“You rented the apartment on the third floor of our building,” Zabrina said.
The man laughed. “That’s all you remember?”
“Was there something else?”
Margot rubbed her ankle. The nerves were all tingly from her position and standing too long. If she could sit down it might help, but there wasn’t enough room. Maybe they should go back out there and support Zabrina. She hesitated a little too long, and the couple began speaking again.
“I’m your father’s business partner.”
Zabrina gasped. “He didn’t have a business partner.”
“You’ve been gone a long time. Things changed. I have a large interest in the company.”
“Why did you take the apartment?”
“Years ago, your father asked me to help find you. I did all I could, but you were like a ghost in the wind. I truly thought you would show up before now. Then I got word of someone who might be you. I moved in to be sure before getting your father’s hopes up and having to break his heart if it turned out that I was wrong.”
Zabrina snorted. “You can’t break what isn’t there.”
“I’m aware you had your differences.”
“Differences! That’s rich. He hasn’t seen me in ten years, and the first thing he did when he found me was offer me a bribe.”
“You should accept it.”
“Why should I?”
“Because it’s his last gift before he died.”
“I don’t want a gift. All I want is my freedom.”
“And you got it when your uncle killed your father. When he’s convicted, you’re free. Don’t throw the money back just to spite your father. That three hundred thousand can help you start over anywhere you want.”
“How do you know how much the check was for?”
Sandifer laughed again. “There’s no conspiracy theory here. I know because I suggested it to him. I realize now it might not have been the best step to get your relationship on track. The sentiment behind it was sincere.”
“Excuse me if I don’t believe you. What’s in all this for you?”
“Brock was my friend.” Margot heard sadness in his tone. “Because of a misunderstanding, he lost his daughter, whom he loved very much.”
“Misunderstanding! You call murder a misunderstanding?”
“Brock was ruthless when it came to business. I’ll give you that, but he wasn’t a murderer.”
“He was. I saw him!”
“Then who did he kill?”
“T-that man…” Zabrina’s voice shook, and Margot longed to hold her hand and pat her back. “The one with the lazy right eye. He visited our house a few times, and I can still remember his face.”
“You mean this one here?”
Margot figured Sandifer was showing Zabrina something. Zabrina cried out and sank to the floor. Margot reached for the door to open it, but Odds appeared in the gap, almost looking like he blocked her. She waited.
“This is the man,” Zabrina whispered. “The date on this newspaper…”
“Correct,” Sandifer said. “Ronald Abbott is alive and well. I don’t know what you saw that night, but it wasn’t murder. Your father was innocent, and you’ve always been free to do whatever you like.”
“Then why did he try to buy me off?”
“Is that what he said he was doing?”
Zabrina didn’t respond. She hung her head in shame. Sandifer’s face appeared in the narrow gap at the door, and Margot had to cover her mouth to keep from making a sound. He wrapped an arm about Zabrina’s shoulders and helped her to her feet.
“Now, Zabrina. I’m going to do everything I can to clear your name. When this is all over, I want you to come to me at the office. If you insist on cutting all ties from your father and his company, then I will help you. I’ll even make sure your uncle has the best lawyer money can buy.”
Zabrina sniffed. “Why would you do that?”
“Like I said, your father was a close friend, and I want to help his only child. Fair enough?”
Zabrina mumbled something, and then they were gone.
Chapter Eight
Margot sat on Nancy’s bed, and Odds jumped to the windowsill to look out over the street. “What do you think, Nancy? Was it all just a misunderstanding? Zabrina has been hiding for ten years, and she got her uncle and the rest of her family involved. They’ve had their lives on hold all this time, maybe for nothing.”
“I can’t say that I know one way or another,” Nancy said. “Mr. Sandifer certainly sounds sincere. He’s willing to help Zabrina straighten out the mess she’s made of her life.”
Margot nodded. “Yes, and he had proof that the man Zabrina thought her father killed was still alive. I can’t imagine how humiliating this must be for her.”
