by Lynn Cahoon
I scrolled through the other names, not knowing what I was looking for and then I found it: A brand-new addition to the board. Lois beamed happiness in her picture. Apparently, Levi had given her more than just his promise to keep Butch out of the big deal. What was going on with these people?
“Are you ready?” Amy spoke behind me.
Closing the browser, I logged out and stood. “Starving.”
As we walked toward the car, Amy chatted about how crazy crowded Justin’s office was. “He has books stacked up against the walls. I think I’m going to buy him a bookcase for his birthday. What do you think? Too impersonal?”
I’d been lost in thinking about the circular relationships between Levi, Lois, Butch, and the rest of the gang. And more importantly, how did Greg fit into all of this? The group seemed to feed off of Levi and his activities. Now that he was gone, what would happen? And was it a good or bad thing? I turned to Amy and grabbed on the last thing I heard her say. “Bookcases are nice.”
“You aren’t listening. I could have told you that Justin was kissing some co-ed in his office and you would have responded with the same line.” Amy paused as she stood by the driver’s side door, looking over the car toward me. “What’s got you thinking?”
“Nothing, everything. I’m just going in circles with this thing.” I opened my door. “Let’s go eat and talk about anything but Levi’s death and who killed him. I need some downtime.”
As we drove to the restaurant, I got a text from Greg: Will be late.
I texted back: No worries. I’m having dinner with Amy.
It took a few minutes before I got another text. This one read: Have fun. I love you.
How many times have we had this same text conversation? The difference was before it was on nights where he had to work late. Now he was out with the guys. Why did it feel so much different? I said a silent prayer for his safety, then texted back: See you at home.
*
When I got home, Greg was still out with the boys. I assumed if he was back at The Castle, drinking with the guys, he would sleep there. He took his driving seriously, even if it was only a few miles to the house. He’d told me several times that he’d only have to get pulled over once for drunk driving and he’d lose his job. And he liked his job. Even if he wasn’t head of the South Cove Police Department, I didn’t think he’d do anything dangerous, like driving impaired.
*
I opened a soda and sat at the table, going over my Who-killed-Levi notes. Greg had told me that the high school thing was a dead end, but I googled the names I found in the article anyway. When I found Mike Lord’s father’s obituary, I crossed the thread off my lists. No one, except the five friends and Lois, knew or even cared about the long ago suicide.
I looked at the other suspects on my original list. Butch and/or Lois—the only wonky thing I couldn’t explain was her new position on the board. It didn’t mean Lois had killed Levi, and in fact, I didn’t think she was strong enough to strangle him. Maybe Brenda, she had motive, especially now that I knew The Castle had been sold. Brenda didn’t seem like a killer though. And she wouldn’t put her dog in jeopardy of needing to find a new home but maybe knowing the place had been sold and she’d be out on the streets made protecting Fifi a stronger motive? Besides, The Castle wasn’t in Levi’s name. If that the sale was the trigger, Jessica would be on Doc Ames’ autopsy table.
“Stop checking people off the list because you like them. Think with your head, not your heart,” I chided myself. Jessica. Maybe she’d killed her soon to be husband because he found out, what? That she’d bought The Castle out from under him? And then why was she so distraught over his death. If she was acting this grieving widow role, the woman was putting on an Oscar worthy performance. Besides, I didn’t know what the prenup said. And like Lois, would Jessica be strong enough to choke Levi? Doubtful.
Allison, on the other hand, had strong arms due to her obsessive swimming. Mikey apparently already knew about the attention Levi had given her. I didn’t think it had crossed the affair line, but I was sure since Allison was wife number five, Mikey might be a little quick to judge. I drew a box around the couple. I didn’t understand why they had been fighting in the diner. They both were definitely staying on the naughty list.
By the time I’d finished adding in my notes from today and closed the notebook, it was nine. I grabbed the book that I was only pages from finishing and took a fresh soda into the living room. Sinking into the couch, I opened the book and proceeded to fall back into the story.
