“You look exhausted. We should have stopped sooner.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said. “We had to make headway on this immediately.”
“Thank you so much.”
“My dear, I hope this shows you I’m on your side.”
I grinned. “Indeed it does.”
She was fading when I remembered what I wanted to tell her. “I found out this morning that little Tacey who can see you is my cousin Randy’s daughter.”
Evelyn’s smile was visible. “For some reason, that doesn’t surprise me.”
Chapter Ten
“You look terrific!” Jared exclaimed as I stepped into his car.
My cheeks grew warm, and I was glad it was too dark for him to see that I was blushing. This was more like a date than two people out to catch a murderer. “It’s a wonder what a shower and fresh clothes will do for a girl.”
“Not every girl.” He patted my hand.
I leaned back and luxuriated in anticipation of the evening ahead. “Did Mr. Talbot agree to see us?”
“Absolutely. I told Ken we’d be there between eight and eight thirty. I thought we’d have a pub meal tonight, since we don’t have that much time.”
“Fine with me.”
Jared laughed. “Are you always so agreeable?”
“Are you kidding? I can be as ornery as the next one, but tonight’s your show.”
“I’m curious to hear what Ken has to tell us. I think he suspects why we’re coming to talk to him.”
That said, he changed the subject and asked me how my day went.
“Today’s program was a big hit. Every seat in the meeting room was taken.”
Jared told me he’d stayed home most of the day doing work. “Sometimes it seems I’ll never catch up on all the paperwork.”
I nodded grimly. “I know exactly how that feels.”
The Pub Crawler was located on a side street on the edge of town. It was filled to capacity with young couples and families with children. As soon as the middle-aged woman handling seating arrangements spotted Jared, she greeted him with a hug and smile and led us to a booth for two.
“I see you have pull here,” I joked, glad we didn’t have to join the ten or twelve people waiting to be seated.
“I believe in reservations.”
“And it’s good to know the manager.”
“That too. Especially since Molly’s my neighbor.”
A young woman who looked remarkably like Molly handed us large menus.
“Hi, Jared.” She gave me the once-over. “Glad to see you’ve brought a friend.”
“Carrie, this is Gemma, Molly’s daughter.”
“Pleased to meet you,” I said.
Gemma answered with a broad grin. “Me too. The meatloaf’s real good tonight. So is the chicken pot pie. We’re running out of pies, so let me know if you guys want to order it.” She winked. “I saved a few for my fave customers.”
“Give us a minute to decide. Meanwhile, I’ll have a pint of the dark ale you have on tap.”
“Carrie?”
I opted for a Beck’s lager.
“Be right back.”
I studied the menu, impressed by the extent of its offerings: a pork chop with cranberry stuffing, a quesadilla with steak tidbits, all sorts of salads. The burger and wrap lists were extensive. When Gemma returned with our beers, I ordered a burger with guacamole and mushrooms, and Jared ordered a bowl of chili and a side salad.
We drank our beers and chatted about the restaurants in Clover Ridge. I asked Jared how he liked being an accountant.
He grinned. “I know it sounds like the most boring job there is, but I’ve always been good at figures, and I like dealing with people on a one-on-one basis. Most of my work is in and around Clover Ridge, but I’m beginning to get clients a good distance away. Frankly, I like the idea of traveling to break up the week.”
My burger came out exactly as I’d requested—between medium and medium rare. Even the bun was tasty. Jared offered me a spoonful of his chili, and that was delicious too.
“I can see why this place is so popular,” I said.
Gemma stopped by our booth as we finished eating. “Would you guys like some dessert?”
She opened her mouth to reel off a list of choices when Jared said, “I don’t think so tonight.” He turned to me. “Ken expects us for coffee or tea, and it’s ten to eight.”
“Is it?” I asked. “I lost all track of time.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” To Gemma, he said, “Just the check, please.”
“Coming right up.”
Jared reached for his wallet and pulled out a charge card.
I felt a twinge of anxiety. Are we friends on a common mission or out on a date?
“Jared, I can pay for my own meal.”
“Of course you can, but I’d like this to be my treat, if you’ll let me.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure—I mean, I thought we were two people getting together to solve two murders . . .”
“We’re two people getting to know one another,” he finished for me. “Why not agree it’s both and leave it at that?”
I nodded. “Okay.”
Why was I so jumpy about getting involved? Did I actually believe he was a possible murder suspect or was it something else? “As long as we take it slow.”
“As slow as you like.”
Once we were outside, Jared reached for my hand, and we walked to the car. He put on a station of soft rock music, and we said little as we drove off into the darkness. I was very aware of the change in our relationship. Half of me liked the idea of having a guy caring for me. The other half was terrified. I wasn’t good at relationships, and I didn’t want to screw up my friendship with Jared.
As we drove along, I recognized the road. “I know where we are! The cottage I’m renting is coming up on the right.”
Jared stared at me. “You found a place to rent? Why didn’t you say so?”
“It must have slipped my mind.”
“I noticed an ad for a cottage in the paper—one with a river view. But I figured it would be expensive, so I didn’t bother to tell you.”
