by Dorien Grey
“I don’t feel right about having you do that,” Steve said. “You’ve already got enough to do.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’d be painting in any event—it doesn’t matter if it isn’t white. It’s just part of the job. We probably should have it ready for you to start moving in within two weeks—if you’d like to consider leaving your current place before the lease is fully up.”
“Of course I would!”
They had a drink and talked while waiting to go to dinner, and eventually the conversation returned to Bruno’s death.
“Brad didn’t know anything about it, of course, since he hasn’t been to work since it happened, but he said he’d check with Cabrera and his partner to see what they’re planning to do about it.”
“And you told him you think it wasn’t an accident?”
“Yeah,” Elliott said, his senses alert to any indication of John, or for any trace of Old Spice. “I just want to be sure the police don’t just let it go as a suicide or an accident.”
“Are you going to try to get in touch with Ricky or Cage?”
“Definitely. I don’t really know what I can say to them, other than to offer condolences.”
“Be sure to include mine.”
“I will.”
Suddenly, Steve’s brows furrowed, and he looked at Elliott strangely. “Do you smell it?”
He didn’t smell anything, but he knew what Steve was referring to, and felt the goosebumps rise on his arms.
“Smell what?”
“Old Spice again! And I smelled it at the building, when we first went into the top-floor apartment. That was Bruno’s apartment, wasn’t it?”
Elliott nodded. “Yeah.”
“And you haven’t smelled it?”
While Elliott really didn’t want to go down the path to which Steve was pointing, he knew to lie would not only be unfair but could erode Steve’s trust in him if he later found out.
So, reluctantly, he said, “Yeah. A couple of times.”
Steve heaved a sigh of relief. “So, what do you think it means?”
Elliott was silent for a full ten seconds, trying to find the right words. He finally gave up.
“I’m not sure, other than that Bruno is still around. Maybe he’s trying to tell us his death wasn’t an accident, that he wants somebody to know it.”
“But what can we do about it?”
Sighing, Elliott said, “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just because we both have this…whatever it is. And maybe he somehow knows we’ve helped someone in his position before. Maybe he thinks we can do it for him, too.”
Steve said nothing for a full minute, then: “Does all this strike you as being just the slightest bit odd?”
Elliott grinned. “Yeah, that had occurred to me. But I think I’m getting used to it—which is pretty strange itself. Nice to know I’m not going through it alone, though.”
He suddenly felt John nearby, and suppressed a smile.
*
He tried calling Bruno’s number as soon as he got home. There was no answer, and the answering machine didn’t pick up. Elliott suspected it might be full. He decided to try after work the next day, and if he was unable to get through, he’d go up and leave a note on the door asking Ricky or Cage to call him.
In hopes of hearing from John, he went to bed early.
Interesting.
Glad you think so. What’s going on?
Well, the disturbance I was talking about is definitely your friend Bruno.
What’s with the Old Spice? Steve smells it, too. Is he trying to tell us something?
At this point, I’m not sure. I think you’re just feeling the ripples of the splash created when he didn’t pass on through the gate. Why, I can’t say, and whether or not he’s reaching out to you or it’s just your sensitivity to his still being around I don’t know. Even though I’ve been…here…for a while now, I still don’t understand how everything works. I guess we’re all different no matter which side of the fence we‘re on.
But you’re in contact with him.
Again, I don’t mean to be obstructive, but things are very different here. It’s sort of like seeing someone talking across a crowded room—I’m aware of him, but he may or may not be aware of me. He’s too preoccupied with adjusting to his…let’s call it his change of circumstances…at the moment. But I’ll see what I can do.
Maybe you shouldn’t be in any great hurry on that one.
What do you mean?
Well, the fact is I don’t know for sure it wasn’t some sort of freak accident, and from what you say, Bruno doesn’t know, either. I’ve had enough of getting involved in dead people’s lives unless I have to.
He felt the tingle of John’s laughter.
You know what I mean!
Yes, I know. You’d better get some sleep now.
*
Of all the buildings Elliott had bought and renovated over the years, the Armitage building was a first in many ways. It was the first to have commercial space, the first he knew from the outset he intended to keep, and the first to be so directly linked to his personal life. As a result, the whole project felt somehow different, and his work routine was thrown slightly off-kilter.
Normally, each project was handled methodically as a whole—exterior to interior, top to bottom. Here, the exterior and the apartments were almost finished while work on the ground floor retail space had, other than the installation of the front windows and restoration of the facade, not even begun.
It was also the first time anyone other than his work crew was involved in the planning.
Still, he was pleased it was going so smoothly. Steve was, at Elliott’s suggestion, doing sketches for the retail space. Elliott normally would have worked with Ted to draw up plans, but he wanted Steve to be a part of it and Steve had made a few constructive suggestions that hadn’t occurred to him. Basically, the entire space would be one very large room with two offices and a bathroom spanning the back. The gallery’s office would open onto the main room, and Elliott’s onto a short hallway to the exterior rear door.