Five minutes later, my cell rang. I’d set up Greg his own ring tone, so I knew who was calling. “Hey, lover. Are you drunk dialing me?”
A female voice chuckled in my ear. “No, but if you want me to talk dirty to you, I could entertain you for a few minutes.”
The voice sounded familiar. “Brenda?”
“Yep. Your boy here is almost passed out, sitting out by the pool. I’d leave him here to sleep it off, but with the track record these fools have had this week, let’s just say I don’t want to find another dead body.” I heard Greg in the background asking for his phone back. “Hold on, I think he wants to talk to you.”
I heard a few bangs and swear words telling me that Greg had dropped the phone at least once, but soon, he came on the line. “Hey baby. Brenda says she doesn’t care where I go, but I can’t stay here. Can you come get me?”
This was a first. I’d never had to go pick up my drunk boyfriend before. Even in the bad relationships I’d had prior to moving to South Cove and meeting Greg. I looked longingly at the book. Then I tucked the bookmark back into the same spot I’d just removed it from. I would get this book finished. It just might be tomorrow. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
I hung up the phone and grabbed my tote and keys. Emma looked at me, her tail wagging slowly. “If you promise to stay in the car, you can go.”
A bark from her sealed my decision and I grabbed her leash, just in case, from the front table. “Let’s go.”
She ran outside and sat at the gate, waiting for me to open it. Then she ran to the car. The dog knew things. I would swear she could understand what I was saying, as long as it was basic words and commands. I let her into the back, threw my tote on the passenger seat, and took off to rescue Greg, or really Brenda from Greg.
The parking lot had one extra vehicle in the visitor spaces in front of the ticket booth. The Closed for Business sign still sat in the booths window. I checked the door on Greg’s truck. It was locked. I peered in and saw the laptop on the front seat. That laptop was bothering me.
I walked into the compound and headed toward the pool area. A man stepped out of the shadows from behind the ticket booth.
“What are you doing here?” He grabbed my arm, swinging me back to face him. A whiff of whiskey filled the space between us. Fear filled my body as I tried to see who it was. But the courtyard was too dark.
I shook off his grip. I wasn’t going to let some drunk tell me where I could or couldn’t be. I took a deep breath, then squaring my shoulders, I asked, “What’s it to you?”
“This is private property. You can’t just come in here and wander around. I should call the police.” Now the man shook a dirty finger in my face.
“Go ahead. I know the deputy who’s on tonight. I’m pretty sure I won’t be the one going to jail for trespassing.” I knew now I was just pushing my luck, but the guy had scared me.
“John, what are you doing?” Brenda rushed to my side. “Are you okay, Jill?”
“I’m fine, but your guard dog needs to step back.” I glared at the older man who, now, after he stepped into a light, I recognized as one of Brenda’s employees. “Geez, do you welcome all your guests like this?”
“I didn’t know you were expecting anyone. She just came in from the front like she lived here or something.” John glared at me. “There are too many people here now. The antiques are going to be hurt or worse.”
“I think worse already happe
ned, John. You can go home now. I’ve got this.” Brenda put her arm around me. “Sorry about that. He’s very dedicated to The Castle.”
“I’m not sure dedicated is the word I’d use. Obsessed maybe?” I realized I was shaking now that we’d stepped away from the man. “Anyway, I’m here to pick up my guy. Is he still awake?”
“Barely. I’m guessing he can walk. I think what kept him afloat was he was sober when they got here. I guess he was the designated driver. His friends on the other hand—I think their wives are going to have to use a bell cart to get them to their rooms.” Brenda shook her head. “As annoying as it is, I love the income that they’re bringing in, especially since Terrance still hasn’t given me the go ahead to reopen for tours. The board is going to crap when they see the take for the month.”
I turned my head, watching her as she talked about The Castle’s finances. She didn’t know it had been sold. That was obvious. Well, I wouldn’t be the one to tell her. Especially since she’d just rescued me from the angry John.
