A brief nod.
“And the incident with the dead chickens?”
A frown this time. “No proof my girls did that.”
Jonelle didn’t press the point. “One other story told to me involved a high school dance when the two fought each other over a boy one of them dated. Also true?”
“They never denied it.”
“Are there any other instances you can give me about the girls’ relationship to each other?”
Sarah clenched her hands in her lap. “They did typical teenage stuff. They got closer when they went to college.”
“I thought they went to different schools.”
“Sometimes space is what’s needed to realize how much people mean to each other.”
“What about drugs? Someone told me the twins were seen selling drugs. I know a lot of kids indulge, but not many actually end up selling.” Jonelle watched Sarah’s reaction. Instead of getting angry, she looked as if she welcomed the question.
“My girls were always curious about things. Always playing make-believe. I think that’s why they gravitated to theater arts in school. So, yes, they experimented and they also admitted to me and their father that they occasionally sold to their friends. But not on the street. They wouldn’t do anything as common as that.”
Jonelle recalled Ayasha’s words about the twins selling drugs in town but decided not to press the point. Very few parents knew the full extent of their children’s involvement with drugs.
“I also heard that Susanna had a difficult marriage. That the police were called to the home on several occasions and both husband and wife shared the blame for the alleged abuse.”
Sarah’s cool façade cracked a little. She frowned and shifted her eyes away from Jonelle. “Whatever you heard is a lie. Susanna told me it was Barry who mistreated her. Calling her names, belittling her in public. Once, she said he hit her.”
“Did she say how that happened?”
Sarah uncrossed her legs. “I don’t want to talk about it. Besides, what does that have to do with her death?”
“Nothing. However, I’m going to track Dr. Kelly down when I get back and ask him these same questions. I’d like to know what you know, before I get his input.”
“Dr. Kelly. That’s rich,” she snorted.
Jonelle waited for Sarah to elaborate, but when that didn’t happen, she moved on to the real substance of the interview. “Norman Finkleberg said Susanna and an accomplice embezzled $350,000 of the county’s money. Susanna fled but her co-conspirator was caught and is sitting in jail. Do you know why Susanna took the money?” Jonelle looked around the massive room.
Anger clouded Sarah’s eyes. The lines around her mouth deepened as she rose from the chair and stood above Jonelle. “That’s a lie. I’m sure it was that other woman’s fault. Susanna didn’t need the money. We have plenty. My husband left us well off and when I die everything will go to my girls.” Realizing what she said, Sarah’s eyes watered. “Well, I guess now it will all go to Sophia.
“This so-called interview is over.” She turned and stomped out of the room.
Jonelle exhaled a burst of air and followed. Way to go.
Sarah stood next to the open door. “That poor excuse of a secretary probably masterminded the whole thing,” she said.
Jonelle faced Sarah. “They only found $20,000 when she was caught, so, where’s the rest? Rosemary said Susanna took all the money and was supposed to send her an additional $30,000.”
“That’s another lie,” Sarah said, arms crossed tightly in front of her chest.
“How can you be so sure?” Jonelle didn’t want to argue, but she had to make a point. “I understand this must be difficult. But, Susanna was the treasurer and had direct access to that amount of money. Also, why did she leave? And why go all the way to Maryland? Especially since her ex-husband lived in the area and according to you, he abused her.”
Sarah’s cool façade cracked as she wiped a tear from her eye. “I wish to God I knew.”
CHAPTER 17
Worn out from her encounter with Sarah Quinley, an exhausted Jonelle perked up when an envelope with her name handwritten on the outside, sat on the table in the foyer of the bed and breakfast. She tore it open and read the note from Winston Hackett, attorney. The message stated that Rosemary Wilkins was available to talk to her for a half hour tomorrow. The only stipulation was that he be present. Jonelle rushed up to her room and changed Friday’s Baltimore plane reservations to a later time. Next, she called Rainey and advised she wouldn’t be in the office until Monday morning. Rainey informed her that Burt had called twice, no emergency, and to call when she returned.
