Murder So Deadly

by Eileen Curley Hammond

  Rob rubbed his forehead. “I didn’t know you ever thought about those times.”

  “Every day.” Wanda touched his hand.

  He pulled his hand away. “If you loved Dad so much, why did you marry again? And so often.”

  “Because I needed to. We’ve been through this before. Your father was the only man I ever really loved. I’ve liked my other husbands, but in my mind, I’ve still been faithful to him. Money is important to me.”

  “But you and Dad didn’t have money.”

  She sat straighter. “No, we didn’t. But we had each other, and we had you and Elizabeth. Never underestimate the power of trust in a relationship. It made me strong. I wasn’t worried about the future. Then in an instant, in an explosion, your father’s life ended. And in a way, so did mine.” She wiped a tear from her face and then shrugged. “Water under the bridge. It was up to me to figure out what to do, and I did it. One step after another. You may not like it or approve, but it’s my life, and I’m living it the only way I know how.”

  Rob’s mouth sagged. The waitress came with our dinners and placed the plates on the table. Wanda had ordered the salmon, broiled dry. She picked up her fork and then hesitated. She looked up at the waitress. “Would you please get me drawn butter to go on this? I feel the need for a treat.”

  My eyes grew round. I squeaked, “Butter?”

  “I give myself latitude on occasion. And this is one of those occasions.”

  I tried not to smile as I cut into my chicken parmigiana. “Okay, so you’ve told us about the night of the storm. What happened the day Richard was killed? Where did you go?”

  Her cheeks reddened. “You’ll think it awful.”

  Rob looked up from his steak. “Spill, Mother.”

  “I went clothes shopping. There’s absolutely nothing out here in the hinterlands, so I went into the city. While I was at the store, Mac texted me. He wanted me to meet him for lunch at his house. We had a lovely white wine and a gorgeous red snapper.” She cleared her throat. “I returned to Merry’s at about four and had a bath. You know the rest.”

  Rob put his face in his hands. “Mother, please tell me that you did not sleep with Mac and then sleep with Richard later that night?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business.”

  I pushed my meal away. “I’m not very hungry.”

  “Nor me.” Rob put his knife and fork on top of the remainder of his steak.

  Wanda pursed her lips and then poured the melted butter on her salmon. She lifted a piece to her lips and ate it. “Mm. Delightful.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  I had a presentation to one of my business clients the next afternoon, so I spent the morning preparing. To make sure I’d focus, I had silenced both my work and personal phones. I took a break mid-morning. As I passed Cheryl on my way to the break room, she held up a finger. “You got a call this morning from Richard’s daughter. She wants to come to see Richard’s gravestone and wanted to know if she could impose and crash at your place Saturday night.”

  I groaned. “I’m getting a little bit tired of houseguests, but I guess it would be churlish of me to say no. Would you return her call, tell her yes, and get all the particulars?”

  I continued to the breakroom and poured myself a large coffee. On my way back to my office, I stopped by several desks to catch up on what was going on. We had brought on a few large clients lately, and I wanted to get a feel for the workload. No one complained too much, so I figured we hadn’t used up all our capacity yet.

  Rob arrived at noon with a bag in his hands. “I know it’s a busy day, so I thought you might want lunch brought in.”

  “And such a handsome delivery man.” I hugged him.

  I cleared off my desk, and he and I sat on the same side. I unwrapped the sandwich. “Egg salad on wheat. Perfect.”

  Rob stared at his sandwich. Sighing, he opened it. “I’m still dealing with last night. I’m relieved that Mother didn’t kill her husband, but I’m disturbed that she feels she has to marry for security. She could have lived with me, or Elizabeth.”

  “You were in your last year of school; Elizabeth was finishing med school. How was she going to do that?”

  His chin jutted. “I could have dropped out. I’m sure I could have found something.”

  I rubbed his back. “Your mom wouldn’t have wanted that.”

  “You’re right, but I can’t believe she wants the life she’s living now.”