“Worse,” Nancy added. “Her uncle will go to prison for nothing. He didn’t need to protect her from a murderous father.”
“Oh dear.” Margot worried her bottom lip and stood to pace the room. “The guilt that must be tormenting that poor child.”
Nancy yawned. “Well, there’s nothing we can do about it tonight, Margot. I say we turn in, and hopefully, the storm will have passed over by then.”
“I agree.” Margot was grateful to Nancy for letting her stay the night in her hotel room. They shared a double bed since Margot didn’t know she would be sleeping over. After a short while, Nancy appeared to have dropped off to sleep, while Margot couldn’t make her mind settle. She laid still, eyes shut, willing sleep to take her away. Just when she began drifting off, a soft paw landed on her nose. She grumbled and brushed Odds off. He came back, this time lying on her chest. Margot groaned and peeped at him. Glowing eyes stared back.
“Time to get up.”
“Go away, Odds. It’s too early.”
“There’s a murderer loose.”
She rolled over, causing him to tumble off her chest and land on his feet on the floor. “Odds, I’m sleepy. Let’s talk about it in the morning.”
“I’m bored.”
“You can’t run around the hotel.”
“I’ll let you carry me.”
Margot groaned and sat up. She scrubbed a hand over her eyes and peered down at Odds. He stared back, unmoving, and she knew he wouldn’t leave her be until she gave in to him. “Fine. Let’s go, but I’m not carrying you. I don’t know what put the idea into your head that I want to.”
Odds ran for the door, but Margot paused to get dressed and slip her shoes on. She tiptoed lest she wake Nancy, and together, she and Odds left the room.
“Which way?” Margot asked when they were in the hall.
“The uncle.”
Margot blushed. “I am not going to Lyle Barber’s room!”
Odds took off running, and she had no choice but to follow him. This time instead of taking the elevator, Odds ran to a doorway marked Exit. Margot assumed the stairs led beyond it.
“No stairs, Odds. Do you understand how tired I am?”
He sat down in front of the door. She groaned.
“Okay, I will carry you to the elevator.” Margot reached for him, but he sidestepped her, causing her to miss. “You silly cat! Stop this right now.”
“Margot?”
She froze. A pair of shoes had appeared in front of her when she hadn’t noticed. Slowly, Margot straightened to find of all people Lyle Barber exiting the stairway.
“Lyle. What are you doing up at this hour?”
He offered a rueful smile. “I don’t have a room in this hotel. I was just wandering around.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t let it worry you. I’m used to keeping all hours.”
They started walking together along the hall, while Margot sorted through her thoughts. “Lyle, did Sabrina tell you about her meeting with Steven Sandifer?”
He frowned. “Who is Steven Sandifer?”
Margot explained, and Lyle paled. “You mean all we went through over the last decade was for nothing?”
<
br /> “It certainly looks that way.”
He stopped walking and pushed a hand through his hair.
“I imagine you’re angry with Zabrina, but she was just a child when this happened.” Margot waited for him to respond, but he said nothing. “She would never have put you and the rest of your family through this nightmare if she had any doubts about what she saw. I’m sure she regrets everything.”
“Margot.”
She fell silent and waited for him to speak.
“Zabrina never wanted to bring her family into this. She never wanted Jimmy to stay with her, but I insisted. When he told me about the ball, and I found out Brock Cordova would be in attendance, I knew it was finally time to put an end to everything. Zabrina must have come to the same conclusion. No more running.”
“But—”
He held up his hand to silence Margot. “I decided to take matters into my own hands. I obtained the poison with the intent to send him to his grave. I confronted him at the ball, and when the opportunity arose for me to slip it into his wine, I did. Later, he excused himself, and I knew it was a matter of time. I explained all of this to the police, but unfortunately, there’s no evidence.”
Margot couldn’t believe Lyle explained so calmly how he had done it. “What do you mean there’s no evidence?”
