by Mary Ellis
‘Not that long ago, police were summoned to the yacht club marina by an anonymous caller, specifically to the Arrivederci Sorrento. According to the report, Agnes Westin and her ex-husband, Robert, were in the midst of a heated argument when police arrived. A dining table and several wine glasses had been smashed, and one of the deckchairs was in the water, floating away with the current.’
‘My, my, those two had been divorced for years. What could they still be squabbling about?’
‘If I may venture a guess as an about-to-be married man … money. The term “over my dead body,” uttered by Mrs Westin, had been noted in the police report.’
‘Had there ever been any physical violence?’ she asked.
‘Apparently not. Both seemed to prefer smashing objects instead of each other. But due to the level of hostility, a thorough search was made of the boat. And guess what the police found?’
Kate decided to let Michael’s misuse of nautical terms slide. ‘I’m holding my breath with anticipation.’
‘A thirty-eight-caliber handgun, registered to Robert Westin, hidden behind a loose panel in the galley. A galley is a kitchen.’
‘I know that, Mr Natchez. I was born in Florida,’ Kate teased. ‘What am I missing here? There was no mention of a gunshot wound in the preliminary report.’
‘I know,’ Michael agreed. ‘But now we know a gun had been on the boat. Mrs Westin was so shocked when the gun was discovered that she started throwing more stuff at Robert until physically restrained by a woman cop.’
Kate pondered this. ‘What did Mr Westin say about the weapon?’
‘Not much. He said he hid the gun there years earlier before a trip to the Bahamas. He wanted protection from pirates in the Caribbean, no pun intended. Then, after their divorce, he’d forgotten about it.’
‘That could be true. I read about well-armed thieves robbing pleasure boats of all sizes.’
‘Yeah, except, according to the registration, the brand-new Smith and Wesson had been purchased long after their divorce.’
Kate felt a spike of anger. ‘Doesn’t anyone tell the truth to the police anymore? I thought rich folks had too much class to outright lie.’
‘I have no answer to that, but I scanned the report and sent it to your email. So what are you two ladies doing today?’
‘We’re not ladies; we’re professional private investigators. And don’t you forget it.’
‘Yes, ma’am. Tell sweet Beth I’ll talk to her tonight. And whatever you’re doing, be safe.’
‘Wait, Michael, there’s something else.’ Kate sucked in a breath. ‘I know you tapped my new work phone so don’t bother to deny it. I need to know who called me last night around eleven o’clock.’
‘Hey, it was the boss who told me to record your incoming calls. He’s worried about you and wants to know immediately about any threats against you. I haven’t checked the machine yet, so tell me about this phone call while I do that now.’
‘Some man said I should stay away from Santa Rosa Correctional and stop digging into my brother’s business. Otherwise, Liam wasn’t safe and neither was I. I told him I wasn’t digging into anything, but the guy hung up. That’s it. So I want to know who called.’
Michael was silent a moment. ‘If he used a prepaid cell phone, all I’ll be able to get is the closest cell tower it bounced off of. It’ll take a little while. I’ll call you back.’
Just like that, Michael hung up. And Kate fumed all the way back to the hotel. When she walked into their suite, Beth was at the kitchen counter, sipping coffee.
‘Michael called five minutes ago and woke me up. He told me about your late-night whacko and wants me with you today. No arguments.’
Kate toed off her sneakers. ‘Did he find out who the mystery caller was?’
‘Yep. His name is Elias Murphy. He’s a retired osteopathic physician from Mobile. Apparently, he didn’t like retirement, because he now works for the Florida Department of Corrections.’
‘At Santa Rosa Prison,’ Kate said.
‘Correct. Murphy used his personal cell phone from home – so much for being secretive. Michael checked and the doctor still works there.’
Kate felt lightheaded. She sat down hard at the table. ‘Did something happen to Liam?’
‘Nothing that Michael found so far, but he’ll delve deeper today. In the meantime, let’s take the good doctor’s advice and stay away from Liam.’
