by Cindy Bell
“I hope it's not the case,” Bekki said with a frown. “But I know that whoever the killer is, you'll get to the bottom of it, Nick.”
“We should get back inside,” Nick said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
Chapter Nine
After the funeral ended Bekki was walking across the parking lot to the car. She heard someone walking up behind her. Her heart jolted for a moment as the sound of footsteps behind her always made her feel a little uneasy. When she turned she found Stacey walking towards her. Bekki glanced up at the church to see that Nick was still talking to a few people. Then she looked back at Stacey who seemed very eager to talk to her.
“Bekki, how long are they going to hold him?” Stacey asked breathlessly. “Do you really think he is going to trial?”
“I honestly can't say, Stacey,” Bekki frowned as she studied the woman. She seemed so genuine. She didn't strike her as an adulteress or a killer. But something had happened, someone was guilty. Perhaps Dave had found out about the affair and had decided to take the situation into his own hands. But she didn’t want to believe that, because she believed that he was innocent and her father was absolutely convinced of his innocence. Still, who else could possibly have motive to hurt Josh?
“I know that Nick will find out everything he can,” Bekki paused a moment and lowered her voice. “But it might help if you were honest.”
“Excuse me?” Stacey asked with a quick anger in her eyes. “What are you trying to say, Bekki?” she asked.
“I don't mean to insult you,” Bekki said quickly. “I'm just wondering if there might be something you haven't told Nick. About the time that you spent with Josh,” she added quietly.
Stacey's face immediately turned red. She narrowed her eyes and then looked away.
“It's not what you think, Bekki,” she said firmly.
“I'm not thinking anything,” Bekki replied casually. “But if there is something, some truth that needs to be told, this would be the time.”
“Bekki, I didn't think anyone knew about it, that's the only reason I hadn't said anything,” she sighed. “That and I knew that Dave might misunderstand.”
“You can tell me,” Bekki assured her. “What was really going on between you and Josh?”
Stacey shook her head and tried to hold back tears. When she finally spoke she couldn't restrain them and they began to slip passed.
“It was all supposed to be a surprise. When Janet and Josh got married he had just taken a new position at work which meant they had to relocate to Harroway so he couldn't take much time off. He felt badly that they never had the amazing honeymoon that Janet had been hoping for.”
Bekki narrowed her eyes slightly. It was surprising to her that it sounded as if there was never an affair at all.
“So, that's why you were meeting?” Bekki asked.
“Yes, we were getting together when Janet was busy, so that she wouldn't find out. Josh was having a hard time deciding on a location and I was giving him a few different options to choose from,” she sighed and wiped at her eyes. “None of this was supposed to happen. In less than a week Janet and Josh would have been leaving for their honeymoon.”
“Oh, Stacey,” Bekki shook her head. “I'm sorry. With all the rumors around the country club, I just assumed there was something more going on.”
“No, never,” Stacey growled. “I love Dave. I have since the time we bumped into each other in the library. He is the only person I will ever love, and he knows that.”
“But don't you think that it's possible that Dave heard the rumors, too?” Bekki suggested. “Maybe he believed they were true, maybe they pushed him too far.”
“No,” Stacey shook her head. “Even if Dave did suspect something, he would come to me first. Murder would never be an option.”
“And if he had suspected you, if he had confronted you, what would you have done?” Bekki asked as she looked into Stacey's eyes. There was still a chance that Stacey had killed Josh to cover up their affair.
“I would explain to him the truth, and if he didn't believe me, then I would know that we didn't have the kind of love that I thought we did,” Stacey explained calmly. “Dave trusts me, I know he does.” Suddenly, Bekki remembered the makeup kit she saw at the scene.
“And your makeup kit, did you ever find it?” Bekki asked.
“Well,” Stacey frowned. “The police did. At the scene. I might have dropped it there the day before, but I doubt it.”
“Then how did it get there?” Bekki asked.
Stacey took a deep breath and then released it slowly. “I think someone put it there, Bekki,” she finally said. “Just like they put Dave's long iron there. But who would frame us?”
“I don't know,” Bekki replied with a slow shake of her head. “But we're going to find out,” she reached out and gave Stacey's shoulder a gentle squeeze. “We're going to find out.”
***
When Bekki and Nick arrived home from the funeral, Bekki stepped into the bathroom to clean off her makeup. As she was standing in front of the makeup mirror she had on the vanity in her bathroom, Bekki's mind was still piecing together the bits and pieces of evidence and clues.
“Bekki,” Nick called from outside the bathroom door. “I'm going to go in for a while to go over some of the interviews I've already done. Just call me if you need me, okay?”
“Okay,” Bekki replied. “Let me know if you'll be home for dinner, I'll whip something up.”
“I will,” he called back, his voice distant as he was already walking towards the front door.
Bekki stared into the small, round makeup mirror for a long moment. She looked into her own eyes, and saw the suspicion growing there. The hunch that had formed in her mind was one that she didn't want to think, but she couldn't shake it once she had thought of it. She hoped it wasn't true but there was only one way to find out. She picked up her phone and dialed Stacey's phone number.
