He looked at his watch. “My wife will be taking care of that.”
“Oh. I understand.” She slipped the card back. “Anyway, this whole terrible incident has brought up a matter that I need to discuss with you. And if you don’t mind, this must remain between the two of us.”
For whatever reason he looked into Hattie’s eyes for the first time. Apparently, she snagged some interest. “But of course, you’re a professional and realize the importance of confidentiality.”
A grin flashed across his face. “Yes, privacy is critical.”
Hattie clapped her hands together. “Exactly! I knew you were the right person to speak with.”
The phone rang again. He ignored it.
Hattie whispered in a confidential tone. “It’s my house. I’m thinking of putting it on the market.”
His eyebrows rose. “I see.”
“I’ve been thinking about selling for some time, what with all the upkeep. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you, have you had ants?”
“No.”
“Well, I do seem to have a bit of a problem with them in the spring. Do you think I should alert any potential buyers to the situation?”
“Not necessary.”
Hattie sat back. “That’s a relief. I’ve never sold a home. Can you imagine? Anyway, I’m not sure of the proper procedure.”
Wolfgang’s posture changed. He leaned forward, his face brightened. “That’s why there are realtors, Mrs. Moon. We take away the pain and aggravation of both buying and selling. It can be a complicated transaction. Where are you moving to?”
Telling one lie was bad enough, but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything that remotely suggested a Home. “Florida,” she blurted.
“A condominium?”
“Yes.”
“In what part of the state?”
“Somewhere sunny and warm.” After the words came out, she smiled realizing how silly she must sound.
“I see,” he said.
“I suppose it would depend on how much money I could get for my house.”
“That’s always a consideration.”
“But after this situation I’m not sure if selling would be such a good idea.”
“What situation?”
“Jason’s death. Not so much his death but where he was found. I mean since his body was discovered in my backyard, wouldn’t that affect the sale price?”
“Interesting observation. Yes, I understand your concern. But any sale is simply a matter of spin.”
“Spin? I’m not sure what you mean.”
He grinned. “To sell any home, one must accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.”
“Like the song?”
“Precisely.”
Hattie thought a moment. “For instance, perhaps one could say that he wasn’t actually found in my yard at all, but behind the plaza.”
“Exactly. That would be a totally reasonable and understandable explanation.”
“Of course, you’re familiar with my property since last evening you passed through the very same spot and could see for yourself that the distance between my yard and the plaza is only a few feet. But would a potential buyer understand?”
Wolfgang visibly stiffened. His fluid smile locked. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I mean if a buyer were to come and see—”
“I wasn’t in your yard last night.”
Hattie sat straighter. “But you were. Say about five, five-thirty.”
“I’m sorry but you’re mistaken.”
“I don’t believe so. You were wearing that long black coat. It’s quite dashing, I must say. Although long hemlines can be quite burdensome.”
Wolfgang’s glance became distant. “Now I recall. Mrs. Moon you’re absolutely right. I did step out for a minute. Had a quick run over to get some cigarettes. Listen, I’m sorry about cutting through your yard, but it’s so much quicker than going all the way around.”
“Yes, I suppose it would be. Did you get your cigarettes at Winnie’s?”
“Sure did.”
Hattie smiled. “You know, I love this neighborhood. Everything’s so convenient especially with the plaza being right around the corner. A good selling point, don’t you think?”
Seemingly more relaxed, Wolfgang settled into the couch. “Definitely.”
Hattie returned his faint smile even though she knew Winnie’s closed early on Sundays.
“Have you ever seen anyone back there?”
“Back where?”
“The area where I saw you last evening.”
He leaned toward her, uncomfortably close. His lips were taut, his eyes unblinking. The words came out in a quiet, disturbing hiss. “Why the third degree? Is this a set up?”
“Set up?”
“Listen, I don’t know what she said to you or why she put you up to this but—”
“Wolfgang, calm down. No one set me up to do anything.”
He bolted upright from the couch. “She’s crazy. How the heck am I supposed to get any work done?” He turned to Hattie. “Can you answer me that?”
Hattie felt like a deer caught in the headlights. Who was he talking about? “I’m not sure I under—”
He held his hands up to silence her. “Mrs. Moon, Julia is going through a difficult time right now. What am I saying, she’s been jealous from the day we met. I’m a salesman. I work with people all the time. Do you think I could make money by being unfriendly? Heck no! Sometimes you got to go the extra mile. But, I assure you, whether it’s a lunch or a drink over a contract, it’s always business. Plain and simple.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Mrs. Moon let me tell you something else. Last night wasn’t the first time I had to go through your yard. I tell her I’m going into my study so I can sneak out like some teenage kid scamming his parents. All so I can meet a client at the diner.”
He rubbed his face and snorted. “Wolfgang Spencer, president of the Board of Realtors, has to resort to guerrilla tactics just to leave his house.” He looked at Hattie. “Some joke, huh?”
Hattie finally had room to speak. But what could she say? One thing she needed to make clear was that she wasn’t about to be another bone of contention between the young couple.
