Duplicity

by Ingrid Thoft

  “I am. I’m feeling very confident.”

  Fina rarely told anyone the truth about the status of a case. Instead, she tailored an answer to elicit the most fruitful response from the person asking the question. At this stage in the investigation, when she knew people were up to no good, she liked to turn up the heat and make people as nervous as possible.

  “You can’t believe that anyone related to the church had anything to do with Nadine’s death,” Heather protested.

  “When it comes to murder, no one is above suspicion, even the pastor’s wife.”

  “You think Gabby hurt Nadine?” she asked with wide-eyed concern, but Fina could sense an undercurrent of excitement. Some people lived for drama.

  Fina matched her wide eyes and lifted her shoulders in mystification. “This is such a complicated situation,” she said.

  Heather took a drink, her eyes wandering off to the side.

  “What?” Fina asked.

  “Nothing.”

  “You look like you have something to say.”

  “I just . . . Gabby is a mystery sometimes.”

  “I’m having trouble figuring her out,” Fina admitted with as much “aw shucks” as she could muster.

  “Sometimes she’s sweet and warm, and other times she seems kind of cold and distracted.”

  “I wonder why that is,” Fina mused.

  “It can’t be easy, being the pastor’s wife,” Heather said, backpedaling.

  “Of course not.”

  “You’re held up to such scrutiny, and everyone always wants your time and attention.”

  Fina nodded and sipped.

  “But she and Greg do a wonderful job.” Heather tipped her head back and took a long drink.

  Fina sensed that the slight crack in the facade had closed. Heather’s sense of loyalty had kicked in, and she wouldn’t be speaking out of turn no matter how Fina approached the subject. It was time to change tack.

  “I asked her this morning about her conflict with Lucas,” Fina said, tapping her nail on the side of the Coke.

  Heather squinted her eyes in puzzlement. “Her conflict with Lucas?”

  “Well, you must be aware of the tension between the two of them.”

  “Where’d you hear that there’s tension between the two of them?”

  “I can’t remember. I’d have to look back through my notes.”

  Heather shook her head. “Gabby and Lucas are the two most important people in the church after Pastor Greg,” she insisted, suggesting that their roles bred cooperation and respect. Fina thought it was just as likely that their positions relative to Greg made them natural rivals.

  “Right, which is why it was worrisome that they might be at odds.”

  “They’re not at odds.” Heather rose from the table and brought her soda over to the counter. Fina knew she’d worn out her welcome.

  “I attended a great presentation the other day about the Frontier Fund.” She stood, grasping her can. “Chloe Renard went with me, and I made a donation.”

  Her hostess brightened at the mention of a donation. “That’s wonderful. They do such amazing work.”

  “Have you visited the orphanage?”

  “No, we haven’t had the chance, but we’d love to. I would love to take the girls and give them some perspective on life. They’re convinced they’ve got it bad.”

  “Unfortunately,” Fina said, “you probably wouldn’t have to go very far to find examples of people who are worse off. There are plenty of shelters downtown full of the disenfranchised.”

  Heather didn’t respond, and Fina supposed the feasibility of the suggestion was the problem. Africa was across the ocean, unlikely to be visited and therefore confronted, but Boston was just a few miles away. If the Chellews saw the situation in their own backyard they’d be forced to face some tough realities, and few people really wanted to do that.

  “Thanks for the soda,” Fina said. “And I’ll contact Lucas and apologize if I’ve stirred anything up with Gabby. That wasn’t my intent.”

  “It’s fine.”

  “That’s what happens when you talk to lots of different people; you hear all kinds of crazy things.”

  Fina returned to her car and waved to Heather as she drove away.

  She didn’t get what she came for, but maybe Heather would share the conversation with Lucas and set something else in motion.

  • • •

  Haley hadn’t been in touch, so Fina dialed Matthew’s number. She opted not to leave a message and called his office line instead. His assistant, Sue, said that he was playing squash downtown at the Boston Athletic Society. Unsure if she’d have to return to the western suburbs, Fina didn’t relish driving back into the city, but she always had to go where the day took her and that rarely followed a logical pattern.

  The Ludlow men had been members of the BAS for years. Carl occasionally worked out there and enjoyed power breakfasts in the club café; Rand used to attend regularly; Scotty never set foot in the place; and Matthew played squash there a couple of times a week. The squash games provided exercise, but more importantly, they were networking opportunities that didn’t require an entire Saturday, like golf.

  Fina showed her ID at the desk and took the stairs down to the lower level where the courts were housed. She waited for a point to be played before crossing by a glassed-in court and locating Matthew a couple of courts down. While Fina watched from a viewing area, Matthew and his opponent squeaked and sweated their way across the polished floor.

  Ten minutes later, the men emerged, toweling off and swigging water.

  Introductions were made, and Matthew’s opponent headed toward the locker room. Her brother dropped down next to her on a bench and slung the towel over his shoulder.

  “How goes it?” he asked. “What happened to your face?”

  “There was a skirmish.”

  “Is this related to the threats you’ve been getting?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ve got some anonymous letters and the contract out on me. It’s hard to keep up.”

