Suspicious Origin

by MacDonald, Patricia

  As if they’d have any way of knowing there was an apartment back there, Britt thought. This Dot was a cagey old girl. Britt suspected she may have had her own share of encounters with the law in her day.

  “The way I see it,” Dot continued, “the kid doesn’t need any more trouble. But you know, this is why Vicki gets so fed up with him. He should have reported that guy in the Mercedes. He could have made a bundle. Instead, he’s just a live-and-let-live kind of a kid. No ambition.”

  “That could be frustrating,” said Britt.

  “When you’re trying to raise a kid of your own. You bet your bippy,” Dot offered helpfully. She reached over and adjusted the framed photo of a young woman and a little girl that decorated her end table.

  Britt nodded, wanting to speak carefully. She had realized, while Dot was talking, that her testimony alone would probably be enough to free Alec. If she could get her to cooperate. “You know, that story about the man in the Mercedes… I actually knew about that.”

  Dot studied her with narrowed eyes. “You did? How’d you know about it? Did Dave tell you?”

  Britt folded her hands together and brought them up in front of her mouth. How to tell this story without scaring Dot off. She was tempted to softpedal it, but there was something about this woman that told Britt bluntness was the way to go. “Okay,” she said. She licked her lips. “I’m going to tell you something…pretty terrible. My brother-in-law is in jail, for setting fire to his house and killing his wife, my sister.”

  “That bastard,” Dot breathed with admiration at the magnitude of the calamity.

  “That’s what I thought,” said Britt. “But here’s the part that should interest you. When the cops questioned him, he told this story about how he’d knocked down a hitchhiker and then ended up giving him a lift to Montpelier.”

  “Just like what happened to Dave,” Dot exclaimed.

  Britt gazed steadily at Dot. “My brother-in-law drives a dark blue Mercedes.”

  Dot frowned, clearly confused. “So, he was the guy… I don’t get it. What are you driving at… ?”

  “I’m saying that if what Dave said was true, my brother-in-law couldn’t have set that fire because it occurred during the time he was driving here and back.”

  “Oh…” said Dot. Then she peered at Britt. “Is that what you want?”

  “I want the truth,” said Britt.

  Dot nodded thoughtfully. “So you should get Dave to tell the police that.”

  “I asked him to,” said Britt. “And he said he would. But he never showed up at the police station. That’s why I came here. To try and find him.”

  “Oh, I get it,” said Dot.

  “But if you were to tell that story…the one you just told me. I think that would confirm what my brother-in-law said.”

  “Wait a minute,” said Dot, holding up her hands. “I don’t want to get involved with the cops.”

  “I know, I understand,” said Britt. “It’s just that…” She glanced at the display of framed photos. “There’s this little girl. My niece. She’s eleven years old. Her name is Zoe. She’s lost her mother, and now her father is in jail. And from what I’m hearing, from you and from Dave, he doesn’t belong there. But the only way to prove that…”

  Britt looked hopefully at Dot.

  Dot sighed. “It’s always a mistake to get involved with the cops.” She glanced back at Britt who was gazing at her steadily. “And it usually is the husband who does these things. Are you sure that bastard didn’t do it?”

  Britt thought about it, and shook her head. “I’ll be honest with you. At first I was sure he did. But now I think that it was all a mistake.”

  “And you came all this way just for him?” Dot asked.

  “For Zoe,” said Britt steadily. “For my niece. She’s only eleven.”

  “Oh hell,” said Dot.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  The phone rang and Britt jumped. She felt as if she had been waiting for days, though it had been only hours before that she escorted Dot to the Coleville Police Station and then, reluctantly, on the advice of Chief Stern, departed. “Don’t worry,” Dot had said, winking at Britt. “Leave it to me.”

  “Call me when you’re done,” Britt told her. “I’ll drive you back.”

  Britt had gone and picked up Zoe after school, and brought her back to the house. Zoe had immediately vanished into her room and stayed there with the door closed. Britt had not tried to dislodge her. But now, she heard Zoe’s door open at the sound of the phone’s ring. Britt ran to the phone and picked it up.

