by Leena Clover
“I can’t imagine Finn being underhanded. He’s a soldier, Anna. He has a certain honor code.”
“I won’t argue with that. Who does that leave?”
“Sharon.” Gino looked unconvinced.
“Can you be objective about her?”
“Of course I can, Anna. You don’t know Sharon. She’s a happy gal. I’ve never seen her say anything negative or bear a grudge against anyone.”
“You mean she doesn’t want for anything. So she couldn’t have a motive to hurt her brother.”
“Something like that.”
“I want to believe you, Gino, but I need to be objective. Surely there must be something in Sharon’s life that’s less than ideal? I intend to find out.”
Chapter 22
Anna sat in her living room, surrounded by friends and family.
“I love this time of year,” she gushed happily. “And I love living in Dolphin Bay. There is an abundance of Christmas spirit wherever you look.”
“You haven’t lived anywhere else, Mom,” Cassie reminded her. “But you’re right. I had forgotten all about the Christmas market.”
Every year, a host of stalls sprang up in the park that ran through the centre of Main Street. The holiday market offered a variety of foods, right from fancy cured meats, local artisanal cheeses, jams and jellies to fine chocolates. Gino’s Mystic Hill winery had a stall there. So did the local knitting club. Ladies sold handmade quilts and pottery. There was plenty to tempt buyers armed with a holiday shopping list.
“How is it going with your Lights committee, Meg?” Sofia asked. “Any chances of winning the trophy this year?”
“We are hopeful, Nana. Everyone’s been working very hard. You can see it all yourself in two days.”
“We don’t know what the other towns are doing,” Julie warned. “Some of them are very competitive, Meg.”
“I didn’t care about winning at first.” Meg was animated. “But I have slowly picked up on the excitement.”
“Nothing wrong with that, Meg.” Cassie took her side. “Especially at your age. That whole ‘everyone is a winner’ concept is a myth. You are either first or you aren’t.”
“It’s a harsh life lesson,” Anna nodded. “But I have to agree with Cassie.”
“When is that young man of yours coming to dinner, Meg?” Sofia changed the subject.
“I’m not sure,” Meg blushed. “Why does he have to come here, Nana?”
“So we can grill him about the important stuff!” Julie laughed. “What are you afraid of, kiddo?”
“Aren’t you sure you like him?” Mary asked gently.
Gino had been quiet all this time. He set his wine glass down on a coaster and cleared his throat.
“Pardon me if I’m wrong, Meg. But I thought you liked Leo.”
Meg blushed even more.
“Leo and I are friends. I look up to him.”
“Is that code for something?” Gino frowned. “Do you think he’s too old for you?”
“Leo’s not going anywhere!” Julie shook her head. “Meg needs to date a few kids before she gets serious about anyone.”
Meg’s face had been turning redder by the second. She excused herself and rushed to her room.
“Are you happy now?” Sofia clucked. “You made the poor child leave.”
“Meg’s tougher than you think, Nana,” Cassie spoke up. “She’ll be fine.”
Julie and Mary left after that. Sofia bid them good night and went inside.
“I guess I should turn in too,” Cassie winked. “Give you two love birds some alone time.”
Anna suppressed a smile but didn’t say anything. Cassie took the hint.
Gino patted the empty spot next to him on the couch. Anna didn’t need an invitation. Gino put his arm around her and they sat quietly for some time, staring into the fire, enjoying each other’s company.
“What’s on your mind, cara?”
Anna looked up, surprised.
“You’ve never called me dear before.”
“I’ve thought it.” Gino took her hand in his. “I guess I was working up the courage to say it out loud.”
“Gino Mancini! Are you telling me you are afraid of me?”
Gino twirled his mustache.
“I don’t want to rush you, Anna. I know it hasn’t been long since you lost John.”
Anna was touched by Gino’s concern.
“You are so kind, Gino. Honestly, John will always be in my heart. But I know how fleeting life can be. I want to embrace it fully.”