  He took her chin in his hand and angled her face to better examine it. “Sorry, sis.”

  “I’m fine. I didn’t come here for sympathy, although it is appreciated. Have you heard from Haley by any chance?”

  “I haven’t checked my phone during the last hour, but not before that, no.” He inclined his chin. “Why?”

  “She’s playing hooky, and Patty is concerned.”

  “I’m sure she’ll turn up.”

  Fina nodded. “I liked Sydney and Rachel,” she said as two men in pristine white workout gear entered the court.

  “They thought you were great.”

  The men started warming up, hitting the ball to each other with a laconic ease that gave no indication of the fiercely competitive game that would most likely follow.

  “The stuff I’ve been gathering on Rand? It just keeps getting worse,” she said, staring straight ahead.

  Matthew followed the small, hard ball with his gaze.

  “Even if Dad keeps him away from Haley,” Fina continued, “I’m not sure how we’ll keep all the other women and girls in the world safe.”

  “So what do you have in mind?”

  “Can pedophiles go to some kind of rehab? Can they be reprogrammed?”

  Matthew leaned back, as if to get a better view of her. “You think Dad is going to send Rand to rehab?”

  “A girl can dream. He can’t be left to do as he pleases.”

  “That’s why there’s a sex offender registry, to try and keep track of these people.”

  “But you’re only on the registry if you’re convicted of a crime,” Fina noted.

  He shook his head. “That would be a disaster of epic proportions.”

  She took a deep breath. “I’m convinced Ran
d has dirt on Dad.”

  “I thought we weren’t going to talk about this.”

  “We don’t have that luxury. Think about it, Matthew. Dad is hell-bent on protecting Rand, regardless of the horrible things he does, and don’t tell me”—Fina held up her hand to silence him—“that it’s just parental affection.”

  “I can’t speak to parental affection, but does anybody ever know how far they would go for their kids until they’re tested?”

  “For something really awful? I’m not talking illegal, because we know that isn’t compelling in our family, but what about immoral and reprehensible? Do you think Scotty would let his grown kids abuse women? I don’t believe that. I don’t want to believe that.”

  “So what do you think he’s got on him?” Matthew asked.

  “I don’t know. That’s why I asked you about it the other day. I don’t want to have to investigate both Dad and Rand, and short of a significant crime, I can’t imagine what he did that would buy his compliance.”

  “It would have to be big,” Matthew agreed. “This is such a clusterfuck.”

  “I’d rather believe that Dad is supporting Rand out of self-preservation, as opposed to condoning his behavior.”

  “But that means the fallout could be worse than we imagined.”

  “Possibly.”

  They sat in silence, neither knowing where to go next.

  She rose from the bench. “If you hear from Haley, tell her to call Patty.”

  Matthew nodded.

  Fina was almost to the door when he called out to her. “Thanks for being such a badass.”

  A grin crept onto her face. “You’re welcome.”

  It was so nice to be appreciated.

  • • •

  Fina tried Haley’s line again.

  “I was just about to call you,” her niece said when she answered after five rings.

  “Where are you? Aunt Patty is freaking out.”

  “I’m fine. I’m getting some food with my friends.”

  “Where were you earlier when you were supposed to be in school?”

  There was no response.

  “Haley?”

  “We were hanging out. It’s not a big deal.”

  “Where are you? I’m coming to get you.”

  “Don’t. I’m fine.”

  “I’m still coming to get you. Location, please?”

  She sighed loudly, and Fina could imagine the attendant eye-rolling. “I’m at Ruddy’s,” she said, naming a diner that was popular with teens and senior citizens.

  “Call Patty and tell her I’m on my way.”

  “Aunt Fina.”

  “Nope. Don’t want to hear it.” Fina hung up.

  She spent the half hour it took to get to West Newton stewing, alternating between being angry with Haley and worrying about her.

  On the walk from her car to the diner, Fina tried to do some deep breathing and calm down.

  “Do you want some fries?” Haley asked when Fina took a seat across from her. “They’re sweet potato.”

  “Think you can bribe me?” she asked, reaching across the table and pinching some fries between her fingers.

  “I thought it was worth a try. What happened to your face?”

  “It’s fine, just a little mishap.” Fina gestured to Haley’s drink. “Is that diet?”

  She nodded and pushed it in her aunt’s direction. Fina took a long sip and then leaned back in the booth.

  “You cannot do this shit,” Fina said.

  Haley avoided her gaze.

  “Seriously. It’s not fair to Aunt Patty.”

  “It’s not a big deal. Everybody ditches once in a while.”

  Fina bit her tongue. Patty was right: Haley wasn’t everybody, but the more they pointed that out, the greater the odds of her past becoming her future. Fina didn’t want her to feel like damaged goods, but she also couldn’t pretend that Haley hadn’t sustained damage. She didn’t know what to do.

  “Okay,” she conceded a moment later.

  Haley looked befuddled. “Okay, what?”

  “Okay, you’re right. Everybody ditches once in a while.”

  Haley looked askance at the other patrons. “What just happened? Did some kind of exorcism take place before my very eyes?”

