by Kira Chase
“She could soften the rough edges before returning. With McHenry instructing her she’d pick up Cassandra’s mannerisms in no time.”
“That’s right.” She sat in the chair in front of his desk. “We’re on the same side, George. There are two people dead. I do think that Graham McHenry is lying about where Chelsea and Cassandra had been even if I don’t think he killed anyone.”
“What do you think then?”
“I think Graham and Chelsea kept Cassandra locked up in that country house. Somehow she escaped and went to the motel. Maybe she lifted a key from one of them.” She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just thinking off the top of my head here.”
“Well, why don’t we put our heads together and see what we can come up with?”
“I don’t want to hamper your investigation,” she said with a wry smile.
“I think I need to pay a visit to Graham McHenry. Want to tag along?”
“Let me call Frankie first.”
“Okay, I’ve got a couple of things to take care of. I’ll meet you in the parking lot in ten minutes.”
Johanna called Frankie’s hospital room. “Hi, babe. I want to let you know what’s going on.”
“You must be psychic. I was just going to call you. There’s nothing wrong with my head. The doctor said I should be fine in a few days. The ribs may take a little longer.”
“That’s good news, baby! I’ll come over just as soon as George and I talk to Graham. He’s invited me to come along. I’ll tell you all about it later.”
“Why don’t you swing by here and pick me up?”
“Honey, you know that I would if I could.”
“I’ve been discharged. As long as I don’t overdo it the doctor said there’s no reason for me to stay in the hospital.”
“I’m on my way!”
* * * *
Frankie observed Graham as he ushered them into his library. Ashen-faced he slowly sat, looking like he’d collapse if he didn’t.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked.
Sheriff Ryker looked at Frankie and Johanna. “I’m fine. Ladies?”
Both declined then waited for George to begin. He was acting odd. Frankie knew him well enough to know that he had something up his sleeve. She wondered if Johanna felt the same way. She glanced at her. From the expression in Johanna’s eyes, she knew that she was probably thinking the same thing. Johanna’s eyes were focused on George.
“I see there are no long-term effects,” George stated as he shifted his attention to Graham.
“No. He knocked me out and I assume was going to drive my car to some remote area and leave me to die in the trunk.” He swallowed hard as he looked at Johanna. “I owe you my thanks for saving my life.”
“No thanks are necessary. I’m just sorry that I wasn’t there in time to prevent Chelsea’s death.”
“It was tragic. Cassandra and Chelsea murdered days apart.” He twisted his hands together as he turned his attention to George. “I’m sure you didn’t come here just to inquire about my health, Sheriff.”
“No, we didn’t. We know that Cassandra and Chelsea were both murdered by Nicholas Bower. I’m trying to get a time line here. When did Chelsea return to Charlestown?”
“Several weeks ago.”
“Where was Cassandra during that time?”
“Here.”
“Sheriff, if I may,” Johanna broke in. “I was told by some of your staff, Mr. McHenry, that she was in Europe and you told Frankie she was staying at the country house. Which is it?”
Graham ignored Johanna and looked at Frankie. “I told you why she was staying there and why she wanted no one to know. The media would have a field day and my marital problems have nothing to do with the investigation into her murder.” His jaw twitched. “This is highly inappropriate,” he said. “Maybe I should have my attorney present.”
“Suit yourself.” George kept his eyes on him. “But it seems to me that marital problems would definitely have a bearing on the case.”
He passed a hand over his face. “Look, I had an affair with Chelsea. I’m not proud of that, but it was over a long time ago. She showed up one night, threatening to expose the affair to Cassandra, so I gave her the money to stay at The Overlook Motel until I could figure out what to do.”
“You allowed her to impersonate your wife,” Johanna stated calmly. “Why?”
His eyes shifted nervously. “Nicholas Bower confessed to the murders. I don’t see what more I can add. It’s over.”
“It’s far from over,” Sheriff Ryker replied. “Three people are dead and I want some answers.”
“Bower killed my wife and sister-in-law and you killed him. Am I being charged with something or not?”
“Cut the crap, Graham. I’ll tell you what happened,” Frankie said. “Cassandra never had an affair with anyone. She spent her mornings at the gym with her trainer Nicholas Bower. They became close friends. Nick might have hoped it would lead to something more, but Cassandra, being of high moral standards, took her wedding vows seriously. She’d never cheat.”
“So seriously that she’d walk out on her husband?” Graham sarcastically asked.
“I’m getting to that. When you came to our office a few days ago asking us to find out if your wife was cheating on you, you knew that it would be Chelsea we were tailing.” She took a deep breath. “You and Chelsea were holding Cassandra against her will at the country house while Chelsea impersonated her. But you knew that if Chelsea kept Cassandra’s normal daytime activities she would be found out. Chelsea had developed a rough edge over the years whereas Cassandra was soft and refined.”
Graham stood up and clapped his hands. “Bravo. Maybe you’re in the wrong business, Ms. Barker. That was a beautiful performance. You should go into acting.”
“I’m not finished.” Frankie eyed him coldly.
“Well, I am,” Graham barked. “Now, if you three don’t mind, I have some business to attend to.”