  “Britt?” said an unfamiliar voice.

  “Yes,” she said warily.

  “They’re springing me. Can you pick me up?”

  “Alec?” Britt cried, and was surprised at the way her heart rose when she realized who it was. Zoe will be so happy, she thought.

  “They’re bringing me down to the police station. Meet me there. Hurry,” he said.

  “We’re on our way.” She hung up the phone and ran to the bottom of the stairs.

  “Zoe,” she screamed.

  Zoe emerged from her room and frowned down the staircase at her aunt.

  “That was your dad. Want to go get him?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, go get him. Bring him home,” said Britt, grinning.

  Zoe hesitated, looking warily at Britt. “Like, they’re going to let him go?”

  Britt nodded.

  “Like when?”

  “Like right now,” said Britt.

  Zoe stood very still for a minute, and then she began to shriek.

  Zoe burst through the doors of the Coleville Police Station as Britt locked the car and hurried to keep up with her.

  “Where’s my dad?” Zoe cried, running up to the female sergeant at the desk.

  “Who is your father?” the woman asked.

  “Alec Lynch,” said Zoe.

  “I think he’s still being processed out. You can wait over there,” she said, pointing to the benches at the front of the station.

  “Is Chief Stern here?” Britt asked.

  “Who shall I say is here?” the sergeant asked.

  “Britt Andersen.”

  The sergeant picked up the phone and spoke into it briefly. Then she looked up at Britt. “Wait over there,” she said, pointing to the benches again.

  But before Britt could sit down, the door to Ray Stern’s office opened, and Ray emerged followed by Kevin Carmichael. Kevin was dressed in one of his magnificent suits, but he still looked exhausted and strung out. Britt hurried over to them. “You’re letting him go then,” she said.

  Ray smiled. “Your witness convinced me.”

  “Where is she?” Britt asked, looking around. “I have to drive her home.”

  “I had a patrolman drive her home,” said Ray. “You’ve done enough for one day.”

  Britt blushed and glanced at Kevin, who nodded wearily. “That was some nice work,” he said. “You managed without Dave.”

  “Luckily,” said Britt.

  “I can see you’re the determined type,” he said, forcing a thin smile.

  Britt shrugged, ready to deny this description of her, not sure whether it was a compliment. Suddenly, the door to the holding cells and processing area of the station opened, and a fatigued-looking Alec emerged, wearing a rumpled striped shirt and gray slacks. His leather jacket was folded over his arm, and he was putting his expensive watch back onto his wrist. Zoe, who had been waiting patiently beside Britt, saw him and cried out.

  “Daddy!” She pushed past Kevin Carmichael and rushed to Alec’s arms.

  He enfolded her in an embrace, his tired eyes closed tight. “How’s my girl?” he whispered.

  Kevin hefted his briefcase. “So, all’s well that end’s well. I’ve got to be going. I’ve got another long night ahead of me,” he said.

  “New babies are tough,” said Ray sympathetically.

  Zoe was reluctant to let him go but Alec finall
y extricated himself from her embrace. Ray Stern stepped up to him and held out his hand. “I’m sorry about this, Alec. I hope there will be no hard feelings.”

  Alec shook the chiefs proffered hand. “I know you were trying to do your job,” he said.

  “Well, I’m not through,” said Ray. “I promise you. We will find out who set that fire and killed your wife.”

  Alec glanced at Britt and there was a warning in his silver eyes. Britt gazed back at him solemnly. “Thanks,” said Alec.

  “I know I should take you guys out somewhere to celebrate,” said Kevin apologetically.

  Alec clapped him on the back. “You go on and see that new son of yours. And your wife. We’ll be just fine. Thanks for everything, Kevin.”

  Kevin nodded, clearly relieved to be free to go. “I need to get back,” he admitted.

  “I understand,” said Alec. “Zoe, Britt, what do you say we get out of here?”

  Britt nodded, and Zoe cried, “Yes.”

