by Ingrid Thoft
Fina scraped the bottom of the ice-cream carton. “Just to play devil’s advocate for a minute, between the two of us, I thought there was no definitive evidence linking cerebral palsy with delivery.”
“Fina . . .” Matthew smiled and wagged his finger at her.
“I’m just trying to understand the two sides so I can figure out if the Dupreys have any grounds for thinking this was a miscarriage of justice.”
“It’s hard to draw a straight line from a difficult or delayed birth to CP. Other factors may contribute to the development of CP, but the delivery can’t be ruled out.”
“So how’d you get so much cash?”
“Because we’re highly skilled.”
“Other than that.”
“Juries don’t like ambiguity or injustice. When they see a severely disabled child, they want someone held responsible.”
“So you parade the kid in front of the jury and get the sympathy vote.”
“I stand by my case.”
“I’m sure you do.”
Matthew closed the top of his laptop. “Nobody wins in those cases.”
Fina looked confused. “Ah, don’t you guys?”
Matthew shrugged. “Sure, but somebody’s got to take care of Amber Watson. Her dad works at a factory, and Jackie’s a stay-at-home mom. They’ve got three other kids. This way, she’ll get the care she needs.”
Fina grinned. “You’re like a caped crusader.”
Matthew rolled his eyes. “Does this info help?”
“Damn right it helps. I wish we’d figured it out sooner.”
Matthew picked up his briefcase, and Fina walked him to the door. “What are you going to do with this?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe pay the doctor’s mother a visit.”
Matthew raised an eyebrow. “Good luck with that.”
“She’s a Southern woman. I’m sure our conversation will be extremely civil.”
“She hasn’t met you yet.”
“Aww. That’s so sweet.”
Fina closed the door behind him and walked into the bedroom. She lay down on the bed and listened to the hum of the air-conditioning. Bev Duprey was going to lead her somewhere. She just didn’t know where.
Sleep came in fits and starts.
Fina forced herself to stay in bed until seven A.M., but once up, spent the next two hours showering, eating, and pacing.
What kind of hours did madams keep? Fina didn’t know, but given Bev’s apparent adherence to social mores, she imagined that she kept typical business hours.
Fina couldn’t deal with the idea of driving, so she hailed a cab outside her building and spent ten minutes listening to what she thought must be Somali pop music. At Bev’s Back Bay office, she mounted the steps to the bank of buzzers outside the front door. Most of the names were on neatly typed slips of paper, but two were scrawled on scraps of paper shoved into the windowed slots. Fina pressed one of those buzzers and waited. She pressed it again, and after a moment, there was static and a harried voice.
“Hello?”
“Got a package.”
“Ahh . . . I can’t come down right now.”
“Just buzz, and I’ll leave it in the entry.”
“I’m not supposed to do that.”
“Fine. I’ll leave a slip and you can pick it up between noon and three P.M. Our storage facility is next to North Station.”
“What? But I . . . You know what? Just leave it.”
“Whatever you want, ma’am.”
The lock released, and Fina slipped into the entry hall. Olivia had told her that Bev’s office was on the first floor. Hopefully, she was in. If not, Fina might indulge in a little B&E.
She walked quietly to Bev’s door and stood listening for a moment. She could hear footsteps on the other side. Her knuckles rapped gently on the door, and she waited. The footsteps stilled, then moved in her direction.
“May I help you?” Bev asked when she opened the door. It was the woman whom Fina had seen the day before. Today, she was wearing a pink dress with a faint brocade pattern and large gold earrings in the shape of knots. Her makeup was just a tad heavy, but her skin was remarkably smooth. She smiled at Fina, revealing straight, white teeth.
“I think you can,” Fina said, smiling back. “We have something to discuss, Mrs. Duprey.”
A slight frown crept onto her face. “Since I don’t know you, I don’t see how that could be. What is your name, dear?”
“Fina Ludlow.”
Bev’s smile hardened. “The name’s not familiar.” She took a step back. “I’m quite sure we have nothing to discuss,” Bev said, and started to shut the door.
Fina thrust her foot into the path of the door. “Really? The name’s not familiar? What about Rand Ludlow? Or Carl Ludlow?”
Bev’s lip curled.
“I know you’re a busy woman, Mrs. Duprey.” Fina grasped her hand around the door. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Bev glared at her. “I could call the police.”
“Be my guest. They might be interested in what we have to discuss.”
Bev stared at the floor for a moment and then let go of the door. Fina walked in and sat down on a yellow houndstooth chair in the living room. Bev sat down in the chair across from her.
“No offer of tea? I’ve heard so much about your good Southern manners,” Fina said.
“And clearly you have no manners, but that shouldn’t surprise me. I assume your upbringing was akin to being raised by a pack of wolves.”
Fina snorted. “Pretty much.”
Bev fiddled with a gold linked bracelet on her wrist. “Are you an ambulance chaser, too?”
“No. I’m a private investigator.”
“But you work for your family?”
“For them and for others.”
“Investigating innocent people, no doubt. What’s so important that you had to force your way in?”