“Jill!” Greg stood knocking the chair he’d been sitting in over. “You came to rescue me.”
“I always will.” I responded with the scripted response from a television show I loved. I hadn’t thought he’d been paying attention, but I guess he had. “Are you ready to go home? I’m sure Brenda wants to call it a night.”
“Brenda’s a sweetheart.” He grinned at her. Man, I hadn’t seen him this in-the-wind ever.
I took his hand and led him to the Jeep where Emma greeted him with a high-pitched whine. She’d stuck her head and half of her body out of the window, trying to get closer to him. I opened the passenger door while he greeted the dog.
“Hey sweetheart. Did you miss me?” He gave Emma a hug and almost fell over. Apparently everyone was a sweetheart tonight.
“Get in the car and we’ll go home. Then you and Emma can have your love fest.” I gently moved him toward the open door.
“I love you too.” He patted my face and then fell into the seat. “You are the cornerstone of my life. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“Let’s hope you don’t have to figure that out.” I moved the one remaining leg still out of the Jeep onto the floorboard and slowly closed the door, hoping he wouldn’t move.
I walked around to the other side of the car and got in. Starting the engine, I backed out of the space and then left the parking lot. A Journey song came on the radio and Greg turned up the volume to almost ear splitting level. As he sang along, I turned down the volume just a tad so my speakers wouldn’t blow. When the song ended, Greg leaned back into the seat.
By the time I pulled into the driveway, Greg’s singing had been replaced with Greg’s snoring. I shook his shoulder. “Wake up. We’re home.”
His head lolled to one side and the snoring got louder.
I got out and opened the door for Emma who jumped down and followed me to the gate. “I guess Greg’s sleeping out here tonight.”
Emma turned and looked back at the car and barked.
Then we both went inside and went to bed.
When I awoke the next morning, I smelled bacon and coffee. Greg must be awake. Emma wasn’t in the bedroom anymore, abandoning me for the chance at human food. I slipped on capris and a clean tank and headed downstairs.
When he saw me come in, he went to the coffeepot and poured me a cup. He sat it on the table and pulled me into his arms.
“I’m sorry.” He held me tight.
When he let me go, I sat at the table. “I assume you’re apologizing for me having to go get you last night?”
“I shouldn’t have gotten that wasted. I could blame it on the heat from being on the boat, then we drank too much when we hit The Castle, and of course there was Levi, but they’re all excuses. I should have been more careful.” He nodded to the stove. “You want me to make you an omelet? Or are you seeing Amy for breakfast?”
“Actually, since we spent yesterday together, brunch was canceled, so I’d love one.” I started to stand. “What can I do to help?”
“Just sit there and drink coffee.”
Emma came to me and nuzzled my leg. Then she made a circle and plopped down onto her bed. Sunday morning at home. When did we become a Rockwell painting?
“So how was the fishing trip?” I didn’t want it to sound like I was checking up on him, but I wanted to know if he’d found out anything that might shed some light on Levi’s death.
“Unproductive. Mostly we just sat around and told Levi stories. The guy will be missed.” Greg chopped an onion while he talked. “I didn’t realize how much he’d helped the rest of the group. He got Butch his job on the oil rigs in Louisiana, his company hired David as the real estate agent in most of their land deals, and Mikey, well, he actually works for the company in marketing.”
“And Lois is on the board for the company.” The words were out of my mouth before I thought about if I’d planned to tell Greg this or not.
He stopped chopping, turned and looked at me. “Seriously? How did you find that out?”
“She’s on the company website as a new board member. Didn’t Butch tell you?” I sipped my coffee, watching him.
“No. In fact, he said she just signed up to do some volunteer work because she was bored all the time. I wonder if he knows about this.” Greg dumped the onion into a bowl and started chopping green peppers. “We were teasing him that Lois runs the household. The guy just has his debit card and a credit card in his wallet. He has no knowledge about their financial status at all. He said Lois handles everything. At least she does since Butch lost their savings in one of Levi’s schemes a few years ago.”