  “Mac seems like a nice man. Maybe they’ll stay together. Maybe this is the right fit for her.”

  “Maybe.” He bit into his sandwich and mumbled, “I hope so. Jay called her lawyer. He wanted her to come in for another interview.”

  “Not surprising.”

  “It isn’t.” He massaged the back of his neck. “Enough of this depressing stuff. What’s new with you?”

  “Kathy Franco’s coming back to town this weekend.”

  Rob’s eyebrow rose. “What for?”

  “She wants to see her father’s stone. She’s going to stay with me.”

  “You must be getting tired of having company.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Chapter 15

  Kathy wheeled her overnight bag into the house. “Thank you for letting me stay tonight. I know it’s an imposition, but there weren’t a lot of choices. You were kind enough to arrange the funeral, and here I am back again.”

  “It’s no problem. You’ll be in the guest room—the one Elizabeth was in. Do you need help?”

  “No. I’ll be back down in a minute.”

  I pointed to the rear of the house. “It’s such a lovely morning. Let’s have coffee out back.”

  She carried her bag up the stairs.

  The coffee made; I poured it into a thermos. Then I grabbed two mugs and a plate of scones. Tray prepared, I carried it out and set it down on the table. I sat.

  Kathy came out of the back door and joined me. “You have a lovely guest room.” She paused. “Not that your daughter’s room wasn’t nice, mind you.”

  “The guest room isn’t overflowing with her stuff. I understand. Coffee?” I held up a mug.

  “Yes, please.”

  I passed her the scones and napkins.

  “These look delicious.” She turned the plate. “Are they blueberry?”

  “Yes.” I handed her the coffee mug.

  She sighed. “It’s so peaceful here. I love your backyard. So many birds, and your garden’s lovely.”

  “I had to place the feeders and the water fountain strategically. My cats can be killers. This arrangement seems to be working well.” I surveyed the yard with satisfaction.

  Alex’s head appeared over the garden gate. “I thought I heard voices. Am I interrupting?”

  I stood. “Not at all. Would you like coffee? I’ll grab another chair. Oh, where are my manners? This is Kathy Franco, Richard’s daughter.”

  Alex shook Kathy’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m so sorry for your loss.” She waited for a beat. “No, I can’t stay. I wanted to invite you, Jenny, and Rob to dinner tomorrow night.” She extended her hand toward the rear of my property. “Andy and Ed will be there.” She hesitated. “And Kathy, of course, you’re welcome too.”

  Kathy shook her head. “Unfortunately, I’m leaving tomorrow morning. I just came in to see Dad’s headstone.”

  I said, “Let me check with Rob. I’ll get back to you tonight.”

  Alex waved as she ducked back through the gate. Courvoisier leaped up onto Kathy’s armrest.

  I said, “Uh-oh. Somebody wants to be petted. Shall I take her inside?”

  “No. I like cats.”

  I sat back down.

  Kathy stared at Alex’s back. “It sounds weird, but I think I’ve seen that woman before.” She shook her head. “It’ll come to me. And now, I should do what I came to do. I’m sorry to move you, Courvoisier.” She stood, and the cat jumped off the chair.

  “Do you need a ride?”

&n
bsp; “I’d rather be alone. If I remember correctly, the cemetery isn’t that far from here.”

  “It’s not. Take a right out of the driveway, and you’ll see it, about a half a mile down the road.”

  “I’ll see you later.” She strolled out the garden gate.

  I finished my coffee and decided to dust. Putting on vintage Heart, I rocked it out downstairs, swiping as I went. Satisfied that no mote had been left, I put away the dust rag. The clock chimed one, as I deposited a load of laundry into the washing machine. I wandered to the living room window and peered out. A few people were out walking, but not my guest of the moment. I wonder where she is.

  Two hours later, there was a rap at the front door. Kathy stood on the stoop, looking exhausted. I opened the door. “Are you okay? It must have been tough seeing your father’s grave.”