“Did my sister-in-law, Melanie Ludlow, contact you?”
Bev considered the question and then shrugged. “I can’t recall.”
“This isn’t a Senate hearing.”
“Well, what reason would your sister-in-law have for contacting me?”
“I understand the connection between you and my brother and father. I know that they won a huge settlement against your son in court.”
Bev tilted her head. “Is that what you call it? ‘Won a settlement’? A more accurate description would be that your family destroyed the lives of three outstanding doctors. Burned them to the ground.”
“I’m not here to debate the merits of the case. I have nothing to do with that.”
“Of course you don’t. I’m sure you’ve never benefited from the spoils of your father’s work.”
“Unlike Connor, you mean. Isn’t medical school awfully expensive?”
Bev brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
“I know about the case, but I also know about our other connection; that you’ve supplied ‘companionship’ to my brother Rand,” Fina said. “I’ve met some of your whores.”
“They’re not whores, Ms. Ludlow. They’re escorts.”
“They’re young women who fuck men for money.”
“You’re the one who sounds like a common whore, what with that language. I can’t imagine your mother is proud of you.”
“God, I hope not.”
Bev uncrossed and crossed her ankles. “I still don’t understand why you’re here.”
“Back to my original question. Did my sister-in-law contact you, and if so, why?”
Bev was silent.
“How about an easier question: Did my brother find your service coincidentally, or did you seek him out?”
Bev smirked. “Your brother has expensive taste. It’s only natural that
he would seek out Prestige. We’re the best.”
“Right. And Brianna?”
Bev raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I know about Brianna. We met a couple of times.”
“Did she tell you about me?”
“No. Actually, Brianna was very loyal. I certainly hope you didn’t kill her over some presumed betrayal.”
“That is a grotesque suggestion.”
“Right. You don’t think your little operation in Framingham is grotesque?”
Bev gripped her hands together. “As interesting as this conversation is, Ms. Ludlow, I am a busy woman. I don’t think I can be of assistance to you.”
Fina reached into her cast and scratched the area near her thumb. She got up and walked to the door. “If I find out that you had anything to do with my sister-in-law’s death, I will dismantle your life and your business and your precious dignity, piece by piece.”
Bev glared at her.
“It would be a mistake to doubt my resolve,” Fina said.
“I don’t doubt your resolve at all, Ms. Ludlow. Just the wisdom of your threat.”
Fina opened the door and slammed it behind her.
Bev sneered. Christ, she hated these people.
Fina ran smack into a man standing outside Bev’s door. He was about her age, with sandy hair and a slight build.
“Sorry,” Fina said, and she started down the hall.
Connor watched her leave and thrust his hands into his pockets. He closed his eyes for a moment and then knocked on his mother’s door.
There was a muffled sound on the other side, and then Bev threw the door open and scowled at him. When she realized it was her son, her features softened, and her hand pressed against her chest. Her color was off.
“Mom, what’s wrong? What’s going on?” Connor put his hand on her shoulder and guided her to one of the chairs in the sitting room. He gently pushed her into it and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. Bev smiled at him when he gave it to her. She took a long drink and set the glass down on the coffee table.
“Let me check your pulse.” Connor sat in the chair next to her and took hold of her wrist.
“Connor! Don’t be ridiculous. I’m fine,” Bev said, and reclaimed her wrist.
“You’re not fine. Obviously that woman upset you.”
Bev took a deep breath. “You’re right. She did, but I’m fine now. You just caught me at a bad moment.”
“What was that about?”
“I don’t really care to talk about it, dear.”
“Does it have something to do with Dad?”
“Goodness, no. Nothing to do with your father. Really, you needn’t worry.”
Connor felt the heat rise under his collar. “Mom, I appreciate that you want to protect me, but I’m a grown man. I’m not as fragile as you think. You can trust me.”
Bev grasped his hand. “I do trust you, Connor. I just don’t want to burden you. You have enough to manage without . . . this.” Bev waved her hand in the air as if pushing away an unpleasant scent.
“Stop treating me like a child,” Connor said in exasperation. “Don’t you understand how inept that makes me feel? On top of everything else?”
Bev flinched slightly. “Fine. If you must know, that woman was Fina Ludlow.”
Connor tilted his head and looked at her.
“She was here regarding her sister-in-law Melanie,” Bev said.
“Those Ludlows?” Connor asked.
“Yes, those Ludlows. Her brother is Rand Ludlow, and Carl Ludlow is her father.”
“Why would she see you about her sister-in-law?”
“She’s convinced herself that I know something about her death.” Bev took a sip of water.
Connor studied the floor. He raised his eyes and looked at his mother. He felt a chill, and for just a moment saw what other people might see when they looked at Bev: her strength and unrelenting will.
He looked away.
“And that, of course, is absolute bull honkey, as your daddy would say.” Bev released Connor’s hand. She pushed his hair away from his eyes. “She can’t face the fact that her brother is a murderer, so she’s grasping at straws.”
