by Carly Winter
“She sounded absolutely wasted,” I whispered as I pushed open the door to the lobby. After a quick look around, I beelined for the front entrance.
“Let's go check out the pool area,” Ruby said. “Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.”
I shook my head. “No.”
“What are you afraid of?” Ruby said.
“Getting caught by security.” Exactly what I had been worried about before entering the hotel.
“No one is coming after you. Relax, Bernie! You're calling attention to yourself racing out of here like you're farting jet fuel!”
I looked over my shoulder. Ruby, as usual, was correct. I was only making myself a target for speculation.
Slowing down, I fished out my keys and strode over to my SUV. Once inside, I laid my head back against the headrest and took a few deep breaths. If the security guards hadn't arrived, I would've been fine.
I turned to Ruby. “Belinda's pretty upset.”
“Oh, yeah,” she said, chuckling. “And pretty drunk. I'm glad she finally passed out because she could barely walk.”
“I thought I heard her run into the wall.”
“She'll probably have a bruise on her shoulder from that one. I'll tell you one thing, though... she's one heck of a lightweight.”
“Why do you say that?”
“There was one bottle of wine and it wasn't even halfway empty. Unless she’d been drinking before we arrived and I didn’t see the empties, she didn't even have two glasses.”
“Huh. Maybe she doesn't drink often.”
“So, where are we going now?” Ruby asked.
“Well, I was thinking we should go see Adam.”
“Why would we do that?”
“Because I want him to know what we’re up to.”
“Really?”
I honestly didn’t know. Transparency was important, but I didn’t want him telling me that Ruby’s idea was epically horrible. I already knew that, yet, I’d jumped in with both feet. Besides, any information I brought him would need an explanation of where it came from. I saw no choice but to let him in on our secret mission.
Time to change the conversation. “If you’re nice, maybe you'll meet his ghost.”
“Old Coot Carl’s afraid of me.”
“Please don't call him names.”
“I'm not making any promises.”
“Ruby...”
“I'll think about it, Bernie, but I'm still angry at him for pinging you with a book so I may have to have a few words with him.”
Dang it.
Chapter Twelve
“Hey!” Adam said as he opened the door. “Come in! I was just doing some work.”
I glanced at the papers littering the couch and the coffee table, probably all having to do with Harold’s murder.
After he cleared the sofa, he motioned for me to sit down. “Do you want some coffee?” he asked.
Being so late in the day, I probably shouldn’t or I’d never get to sleep, but I also noted his computer open on the table in front of me. A quick scan of the screen revealed the transcript of Nancy’s police interview. I just required a few moments alone to peruse it. “Sure. Coffee would be great.”
“I’ll brew a fresh pot. Lord knows I need some.”
When I heard the water running in the kitchen, I grabbed the computer.
* * *
Q: How would you describe Belinda and Harold's marriage?
A: The best way to explain is to say it... was one of convenience. He had his arm candy and Belinda's been very well taken care of.
* * *
Q: Do you think they loved each other? Were there marital problems?
A: I've been Belinda's friend for ages and she did confide in me quite a bit, but she didn't tell me everything. I can't fully answer that. Did she love Harold? Yes, on some level I believe she did. Were there marital problems? Yes. But isn't there in every marriage?
* * *
Q: Did she ever mention she'd like to divorce Harold?
A: Not that I recall.
* * *
Q: Tell me what happened that night.
A: Well, we'd been on the tour for about an hour. Those two dreadful men came with us... Art and Trevor were their names, I believe. They were rude to Belinda when she asked them to quiet down because she couldn't hear the tour operator, Jack.
* * *
Q: What did they say?
A: They told her to shut up, to stick a sock in it. Then, Harold got involved. He could be a real jerk, and he let them both have it. Said that no lowlife loser talked to his wife that way. Made a few homophobic remarks—he thought they were gay—and questioned their status as humans and men. Everything was about status with that man. How much money did you make? How many cars were in your garage? And if he didn't deem you to have enough, he didn't believe he should grace you with his time and energy.
* * *
Q: And then what happened?
A: Harold and Trevor almost came to blows, threatening to beat each other up. I’ve never seen two grown men act so childishly. Jack told everyone to calm down, but it was too late for Harold. He pulled more of the same with Jack... that he'd never amount to anything and he was a loser.
When we came to a stop on the cliff, everyone sort of went their own way. I needed space to clear my head. I've been around Harold most of my adult life and I still have a difficult time with his outbursts. I made sure to remove myself from the group and went for a little walk. The night was beautiful, and I'd never seen a moon quite as large or bright. It was stunning.
* * *
Q: When did you know Harold had gone missing?
A: Jack whistled for us to return to the Jeep. When we all arrived, Harold never joined us.
* * *
Q: Did you notice anyone lagging behind?
A: I believe Art was the last one to join us, but I'm not one hundred percent sure.
* * *
Q: And you don't think Art and Harold knew each other?
A: My guess is no. I don't think Harold knew either of those men. I certainly didn’t.
* * *
Q: If Belinda didn't kill her husband, who do you think did?
A: Well, it wasn't me, so it had to be one of those men, or our driver, Jack. The way Harold spoke to him was horrible.
* * *
“Bernie, what are you doing?” Adam asked as he carried in two steaming mugs. “That’s police business!”