I was sorry I’d brought up the subject of the cottage. It was almost as though I wanted to keep it a secret. Which was silly, considering I’d be living there, and people would be visiting me. “Well, it turned out not to be as expensive as I’d thought.”
“When are you moving in?”
“Next Saturday morning. That gives me the rest of the weekend to settle in. The place is furnished, which makes things easy. Still, I’ll be making my own meals, so I have to stock up on food and basic supplies.”
“I’d be happy to help you move,” Jared said.
“Thanks, but I don’t have that much stuff. Just my clothes, some toiletries, my computer, and a few cartons of books. If there’s not enough room in my car for my books, I can always pick them up later on.”
“But with two cars at your disposal, you should be able to bring over everything in one trip.”
I hesitated. I was used to doing things for myself and by myself. “Jared, I appreciate your offer, but you don’t have to take me under your wing.”
He laughed. “I’m just offering to help. Moving can be trying and exhausting, especially when you plan a big shopping trip afterward.”
“True. Shopping for food and supplies is not my favorite activity.”
“I’m a great shopper,” he said, “but if you’d rather do it on your own . . .”
I thought about it. Moving in and then buying everything from eggs to Band-Aids could take hours. And there was something sad about doing it all alone.
“When you put it that way, I can’t refuse.”
Jared reached over to rub the back of his hand along my cheek. “You’re helping me find my mother’s killer. The least I can do is help you move.”
“In that case, thank you.” Am I doing the right thing, or are things happening too quickly? As we passed th
e private lane that led to Dylan’s property, I tried to see if there were lights on in the big house, but the shrubs and trees that grew along the road gave nothing away.
We drove past a few farms and a general store. Soon more houses appeared on both sides of the road. We turned right onto a narrow street for a mile or so and then turned left into what appeared to be a gated community. Jared gave his name to the man in the booth, who made a call. A minute later, the bar in front of us lifted, allowing us to proceed to Ken’s home.
“It’s very pretty in here,” I said.
“And very expensive. I always love visiting Ken.”
“You’ve known him a long time?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
Jared pulled up in front of a modern-looking home, the front of which was beautifully landscaped with a pond and low shrubs. Tall trees grew on either side of the house.
We walked past a Lexus SUV parked in the center of the two-car driveway.
“I wonder who’s here,” Jared said.
He rang the bell, and the front door opened. Our host stood there, clearly happy to see Jared.
“Jared, my boy! Come in, come in!” Ken Talbot embraced Jared in a bear hug. He shook my hand and hugged me briefly. “Carrie, nice to see you again. This time under pleasant circumstances.”
“Thanks for having us, Mr. Talbot.”
“Please, call me Ken.” He helped me off with my coat. “May I offer you something to drink? A glass of wine? Imported beer?”
“A beer would be great,” Jared said.
“I’ll have a glass of seltzer, if you have it,” I said.
“I do. Coming right up. Please make yourself comfortable in the living room.” Ken disappeared into what I imagined was the kitchen.
Jared took my hand, and together we walked into the living room. A blonde woman in her fifties perched on the sofa, her crossed legs revealing high boots over black leggings and a forest-green knitted tunic. She was elegant, stylish, and looked vaguely familiar.
Jared squeezed my fingers so hard, I had to bite my lip not to cry out. “Hello, Helena. I can’t say it’s nice to see you.”
Of course! Helena Koppel. Jared’s mother’s best friend. What is she doing here?
Helena let out a silvery laugh as she set her glass of white wine on the cocktail table before her. “Jared, my dear, is that any way to greet your Aunt Helena?”
Jared’s face had turned beet red. “You lied about my mother in front of everyone in the library! My father almost had a heart attack because of you!”
“I’m sorry, but I was telling the truth.”
“I don’t believe you!”
“Your mother wanted to leave your father. Did you not know she was unhappy?”
Instead of answering, Jared sank into one of the wingback chairs.
To break the uncomfortable silence, I extended my hand to Helena. “I’m Carrie Singleton.”
“I remember you. You’re the young woman who introduced Al that evening at the library. Such a tragedy. Nice to see you again, Carrie.”
Her grip was surprisingly strong for a woman no taller than five foot three.
I sat in the other wingback chair as Ken joined us. He handed Jared a bottle of beer and me a glass of seltzer and placed two coasters on the cocktail table.
“Helena called me from her car half an hour ago. She said she was in the area, so I invited her to stop by for a drink.”
“Here again, Helena? What brings you back to Clover Ridge?” Jared took a long draw of his beer.
His comment startled me until I realized he was very upset. I couldn’t blame him after Helena’s shocking announcement that his mother had wanted a divorce. Helena struck me as an attention seeker and troublemaker. But I had to admit, I was eager to hear what she had to say.
Helena grinned. “I believe I’ve found my perfect new home. One of Joe Sheridan’s condos. It has two bedrooms, a den, a deck, three skylights, and an active clubhouse with an indoor pool. I put in a bid and should know in a day or two if it’s been accepted.”
Jared made a choking sound. “You’re moving back?”