  They all started for the door. Once they got outside, Alec pulled on his jacket and glanced up and down the chilly, fairy-lit street. “How about we go over to the Mountainview Cafe for dinner?” he suggested.

  “Yeah, they have pinball,” said Zoe.

  Aren’t they worried about people seeing us, talking behind our backs about Alec being in jail? Apparently not, she thought as Alec riffled Zoe’s hair and smiled at her with loving eyes. Then he looked up at Britt. “Is that okay with you?” he asked.

  Britt shrugged. “Sure.”

  “Good,” he said. He reached out and took Zoe’s hand, drawing it through one of his arms. Then, to her surprise, he reached for Britt’s hand. Britt instinctively pulled it back, and then pointed at her bandage. “Hurts,” she said.

  Alec nodded and turned to his daughter. “Ready?” Arm in arm, Alec and Zoe crossed the street, with Britt trailing behind them. They walked briskly up the block to the Mountainview Cafe. Rather than the hostility she had expected, Britt noticed that the people who recognized him greeted Alec warmly. She realized that the news must have already been broadcast on the TV. When they reached the restaurant, a pretty blond hostess in ski clothes seated them at a quiet, candlelit table. “Your waitress will be right with you,” she said, and patted Alec on the shoulder before leaving the table.

  In a moment the waitress arrived, took their drink order and brought them menus. Zoe pulled her chair up close to Alec’s chair, and looked at his menu, despite the fact that she had her own. Alec rubbed her back gently, and she pretended not to notice.

  “I’m gonna have the hamburger. With fries,” said Zoe. “What are you gonna have?” she asked her father.

  Alec frowned. “I don’t know. I haven’t looked yet.” He began to study the menu.

  “Was the food bad in there?” Zoe asked.

  “Horrible,” said Alec, and they both laughed. Britt watched them uneasily. They were a part of one another and she did not belong in this circle. As if he had heard her thoughts, Alec looked up and smiled briefly at her. “I guess it’s thanks to you I’m not dining there again tonight.”

  Britt blushed and shook her head.

  “What do you mean, thanks to her?” Zoe asked, and Britt detected a hint of hostility when Zoe referred to her aunt as “her.”

  ‘Well, Aunt Britt found a way to prove my alibi.”

  “The hitchhiker? I saw him first,” said Zoe, slurping a teaspoon of water from her water glass. Britt had told her all about Dave on the way to the police station.

  “It’s true,” said Britt. “I might not have noticed him if Zoe hadn’t pointed him out.”

  “That’s right, Dad. I did,” said Zoe, smiling with satisfaction, and clinking her spoon against the inside of the glass.

  “Well, I’m grateful to you both,” said Alec, giving Zoe a mildly reproving glance. “It’s a relief to be out.”

  Zoe placed the teaspoon back on the table. “You know, Kayley’s father wouldn’t let her come over while you were in jail,” said Zoe. She leaned back in her chair balancing it on two legs.

  “Zoe, sit up. You’re making me nervous,” said Alec. Then he sighed, and stroked her hand. “I’m sorry about Kayley’s dad, honey. People are like that sometimes.”

  “I didn’t think we were gonna be best friends anymore,” said Zoe, unfolding her napkin and then tying two of the corners together absentmindedly.

  “Don’t blame Kayley for what her father did. That would make you just like her dad. Besides, you and Kayley are buddies. A good buddy is hard to find.”

  Zoe nodded. “It’s okay, now. She was sorry about it.” Zoe tied the other two napkin corners together and turned it inside out.

  “Here,” Alec said, rummaging in his pocket and pulling out some quarters. “Why don’t you go play some pinball till the dinner comes.” There were a bank of pinball machines across the far wall of the restaurant.

  “I want to stay with you,” Zoe protested.

  “Go ahead. You always get fidgety sitting in restaurants. You know you do,” he said wryly. “Besides, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here.”

  Zoe took the quarters from his palm. “Okay,” she said. “But call me when the food comes.”

  “We will,” said Britt.

  “And stay where we can see you,” said Alec.

  Zoe threaded her way across the room, and Alec took a sip of his drink. “Dinner out with the grown-ups makes her antsy,” he said apologetically.