“Sit down, Mr. McHenry,” George ordered. “Or we can go downtown and continue this.”
Graham sat down and glared at Frankie. “Please continue with this fairytale so I can get back to work.”
George tilted his head in her direction. “Go on, Frankie.”
“You threatened the staff that if they told anyone that Chelsea was coming to and from the mansion they would be put out on the street. Chelsea and you planned to get Cassandra out of the country, murder her and have Chelsea take over her identity. Who would be the wiser?”
Graham’s face flushed. “That’s the most ridiculous story I ever heard. Cassandra left me and was in the process of filing for divorce.”
“But you couldn’t let her do that. You’d spend several months in Europe telling everyone you two were working on a reconciliation. When you came back after a few weeks you’d say things didn’t work out, sell your business and move out of the country. Your assets, along with the money you stole from the Reynolds’ account over the years, would afford you a luxurious lifestyle for the rest of your life.”
Johanna smiled. She loved how Frankie had the knack to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
Frankie cleared her throat. “Bower didn’t really care what happened to himself. He was already destroyed for unknowingly taking the life of the best friend he’d ever had. Grief consumed him and the only way he could find peace was to seek revenge against the man who had caused her so much pain.”
“There’s not one shred of truth in what you’re saying. In fact, it’s so far-fetched that it’s laughable.”
“Is it? Last night he called me while you were at the country house. I didn’t find his message until this morning.”
Johanna’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“He wanted to make sure that I was okay and to apologize to Johanna for frightening her so badly and injuring me. He was hoping she’d run to her car and drive away.”
“You can’t prove anything you’re telling me.”
“Can
’t I?” She removed her cell phone. “Here’s proof of his call to me. He never shot Chelsea.”
“I’m not a cold-hearted man and I’m not capable of taking another human being’s life. Especially my wife’s. Nothing in your story makes any sense.”
“But it does. Everything was running smoothly. Chelsea had her freedom to sleep with anyone she cared to. This would tie in with your plan. Everyone would think what a forgiving man you were to take your wife back. But you didn’t plan on Nicholas Bower showing up or Cassandra coming to in the motel room and running to open the door when Bower knocked.” She stood up and walked over to where Graham sat visibly shaking as she pointed a finger in his direction. “Did you ever wonder what she thought about while she was being held there by her husband and sister?”
“I never went to the motel,” Graham replied in a raspy voice. “It was Chelsea. Cassandra wasn’t supposed to wake up for several hours.”
“I agree with that. It’s a miracle she did. Would you like to see the autopsy report, McHenry?” George asked. “You’d be surprised what drugs were found in your wife’s system. It’s a miracle she hadn’t OD’d. But if she had, you could have said she had a drug problem. You couldn’t allow her to die yet, though, because that would ruin your whole plan.”
“That’s right,” Frankie cut in. “When she was murdered, you and Chelsea had to do some quick thinking. Everything was falling apart. But Chelsea had a change of heart. Now that her sister was dead she thought that maybe she could make a new start, not as her sister, but as herself. She was certain to inherit quite a nice sum and might even be able to reside in the family mansion without you there. But you couldn’t allow that to happen. She knew too much and your greed got in the way. So you killed her.”
“You have no proof!” he shouted.
“I do,” George stated. “The same gun that was used to kill your wife was used to shoot Chelsea Reynolds.”
“That proves it was Bower, then. It was his gun.”
George thoughtfully rubbed his chin. “I would have come to that same conclusion, but unfortunately for you and fortunately for Chelsea, you’re a bad shot.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Graham sat rigid, sweating profusely.
“She’s going to make it.”
“What?” Frankie faced George. “I thought she was dead.”
“I thought Bower killed her,” Johanna said.
“When the paramedics got to her they found a weak pulse. She lost a lot of blood, which caused her unconsciousness. Her wound isn’t life threatening. She is expected to make a full recovery. One of my deputies was able to talk to her for a few minutes this afternoon and she signed a full confession and fingered you as the shooter, McHenry.”
Graham paled. “Chelsea’s alive? She can’t be,” he mumbled. “That ruins everything.”
“How’d you get Bower’s gun?” Johanna asked. “That’s the only part I can’t figure out.”
“It’s simple, Johanna. Chelsea also answered that question.” George eyed McHenry. “You saw Bower coming and smacked him in the back of his head with a board. When you discovered he was armed you took his gun. You had a confrontation with Chelsea. We determined that she was attempting to leave from the position of her body in the car. But what you didn’t know was that Bower had come to and witnessed everything. He waited until you set the gun down, then attacked you.”
“Stand up and put your arms behind your back, McHenry,” George said, pulling himself to his feet and walking toward the man. “Come on in, Arlan,” he called.
“Ladies.” Arlan nodded at them as he took the cuffs he carried in his hand and placed them on McHenry as he read him his rights.
George walked over to Frankie and Johanna. “I hope you feel better soon, Frankie.”
“Thanks, George. What’s going to happen to Chelsea?”
“When she’s released from the hospital she’ll be facing charges for her part in Cassandra’s abduction and the plot to murder her.”
“Thank God this is over. Well, I’m going to get Frankie home for some much-needed rest.”