“Good to know that,” Gino smiled. “I can plan a special date for us now.”
Anna promised she would look forward to it.
“So tell me,” Gino prompted. “What’s on your mind?”
“I was thinking about the holiday party at the Gardiners’. You know what struck me the most? They all seemed so happy. Everyone was smiling broadly, bursting with enthusiasm.”
“That’s how they were all the time,” Gino said gravely. “I could always count on Edward to make me laugh.”
“Would you say it was a happy household?”
“Very much so, Anna. I never saw them argue about anything either.”
“What about enemies? Business rivals? Disgruntled employees?”
Gino shook his head.
“The Gardiners have always been hailed as great philanthropists. Edward continued the tradition. He could sense the slightest need of anyone around him. And he was ready to help in any way necessary.”
“So he never denied anyone a raise, for example.”
“The man I knew would never do that. All the employees at the Gardiner company got a 10% raise in their pay every year. Bonuses were extra.”
“That does sound generous,” Anna agreed grudgingly. “Growing up, I resented how much my father worshipped the Gardiners. I thought it was feudal, you know. But now I see why he looked up to them.”
“You still don’t sound convinced though. I have an idea. Why don’t we go talk to Basil again?”
Anna gave a tiny shrug.
“I did get the feeling he knew more than he was telling. No harm in trying.”
Gino promised to call the estate manager the next morning and fix an appointment with him.
“Time to leave, Anna. I have an early meeting with my manager tomorrow. But I should be free by lunch.”
Anna woke up to a foggy morning. Bitterly cold winds tore through town that morning. The sun was finally beginning to peep through the clouds when Gino arrived at the café. They were meeting Basil before lunch.
He greeted them eagerly.
“How’s your search going, Mrs. Butler? Any luck?”
“I’m having trouble with the motive. Everyone seems to have liked Edward Gardiner.”
“He was like a guardian angel to many of us.” Basil looked sad. “I already offered you my help. Please don’t hesitate to ask me anything.”
“What do you think of working for Alison?” Anna asked. “Isn’t she kind of young to take over such a big company?”
“Alison was always the undisputed heir,” Basil said. “The boss made it clear to everyone. He had been grooming Alison for the past five years. We knew she would take over the business one day.”
“So the contents of the will didn’t come as a surprise to you?” Gino probed.
Basil told them the will had never been secret.
“And Edward never got into a fight or disagreement with anyone in all these years?” Anna prodded. “He didn’t lose his temper once?”
Anna saw a flicker of doubt flash through Basil’s eyes.
“What is it?” She leaned forward in anticipation. “Don’t leave anything out, however trivial.”
“This was before my time,” Basil began. “My father worked for the Gardiners too, you see. He used to talk about the big fight between Edward and his sister.”
“You mean Sharon?” Anna confirmed.
“This is a bit delicate.” Basil paused. “Very f
ew people know about this, although there was some gossip in town at the time. Even the Gardiner money couldn’t quash that.”
“Does this have something to do with Pearson?” Anna tried to curb her excitement.
“So you found out? Sharon fell in love with George Pearson. They wanted to get married. Edward would have none of it, of course.”
“Edward has always pampered Sharon and catered to every wish of hers,” Gino mused. “I can’t imagine him refusing her something.”
“Everything but …” Basil grimaced. “He belonged to a different generation. Can’t blame him for that, I guess. All said and done, Pearson was their butler. The old man couldn’t forget that.”
“Couldn’t they have gone away?” Anna cried. “Built a new life somewhere else?”
“Sharon did leave. So did Pearson. They came back a year later. My father told me Pearson had worked two jobs in the city, trying to make ends meet. But Sharon couldn’t take it. She had lived in the lap of luxury all her life. Edward controlled all the money and he wanted her back.”
“Pearson came back too?” Anna felt something didn’t add up.
“The Gardiners needed a butler and Pearson was good at his job. Edward was ready to forgive and forget.”