“I mean the glass Cordova used was cleaned. The vial I used was also destroyed. I did it before I realized Zabrina would be blamed.”
“But you’re the only one who knew about the poison.”
He nodded. “My confession will hold up once the coroner’s report is done.”
Margot stared in disbelief at him.
“You’re asking yourself how I can speak calmly and not fly into a rage after learning none of it was true. I’ll admit it’s a shock, and later I might break. But you have to know that I watched my sister for years separated from her daughter. She was so heartbroken, she became ill and bedridden.”
“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry.”
He started walking, and Margot joined him. “If I can see my little sister smile again, I will be okay. We were always very close, and she was there for me when Jimmy’s mother passed. I determined I would be there for her when she lost Zabrina. I vowed I would do anything to bring her happiness. Murder never crossed my mind until recently, and I won’t apologize for it. Even if it was all a mistake.”
“I wish we could have met under different circumstances,” Margot admitted. “We could have been lovely friends, don’t you think?”
He smiled. “I know we could have. How about we go down to the bar. I’m sure it’s still open, and we can have a chat. You can tell me about yourself and this little fellow here.”
“My life is boring,” Margot said, warming with pleasure.
“I don’t believe you, Margot.”
She waved a hand. “Well…Odds talks.”
“Odds?”
She pointed, and Lyle stooped to get a closer look at the cat. “Does he? And what is he saying now?”
“He’s saying I have marbles loose for admitting it to you.”
“I didn’t say anything. Have you really lost it now?”
Lyle chuckled. “Fascinating. Are you the only one who can hear him?”
“So far.” Margot didn’t know what possessed her to tell Lyle about Odds. Maybe she was overly tired or wanted in some way for Lyle to think he might be going to prison but at least he wasn’t coo-coo like Margot. That made no sense, but she wasn’t rational this time of night.
Lyle raised Odds up on his hind legs and let his front paws rest in Lyle’s palms. He squinted at Odds as if he expected any second to communicate.
“Too close!”
Margot chuckled. “Odds says you’re too close.”
“Pardon me.” Lyle let Odds go and stood. “How about the drink, Margot?”
“I’d love to.”
Before they reached the lobby, a case of guilt hit Margot. She couldn’t whisk Lyle off to chat like old friends when she would bet anything that Zabrina was in her room feeling guilty herself.
“How about we stop off at Zabrina’s room first,” Margot suggested. “Do you know if she’s a guest at the hotel?”
Lyle frowned. “I don’t think so. I’m not sure where she would be at this hour.”
Margot looked at Odds. “Can you sniff her out, Odds?”
He yawned.
Lyle grinned. “I take it he’s opposed to acting as a bloodhound.”
“Once he puts his nose in the air, there’s no getting him to do a thing,” Margot agreed.
“Well, we’ll go down to where the ball was held. Maybe we can get a clue there.”
Margot scooped Odds into her arms and tucked him into the bag she had brought along just in case. He didn’t protest. When they reached the first floor, they passed the business center, which was empty. The passage that would lead past the courtyard was blocked off, and Lyle explained it was likely to avoid anyone getting hurt in case of broken glass. As it was, they had to traverse the floor in the opposite direction, walking by several doors, including the one where Sandifer had disappeared previously.
As soon as they reached Sandifer’s door, Odds leaped from her bag and landed neatly on silent paws. He sniffed the floor and then worked his way over to the door. When he scratched at the panels, Margot rushed to him. “Odds, come away from there.”
Lyle stopped as well. “Do you know someone in that room?”
Margot stooped to try to lift Odds, but he dug his claws into the carpet. She panted. “Darn cat,” she grumbled beneath her breath. “Yes, this is where Mr. Sandifer is staying. It’s the middle of the night, Odds. We can’t disturb the guests or we’ll be tossed into the storm. How would you like that?”
“Maybe there’s a reason he’s interested,” Lyle suggested.