Kate ran a hand through her damp hair. As much as she wanted to drive to the prison with every piece of firepower Beth owned, she knew two people couldn’t storm a prison. Breaking someone out of a maximum-security facility only worked in the movies. ‘We have no other choice. Let’s head to the home of Robert Westin. While I take a shower, you find out where the ex-husband lives. Oh, and print out Michael’s emails. He sent a police report about a recent fight between Robert and Agnes on the Arrivederci. We’ll talk more along the way.’
Beth met Kate’s eye. The two women – formerly mentor and trainee – shared complete understanding with one look. ‘You got it, boss. Then tonight we’ll figure out a strategy for your brother.’
Kate showered and dressed as fast as she could, then called Robert Westin. Westin answered on the first ring and, after the briefest of explanations, said she could come over any time since he worked at home. His wife, however, was at Pilates, and then would be shopping for several hours.
During the short drive across the Pensacola Bay Bridge, Kate explained her desire to cultivate Robert Westin as an ally, not an enemy. Beth promised not to aggravate the guy under penalty of death.
The town of Gulf Breeze, home to the Westins, sat on a narrow band of land with Pensacola Bay on one side and the Santa Rosa Sound on the other. Further to the south was an even narrower ribbon of land called Santa Rosa Island, which contained Gulf Islands National Seashore, Pensacola Beach, Navarre Beach and, finally, to the east, Fort Walton Beach. South of this narrow ribbon was the Gulf of Mexico. Only when one viewed an overhead map could a person understand the vulnerability of barrier islands during a hurricane. But today was crystal clear, without a cloud in the sky. And from the moment Robert Westin opened his front door, Kate knew she’d have no trouble cultivating a new friend.
‘Mr Westin? I’m Kate Weller and this is Beth Kirby. We both work for Price Investigations.’
‘Come in, come in. What can I get you to drink? That sun is a scorcher today.’
‘Nothing, sir. We’re good.’
‘The name’s Robert. No sirs allowed in this house. Let’s talk in the Florida room where we’ll be more comfortable.’ Westin led them through a well-appointed living room, past a gourmet kitchen larger than her last apartment, and into a casual area with furniture in small groupings, tall potted palms, and a ten-person Jacuzzi.
‘Wow. I would spend my entire life in this room,’ Beth murmured.
‘Thanks, I pretty much do. I take no credit for anything. Kim did it all with her decorator friend. The best part is that the ceiling slides back so we can stargaze on cool nights.’
Both Kate and Beth turned their focuses skyward.
‘And those wall panels open to the pool area for parties.’
‘That was a good idea,’ said Kate, stating the obvious.
‘But you didn’t come to admire my wife’s handiwork. Please make yourself comfortable. Didn’t you mention you’re friends with my daughter?’ Westin perched on the arm of the sofa.
‘Not exactly. Your daughter hired me to investigate her mother’s death.’ Kate settled in a rattan chair.
Westin’s smile never wavered. ‘I’m ashamed to admit I still haven’t called Lainey. How’s she taking the death of her mother?’
‘I’m not a good judge of emotional states, but for some reason your daughter doesn’t think the police will conduct a thorough investigation.’
‘I’m afraid Lainey had a few run-ins with authority when she was younger. How can I help, Kate?’
‘Did you happen to be the one having l
unch with Mrs Westin on the afternoon she died?’
He chuckled as though she’d cracked a joke. ‘I’m afraid not. It’s been years since Agnes entertained me in that fashion on the Arrivederci.’
‘What does that mean?’
Westin flourished a hand through the air. ‘Nothing, sorry. For all I know, Agnes might have invited a committee member to lunch. But if there was plenty of wine involved, then most likely her guest was male.’
Kate nodded. ‘Several glasses were found on the table, along with at least one wine bottle. They were sent to the lab as evidence.’
‘Evidence of what?’ He blinked in disbelief. ‘I heard she had a heart attack and went face down on the table.’
‘We don’t know the cause of death yet.’ Kate stole a glance at Beth, who was studying Westin as though under a magnifying glass.
‘Oh-hh.’ He dragged out the word. ‘That’s why my daughter hired you. And that’s why you’re here,’ Westin added, as though details had finally clicked in his head.
‘I don’t follow you,’ Kate said.
Westin looked her dead in the eye. ‘If the police suspect foul play, Lainey would sic the dogs on me, first and foremost.’