“And they lived happily ever after?” Anna caught Gino’s eye and shook her head.
“This doesn’t make sense, Basil.” Gino twirled his mustache. “How could he let Pearson and Sharon live in the same house, knowing their history?”
“Something else happened that year.” Basil scratched his sideburns with a pen. “Edward’s son and his wife died in an accident.”
“And he took it hard,” Gino summed up. “I can see why he must have softened his stance toward Sharon.”
They thanked Basil for his time and headed to Mystic Hill. Anna had agreed to have lunch with Gino.
“My cook makes the best enchilada pie,” he told her. “I hope you’re hungry.”
“Can you imagine what a trial it must have been for Sharon and Pearson? Living under one roof without acknowledging their feelings?”
“Any man in his position would bear a massive grudge,” Gino observed. “If Pearson hadn’t died himself, he would be our number one suspect.”
“Don’t forget Sharon,” Anna chided. “What do they say about revenge? That it’s best served cold? What if the resentment she had suppressed all these years got out of hand?”
Chapter 23
Anna appreciated Gino’s efforts to make her feel at home. The enchilada pie had been delicious. Dessert was chocolate cranberry biscotti with a fruit wine Gino wanted her to taste.
The day had turned colder but the roaring wood fire Gino lit added some cheer to the dreary atmosphere. Anna couldn’t stop thinking of Sharon. Could the seemingly feather brained woman have harbored a lifelong hatred toward her brother?
“Am I boring you, Anna?” Gino’s mustache twitched. “You haven’t heard a word I said.”
Gino’s phone rang just then, saving Anna from an embarrassing moment.
Anna saw Gino’s face harden as he listened to the voice at the other end.
“Bad news, I’m afraid.”
Anna’s thoughts flew to Cassie and Meg.
“It’s about the Gardiners.” Gino hastened to explain. “Forensics came back with the results. They matched the stuff they found on Edward with the bags from Finn’s garage.”
“That can’t be good for him.” Anna was dismayed.
“The police arrested him a few minutes ago,” Gino sighed. “You won’t like the next bit, Anna. I promised to help him if something like this happened.”
“You’re getting him a lawyer?” Anna prompted.
Gino nodded. He offered to drop Anna off at the café before going to the police station. The lawyer was going to meet him there and work on getting Finn out on bail.
The café was almost empty when Anna got there. She wondered how long it would take for news of Finn’s arrest to spread through town.
Her fears were realized when a familiar scrawny figure swarmed in an hour later. Meg had just rushed off to meet some friends.
“We had a deal!”
Craig Rose jabbed a bony finger in her face. His mop of snowy white hair was in disarray. The ever present cardigan was unevenly buttoned.
“You promised to protect my boy, Mrs. Butler. You failed!”
“Wait a minute … the police found evidence against your boy. I can only do so much, Mr. Rose.”
“Excuses, excuses! You failed, Madam. Don’t expect me to help you now.”
“You’re being unfair.” Anna’s fists curled as she tried to control her emotions. “I have done everything I could to find out who killed Edward Gardiner.”
Craig Rose was shaking his head vigorously.
“All I asked was …”
“And I made my stance very clear. I can only go after the truth. If Finn O’Malley is guilty, I am not going to help you hide it.”
“Then our deal is off!” Craig Rose whirled around and started walking away.
“You can’t leave just yet.”
Anna hurried after the old man and barred the door.
“Tell me what you know about John. I’ve done my best to help Finn. Now it’s your turn to honor your commitment.”
“Not just yet,” Craig Rose said shrewdly. “Are you sure you didn’t miss any clues?” He grinned maliciously. “You think you are invincible, just like your husband.”
Anna made up her mind.
“Let’s go over to Finn’s cottage. You are coming with me right now.”
Craig took a deep breath and nodded.
“We can take my car, Mrs. Butler. Thanks.”