Margot huffed. “Well, I’m not going to knock on the door, so you can just stay there.” She started down the hall, walking slower than usual. A peek over her shoulder showed Odds lying in front of the door, bathing himself. Lyle scratched the cat’s ears and then joined Margot as they walked on.
Once they reached the lobby and then entered the bar, Margot let Lyle order a drink for her. She scarcely paid attention, and when a glass with amber liquid appeared before her, she blinked at it and then sniffed it.
“Oh, dear, did I order this? I was going to have hot tea.”
Lyle grinned at her in amusement. “You’re worried about Odds. I’m sure he’s fine.”
“He needs me to keep him out of trouble,” she said. “Odds forgets he’s just a cat.”
“Really.”
“Yes.” She waved a hand. “We’ve gotten into more scrapes than I care to recall. Plus you have to watch him because he obstructs justice all the time.”
Lyle leaned toward her. “How so?”
“Well, a man was murdered in our apartment building, and only Odds knew…” She broke off. Why hadn’t she thought about it before? Odds always knew the next step, and he had insisted on stopping at Steven Sandifer’s door. Sure Odds could have told her why he was stopping, but that wasn’t his style. That darn cat liked to insist on his own way even if no one understood why. “We have to go back, Lyle.”
“Back where?”
Margot scanned the bar, but there were no other customers, and the bartender had disappeared in the back. “To Steven Sandifer’s room. Odds stopped there for a reason, and I have the card key.”
Lyle’s eyes widened. “You’re a sneaky one, Margot.”
She flushed. “I only do what I can to help my friends.”
“Curiosity has nothing at all to do with it?” Lyle winked, and Margot leaped to her unsteady feet. Lyle offered his arm, but she straightened and dug into her purse for money for the check. He waved away her ten-dollar bill and paid for both of them. Then they scurried along the hall to get back to where they had left Odds.
Unfortunately, the area in front of Steven Sandifer’s door was empty. Odds had disappeared.
> Chapter Nine
“Should we knock?” Margot whispered, standing close to Lyle.
He scanned the hall. “I can’t imagine what excuse we’ll give, but why not? You only live once, and who knows. Maybe another mystery is afoot.”
“The case of the missing naughty cat?” Margot suggested, trying to hide the fact that she was worried about Odds. The hotel staff wouldn’t throw him into the rain, would they?”
Lyle patted her hand. “Don’t fret. He’s around. I saw how clever he is in his eyes, and from what you tell me, he knows how to look after himself. Let’s just do it.”
Margot nodded, and Lyle knocked on the door. Her stomach dropped, and she clenched the sleeve of Lyle’s shirt with one hand as she waited for Mr. Sandifer to answer. When she realized what she was doing, Margot let go and clutched both her hands together. Much later in life than she had ever expected, she had to learn to do a lot for herself. During the last few months, she had to balance her own checkbook, pay her own bills, and actually work. All of her life someone else had done those things. She was proud of what she had accomplished, and at sixty-six, she might be poor and working hard, but she got there on her own. Wait, she thought. That’s not right.
“What is that earnest look on your face, Margot?”
She started and then smiled. “Oh nothing. Come, we’ll have to use the key card. I don’t think he’s in.”
“Where could he be at this hour?”
She shrugged and retrieved the key card from her bag. “You don’t have to go in with me. After all, we might get arrested for this.”
“I’m going to be brought to trial for murder. Breaking and entering is the least of my worries.”
“True.”
Margot got the door unlocked, and with a last scan of the hallway, they entered Steven Sandifer’s room. Dirty dishes from dinner sat on the table. Magazines lay askew, and a discarded newspaper and empty potato chip bags filled the trashcan. The bed wasn’t made and most of the sheets lay on the floor in a heap.
“Not very tidy,” Margot commented.
Lyle made a noise of agreement. He walked slowly through he room, although there wasn’t much to it. “If I were a cat, what would I find here?”
Odds Ball (Margot and Odds Cozy Mystery Book 3) Page 6