  Britt shook her head as if to indicate that it didn’t bother her, although she felt a little less tense without Zoe’s fidgeting.

  Alec glanced over to make sure that Zoe was still at the pinball machine. Then he said, “I mean it, Britt. I can’t thank you enough. I owe you one.”

  Britt shook her head. “Nothing. Really.”

  They sat in uneasy silence for a moment. Then Alec said, “Did you look at the tape?”

  Britt nodded, and drank some wine. “I did,” she said.

  “I thought it might help you. To understand about Greta,” he said.

  “It was hard to watch,” said Britt. “I honestly don’t remember my mother but…well, there was nothing familiar about her. A total stranger.”

  Alec raised his eyebrows and took another sip of his drink. “I have to admit, I took an instant dislike to her.”

  “Kind of like you did to me,” Britt said.

  Alec frowned and squirmed in his seat, but Britt shook her head. “It’s all right,” she said. “I could tell you didn’t like her. The way you kept the camera on when she told you to turn it off.”

  He nodded, his gaze faraway. “Greta was trying so damn hard. It was so painful to watch. But I could tell it was hopeless. You could just see it in that woman’s eyes. She was like a snake.” Alec stopped himself and looked apologetically at Britt. “Sorry. I know she’s your…mother.”

  “She’s nothing to me,” said Britt firmly. “All I could think about when I watched the tape was Greta. How she didn’t deserve the sorrow and the disappointment.”

  Alec nodded. “Can you understand how I came to the conclusion about Greta setting the fire?”

  Britt glanced across the room at Zoe, who was gripping the sides of a pinball machine with intense concentration. “I understand,” she said. “But still… I just can’t imagine her doing that to Zoe.…”

  “Do you think I want to believe it? Of my own wife,” he cried. Then he looked around the dining room and lowered his voice. “But I think when a person is that down, they’re not in their right mind. At least, that’s what I understand. In her right mind, no. Never. But, you didn’t see her when she was depressed. Obviously, that tape was made when she was…full of hope. Imagine what it was like for her to find out that her dear mother had trashed her again.” He sighed, and shook his head. “Jean Andersen is the one that ought to go to jail for the fire. Because she caused it, just as surely as if she lit the match herself. Anyway, you heard the chief. He’s going to be pursuing this. I’m countin
g on you, Britt. You’ve got to take this one to the grave.”

  “Believe me, he won’t hear from me,” said Britt. Then she cleared her throat. “Anyway, I think tomorrow, if I can arrange a flight, I’ll be heading back to Boston. So I’ll be…out of the picture, so to speak.”

  Alec frowned. “Are you sure? I mean, we’d like you to stay…”

  “I have a life to get back to,” she said lightly.

  “Of course. I know you do. I just… uh… I want to thank you again for staying. For being with Zoe. I know you didn’t plan to stay away so long.”

  Britt looked around the cozy candlelit dining room. “You know, you seem to have a lot of friends. Why did you trust me? You don’t even like me.”

  Alec smiled crookedly. “Well, that’s a little harsh…”

  “Whatever,” said Britt. “I mean, you didn’t know me…”

  “Greta told me a lot about you over the years…”

  “About how thoughtless and selfish I was,” said Britt with a trace of bitterness.

  Alec shook his head. “That was a misunderstanding between you two. It should never have happened. I told her again and again to call you, but she thought you would find her…find us…dull and uninteresting with your big career and all…”

  Britt inhaled deeply and tried to prevent any tears from rising to her eyes. All that time wasted, she thought.

  “Anyway,” he said. “As soon as you arrived, I could see that Zoe felt an immediate connection to you. As if she had always known you.”

  Britt nodded. “I have to admit that it astonished me. I never expected her to accept me the way she did.”

  “And I could see how you treated Zoe,” he said. “I could tell that you loved her.”

  Britt felt shocked by the word. The ease with which he said it. The fact that he had realized it before she did. She forced herself to smile, but she could not meet his eyes. She felt as if he had bestowed on her the ultimate compliment.