  Fina sighed. “I have no idea how to be most helpful to you, Haley. I’m just making it up as I go.”

  “Obviously.”

  “Hey! Give me a little credit.”

  Haley reached across the table and patted Fina’s hand. It was something you might do to reassure an elderly relative who had misplaced her teeth. “You’re a good aunt, and you’re a great Ludlow.”

  “Which is not saying much,” Fina pointed out, “but I’ll take what I can get. Did you call Aunt Patty like I asked?”

  “Yes. I told her you would bring me home.”

  “Good.”

  “Do you think we have time for a frappe?”

  Fina dropped her head into her hands. “Haley, have I taught you nothing? There’s always time for a frappe.”

  • • •

  Fina dropped Haley off and jumped on Route 9 toward Framingham. In Christa Jackson’s front yard, her daughters were running around kicking a soccer ball. A man who Fina assumed was Paul sat on the front steps, calling out encouragement. Fina climbed out of her car and waved at the girls. They waved back as she approached, and Paul fixed on her with a curious smile.

  “Hey,” she said. “Is Christa home? I’m Fina Ludlow. I’m a private investigator working on Nadine’s case.”

  “Paul Jackson.” He stood and offered his hand. “Christa’s not here. Was she expecting you?”

  With blue eyes and perfectly symmetrical features, Paul Jackson was easy on the eyes. He looked to be just over six feet, and his height was nicely balanced against his broad shoulders and muscular build.

  “No, but I was in the general vicinity and hoped to catch her in,” Fina said. “Any idea when she’ll be back?”

  He shook his head and sat back down on the steps. “Not sure. She’s at her mom’s. I think she was going to help her aunt and uncle—Nadine’s folks—sort through some stuff.”

  “Ah,” Fina replied. They both seemed to agree on a moment of silence in which to honor the idea of Nadine’s grieving parents.

  “You’re welcome to hang out, but I can’t promise when she’ll get back.” He shifted his position on the step, and Fina joined him.

  “Thanks,” she said. “You’re working on your MBA, right?”

  “Yeah. At night, at Bentley.”

  “And working full-time?”

  Paul nodded.

  “That sounds exhausting.”

  “It’s a grind, but it’s worth it.”

  Fina had heard that about so many things: parenthood, graduate school, marriage. She’d yet to be convinced.

  The youngest girl, Tamara, had abandoned the soccer game and was plucking leaves from a tree and twirling them between her fingers.

  “I imagine having an MBA will be an asset. My brother has three kids—four, actually, but that’s a long story,” Fina said. “They aren’t cheap.”

  “No, and if they don’t outgrow something, they ruin it.” He nodded toward Nicole, who was sliding into the muddy ground, her knees coated in black ooze.

  “It looks like she’s having fun at least,” Fina commented.

  They sat in silence and watched the girls.

  “I’m sure the police have talked to you, but I wondered if you had any idea who might have wanted to hurt Nadine.” She felt Paul stiffen next to her.

  “No idea. The whole thing is just insane.”

  “Yup,” she agreed. “Christa told me that you dated Nadine before you dated her.”

  Paul eyed her. “I’m surprised
she talked about that with you.”

  “I found out about it on my own, and I think she figured she might as well be forthcoming.”

  “I don’t like focusing on the past.” The soccer ball bounced over to them. Paul palmed it in his large hand and tossed it back to his daughters.

  “I understand that, but a lot can be gleaned from the past.”

  Paul laced his fingers together and rested his elbows on his knees. “I’m not going to pretend that it wasn’t a tricky situation, but we all got through it. Christa and I were meant to be together, and Nadine knew that. She was okay with it.”

  “Eventually.”

  “It actually didn’t take that long for everyone to settle into a good relationship.”

  Fina wanted to ask Paul about Christa and Nadine’s money disagreement, but there was something that made her hesitate. She hadn’t felt the same trepidation when revealing Lucas and Gabby’s conflict to Heather, so why was she balking now? Was it because she inherently didn’t trust Lucas? Or maybe because, in her experience, sometimes women were at risk of bodily harm when their secrets were revealed? Whatever the reason, she decided to hold back for the time being.

  “Girls, time to go in,” Paul announced. Tamara and Nicole came bounding across the yard, but McKenna lingered behind, dribbling the ball.

  “She wants to play soccer next year,” Paul explained. “She’s been practicing a lot.”

  “That’s great,” Fina commented, trying to sound enthusiastic. Her feelings about soccer were complicated as a result of her recent case involving soccer and traumatic brain injuries.

  “McKenna! Let’s go!”

  The girl trotted over and brushed her hair away from her sweaty face.

  “Hi,” she said to Fina.

  “Hey, McKenna. How’s it going?”

  “Good. Dad, did you see? My dribbling’s getting better.”

  “I know, kiddo. You’re going to be ready to go in the fall.”

  “You won’t play until then?” Fina asked.

  “I’m going to play at my new school,” the girl volunteered.

  “You might be playing there,” Paul gently corrected, “or you might play in the town league.”

  “What’s your new school called?” Fina asked.