what he was, back then. I was too young. I understood more when I was older and saw some of his business practices. Being a loan shark was one of his businesses.” She took another chip and lifted her eyes to mine. “The tuna salad was terrific. I like the fact that you chopped up bits of pickle into it. The brine is a nice offset to the richness of the mayo.”

  I sipped my milk. “That’s quite a story. Did your father and mother get divorced?”

  She pushed the lone remaining potato chip around her plate with her finger. “My mother disappeared when I was fourteen. I like to think she’s living on a Caribbean Island somewhere.”

  “What did the police say?”

  “They officially listed her as missing. Her passport was gone, along with some of her clothes. But I don’t think she would have left me. She loved me.”

  Elizabeth sat back. “That’s tragic. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  “Thanks. It happened such a long time ago that sometimes I think I just dreamed I had a mother; that she was never really there.”

  I gulped. “Who’s up for homemade chocolate chip cookies?”

  Kathy raised her hand.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  The church was half full for the Funeral Mass on Monday. I was happy with the attendance but exhausted. Patty and I had called many of the parishioners on Sunday, pleading with them to attend. It might have been easier to hire professional mourners. Rob sat with his mother and sister in the front pew on the left-hand side of the church, and Jenny and I sat with Kathy on the right-hand side. Father Tom did an excellent job with the sermon, weaving in the remembrances and stories Wanda and Kathy had shared with him.