“One more thing, girls. We didn’t shoot Bower. We tried to talk him out of shooting himself, but we failed.”
The three of them stood aside as Arlan escorted McHenry to the door.
“Can I ask you something, Ms. Barker?” Graham asked.
Frankie shrugged.
“How’d you figure this all out?”
“You wanted us to believe that Chelsea was blackmailing you. I can’t prove it, but I think you’re the one who convinced her to come here. I must admit you put on a good act. It took the heat off you.”
“Then how do you explain Nicholas Bower’s part in all of this?” Graham asked smugly. “What you said earlier doesn’t make sense.”
“He wanted to protect Cassandra. He must have gone off the deep end when he realized he’d murdered her. How could he live with himself after what he’d done?”
Graham laughed bitterly. “Then why did Bower attack you? He had no reason to.”
“I think it went down exactly the way he said. He didn’t expect us to show up and had to think of something fast to get rid of us. He followed you to the country house.”
“I’m still not buying it. He could have murdered Chelsea and me and then escaped. He never had to show himself to you.”
“Maybe he wanted us to know,” Johanna added, “as a way of easing his own conscience for what he’d done and was about to do to you. I don’t think he ever had any intention of hurting Chelsea.”
* * * *
Johanna set the vase of flowers on the dresser. “These were delivered from Trey and Will while you were napping. I called them to give them an update and they’re going to stop by tomorrow for a visit.”
“They’re beautiful,” Frankie murmured.
“How’re your ribs feeling, baby?” Johanna asked softly.
“They hurt like hell. But it’s good to be back in our bed. I’ll be as good as new before you know it.”
“Let me get you your pain pills.”
“In a minute. Just stay here with me for awhile.” She grabbed Johanna’s hand. “You know, what you did last night was dangerous. It still scares me when I think about what could have happened to you. Graham could have shot you.”
Johanna sighed heavily. “I know. I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry. I just wish Bower hadn’t roughed you up so badly.”
“I’ll heal. I just won’t be able to fool around for a few days.” She made a face. “That’s the worst part of this.”
“Oh I’ll miss making love to you, too, babe, but that doesn’t mean I can’t kiss you and hold you. Which reminds me, I’m going to help you with your sponge baths.”
“That I’ll enjoy even though I’m not an invalid and can take a shower.” She frowned. “Things could have turned out differently. Nicholas could have killed both of us and then killed Chelsea and Graham. It may have taken years to unravel the facts. Or maybe we would have ended up as a cold case file.”
“I don’t think so. As much as George gets pissed off with us, deep down he cares. He would have gone to the ends of the earth to solve the case. Besides, it didn’t happen so put it out of your mind. We can dwell on it all we want and it isn’t going to do either of us any good.”
Frankie smiled faintly. “You’re right, but I feel bad for Nick.”
“I do, too. Hopefully he’s at peace now. Why did you wait until we were at the mansion to mention the call from Nick?”
“I didn’t check my messages until we were almost there.”
“Your mind amazes me. You have an uncanny way of figuring things out.”
“Not all of it. Thank God that Chelsea confirmed everything.”
“Well, it’ll be nice to have a few days off, won’t it?”
“Not really. Unless you’re going to take time off, too. And this definitely does not count as our vacation.”
Johanna laughed. “No. We’re still ta
king our vacation. And I promise to only go to the office to retrieve the mail and take care of our paperwork.”
Frankie grabbed Johanna’s hand. “Lie down with me. I need you to hold me.”
“Of course, baby.” She climbed into bed and carefully put an arm around Frankie. “I don’t want to hurt you,” she said as she relaxed. “It feels so good having you close.”
“You’re not usually the risk taker,” Frankie replied as she ran her fingers up and down Johanna’s arm.
“I think you’ve rubbed off on me.”
“Mmm…I wish I could rub something else.”
“Bad girl.”
“Have I told you lately what you mean to me?” Frankie whispered hoarsely.
“Not in the last ten minutes.”
“I was so scared when you told me this morning what you’d done. I’m trying not to think about it, but I can’t help myself.” Her lips trembled and tears brimmed in her eyes. Slowly the tears began to roll down her cheeks.
“Baby, I’m so sorry.” Johanna swallowed the lump in her throat. Frankie usually didn’t cry, but when she did, Johanna knew that Frankie had been shaken to the core of her being. “I promise I’ll never do anything like that again. I don’t know what I was thinking.” She carefully gathered Frankie into her arms, making sure not to touch the ribs on her right side. “Please, don’t cry. I’m so sorry, baby.”
“I can’t stop,” Frankie sobbed. “I think everything has hit me at once.”
Johanna kissed her tenderly. “We’re safe. I’m going to hold you all night.” She brushed the tears from Frankie’s cheeks. “Have I told you lately how empty my life would be without you? I was just as scared thinking Bower was going to kill you.” She shivered. “We’ve been through so much with this case, but it’s over. Graham can’t obviously be charged with murder, but he will be charged with attempted murder on Chelsea and for his part in the abduction of Cassandra, and then drugging her and dumping her in the motel room. Martin Stedman has enough on him for embezzlement to put him away for a long time, too.”
