I thought the younger cop got a bit wide-eyed from time to time, but we all have to grow up sometime. After what felt like weeks but was probably only hours, an officer came to the door with my lawyer, a guy named Sammy Vincovic from Syracuse. I had heard my uncle speak of him in respectful tones. Unlike the dapper Detective Jack Jones, Vincovic looked like he’d slept in his suit. Regularly.
Jones would underestimate him.
I was allowed to consult privately with my lawyer. I hadn’t been sure if that was just on television. “When they question you, say nothing,” he advised.
“I haven’t been answering anything without you.”
“No comment. That’s what you say, if they pick you up again or question you about anything.”
“I have an alibi.” I filled him in on Officer Melski.
Vincovic shook his head. “Say nothing.”
“But—”
He shook his head sadly. “You want this to go well or badly?”
“Well, I am the one in the family who’s gone straight.”
“Then you want it to go well. There’s no way they can get a conviction and most likely no way that it will even come to trial. If it does, we can look forward to a case for malicious prosecution. Those are good.”
“They are?”
“Sure. Moneywise. Of course, you’d need to go to trial and to be acquitted and we’d need to prove that the cops deliberately messed up.”
“You could probably make that stick. Something bad is going on with my former employer, Vera Van Alst. Detective Jones is mixed up in it.” It took a while to explain. At the end, I think Vincovic got it. He smiled, maybe imagining the fun of a suit for malicious prosecution. I just wanted it all to end.
By the time I got bail, I was starting to unravel.
As I was on my way out of the station, Detective Jack Jones narrowed his eyes. “You’re not off the hook yet.”
“No comment,” I said.
Vincovic smiled like a proud daddy.
* * *
AT HOME EVERYONE fussed over me, including two excited dogs. Somehow in the homecoming, I managed to get scratched by Bad Cat. I almost had to admire his initiative. Speaking of initiative, Vincovic was described in admiring terms as a “piranha.” When I voiced my worries about the cost of a piranha, Uncle Mick said, “A treat on me, my girl.”
The signora had won the battle for kitchen supremacy and was serving giant bowls of fresh pasta with a simple tomato sauce. I knew that meal was out of this world. My uncles were in for a treat of a different kind.
On the off chance someone had planted a listening device on us, I couldn’t reveal what I’d done or ask Uncle Mick about the equipment across the street and if he’d had a close call in the sweep on 81 last night.
“I ran into your old friend, Cheryl,” Kev said. “She said she has everything you need for your sound system if you’re still interested. All the components.”
As I didn’t have a friend called Cheryl and I wasn’t looking for a sound system, I assumed this was code for Cherie and the webcams and laptop being set up in Van Alst House. “Oh yeah. I’ll be glad to get that old turntable hooked up. That way I can play some of those vinyl classics in the shop, Uncle Mick.”
“You’re looking tired, Jordie,” Kev said. “Maybe you should have a rest.”
“I lost a night’s sleep and today was really rough. Detective Jones has a vendetta against me.”
“Vincovic will make mincemeat out of Jones, my girl. He’s obviously making it up as he goes along. Just another dirty cop trying to protect a murderer. Now why don’t you head on up and get some rest.”
Mick headed up the stairs, treading as girlishly, but audibly, as he could, while I sneaked out the back door with Kev to the second garage, the one the police almost certainly didn’t know about, to have a private chat.
“We made contact with Eddie,” Kev said.
“How?”
“Cherie got to him when she installed the surveillance equipment.”
“Great. By the way, how did she get access to the house?”
“Did something to mess up the cable connection, and then knocked on the door and told them it had happened while she was working in the area and she needed to make repairs.”
“They fell for it?”
He shrugged. “Told you Muriel’s a cable addict. She was flipping because she couldn’t watch her morning programs.”
“And they let her in?”
“Apparently the lawyer’s been back and a new will is all signed.”
“Oh no.”
“It’s okay. Cherie was asked to witness it. Don’t worry. She didn’t use her real name. I don’t think that will would be legal, do you?”
“That will be a cold comfort if something happens to Vera.”
Kev’s eyes widened.
“Things are really serious,” I said.
“But there’s good news too.”
“What is it?”
“Eddie’s been booted out.”
“That’s not good news. He was supposed to protect Vera.”
“He got agitated about the will and blew it. But he wants to talk to you. So Cherie brought him here. Wait until you hear this.”
“But the police are actively looking for this blond woman. They might figure out it’s her.”
“Give her some credit. She’s no dummy, Jordie.”
No dummy, but was she a good guy or a bad guy?
A soft knock on the door caused me to whirl. Eddie entered. If he was pale and insubstantial at the best of times, tonight he looked like a puff of smoke, ready to dissipate.
“You have to help her.”
“That’s the idea, Eddie,” I said. “Did Vera talk to you?”
“She wouldn’t. You’re right. She’s under Muriel’s thumb. This will says Muriel’s her sister and she gets everything.”