“Hello?” Stacey said desperately after she picked up the phone.
“Stacey? Are you okay?” Bekki asked and frowned.
“I'm okay,” Stacey replied breathlessly. “I'm sorry, Bekki, I've been crying. Everything about the case seems to be getting worse and worse and I'm just so worried that Dave is going to go to prison for this.”
“I know it's scary, Stacey,” Bekki said in a comforting tone. “But I'm going to do my best to help Dave.”
“You mean you believe that it wasn't him?” Stacey asked.
“I do,” she replied.
“And me?” Stacey asked nervously.
“Stacey, I don't think you had anything to do with it,” Bekki admitted.
“Oh, Bekki, you don't know what a relief that is for me to hear,” Stacey said and sighed over the phone. “Just knowing that one person believes me makes a difference.”
“It's not just one,” Bekki said. “My father has never doubted you or Dave, and neither has my mother. You have people on your side, Stacey.”
“Thanks for telling me that,” Stacey said warmly. “But I don't know what difference it will make when it comes to the trial.”
“That's why I'm calling,” Bekki said hesitantly, she wasn't sure if her idea was a good one or not. “I need your help.”
“My help?” Stacey asked with surprise. “With what?”
“I have a hunch, and I think there's only one way we can find out if it's right. But it's going to be hard,” she paused a moment. “It may even be risky.”
“Risky?” Stacey asked with concern. “Why would it be risky?”
“Because if I'm right, it will end in Josh's murderer being arrested,” Bekki said firmly. “I don't want to force you into anything you don't want to do.”
“Is this some kind of trick?” Stacey asked suspiciously. “I had nothing to do with Josh's death, Bekki, you have to believe me!”
“I do,” Bekki replied softly. “I do, Stacey. Just meet me at the country club café tomorrow at noon.”
“If I'm right, Stacey, we'll be able to get Dave home,” Bekki explained calmly. “Isn't that what you want?”
“Oh yes, of course it is,” Stacey replied. “You know that he's innocent, Bekki. You know that, don't you?”
“I'm going to make sure everyone does,” Bekki replied before hanging up the phone. The next call was going to be a little harder. She stared down at Nick's name in her contacts list. She knew that she was crossing a line when it came to the agreement they had made. But there were limits to Nick's ability to investigate creatively. Bekki didn't have those limits. But with the risk she was taking she knew she needed Nick to be there. She dialed his number and placed the phone to her ear.
“Bekki, now is not a good time,” Nick said without even saying hello.
“Why? Has something happened? Are you okay?” Bekki asked urgently.
“It's not me,” Nick replied. “It's Dave. Apparently they found a text exchange on his cell phone with Stacey.”
“Well, that seems pretty understandable,” Bekki narrowed her eyes. “What's the problem?”
“The problem is that it was Dave confronting Stacey about a potential affair with Josh. It's evidence that Dave suspected there was something more going on, and some of the comments he made are very incriminating,” Nick sighed.
Bekki cringed as she realized that Stacey had been lying to her about Dave not suspecting she was having an affair with Josh but she still didn’t think they had anything to do with the murder. She just thought that Stacey wanted to protect her husband. “I know that Dave is your father's friend, and I know how you feel about his innocence, but Bekki the way things are stacking up against him, if we don't find another suspect it's not going to take much to convince a jury that he's guilty.”
Bekki's heart sank. The idea of a man who she was certain was innocent going away to prison for the rest of his life for a murder he did not commit, left her very unsettled. The fact that he was such a good friend of her father's made her sick to her stomach.
“I need your help with something, Nick,” she said.
“What?” Nick asked, and she heard the note of suspicion in his voice.
“Do you think Dave is a killer?” she asked carefully.
“Bekki, you know I don't work that way. I follow the evidence, I don't let it get personal,” he said firmly.
“Just this once, Nick, please?” Bekki asked, though she knew she was asking Nick to do something that felt like a betrayal to him. “Can you please just tell me how you feel about this case?”
Nick was silent for a long moment. She could hear him breathe a slow, steady breath which was usually a sign that he was trying to control his temper. She expected him to remind her of their agreement, to tell her that he was too busy for these games, so when he spoke she was surprised.
“I think he's innocent,” he said. Then Bekki heard a noise in the background. “Bekki, I've got to go.”
“Wait, can you meet me tomorrow at noon at the country club café?” Bekki asked.
“I'll be there,” Nick said before hanging up the phone. Bekki was buzzing with relief that Nick felt the same way she did about Dave. But she knew that didn't mean that he wouldn't still do his job, even if it meant more evidence mounting against Dave.
***
Bekki changed into casual jeans and a t-shirt and grabbed the keys to her car. She drove to the main strip in town where the salon and most of the shops were. She stopped in front of Angela’s Bakery and climbed out of the car. She chose some delicate pastries and purchased them. As she got back into her car, her heart beat a little faster. If what she suspected was true, then she was putting herself in considerable danger.