Bev gazed at the painting over the fireplace. “I pity her, actually. It must be awful contemplating that your loved one is a monster.”
Fina walked to Ludlow and Associates and mulled over her visit to Bev Duprey. She hadn’t uncovered any answers, but she’d put Bev on notice. Maybe she should tell Cristian and let the police deal with it.
Carl’s gatekeeper ushered her into his office, where Carl and Scotty were staring down Pitney and Cristian.
“Your timing is impeccable,” Pitney said, and smiled at Fina. The lieutenant was wearing a kelly green pantsuit that contrasted sharply with her orangey hair. All she needed was a pot of gold to complete the look.
Cristian looked at Fina. “How’s your wrist?”
“Thank you for asking, Detective Menendez,” Fina said, and looked pointedly at her father and brother. “It itches like a motherfucker.”
“My daughter, the sailor,” Carl said, glaring at her.
“We were just letting the boys know that we got some new information about Rand’s leisure activities. Did you know your brother pays for it?”
Fina shrugged. “Go figure.”
“I wonder how Melanie felt about that?” Pitney asked.
Fina shook her head and sighed. “Do you really think that Bev Duprey is a reliable source?”
Pitney and Cristian exchanged a look. “What do you know about Bev Duprey?” Pitney asked.
“Just, you know, stuff,” Fina said as she walked over to the fridge. She reached in and pulled out a diet soda, which she handed to Scotty. “Do you mind?” She held up her cast. He popped open the can and handed it back to her. Fina took a sip.
Pitney stared at the ceiling. “I swear to God, if I find out you’re obstructing this investigation—”
“Blah, blah, blah,” Fina said. She sat down on the couch. “I’m not obstructing anything. When I have something to tell you, I’ll be in touch.” Fina took a sip of her drink. “I do have a question for you, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Why was my brother arrested for Melanie’s murder when there’s a plausible alternate theory of the crime? One that creates more than reasonable doubt. Perhaps there was a teensy rush to judgment.”
Carl glared at her. He always got antsy when unexpected topics arose. Such a control freak.
Pitney rolled her eyes. “Please. Do tell.”
“It just seems like $8.9 million dollars and a wrecked career are more motivation than adultery.” Fina sat down on the couch.
“I wouldn’t categorize sleeping with hookers as run-of-the-mill adultery.”
Fina shrugged. “You’re picky that way. Why don’t you ask Bev Duprey why she’s so pissed at my brother?”
Cristian’s gaze moved between Fina, Carl, and Pitney.
“I don’t have time for guessing games. Spit it out or come downtown and make yourself comfortable,” Pitney said.
“Ludlow and Associates won an $8.9 million settlement against a hospital and a group of doctors in Cincinnati. One of those doctors was Connor Duprey.”
Carl puffed up his chest. “If that isn’t a goddamn motive, I don’t know what is!”
Pitney put her hand up. “And Connor Duprey is . . . ?”
“Bev Duprey’s only child. I think he’s a real mama’s boy.” She sipped her soda and put her feet up on the coffee table. “Maybe I should join the police force,” she mused.
Cristian coughed loudly. Pitney smacked her lips together and stormed out of the room with Cristian in her wake.
Scotty closed the door behind them.
“What the hell is going on?” Carl de
manded. “You knew about this woman and you didn’t tell me?”
“I only found out about her yesterday, but I met her for the first time this morning.”
“And? You think there’s something to your theory?” Scotty asked.
Fina sat forward on the couch. “I don’t know, but Bev Duprey might turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to Rand.” Carl and Scotty studied her. “But there’s something else that’s bugging me; why did Melanie have her number?”
“Melanie had the madam’s number?” Scotty asked.
“What are you talking about, Fina?” Carl said.
“When I searched Rand’s house after Melanie disappeared, I found a phone number tucked into her recipe box. It was the number for a business called Mode Accessories, which is actually a front for a porn business owned by Bev Duprey’s husband, Chester. Did Melanie find out about the hookers? Did she try to contact Bev Duprey?”
“Christ,” Scotty said, and ran his fingers through his hair.
“You think there was a confrontation?” Carl asked.
“I don’t know, but there’s some connection between Melanie and Bev. This woman has a sleazy, illegal business empire. She was Brianna’s boss, the escort who was murdered. Sounds like a good murder suspect to me.”
“Go do something with this,” Carl ordered. “And I expect an update.”
“Yes, Father,” Fina said, and left.
Scotty followed her out, and they walked toward his office. Scotty’s face looked drawn, and his pants seemed looser than usual.
“You don’t look good,” Fina said.
“I’m exhausted. I’m trying to juggle my regular workload with all this crap. I’m not sleeping well, either.”
“That’s no surprise.” As they walked through the corridors, everyone they passed nodded or said hello to Scotty. Her brother generated positive feelings in the employees, unlike their father, who mostly generated fear.
“Patty bit my head off this morning.”
“About anything in particular?”
“Not really. I think it’s just the stress.”
“And the extra kid she’s taking care of. Not an easy kid, either.”