A quick check of her room assured Jonelle no one had gone through her belongings. That done, she contacted the lawyer and they set up an appointment for two thirty at the correctional facility. Hackett gave Jonelle directions on what to do when she arrived.
After packing most of her things in her overnight bag so as to save time in the morning, Jonelle sat on the bed and jotted down interview questions to ask Rosemary. She wondered why Susanna needed an accomplice instead of doing everything herself. Rosemary might shed some light on that as well. A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.
“Come in,” she said.
Michelle entered alongside a tall, outdoorsy type man with a full ginger beard and hazel eyes. His thick hair reached almost to his shoulders.
“This is my husband, Josh,” Michelle said. “I wanted him to meet you before you checked out tomorrow.”
Josh smiled and held out his hand and Jonelle shook it. The handshake was warm and dry and not too firm. Before she got the chance to invite them to take a seat, Josh went over, pulled out a chair from the desk in the alcove and sat down. Michelle blushed a little before sitting across from him. Jonelle found his actions off-putting, then reminded herself that the man lived here.
“So,” he said, smile still plastered on his face. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you from the folks in town. As the owner of the only hardware slash gun shop in town, I double as one of the local places where people get together, to, let’s admit it, gossip.”
Not sure of what reaction Josh expected, Jonelle merely nodded.
“I understand you know how Susanna died. Care to share that information?”
Something about the man’s tone set Jonelle’s teeth on edge and for a brief moment she wondered if he was the one who’d gone through her things. She glanced at Michelle who had started biting her nails. “The only thing I know is that she was found with her throat cut. The man who found her was a homeless person.”
While Josh’s lips smiled, his eyes didn’t. “Oh come on. I’m sure you know more than that. What did she look like?”
“She looked dead,” Jonelle said, without missing a beat.
The smile on his face faded as the lines hardened around his eyes.
No doubt about it. Josh gave off an odd vibe. Susanna’s painted face wasn’t in the news and she wasn’t about to let this obnoxious man learn anything other than the barest of details. Still, she wondered if he knew more about the murder than what he let on. If so, how’d he find out?
“I didn’t see the body,” Jonelle continued, “but I’m sure it wasn’t pretty. Can’t imagine a cut throat would be, with all the blood, exposed bone and so on.” Jonelle heard Michelle gasp.
“Just curious,” he replied. “She always wore far too much makeup. We used to think she carried that whole actor thing too far. If you know what I mean.” He winked at Jonelle.
Jonelle stole another glance at Michelle, who had taken the hand from her mouth and lodged it around her own neck.
“Not really. Don’t wear much myself,” Jonelle said. “As I told Michelle I’m here at Sophia’s request to see if I can find out how Susanna ended up in Maryland. So far, I haven’t been able to find anyone who can explain that to me. The only possible connection is that her ex-husband lives in the area, although I understand the two were estranged.”
Josh glanced at his wife, who turned away. “Have you talked to Barry?” he asked.
Time to end Josh’s interrogation. “Not yet. Tell me, Josh. Why all the interest? You’re the first person who wanted to find out more about what I know, rather than why I’m here.” She smiled. “Is this just curiosity on your part, or … something else?” Jonelle kept the smile on her face, though even she could hear the strain in her own voice.
Josh rose from the chair. “Finkleberg told you why she left. Stole money that belonged to this town. Her and that little bi … ” He looked at his wife. “Never mind.”
“You’re right. Finkleberg told me about the embezzlement, but he said he has no idea as to why she ran all the way to Maryland. Especially since her accomplice headed for the Canadian border. You have any thoughts on why she chose to go south?”
Josh strolled over to the chest and touched the top drawer. The one that was ransacked. Next he ambled over to the door and shrugged. “Beats me. Maybe she wanted to see the cherry blossoms again.” He snorted. Michelle walked up to him and put her hand on his arm.
“We’ve taken up too much of Jonelle’s time,” she said. “We’ll leave now and let you get your rest.” Michelle shot her husband a warning look.