About a quarter of the basement space would be partitioned to provide a small personal storage area for each of the apartments and a laundry room. The remainder would be divided into storage areas for the gallery and Elliott’s business.
*
He went directly to Steve’s from work Monday evening, arriving shortly before Steve did. They went up to the apartment for a drink then drove to the paint store. Elliott had calculated exactly how much would be needed for each room, and Steve already knew what colors he wanted.
Although he could have gotten a contractor’s discount, Elliott didn’t even consider offering to pay, because he knew it was important for Steve to do it.
They made a stop at a hardware store to have keys made for Steve then had a quick dinner before Elliott headed home.
As soon as he walked in the door, he tried Bruno’s number. The phone again rang four times and went silent. He was about ready to hang up when he heard the receiver being lifted.
“Hello?”
Not readily identifying the voice, he said, “Ricky? Cage? It’s Elliott Smith, from downstairs.”
There was only a slight pause before, “Oh, hello, Elliott. It’s Ricky. Cage isn’t here.” He sounded exhausted.
“That’s okay. I just wanted to check to see how you’re holding up.”
“Not well. I have to be out of here by the end of the month, and I still can’t believe Bruno’s dead. I really thought…”
His voice caught, and he didn’t finish his sentence. Elliott felt his anguish, and empathized with it.
“Cage is kicking you out? On what grounds?”
“No, not Cage—he’s got to get out, too. Mr. Means. He’s the executor of Bruno’s will, and he says we have to leave.”
Elliott wasn’t sure he’d heard right. “Excuse me? Walter Means is executor of Bruno’s estate?”
“Apparently so. He came this morning
and told us we had to leave so he could put the condo up for sale. I mean, Bruno hasn’t been dead two days yet!”
“That’s bullshit! I’m not a lawyer, but I know that even if he is named in Bruno’s will as executor, there’s a whole string of legal paperwork that has to be gone through before he has the legal right to do a damned thing. Tell him when he comes up with the papers of authorization from the court, you’ll listen to him. Otherwise, he can fuck off.”
He wasn’t sure just why he was so surprised—and angry. It was none of his business, but he couldn’t help wondering exactly how or why Bruno had made his financial manager the executor in the first place. Why not a relative? It all struck him as being very strange.
Then he remembered that when Bruno first mentioned having hired Means, he said he’d drawn up a new will at Means’ suggestion. It just hadn’t occurred to Elliott that Means would have been named executor, and he suspected that suggestion, too, may have come from Means himself. Added to the fact Bruno had been thinking of changing financial managers just prior to his death, it raised all sorts of questions.
None of which changed the fact Means had no legal right to do anything at all until the court said so.
“Have funeral arrangements been made yet, do you know?”
“Cage was here earlier. I heard him talking on the phone—I’m pretty sure it was to his parents—about shipping the body to Rockford for burial. If they do that, I won’t be able to go to the funeral.” There was a long pause. “I won’t even be able to say good-bye !”
Elliott could tell Ricky was crying, and he grew more and more uncomfortable, wishing there was something he could do or say, but knowing there wasn’t.
“What will you do, Ricky?” he said finally, keeping his voice calm. “Do you have a place to go?”
There was the sound of nose-blowing and a few sniffles. “I really haven’t had time to even think about it. I’ve got a friend from where I used to work I can probably stay with for a few days, but I don’t know for how long, and I really have to find a job.”
Elliott remembered a conversation he’d had the week before with Jesse and Adam, who had mentioned they were thinking of hiring a houseboy. He had no idea if they’d done anything about it yet, or whether Ricky would be either qualified or interested, but it was worth at least a shot.
“I tell you what, Ricky, let me talk to a couple friends of mine. They might be looking for a houseboy, and if you’d be interested…”
“Of course, I would. That would be wonderful. Thank you, Elliott.”
“Well, I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll give them a call and see what’s going on. In the meantime, just hang in there.”
“I will. And thank you again.”
As soon as they hung up, Elliott looked up Adam and Jesse’s new number and called. He recognized Jesse’s voice immediately.
“Jesse, hi, it’s Elliott. Remember last week when you said you might be looking for a houseboy?”
Chapter 6
Steve called within ten minutes after Elliott let Ricky know he had set up a meeting with Adam and Jesse for Tuesday evening. He was curious if Elliott had found out anything more about Bruno or his death, and Elliott told him about Ricky’s predicament.
“Well, I hope it all works out for him,” Steve said. “He seems like a good kid. I wonder if he might get any of Bruno’s money?”
“I have no idea.” He then told Steve about Walter Means being executor of Bruno’s will.
“Isn’t that a little strange? A business manager being executor of a will? What about one of Bruno’s relatives?”
“I really don’t know how it came about, but I’d love to get a look at that will.”
Steve sighed. “It’s such a shame that Bruno never really got a chance to enjoy life the way he should have.”
“Yeah, but let’s face it—life sucks sometimes.”