“Wolfgang, I’ve never spoken to Julia about you.”
His shoulders sagged. “It doesn’t matter anyway. Nothing I do will change her. She wanted to get married, we got married. She wanted a house, here it is. All to make her happy. But it’s never enough. And now she has something else on her agenda. Take a guess what it is.”
Hattie nodded knowingly.
“Yeah, you got it––a baby. But it’s all for the wrong reasons just like everything else. Not even pregnant and she’s already turned the spare bedroom into a nursery.” He shook his head.
Whatever problems the couple had, Wolfgang was correct about one thing––it wasn’t right to bring a child into the world with a reluctant parent.
“Wolfgang, I was married for almost fifty years, and looking back on it, the early years were the most difficult. It was like running a three-legged race where you’re tied together but not always in step. So what if you fall a few times, the important thing is to laugh a lot and forget about the finish line.”
“The finish line. Would that be the divorce or the fifty years?”
“Either I suppose. The point is a couple needs to take it one day at a time, enjoy the small moments, and be playful.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Marriage can become one long dismal habit and sometimes it needs to be jumbled about, given a new perspective. Take dessert for instance.”
“Dessert?”
She leaned forward and winked. “Try having it before the meal when you’re not so full and when you can really appreciate it.”
He looked askance. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Hattie inched herself to the edge of the seat. “I best be going.”
> Wolfgang reached out and helped her up. “When can I come over and take measurements?”
“Measurements?”
“Yes, I’ll be needing to know the room sizes, square footage.”
Hattie grabbed his arm and confided, “Dear, any plans to sell my house must stay between us. Howie, my son, is very reluctant to sell the home he grew up in. So many memories.”
“Of course.”
“Anyway, I wanted to know some basics and I certainly will call you when I make my final decision.”
“Excellent. Let me get you my card.”
“Yes, that’s a fine idea.”
He gave her hand a pat. “Back in a flash.”
The visit had been interesting but unproductive. Although she learned nothing more about poor Jason, perhaps her interaction with Wolfgang was helpful. Anything she could do or say to help a young married couple would certainly be time well spent.
She meandered toward a window that faced her own home. How odd it seemed to be looking at her dining room from this vantage point. The draperies where Ralph had been standing, were gathered unevenly. Not a pretty sight. She’d have to remember to straighten them when she returned home.
“Here you go.”
Hattie spun around.
“My cell number’s on the bottom corner. Please feel free to call anytime.”
Hattie slipped the card into her coat pocket. “Yes, I certainly will.”
Sidling up to her, he formally took her hand and rested it on his arm. “Thanks for the cookies and allow me the honor of walking you to the door.”
Hattie leaned into him and realized how charismatic and charming Wolfgang could be.
Chapter Ten
“An electric caftan,” Muriel answered to Hattie’s question of what she was wearing.
Muriel spun around. “Just came this morning.” An electrical cord dragged along the floor behind her. “It’s a reversible, crossover piece.”
Hattie unbuttoned her coat. “Crossover?”
“Two things in one. You know like the underwear I ordered a few weeks ago.”
Hattie smiled. The underwear had been a curious piece of material that stretched into either a bra or panty. This item was striped and reminded Hattie of an oversized poncho. There was a hole where Muriel’s head came through and long flaps, front and back, that fell full-length to the floor.
Muriel stepped over to Hattie and pulled up the corner hem. “See, it’s terrycloth on the inside, but warm and fuzzy on the outside. And you have these snaps along the sides to close or open it. An electric blanket and robe all in one. Great, huh?”
Hattie felt the material. “You’ll certainly be warm this winter.”
Muriel gave herself a bear hug. “Yes, I think I’ll keep it.”
Hattie looked around the living room uncertain where to sit.
Muriel’s home was in its usual state of disarray, not from dirt but from clutter. Muriel loved to TV shop. The walls in her living room were lined with sets of plates, dolls, and a various assortment of knick-knacks that were always in need of one more piece for completion. The couch was strewn with opened boxes, packing popcorn, and curling strips of tape.
Muriel reached over and pulled at a corner of one large box until it flopped onto the floor. “Sit here. Sorry for the mess but I had quite a few deliveries stacked up since I was in the hospital.”
Hattie draped her coat on the arm of the couch and nestled into the spot. “Yes, I see that. Early Christmas shopping?”
Muriel looked over her loot and bit the inside of her cheek. “Hmm... I’m certain I had my niece in mind for one of these things. Let me think, what was it? Yes, here it is.”
From beneath the coffee table, Muriel pulled out a small black velvet box and cracked it open. “It’s a gold necklace with little beads.”
Hattie nodded approvingly.
Muriel plucked it from the tufted interior, held it in the air. “But maybe it’s too plain for her.”
“Muriel, it’s nothing of the sort and don’t you dare.”
“Dare?”
Hattie grinned. “A present is meant to be given away.”
Muriel held the necklace over the opened box and carefully circled it back into place. “Phooey.”