“Muriel is her sister, illegitimate, but a half sister anyway. Did you know about Muriel being Leonard Van Alst’s child?”
“You hear things.”
“And do you remember about Vera and Muriel’s relationship in high school?”
He slumped in a chair. “What’s to remember? They hated each other. Vera was embarrassed by her father’s affairs. She wasn’t really popular to begin with. Then when the factory closed, everyone hated the Van Alsts with a passion.”
They still do, I thought. Jack Jones was one of them. Probably the Rileys too.
Eddie said, “Muriel was really nasty and she was big too. Vera had never even gone to public school. She had her head in her books and she kept to herself. She was different from everyone. Exotic.”
I didn’t add, and a total snob. From his expression and tone of voice, I figured this was the point where Eddie began his lifetime of unrequited love for Vera.
I patted his arm. “And?”
“She needed protection. I made sure I was between them all the time. Everyone knew that Muriel was a Van Alst b—well, you know.” He blushed.
“Did Vera know?”
“Aside from the gossip, Muriel made it clear to her.”
“That doesn’t explain the hold that Muriel has on her then. If Vera was aware of it and she knew everyone else was too, what else could it be?”
“Something big. I don’t know what. Muriel was really horrible, nasty. The kind of person who would need psychological work before she could become a decent person. I think Mr. Murphy took her aside and gave her grief for the way she was treating Vera. Not long after that, Muriel started to cozy up to Vera. She apologized and said she was wrong. She wanted to make amends and be a friend and she didn’t want anything from Vera. She knew she wasn’t a real Van Alst.”
“You heard all this?”
“I was right there.”
“Did Vera accept it?”
“No doubt.”
“They started to spend time together and I got kind of left out. It was the end of the school year and I’d been hoping to take Vera to . . .”
Oh boy, that was heartbreaking. But we couldn’t go there. “And what happened between them?”
“I don’t know. They went to movies and walks and even to an art gallery somewhere in Syracuse one day. Muriel couldn’t go to Van Alst House because Vera’s mother was still alive. They went to restaurants. They were best friends.”
“For how long?” The time must have been right around when Pete Delaney was killed. Then school would have ended. Vera went off to college. Muriel’s mother died six months later and then Muriel left town. Until one week ago.
“Not long. Muriel’s stepfather was killed. That’s when things changed. After that Muriel didn’t have anything to do with anyone.”
“Really? That was when they fell out?”
He nodded. “I know Vera tried to see her, but Muriel refused. Maybe because old man Van Alst still wouldn’t acknowledge her. Vera was crushed when Muriel ended the friendship. That was her only girlfriend. She was more sensitive back then. I think the rejection damaged her.”
“I’m sure.” I was beginning to feel the power Muriel had over Vera. But only two people knew that story.
Poor Eddie was the picture of grief. “That’s all I can tell you. What can we do for her?”
“I have an idea. You’ll work with Kev. You will distract Muriel and get her out of the house. I’ll get in and speak with Vera. I think I can make her listen to reason. But even if we can’t, um, a friend of Kev’s has rigged up some video and audio recording equipment in Vera’s room. We’ll have eyes on her.”
“But she values her privacy. She’s so . . . well, that seems wrong.”
“Well, she’ll have all the privacy she needs if she’s dead, Eddie. To prevent that, I’ll be watching from my old rooms again. It will just be me and you know I’ll do the right thing. I’m Vera’s friend too. I don’t want to do this, but we have to.”
Eddie was clearly conflicted. “I suppose it’s necessary. And what do I do?”
“Kev will tell you. I’ll be in touch. And if there’s any danger to Vera, we’ll let you know and you go get help.”
“I’ll call the police.”
“I was thinking the fire department might be a better bet. Everyone will show up then. Fake some smoke or whatever. And please, please don’t use any of Kev’s ideas.”
Kev looked wounded.
I said, “No offense, Kev. And Eddie, if you get the signal from me, you have to call Officer Melski and tell him that Vera and I are in danger. I think we trust him. Here’s his number. Can you handle all that?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be able to?”
Not everyone was like Uncle Kev. I could trust Eddie not to burn down Van Alst House while faking a fire. Pretty sure.
“Okay, I’ll get ready and then we’ll head out in separate vehicles. My Saab is still parked in front of the shop, so that will look like I’m still here. At least it usually works.”
“As long as the cops don’t check here in the middle of the night, Jordie. If you’re at Vera’s place, your bail will be revoked and Mick will be out a bundle.”
“Positive thoughts, Kev,” I said, trying not to think of how much Mick would be out. I crept back to Uncle Mick’s place and upstairs to get my burglar clothes, warmest boots, tools, backpack and a good book to read for the long night ahead. I picked up the copy of Some Buried Caesar. It also involved unfamiliar surroundings and a lot of bull.
* * *
HALF AN HOUR later, we were parked in the same place as my last furtive visit and we checked that our phones had a signal. Everything was a go. Kev handed me packages of food for me and Vera, including Uncle Mick’s best thermos. The signora doesn’t miss a chance.