Bekki drove to her destination and parked the car. As she had hoped there were a few cars littered around the driveway and street in front of the house. She carried the pastries up to the front of the house and paused to knock. Janet opened the door, still in the same dark dress she had worn to the funeral.
“Bekki,” she said with a slight nod. “Would you like to come in?” she offered.
“These are for you,” Bekki said as she offered her the pastries. “I know it's not much but…”
“It's lovely,” Janet managed a smile and then set the pastries on a table with an assortment of other food.
“Is Claire here?” Bekki asked casually.
“No,” Janet narrowed her eyes. “She's already back at the motel. She's not very fond of me, I'm afraid.”
“Janet, I just wanted to stop by and make sure that you have everything that you need,” Bekki explained.
Janet sighed and pulled out her tube of lipstick. She applied it carefully to her lips, brightening up the already bright shade.
“I think so, but thanks for coming by, Bekki,” she said.
“Also, I was hoping that you would join me for lunch tomorrow at the country club café,” Bekki added.
“That will be just fine, I'm sure I'll need to get out of the house by then. It's very thoughtful of you, Bekki,” Janet added.
“I understand that you're going through so much right now,” Bekki said as she took Janet's hand and patted it lightly. “It's going to take some time to get through all of this.”
“Yes,” Janet sniffled. “Yes, it is.”
“I'll see you tomorrow, around noon,” Bekki smiled and then turned to leave. As she was walking out the door of the house, Claire was walking in, with a box in her hand.
“What is that for?” Bekki asked as she looked at the box curiously.
“I'm collecting a few of my brother's things,” Claire said gruffly. “She can't have everything of his.”
“How dare you!” Janet huffed from behind Bekki when she heard Claire's words. “I'm in mourning and this is how you treat me!”
“Well, if you hadn't killed him, you wouldn't be in mourning, would you?” Claire snapped back.
“Claire,” Bekki stepped forward slightly between the two women. “This might not be the best time for that.”
When Claire looked up at her, Bekki saw the rage in her eyes. It made her swallow thickly as she recalled that the killer would have been very angry at the time.
“It's my brother's house, his things,” Claire bit out, and then she closed her eyes. Bekki was surprised when the woman began to shake and tears streaked down her cheeks. “Why did you take him from me?” she asked Janet in a low howl. “He was all I had!”
“Claire, it wasn't my fault,” Janet insisted and turned away from her. “If you come back here again without calling me first I will have the police arrest you.” With that she stepped back into the house and closed the door. Claire leaned her head forward against the door and continued to cry. Bekki reached up hesitantly and patted her back soothingly. She couldn't let her go without comfort.
“Don't touch me,” Claire snapped. “I know you think I might have done this, I know your boyfriend does, too. I didn't,” she glared at Bekki. “You're suspecting the wrong person.”
“Claire, are you going to be okay to get back to your motel?” Bekki asked with some concern.
“I'll be fine,” Claire replied and stalked down the driveway. Bekki wasn't sure whether to follow after her or to check on Janet. Instead she walked back to her car. She hoped that tomorrow would be soon enough.
Chapter Ten
Bekki didn't sleep. But it was because she was busy planning out her lunch for the next day. She hoped things would work out as she had planned. Nick texted her around midnight to let her know he wouldn't be home but he would be at lunch the next day. Bekki was a little relieved since if he knew what she was planning he would probably try to stop her.
Once she felt she had everything figured out she left early for the lunch. She found Kristen was the hostess again as she had hoped.
“Hi, Bekki,” Kristen smiled. “Here for lunch?”
“Yes,” Bekki replied. “And a little bit of help.”
“Anything I can do,” Kristen smiled.
“In a little while Janet is going to arrive, she's having lunch with me and you can bring her to my table,” Bekki instructed. “A few minutes later Stacey Brunner should arrive. Please seat her at a table beside ours.”
“Is that all?” Kristen asked with surprise.
“Yes,” Bekki replied and then snapped her fingers. “Oh yes, my husband, Nick, will be joining us, too, you can show him to our table.”
“Okay, great,” Kristen said. “I'll sit you right here near the front so you can see everyone come in,” she suggested.
“Thanks, Kristen,” Bekki said as she sat down at the table.
About twenty minutes later Janet arrived. She was dressed impeccably with a sad frown playing at her lips. She smiled a little when she saw Bekki.
“Thanks for joining me,” Bekki said as she gestured for Janet to sit down across from her.
“It's good to get away from things for a while,” Janet admitted. “Especially from Josh's crazy sister.”
Not long after she and Janet were served lunch, Stacey walked in the door. She was wearing a sexy, sleek dress that showed a lot of skin. She smiled at the hostess and was led to the table that Bekki had requested. Stacey was careful to sit with her back to the two women so that she didn't have to greet them. Bekki watched Janet's reaction when Stacey walked in. The woman's eyes locked on her, and that same anger and disgust surfaced.
“To think she could show her face here after what her horrible husband did,” Janet muttered under her breath.
“Well, the case is still open,” Bekki gently reminded her. “Nick has a lot of questions about it.”
“What questions could he have?” Janet asked with annoyance. “There was plenty of evidence, from what I've been told.”