  She walked past me and sank onto the sofa. “It wasn’t seeing Dad’s grave, though that was sad. I stopped by the motel. I wanted to see if Dad’s ‘associates’ had found anything new. I knocked and knocked on the door to their room. Their car was outside. The desk clerk wasn’t too happy, but I made him open the door. They were dead.”

  “Dead? How? They were big guys.”

  “Shot. They looked like they had been dead for a while. Can I get a small vodka on ice, if you have it?”

  “Of course. Just give me a second.” I rushed into the kitchen, put ice, vodka, and two olives into a glass. I walked back into the living room. She had her eyes closed, her head resting against the couch. “Here you go.”

  “Thanks. It was such a shock. This is the first time I’ve ever seen a dead body that hasn’t been in a casket. And hopefully, it will be the last.” She sipped her drink. “Thanks for this and the olives.”

  I sank onto the sofa next to her. “What do the police think happened?”

  “They didn’t say. I think they were as surprised as I was.”

  “Frank and Bud had been asking a lot of questions. People in town knew they were investigating what happened to your father. Maybe they asked the wrong question of the wrong person.”

  She shuddered. “Dad and now them. Maybe it has something to do with his business.”

  There was a rap at the back door, and Rob called out, “Anyone home?”

  “In here.”

  He rounded the corner. “Did you hear about Frank and Bud?”

  “Yes. Kathy was filling me in. She was the one who found them.”

  He sat on one of the chairs. “Were they poisoned?”

  “Nope. Shot.” She gulped the vodka, finishing it.

  I stood. “Would you like some more?”

  She shook her head. “Probably not a good idea.” She popped one of the olives into her mouth and rose. “I need to lie down for a bit.” She wandered up the stairs.

  “I’m going to go to the police station. I want to find out what’s going on. Dinner here tonight? I’ll bring takeout.” Rob opened the door.

  “Your mother doesn’t have a gun, does she?”

  “Not to my knowledge, but I’m finding that doesn’t mean a lot.” He left.

  I ambled around the house aimlessly, until I finally settled on the sofa. I couldn’t believe that Rob’s mother shot Frank and Bud. It was so pointless. What a mess. I picked up my book in the hope it would distract me. After an hour or so, an upstairs door opened. Kathy made her way down the steps and sat next to me. “I feel terrible. I forgot to thank you for arranging for Dad’s stone. It was lovely, just like the sketch you sent before it was carved. I sat there for a while on a bench, thinking about my dad. There were fun times mixed in with the bad. I remembered when I was fifteen, and he took me to Aruba. I learned to surf, and he learned to keep his mouth closed when he fell off the board.” She laughed, and then her hand flew to her mouth. “That wasn’t appropriate.”

  “It’s been a difficult day for you.”

  “I probably owe Wanda an apology.”

  “What for?” I closed my book.

  “Detective Ziebold said the poison wasn’t in the champagne. I guess that means that she didn’t do it.”

  I squirmed. “I know this has been a terrible day for you, but there’s something you should know. Especially if you’re going to see her again.” I coughed. “Um, you see, Wanda remarried.”

  “What? How is that even possible? We put Dad in the ground a few weeks ago. His stone was just delivered! That woman is a piece of work.” Kathy’s face reddened.

  I mumbled. “You have no idea.”

  She stood. “Dad wasn’t the best man in the world, but you’d think she’d show some respect. The staff at his house told me she’d given them notice. Soon she’ll probably sell it, and it will be like he never existed. She got most of my mother’s jewelry, you know.” Her lips quivered. “Now I’ll have two parents who disappeared. I’m going to take a shower. I’ll be down for dinner.”

  Before I could say a word, she shot up the stairs.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Kathy came back down at six. “I’m sorry I left in such a snit.”

  “It was a shock, I’m sure. I’m sorry I had to be the one to tell you.” My foot swung back and forth, betraying my nervousness. “Rob’s bringing takeout tonight. We thought you probably wouldn’t want to go out to dinner. I hope it’s okay that he’s going to be here.”

  “Merry, I don’t blame Rob. That would be like blaming me for stuff my dad did.”