Anna fumed silently on the way to the Gardiner estate. She was just humoring Craig Rose. She felt the chances of finding anything pertinent in Finn’s cottage were slim to none. The police had obviously done a thorough search by this time.
“That’s not the right attitude,” Craig Rose nagged, almost reading her mind.
Anna looked at him guiltily.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“You have already made up your mind. You think this trip is a waste of time.”
Anna assured him she would sincerely look for anything that might exonerate Finn O’Malley.
The cottage was deserted. Anna wondered what had happened to Chief. Someone from the main house must have taken him.
They spotted the tiny storage shed immediately. The door was wide open and a few loose papers fluttered outside on the breeze.
Anna looked around and found a big stack of poop bags. She pointed them out to Craig.
“That’s the famous bag, used to kill Edward Gardiner.”
“Finn O’Malley would not sneak up on anyone in the middle of the night. He is the kind that shoots an enemy point blank.”
“Why do I keep hearing that?” Anna moaned. “He should not be shooting or stabbing anyone in any way. We are trying to prove he didn’t do this, Mr. Rose.”
A decrepit bench sat in the centre of the shed. Two cardboard boxes were dumped on it. Anna realized they were the source of the papers she had seen flying around.
“Let’s go through these,” she suggested.
“That looks like confidential stuff.” Craig Rose was judgmental. “We don’t want to pry.”
“We also don’t have a choice.” Anna didn’t hide her frustration. “I thought we are here to help Finn any way we can.”
Craig Rose capitulated and started going through the papers. Anna set aside a hoard of bank and credit card statements. There were newspaper clippings about the war in Afghanistan. Assorted flyers and coupons for local garages, pet groomers and physical therapists. A stack of blue colored envelopes tied with a satin ribbon caught Anna’s eye. She sniffed them curiously.
“Looks like scented paper.”
“Those are private,” Craig Rose snapped. “They are letters from Ruth. She wrote him regularly when he was posted in the war zone.”
&nbs
p; Anna hesitated before setting them aside. Ruth had been gone a long time. Anna decided it was safe to assume the letters would not help vindicate Finn.
“There’s nothing here,” she sighed. “Let’s go through his cottage once.”
Searching the cottage didn’t take long. They were disappointed once again.
“Nothing much we can do here, I suppose,” Craig Rose admitted reluctantly.
“It’s like solving a puzzle,” Anna explained. “Obviously, some pieces are still missing.”
“You better find them soon then.” Craig Rose stomped out after handing out his latest rebuke.
Anna decided to go for a walk after Craig Rose dropped her off in front of the café. She needed to clear her head. Half an hour later, she sat on a bench on the Coastal Walk, staring out at the dark blue waters of the bay. She was freezing in the cold, no closer to any fresh insights.
Anna was longing for a nap by the time she got home. Sofia fixed a hot toddy for her and sat on the edge of her bed.
“Don’t you dare fall sick, Anna. Christmas is around the corner. And Gino and the girls are coming to dinner tonight.”
“I’d forgotten all about that!” Anna sipped the warm drink. “Do we need to start cooking?”
“Everything’s under control.” Sofia stood up. “I decided to keep it simple tonight. We are having chicken piccata with angel hair pasta and salad. Cassie’s picking up sorbet from Paradise Market for dessert.”
“We can all use a lighter meal, Mama,” Anna nodded appreciatively.
Julie called later that evening, grumbling about being stuck in her story.
“I’ve been staring at a blank page for two hours, Anna.”
“Take a break. Come have dinner with us. You can meet Meg’s young man.”
Phoenix had finally decided to accept Anna’s invitation. Meg had been pacing the house nervously, begging them to go easy on him.
“Relax kiddo, it’s just dinner.” Cassie hadn’t stopped grinning.
Anna and Meg were setting the table when the doorbell chimed. Gino stood outside, Phoenix just behind him. Julie’s car pulled up.
Sofia sat in her chair, staring at Phoenix while the wine was poured and the antipasti platter passed around.