All of Muriel’s purchases were a mystery to Hattie. It seemed like so much needless expense. Perhaps growing up in a modest household made Hattie more conscious of a person’s need for the basics: food, warmth, and someone to love. Perhaps if Muriel had someone in her life, either a husband or a child, her obsession with buying things would be less.
“Muriel, how are you feeling?”
“Top notch,” she answered as she pulled the robe over her head.
“You had us worried last night.”
Muriel’s eyes grew big. “So, Ralph was worried about me?”
“Of course.”
“What exactly did he say? No wait, don’t tell me now. The pie’s still in the oven, but let’s have something to drink. What would you like? Coffee or tea?”
“Tea sounds lovely.”
Sweeping off toward the kitchen, Muriel said, “I want to hear every detail.”
Oh Lordy, Hattie thought, now she’d have to do some creative editing of her conversation with Ralph. Hattie yelled out, “Okay.”
The smell of the pie, familiar surroundings, and even the blaring television which was always rather unnerving, helped Hattie breathe easier. It had been a long morning.
A pert blond saleslady on the shopping network spoke excitedly about a ruby ring. “I’ll have to put this one on.” The camera zoomed in. Had Hattie ever seen such long beautiful fingers and shiny red nails? The woman slipped the ring on her middle finger and rolled the ring from side to side. The camera caught its sparkles. “Oh, my,” the pretty woman said, “this is going on my Christmas list...”
Hattie heaved a sigh. Christmas was not the time to lose someone.
Balancing a tea service, Muriel lumbered in and nudged the tray onto the table. Several boxes fell to the floor. She tilted her head toward the TV. “It’s gold rush day. See anything you like?”
Hattie shook her head.
“The day is young. Help yourself to tea.” Muriel sunk into the couch. “Now, Ralph. What did he say about me?”
Hattie poured some tea and dove in. “He asked how you were doing.”
“Did he seem really concerned or was he being polite?”
“Concerned, of course.”
Muriel clapped with excitement. “I just knew it. What else?”
“Let’s see…he said we could count on him no matter what.”
Muriel reared back. “What does that mean?”
“If anything happens or we need help, we should call him.”
“Did he say ‘we should call him’ or ‘I should call him?’”
Hattie smiled nervously. “Either. Both.”
“Yes. I’m sure he would include you. Such a gentleman. Anything else?”
Hattie’s mind raced for any other nuggets she could rephrase into something positive. “He said you are unique, one of a kind.”
Muriel eyes grew wide. “Really? One of a kind. Like I’m special?”
Hattie nodded. “Very special. Ralph and I both agree on that.”
Muriel stared off. “Well, what do you know?”
Suddenly, Hattie saw an unexpected opportunity. “Muriel, before you go off on cloud nine, there was something else.”
Muriel’s smile froze.
“He feels you have to take better care of yourself.”
“He’s worried about my health?”
“Yes. We both are.”
Muriel pursed her lips. “Phooey. I have everything under control…Hey, I got an idea. When the pie’s done I’ll take him a piece and thank him for last night. Then he’ll see I’m fine and there’s no need to worry. What do you think?”
Hattie grinned. “That would be a nice gesture.”
Muriel’s face lit up. “Consider it done! Now let
’s get back to business. How’s the investigation going?”
For ten minutes, Hattie recounted her visits with Scott and Wolfgang. Concluding, Hattie said, “So that’s where we stand. I was hoping someone had seen Jason. If only I could get a sense of how he behaved, what he looked like. Or better yet, if he was with someone.”
“Missing link for sure.”
“All we know is he came onto our block and delivered the papers. It’s like the poor boy was invisible.”
Muriel leaned forward. “OMG, I forgot to tell you. I didn’t realize it until this morning.”
Hattie perked up.
“It’s not much but I thought it was weird. Not like him.”
“Like who?”
“Jason. It’s not monumental. An oversight, I suppose. Anyway, my paper was delivered.”
Hattie’s shoulders sank. “But he always delivered your paper.”
“Yes, but when I was in the hospital I told him to hold onto them, which he did, but this morning I noticed yesterday’s paper was delivered as usual.”
“Hmm. That is odd.”
“I guess he could have forgotten. Or was in a hurry.”
“He did seem in a rush. At my house, he didn’t shut the storm door tight and the paper blew all over the place.”
“Did that happen often?”
Hattie felt a sudden chill. “Never…but the weather was terrible.”
Muriel bit the inside of her cheek.
“What are you thinking?”
“I hate to say it, but if he was that confused it would play into the theory he was strung out.”
“Strung out?”
“On drugs,” Muriel said. “Now, I don’t believe it for a minute.”
“And neither do I,” Hattie agreed, “but I suspect a lot of people would claim that was exactly the case.”
Muriel nodded. “Yeah, like Mr. Personality. Every time I think about how that detective talked to us, it burns me. Ungrateful piece of doo-doo.”
Hattie’s thoughts jumped onto another track. Perhaps the paper deliveries held more clues. It was a tiny thread that needed to be pulled. “Listen Muriel, after speaking with Scott, it came to me that Jason could have come into the yard from the plaza. It’s easy enough to find out.”
Murder in the Pachysandra Page 7