‘Actually, Lainey said you’d been a good father while she was growing up. Only after the divorce did her relationship with you suffer. She didn’t point us in your direction. We’re trying to cover all bases.’
Westin jumped to his feet. ‘Forgive me, Kate, Beth. I have a bad habit of jumping to conclusions. Please, won’t you have something to drink?’
‘Iced tea, if you got it,’ said Beth. She glanced at Kate to make sure she hadn’t overstepped their agreement.
‘I do. My wife made a pitcher this morning.’ Westin disappeared into the kitchen, returning with two glasses of tea and a tumbler of something amber.
At eleven o’clock in the morning? Kate thought. But the interruption gave her time to phrase her next question. ‘Actually, I did want to ask about your relationship with your ex-wife.’
Westin took a long swallow of the amber liquid before replying. ‘Would you like three words or less? I hated her.’
‘And if I wished for a longer explanation?’ Kate sipped her tea.
‘In my life, after traveling extensively over four continents, I have never met a nastier, more controlling woman than Agnes Westin.’
‘Thank you for your honesty, Robert.’
‘You’re welcome, Kate.’ His smile turned ordinary features downright handsome. ‘And to save you from asking … I didn’t kill my ex-wife, if indeed it turns out she was murdered.’ He looked from one PI to the other, waiting for a reaction. When both remained silent, he continued. ‘I considered it many times when we were married and, at one point, I probably was very close to fulfilling my fantasy.’ Westin sipped his drink. ‘But I have no reason to kill her now. I have a beautiful house, a pretty wife, and work that I enjoy. Agnes – she has only her bitterness and lust for power.’
‘Not anymore she doesn’t,’ Kate said, annoyed by his smugness.
Westin nodded. ‘You’re right. But I’m only sorry for my daughter’s sake. Agnes did everything in her power to turn Lainey into a duplicate of herself. Her shenanigans in that regard still turn my stomach.’ He started to pace the room.
‘Let’s not talk ill of the dead, darling.’ A beautiful young woman with Asian features swept into the room. She was fine-boned with waist-length black hair, flawless skin, and a slim, athletic figure. To describe Robert’s wife as merely pretty would be like describing a giraffe as on the tall side. She marched straight toward them and extended her hand first to Kate and then to Beth. ‘How do you do? I’m Kim Westin.’
‘Nice to meet you, Mrs Westin. I’m Kate Weller and that’s Beth Kirby. We’ve been hired by Lainey Westin to investigate her mother’s death.’
A smile lifted one corner of her mouth. ‘Good luck with that. If she didn’t choke on a chicken bone, the list of potential murderers will be longer than a political speech.’ She poured herself tea from the pitcher and sat next to her husband on the couch.
‘I’m glad you came straight home instead of going to the mall.’ Robert buzzed Kim’s cheek with a kiss.
‘I’m sick of shopping in Pensacola. I’d rather save your money for our next trip to Europe.’ Kim returned the kiss. ‘Now, what do you need from us?’ she asked Kate.
‘You said the list of suspects would be long. Sounds like you hated Robert’s first wife.’ She was fishing with such a statement, but the bait and tackle paid off.
Kim laughed. ‘You’re joking, right?’
‘No, Mrs Westin, I assure you I’m not.’
After an expression Kate couldn’t decipher, Kim shrugged. ‘Simply put, Robert received a substantial settlement in the divorce, his fair share considering how long he put up with that witch’s abuse. Keep in mind Robert helped build that business into what it is today.’
‘Kim, please. They didn’t come to hear this.’
‘Sorry, darling,’ she murmured. ‘But I believe these investigators deserve the truth.’ She took a drink of tea. ‘Agnes went to court and pleaded limited liquid assets. Her lawyer was so convincing that the judge dispersed Robert’s settlement over a period of twenty years, like alimony.’ Kim added a negative inflection. ‘Her claims of cash-poor were false, but Robert has no choice but to put up with her nonsense.’
‘And in the eventuality of Agnes’s death?’ Beth asked, while Kate silently thanked Michael for insisting Beth tag along. That question hadn’t occurred to her.