“Don’t expect me to be your accountant when we get married.” I teased. “I have enough trouble keeping the books for the shop. I’d hate to have to juggle everything.”
The toast popped up and Greg spread butter on the bread. Then he brought me a plate with ajar of strawberry jam. “I like that.”
“What? Toast?”
He kissed me on the top of my head. “No. You said ‘when we get married.’”
Crap, I had. “I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t go all backpedaling on me. I just thought it was sweet.” He tapped a finger on my investigation notebook. “What else do you have in here that I don’t know about?”
I walked him through the suspects as I saw them, adding the part about Lois and Butch at the end. “Honestly, I don’t feel right about any of them. Last night, Brenda acted like it was business as usual for The Castle. I don’t think she has a clue it’s been sold or that Jessica is the new owner.”
“I talked to Jessica last night. She’s considering leaving North Carolina. She says it has too many bad memories for her to go back there. She’s meeting with the attorney next week to see what her options are before the estate is probated.” He went back to the stove and started sautéing the vegetables. Greg did omelets right. It wasn’t fast, but the results were yummy. “I didn’t get the feeling she was measuring The Castle for drapes or that she even knew about owning it. Are you sure it’s her?”
“I looked at the legal filings. There were too many rumors floating around about the sale for something not to be happening. I can’t believe Brenda hasn’t heard something yet.” I tore off a scrap of crust and gave it to Emma.
“After we eat, I need you to drive me to The Castle.”
“I doubt if anyone is up at this time. Your friends looked pretty trashed when I saw them on the patio.” I licked a bit of jam off my finger. I loved warm toast with butter and jam. It hit my happy spot.
“I want to get my truck. Then I need to show you something.” He set a plate with a huge three-egg omelet in front of me. “I found Levi’s laptop in the truck. I guess he left it there after our last fishing trip and didn’t have the chance to go back for it. Jessica told me the password last night.”
“Don’t you think you should give it to Terrance?” I focused on my plate, not looking at Greg’s back, now cooking his ow
n breakfast. This subterfuge didn’t feel like him. If anyone was straight up and by the book, it was Greg.
“I will. I just want to see what he was thinking. It’s the last contact I’ll ever have with my friend. I’d like to do it alone.” Greg grabbed a plate and slid his omelet on it. Then he turned to me. “If you’ll help me get through it. I need you.”
“I can do that. But if I go to jail for police obstruction, you’re going to have to get me out.” I started eating. I needed to have one good meal before we started skirting the law. It was part of the investigators handbook. Or at least the one I was going to write someday after I made all the mistakes first.
“Honey, if you get arrested, I’ll be sitting in the cell next to you.” He turned my face toward him, wiped a bit of jam off the corner of my mouth with his finger, and then kissed me. “We can be the couple who bonds together in our cells.”
“With our schedules, it might be the only way we actually have time to talk.” I went back to eating. “This is really good. I’m glad you’re around to cook on weekend mornings. I may have to change up my brunches with Amy.”
He squeezed my shoulder, then went back to eating. When his head was turned away, he said, “I’m good at other lazy Sunday morning activities, too.”
CHAPTER 17
The drive to The Castle was quiet. There was no one on the road at seven on a Sunday. Well, except for the old pickups filled with weekend anglers heading to the marina to take out their boats. It was lovely. Except for one thing. We were going to get a dead man’s laptop to see what mess he’d gotten himself into.
Happy lazy Sunday to me.
Was it bad that I was excited about the investigation again? I loved working with Greg on putting together the puzzle. I was back to feeling like one of those television investigating couples, like Bones, but unlike the characters in those stories, I didn’t have any real skill I brought to the investigation except for my curiosity. And my mad love for reading mysteries. That had to count for something, right?