Another sigh, then, “Anyway, I just wanted to tell you I’ve already got all those boxes you brought me packed, as well as several I picked up myself. I don’t know where I got all this stuff!”
“Well, we can take over a few loads this weekend. We’ll probably paint tomorrow, do the floors Wednesday and seal them Thursday. They should be ready to walk on by Friday night. So, if everything goes well, and if the weather’s good, maybe we can bring your plants over and put them out on the patio.”
“That’ll be great. I can’t wait to move. I…”
There was a pause so long Elliott wondered if they’d been cut off.
“Are you there?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m here. Sorry.”
“Is anything wrong?”
Another pause. “Not really. I just now got a really strong whiff of Old Spice.”
*
That’s very interesting.
What is?
The Old Spice. I know you’ve both smelled it before, but I get the impression this time it was deliberate. And I’m starting to pick up a few things.
Like what?
Like an increasing concern about exactly what happened to him, although I can’t tell if the possibility he might have been murdered has registered yet. There are definite feelings of sadness and loss—I’d imagine probably over his new friend…Ricky?
So, he’s not aware of what’s going on on “this side of the fence,” as you called it.
John laughed.
I really can’t tell exactly what he knows and what he doesn’t. He’s mainly been concerned with adjusting to this side. We still aren’t conversing, which is why I’m not sure what’s going on with him yet, and I haven’t done much to find out, since you said you don’t want to get involved.
Well, I don’t. But…
Yeah, that “but” will get you every time.
I mean, if we’re just aware of him because of this whatever-it-is Steve and I have, that’s one thing. But if he really is trying to get through to us…
Fair enough. I’ll try to get a little closer without getting in his way. It’s not like we’re sitting down over a cup of coffee, talking. Right now, our contacts are strictly nonverbal, like computers sending all those ones and zeroes back and forth. Hopefully, it will get easier. In the meantime, what are you planning to do, now that you know his death may not have been an accident?
In the meantime? I think I’ll just wait and see what the police do. Thank God Brad’s on the force and is willing to keep me posted.
And if they do nothing?
We’ll just have to play it by ear, I guess.
*
He went over his conversation with John both on his way to work the next morning and while driving back home. What might actually have happened to Bruno kept niggling at him. Despite Bruno’s understandable confusion, he supposed it wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility that, if he were really very drunk, he might have staggered out onto the balcony without realizing it and fallen over.
But Elliott couldn’t ignore the equally valid possibility Bruno might have had help falling; and that if he didn’t do something, a killer might never be caught.
He decided to call Brad to see if he knew—or could find out—what was happening on the investigation, and take his cue from that.
*
It wasn’t until after dinner and a long call to Steve to report on the progress of the apartment painting, and to discuss other details of the impending move, that he had a chance to call Brad. Jenny answered the phone, and he spent several minutes with her as she related everything that had gone on in her young life since they’d last talked.
When he finally asked to speak with her dad, she said, “He’s out working in the garage. I’ll go get him,” and before he had a chance to tell her not to bother, he heard the phone being set down and the sound of running feet, followed by the slamming of the screen door.
There was a moment of silence, then Cessy’s voice. “Hello?”
“Hi, Sis.”
“Elliott! I didn’t know you were on the phone. I just came in and saw the
receiver lying there, and I was about to hang it up.”
“Jenny’s out getting Brad in from the garage, though I tried to tell her he could just call me back when he gets time.”
“That’s all right—he’d spend the whole night out there tinkering if he didn’t have a specific reason to come in. So, how are things going with the building? I imagine Steve’s getting all excited about the move.”
“He’s looking forward to it, yeah.”
“Well, remember, Brad and BJ will be glad to help when the time comes.”
“I appreciate that, Sis, as I’m sure Steve does. We haven’t set an exact date yet, but possibly a week from Saturday. We’ll start moving some of the smaller things in the meantime.”
“Well, just let us know.”
He heard the screen door closing.
“Here’s Brad,” Cessy said. “We’ll talk later.”
“What’s up, Elliott?”
“Sorry, Brad, I wasn’t able to catch Jenny before she ran off to get you. It could have waited.”
“No problem.”
“I was wondering if you’d heard anything more on Bruno Caesar’s death. I know how busy you are with your own cases, but…”
“Sorry, I haven’t heard a thing. We’ve been swamped at work. I meant to catch George and Frank this morning before they left but didn’t have the chance. If I don’t see them tomorrow morning when I check in, I’ll leave them a note.” There was a slight pause. “How about you? You find out anything they should know?”
“I’m not sure, since I don’t know what they’ve found out on their own. I’m going to try to get the names of everyone at the party from Ricky, though I’m sure he or Cage already gave that information to Cabrera and his partner. I told you before that people had really been nagging Bruno for money, and some of them were pretty unhappy when they didn’t get it. That he died right after a party he threw specifically to let them know he’d had it with their hassling couldn’t have been a coincidence.”
“Yeah, I remember. That party sounds like a pretty dumb move.”
“I agree, but I didn’t think it was my place to tell him so. Maybe I should have.”