  My shoulders relaxed. “Good. So you’ll join us?”

  “Yes. Although I feel bad crashing your date night.”

  “We’re not seventeen.” I opened the fridge. “Wine?”

  “Yes, please.” Her eyebrows tightened. “Ever since this morning, I’ve been trying to think of where I know your neighbor from. It’s driving me crazy.”

  “She was a surfer in California if that helps.”

  Kathy shook her head. “It’s the strangest thing. I don’t think I’ve ever actually met her before. It’s like I’ve only seen her from afar—” she paused, “or in a photo.”

  I poured the wine. As she reached for a glass, she stopped mid-reach and pulled out her phone. “That’s it.”

  “What?”

  “It was a photo. Dad sent me a picture of his Las Vegas wedding. I’m ninety-nine percent positive Alex was his fifth wife—the one before Wanda.” She scrolled on her phone. “I have all his wife photos in a folder.” She stiff-armed the phone to me.

  She was a few years younger and wore a tailored white suit, versus her usual bohemian chic. It was Alex.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Kathy left early the next morning, and Rob and I strolled to the ten-thirty mass. I held his hand. “I can’t believe Alex was married to Richard. Why do you think she didn’t tell us about it?”

  “Maybe it was a coincidence, and she didn’t want to get drawn into the middle of everything.”

  “I can tell you one thing. I’m going to ask her about it tonight if I don’t see her sooner. Should we tell Jay?”

  Rob held the door to the church open for me. “Yes. It’s suspicious, it diverts attention away from my mother, and Alex had access to the poison.”

  Mass went quickly and Father Tom did his usual good job on the sermon. As we were leaving the pew, I noticed Barbara Ziebold with her brood. “Rob, there’s Barbara. Do you see Jay?”

  He studied the backs of people exiting and then pointed to the side exit on the left. “He went out that door with their oldest.”

  I crossed the aisle and headed for the closing door. Rob trailed me. I yanked the door open. They had stopped to the side.

  Jay’s son was leaning against the building, and Jay shook his finger at him. “Even if your ten-year-old brother pinched your leg, it doesn’t give you an excuse to haul off and hit him. Especially not in church. Now you are going to march right back in there and apologize to Father Tom and your brother.” He held out his hand. “Your phone.”

  His son stuttered, “My phone?”

  “You’ll get it back in a w
eek.” He shook his finger again. “That is if you control yourself.”

  His son handed him the phone. Jay slid it into his pocket. He nodded at us. “Meet you by the front in ten minutes.”

  We strolled to the front of the church. The doors were still open from the exodus after mass. Jay’s son’s face was mottled, and he shifted from foot to foot as he spoke with Father Tom. Jay motioned for his son to leave, and he sped past us down the stairs. Jay joined us. “Sorry for the delay. What’s up?”

  Rob stepped forward, “Do you have any more information on the shootings yesterday?”

  “On the record, or off?” Jay crossed his arms.

  “On preferably, but off if you’ll be more forthcoming.”

  Jay’s eyebrow rose. “Off. The coroner is working to pin down a time of death. Her early read is that they had been dead for several days. Now if that’s all you needed, I’ll be on my way.”

  I held out my hand to stop him. “You need to hear this.” I filled him in on Alex.

  “So she was wife number five?”

  “It looks that way.”

  “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll swing by on my way home and ask her some questions.” He gestured toward his son. “It’ll give him more time to settle down.”

  I watched Jay retreat. “Do you think Alex will be mad at us for telling him? Maybe I should have asked him not to let on that we know.”

  “Weren’t you planning on asking her about it tonight?”

  I gave him a lopsided grin. “You’re right. She’d have figured it out at that point. I should make something special for dessert to take with us. Maybe then she won’t be too mad.”

  Rob went into my home office to write an article, and I focused on a strawberry cheesecake. It was unfortunate the party wasn’t a few weeks later when the strawberries in my garden would be ripe.

  Jenny came through the back door. “Something smells good.”