“Just a sec. How do you know she went to see the cherry blossoms?” Jonelle asked.
“We all did as part of a high school trip. Didn’t Michelle tell you we were all in the same class?”
“Not in so many words. Though I did hear about a fight at a dance.”
Pleased the smirk disappeared from his face, Jonelle continued. “Tell me. In your, uh, dealings with the twins, how did you tell them apart?”
Josh paused, hand on the door knob.
“We need to let Jonelle get her rest,” Michelle said, staring at her husband.
The annoying grin returned. “Oh,” he said. “I’m guessing you know about the rose and the fox.”
CHAPTER 18
She ate her last breakfast at the B and B alone. Michelle had served her and left with a terse, “Have a safe trip.” Jonelle flew into the Detroit airport and picked up the rental car reserved for her by the agent in the Sault Ste. Marie airport. With almost an hour on the road she gathered her thoughts as to what information she needed from Susanna’s accomplice, Rosemary Wilkins.
A blue sign with white letters proclaimed, “Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility” as Jonelle pulled off the highway and headed down a two lane access road. If it wasn’t for the guard tower protruding to the left of the main entrance, coupled with the multiple rows of razor wire adorning the top of the high chain link fence along the far sides, the nondescript building would fit in well at any industrial park complex in any city.
Jonelle followed signs directing her to the visitors parking on the right. She locked her rental car and strode to the building where she announced her name and passed through two security checkpoints. The guard at the last check informed her that Winston Hackett had not yet arrived to escort her to the visiting room. Jonelle checked her watch. She was a few minutes early and her window of opportunity was short if she was to make the six p.m. flight back into Baltimore’s BWI Airport.
No sooner had she sat on one of the gray plastic chairs than a slender man approached with arm outstretched. “Ms. Sweet? Winston Hackett. Sorry I’m a little late. I’ve been with two other clients here which is why I agreed to meet you today. I make it a point to see everyone on a regular basis and today is the day for my assigned appointments. So, tell me again why you’d like to speak to Rosemary.”
The man’s no-nonsense manner reassured Jonelle he wouldn’t waste time. “I visited the town where Susanna Quinley and Rosemary embezzled money from the town’s treasury.” Jonelle didn’t bother with alleged. Nothing was alleged once someone was tried and convicted. “As I stated on the phone, a person or persons murdered Susanna. The police are investigating the crime and I’m here because her sister wants to know how Susanna ended up in Maryland. I’m hoping Rosemary can shed some light on that.”
“Hmm.” Hackett opened his briefcase and pulled out a folder. Jonelle waited while he read a few sheets and wrote some notes on a lined pad. “Okay,” he said, a quick smile covering his face. “Follow me to the visiting room.”
Two-tone walls, light gray on the top half, dark gray on the bottom, flanked Jonelle’s trek down the hall. They passed several doors and stopped at the one marked “8” stenciled in black. An armed guard unlocked a heavy door with a rectangular window in the center. The guard didn’t speak as she stepped aside to let them enter. Inside, a metal table with four chairs sat in the middle of the room. As Jonelle and Hackett entered, a young woman with very long, dark blond hair looked up. If the woman before her hadn’t been wearing prison-issue blue shirt and pants, Jonelle would have pegged her as a second grade teacher.
“How are you Rosemary? This is Ms. Jonelle Sweet, the private investigator I told you about,” Hackett said.
Rosemary’s pale blue, defeated-looking eyes watched Jonelle’s every movement. Jonelle noticed Rosemary’s nails were bitten down, with dried blood around the cuticles.
“I suppose you know that Susanna is dead.”
Rosemary flinched.
Jonelle would have eased into the reason for her visit, but didn’t want to waste time. “I’m here at Sophia Reyes’ request. She’s Susanna’s sister.”
“I know.”
Jonelle took out her notepad. “Do you mind?” She looked first at Hackett, who shook his head. Rosemary shrugged.