Kim tossed back her silky hair and smiled. ‘If the first Mrs Westin died, the balance of Robert’s settlement will be paid in full from her estate. Then we can buy a place in Europe and go there when Florida gets too hot … like it is now.’ She looked from Kate to Beth. ‘I won’t pretend that I’m sorry she’s dead. Agnes couldn’t even be civil to me. She called me horrible names, even though I didn’t meet Robert until a year after their divorce. It was as though she hated the idea of Robert being happy when nothing on God’s green earth would make Agnes content.’ Kim’s grip tightened on the glass until her husband pulled it from her fingers.
‘Calm down, my dear. Agnes’s death might not be accidental, as we assumed.’
‘Is that right?’ She shrugged. ‘Then we owe someone a debt of gratitude. Why don’t I make us more tea?’ Kim smiled as she strode from the room with perfect composure.
Westin sighed wearily. ‘Please don’t tell my daughter about Kim’s reaction. Lainey doesn’t need any more reason to despise us.’
‘You have my word,’ said Kate. ‘But I’m curious as to what happened between you and Lainey.’
Westin thought for a bit. ‘So am I. When I was married to Agnes, I attended every ballet recital, art show, and junior sailing regatta. I loved my daughter; I still do. But after the divorce, Agnes poisoned Lainey against me. She told me the wrong dates or times for her events, and then denied doing it. She would do anything to keep Lainey home during my scheduled weekends. Once I met Kim, Agnes’s lies became more vicious. She insisted we’d been carrying on an affair for years, but I’d never once been unfaithful during our marriage.’ Robert’s face turned red as a tomato. ‘It’s no wonder Kim has little sympathy with her death.’
An icy chill ran up Kate’s spine. Her intuition said Westin was telling the truth. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t a killer. If his wife didn’t beat him to it.
‘We’ve taken up enough of your time, Robert.’ Kate rose to her feet. ‘Please thank your wife for her hospitality.’
Beth jumped up too. ‘And pass along our compliments on her decorating. This house is gorgeous.’
Westin walked them to the door, then neither of them spoke until they reached the car.
‘Wow, if Westin is the killer,’ Beth was first to break the ice. ‘No one could say he didn’t have good reason.’
Kate nodded. ‘Kim might be right about a long list of suspects, but, in my opinion, she and Robert
just tied Lainey for first place.’
Kate felt out of sorts on the drive back from the Westins’ and, thankfully, Beth didn’t feel like chatting either. She stared out the car window until they reached their hotel. Once inside their suite, she went to the kitchen to reheat the breakfast coffee. Kate pulled out her laptop to do some paperwork. By the time Beth returned with two steaming mugs, Kate had come to a conclusion. ‘I think what bothers me is the realization our victim wasn’t very nice. Even a saint might be tempted to slap that woman silly.’
Sitting down, Beth propped her chin with her fists. ‘Are you saying nasty people have it coming and we shouldn’t look too hard for their killers?’
‘Of course not. I intend to find who did this, even if it turns out to be our client.’
‘Well, don’t expect a big bonus from Lainey if you throw her under the bus.’ Beth blew lightly on the surface of her mug. ‘What do you want to do now – swim, rent mopeds, veg out in front of the TV? You’re officially the boss while I’m in Pensacola.’
Kate smiled at her friend. ‘Because two people have already declared you persona non grata, effectively banning you from their personal space, you can pursue any of the above. But, since the boss assigned me a case and I’m on Lainey’s retainer for expenses, I need to update the case file and email it to Nate.’
‘Fine, but you must have something for me to do.’
‘You can ask your handsome fiancé to find out everything about the crime that sent Liam to jail sixteen years ago.’
Beth’s forehead furrowed. ‘But weren’t you two close back then? A big brother’s involvement in a robbery would be hard to forget.’
‘One would think,’ Kate murmured. ‘Rumor has it I witnessed all or part of the heist, but I don’t remember anything.’
‘You had amnesia? Somebody conk you on the head?’
‘I don’t think so. My foster mother said I suppressed the memory because it was upsetting. She liked to think of herself as a kiddie-shrink without the degree, so she gave away free expert advice.’
‘Do you agree with her diagnosis?’
‘I guess so. I can remember everything else from my childhood and troubled youth. Just not the day Liam and his cronies crashed a stolen car into an armored truck, pulled ski masks over their faces, and leveled guns at the driver.’