I stuck the food and thermos in my backpack and picked my way across the fields and toward the Van Alst place. Kev and Eddie got in place at the end of the Van Alst driveway.
We had agreed on an SOS on the horn to warn me when Muriel was coming back.
As I reached the house, I texted GO!
I waited. Eddie and Mick drove forward to the house and began to blow the horn loudly. After ten minutes, the front door opened and Muriel appeared. I used that time to sprint across to the back door and pick the lock. Of course, Muriel had turned off the alarm when she stormed down the driveway. I dashed in. I hurried along the endless corridors to the grand foyer and then up the broad stairs to the second floor. I reached Vera’s door. To knock or not to knock? I decided that picking the lock would get our unscheduled powwow off to a bad start. My heart was thundering, a feeling I should have been getting used to.
I knocked.
“What is going on?” Vera said.
I muttered.
I could hear her complaining as she wheeled toward the door. As she opened it, her face contorted and she did her best to close the door in my face.
“Sorry, Vera, but we need to talk,” I said, foot firmly blocking that possibility. “You are going to listen to me. Muriel is outside. She doesn’t know I’m here. Let’s keep it that way. I can’t believe you let her get rid of Eddie.”
“He shouldn’t have been here.”
“I know she has something over you and that’s why you have pushed away every friend, every supporter, everyone who could save you.”
She tried to bluster. “I don’t need saving. And definitely not by you, Miss Bingham.”
“Is that so? You are alone here with Muriel and whoever her accomplices are.”
“What accomplices?” Vera barked out the words, but I could tell that was unsettling to her.
“Don’t know yet, but will find out. Now I need you to tell me what she’s got on you.”
“Miss Bingham. You will be arrested if you don’t leave.”
“Do you want to end up dead just to keep a secret? Is that the best you can do?”
She blinked.
“What are you thinking, leaving everything to her?”
“That’s none of your affair.”
“But—”
“But nothing. She is my sister and I owe her.”
“You don’t love her, though.”
“My emotions are hardly your concern.”
“They are my concern. I care about you, Vera, no matter how you act. I love being part of your world and I have learned so much from you. You are not going to get rid of me, when you need my help. Muriel is dangerous and you know it, so stop pretending. Whatever you might have said or done when you were just a teenager doesn’t matter. You can trust your friends, no matter what.”
“There’s nothing you could do.”
“How awful could it possibly be?”
The bleakness in Vera’s eyes was hard to bear.
“It can’t be that bad,” I said, before swallowing. “Even for crimes there’s the statute of limitations.”
“Not for everything.”
“Well, it’s not like you committed a murder, Vera.”
She met my eyes and I felt my blood chill.
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
“How would you know?”
I told myself to be calm. Muriel had outdone herself if she’d convinced Vera that she’d committed murder. “There’s no way, Vera.”
“I will tell you because I know you won’t tell anyone. That’s one positive trait from your criminal relatives.”
I blinked. I hadn’t realized that Vera knew that about my relatives.
She said softly, no sign of her usual gravelly voice. “I was driving a car.”
I let her speak.
“I hit a man
. He died. I kept going.”
“Anyone could have an accident, but you’re not the type to run from one.”
“I was drunk.”
“Oh.”
“And there were drugs in my system.”
“Drugs?” A picture of Vera in bell-bottoms smoking a bong flashed through my brain.
“I’m not proud of what happened, Miss Bingham.” I didn’t believe this had happened, but, clearly, Vera did.
“Was the man Pete Delaney?”
She nodded. “I knew him. He was a very nice man, very important to his wife, very good to Muriel, although she loathed him. I killed him. I ruined Muriel’s life. That will is the least I could do.”
“That’s ridiculous, Vera.”
She stared at me, her face haggard. “Miss Bingham, which of us was there?”
“Start at the beginning. What do you remember about the accident?”
“Nothing. I have blocked it out. But it happened.”
“Do you remember driving the car?”
“No. Apparently, I was quite drunk and I had tried some recreational pharmaceuticals.”
It was laughable to imagine Vera soliciting a drug dealer for “recreational pharmaceuticals.” But the situation wasn’t funny. “What kind of drugs?”
“I don’t remember. I didn’t even know.”
“Was it Muriel’s idea? Was it peer pressure?” Something didn’t smell right.
“Does it matter? I did it.”
“Do you remember drinking?”
“We decided to have some wine. I brought it from home and we shared a couple of glasses.”
“And you passed out and you don’t remember taking anything.”
“That’s right.”
“A couple of glasses of wine wouldn’t have that effect, Vera. Muriel must have drugged you. Let me guess, she said she was with you the entire time.”
“She could have hated me, but she chose to protect me. She told the police we were together and I didn’t have to worry about it. She was my alibi. Of course, it was the end of our rather strange friendship.”
The Wolfe Widow (A Book Collector Mystery) Page 25