“I’ll get right to it. Did Susanna ever mention any connection or affiliation to anyone living in Maryland? Or maybe Virginia or Washington DC?”
Rosemary raised her hand to her mouth and quickly brought it down again. “She knew her ex lived somewhere down there. When we split up, I thought she was going to Canada. That’s what we agreed on. But she lied. She played me for a fool.”
Jonelle stole a glance at Hackett whose eyes never left his client.
“I understand you worked for her and the two of you often shopped and had lunch together.”
“She’d gone through a crappy marriage and I’m a single mom.” Rosemary’s voice cracked. “We bonded right away. She was so smart. So nice to me. Told me how I should dress if I wanted to be more than a secretary. And she helped me out with Jason, he’s my two-year-old.”
Damn. “Is Jason your only child?”
“Yes. His daddy couldn’t keep a job and hardly gave me anything for child support. If it wasn’t for me gettin’ him that job with the county, I would’ve had even less. It’s gonna be hard enough for Jason when he grows up, bein’ part native and all. Sometimes when I was a little short on cash, Susanna would loan me some.” She glanced at her lawyer. Out of her peripheral vision Jonelle saw him nod slightly.
“All this mess was her idea. She said no one would ever catch on and when they found out we’d be long gone. I wouldn’t have any more money worries. She said she knew how to hide the cash so no one would ever find it … or us. Claimed we’d always be protected.”
“She used the word, protected?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you know what she meant by that?” Jonelle felt Hackett shift next to her. She waited for his objection, but none came.
“She never said, and I didn’t ask.” Rosemary sat back in her chair and crossed her arms. “I should’ve known better. My mom always told me you don’t get something for nothing in this world.” Rosemary leaned forward, hair falling over her face. She shook her head over and over.
“I’m no Einstein, okay?” she said, head down and voice muffled. “But I shoulda known we’d be found out pretty quick. As soon as we didn’t show up for work, I knew they’d send someone to find out where we were. Hell, before that we were there every day and always on time. Susanna insisted on it. The only time I missed work was when either me or my son was sick and I always called in.”
Jonelle scribbled in her pad. “What happened to your son wh
en you left?”
Rosemary looked up. “I took him over to my mom’s two nights before we decided to … take off with what we had. Once I felt it was safe enough, I was gonna have her bring him to me.”
Jonelle frowned. “But Rosemary—”
“I know, I know. I’d be getting her involved, too. I wasn’t thinking about nothin’ but the money and doin’ better for my kid.”
Something stirred inside Jonelle. “Tell me, what day did you leave for Canada?”
“Real early Tuesday morning.”
Jonelle sensed Hackett move again in his chair, but the lawyer remained quiet.
“Why didn’t you leave Friday night? That would have given you the entire weekend. No one would’ve noticed you were gone until Monday.”
“Susanna said she had some arrangements to make Monday.”
“What kind of arrangements?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. I was so anxious about what we were doing that I spent the whole week throwing up. I should’ve backed out. A little voice kept telling me not to do this, that it was wrong. But Susanna insisted everything would work out fine.”
Hackett cleared his voice. “Sorry, but time’s up Ms. Sweet.”
“Right. One more thing. What did Susanna say about her ex-husband? Were they in communication? Did she know where he lived?”
“The only thing she really said was that they worked better as exes than as a married couple. She never mentioned if she knew where he lived. And I didn’t care. We were supposed to go to Canada, but she tricked me.”
“What about the mother? Sarah Quinley? I understand you met her.”
Rosemary crinkled her nose in distaste. “That snobby old … I know she’s sick and I shouldn’t talk about her that way, but she treated me like I was supposed to kneel down and kiss her feet or something.”
“Did you get the impression that she knew anything about what you and Susanna had planned?”
Rosemary opened her mouth, then clamped it shut and shook her head. “Naw. Susanna only wanted me to meet her.”
That didn’t fit. “Why?”
The Trickster (A Jonelle Sweet Mystery Book 3) Page 12