“I started checking out communities as soon as I had a buyer for my house. Coming back here two weeks ago, I realized I’d be most comfortable living in Clover Ridge. There are some wonderful new restaurants and plenty of activities for retirees like me.”
“What did you retire from?” Jared asked. “I don’t remember your ever holding a job.”
That silvery laugh again. “Silly boy, I often worked in Lloyd’s office.”
“Really? Your husband was an architect. Did you help him design houses?”
Silence. I tried to meet Jared’s gaze, but he steadfastly kept his eyes on the Persian carpet at our feet.
“At any rate, I must be going.” Helena drained what was left of her wine and stood. “Good-bye, Jared. Nice to see you again, Carrie.”
“I’ll get your coat.” Ken walked her to the hall closet.
“Thank God she’s leaving,” Jared muttered.
Ken helped Helena into her mink. The door closed behind her, and Ken returned to us.
“I’m sorry Helena’s presence was so unpleasant for you, Jared.” He sank into his leather recliner. “When I told her you’d be coming over, she said she’d love to see you, and so I assumed things were okay between you two.”
Jared expelled a burst of air. “That’s Helena all over. Exaggerating. Telling lies. Whatever it takes to grab the limelight.”
“Still, she’s an old family friend.” Ken sipped the drink he’d left on the small table beside his chair.
“She had no business saying what she did in front of half the town.”
“You’re absolutely right,” Ken said.
Jared didn’t seem able to let the subject of Helena Koppel rest.
“At my parents’ parties, she always drew attention to herself—dancing provocatively, belting out a song. Poor Lloyd had a lot to put up with. And look how she was dressed tonight—like someone half her age.”
“Helena mentioned she’d recently ended a long-term relationship,” Ken said. “I think she’s lonely, which is why she’s moving back to Clover Ridge.”
Jared eyed him warily. “Don’t tell me you’re beginning to fall for her.”
Ken laughed as if Jared had said the most amusing thing possible. “There’s small chance of that. I have a significant other in my life.”
I got what Ken was saying. When I met his glance, he merely nodded. Jared frowned, oblivious to what I’d just learned and had no intention of sharing with anyone, including Jared. In ways, Jared was like an overgrown kid who had yet to learn about the complexities of life.
“I’m glad she didn’t stay. Carrie and I need to talk to you,” Jared said.
“I’m well aware of that. I told her we had business to attend to. Shall we go into my office? Bring your drinks if you like. We’ll have coffee and cake afterward.”
Jared had finished his beer, but I brought along what was left of my seltzer to a room beyond the living room. It was clearly an attorney’s office: built-in bookcases filled with law books and tall file cabinets stood against a wall. Ken walked around the mahogany desk that took up a quarter of the room to sit in his leather chair, while Jared and I took seats facing him.
Jared wasted no time telling Ken why we were there: “Various library employees said you came to the library to speak to my mother on several occasions a month or two before she was murdered. They think you and she might have been romantically involved.”
Ken stretched his arms overhead. “Jared, years before, when we were in college, your mom and I dated for a few months.”
“I know that,” Jared said impatiently. “I’m talking about years later. When you were both married.”
“Your mom and I remained good friends, and I became your family lawyer, but in no way were we romantically involved.”
Jared looked puzzled. “Then why did you go to the library to talk t
o her? If she needed legal advice, why didn’t she go to your office?”
“Because my office manager at the time was one of Laura’s friends. Betsy was a wonderful worker, but she had a tendency to gossip, at least about the people who came to see me professionally.” Ken frowned. “But I gather the library staff was just as eager to chatter about my coming there to see Laura.”
Jared bit his lip. “Why did she want to talk to you? Don’t tell me Helena’s telling the truth, that my mom was unhappy.”
Ken leaned back and sighed. “I’m afraid it’s true. Bryce worked late most nights and wasn’t available to her or you boys. She needed him for her own sake and for help with you and Ryan. Especially Ryan. He was angry and beginning to act out. He needed his father’s input, but Bryce was too busy working overtime so he could give you all the life you were used to living.”
“Was my father having an affair?” Jared asked.
“I doubt he had the time or interest for any such thing.”
“Was Laura having an affair?” I asked.
Jared glared at me.
“I’m sorry, but we have to consider everything,” I said. “If your mother had a lover, there’s a chance he murdered her.”
“I don’t know if she had someone or not,” Ken said. “The subject never arose during any of our discussions, and I never posed the question. Laura wanted to know what her financial status would be if she left Bryce. How I thought the split would affect you and Ryan. If I thought she would get custody of you boys, if there’d be enough money to keep the house. I asked to see your family’s last two tax returns and a list of monthly expenses. She brought them the next time we went out for coffee.”
“What did you tell her?” I asked.
Ken released a huge sigh. “That things would be tough for all of you if she were to leave Bryce. With the size of the mortgage they were carrying, there was no way she could hold onto the house. And she’d have had to get a well-paying job if she hoped to find a decent house to rent in Clover Ridge or any of the nearby towns.”
Jared slumped into his chair. “I had no idea. I thought my parents were just going through a rough patch.”
Death Overdue Page 9