Dang it. I’d been so wrapped up in my reading, I hadn’t listened for Adam’s approach. “I know,” I replied, setting down the computer where I’d found it. “Curiosity got the best of me. I’m sorry.”
“You can’t be snooping in my work like that,” he said softly.
“Tell him you already are,” Ruby said. “Starsky and Hutch are here to save the day and solve the case!”
Pursing my lips, I debated whether I should. If he didn’t like me reading from a computer, he'd most likely have a fit hearing that my ghost was spying on the suspects.
I turned to Adam and pointed at the computer. “Do you actually think Jack killed him? Nancy sounds like she does.”
“It can't be ruled out,” he said, sighing. “I hate the idea of my friend going to prison, but he had words with Harold and he did get a lawyer, which makes him seem guilty.”
I glanced back at the computer and pulled my hair over my shoulder to conceal my face. I didn't want him to see that I had knowledge of Jack's checkered past.
“You do that a lot,” Adam said.
“Do what?”
“When you don't want me looking at you, you pull your hair around your face, like you're trying to hide.”
“I don't know what you're talking about,” I muttered as my cheeks heated. Was I really that transparent and obvious? Yes, yes, I was.
“Do you have information on Jack that I should be aware of?”
I briefly considered telling him everything Jack had shared, but then Ruby said, “Don't you be a snitch
. Snitches get shanked.”
Unsure of whether she spoke from experience or if she recalled it from years of television, I kept quiet. But she was right. Not my place to spill Jack's secrets.
“Bernie?” Adam said, pushing my hair behind my shoulder.
“You should talk to Jack about his lawyer. Not me.”
Adam stared at me a moment then nodded. “I feel like there’s a lot you aren’t telling me, and not just about Jack.”
I met his gaze and made a decision.
“So, where's your ghost?” Ruby interrupted. “I've looked everywhere... well, as far away from Bernie as I can get.”
At least she hadn't been screaming for him.
Turning to her, relief swept through me. I could put off the conversation a little longer. “I haven't seen him,”
“I didn’t know Ruby was here,” Adam said.
“Yes. She’s looking for your ghost.”
“I have questions for him,” Ruby replied. “I want to talk to him.”
The ghost appeared behind her. After glancing at me as if looking for assurances he wouldn't be verbally assaulted again, he cleared his throat.
Ruby screamed and spun around. “You don't sneak up on people like that—whether they're dead or alive!”
To my surprise, he chuckled, apparently appreciating he got the upper hand on Ruby.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.
“Well, you and I got off on the wrong foot,” Ruby said. “I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm Ruby.”
He narrowed his gaze on her. “My name's Ned.”
“It's nice to meet you, cowboy,” Ruby said, grinning.
“I'm not sure if I can say the same.”
With a snort, I reverted my stare back to Adam. Trust between the two ghosts would take time to build.
“What's going on?” Adam whispered.
“Ruby and Ned are talking.”
“Ah, so he does have a name. Are they being decent to each other?”
I nodded and glanced back at them.
“You'll feel differently once we spend some time together,” Ruby replied. “I'm a hoot to be around. Fun is my middle name!”
“From what I've seen, perhaps that should be trouble. Or insanity.”
“How did you die?” Ruby asked, pointing at his bloodstained shirt.
“I was shot.”
“I supposed this piece of advice is irrelevant now, but it’s always best to avoid the business end of a gun.” Ruby looked over her shoulder and pointed at me. “Remember that, Bernie.”
Duly noted.
Ruby crossed her arms over her chest. “Here's the deal, Ned. You're dead. I'm dead. Neither of us should be here. So instead of calling each other names and throwing books, let's figure out why. How does that sound?”
Ned arched his eyebrow, still unsure of this new facet of Ruby. “I'll think about it.”
As he faded away, Ruby shook her head. “That man has some trust issues.”
“Can you blame him?” I asked. “By the way, I'm very impressed with this new diplomatic side of you.”
Ruby rolled her eyes and waved her hand in front of her face. “So, when's Adam going to arrest the wife?”
Right. Back to that conversation. I cleared my throat and smiled sweetly. “Adam, Ruby and I have done something you aren’t going to like. I wasn’t going to tell you about it, but if I don’t, I’m lying to you, and that makes me feel really gross.”
He stared at me a long moment, then nodded. “What is it?”
“Remember when you said you wanted to be a fly on the wall in the same room as the suspects?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Ruby went into Belinda's hotel room,” I began. “I waited right outside the door and heard most of what was said.”
“You… you what?”
“We spied on Nancy and Belinda to get you information on your case.”
Ruby sighed. “I never imagined I'd be helping a copper. Death must have made my brain wonky. I'm doing all sorts of things I'd never do while alive.”
“That’s… you could get in a lot of trouble for that, Bernie!”
“I know, I know, but what’s done is done.”
“Was this Ruby’s idea?”
“Of course it was. She convinced me we needed to help you.”
Adam stood and began pacing the room muttering something about the fourth amendment.
“You have a lot on the line with this case,” I said. “I want you to succeed. Ruby and I can do this for you.”
The room fell silent. I picked at my cuticles hoping Adam didn’t hate me. I wanted him to know what I was doing not only because I didn’t want to lie, but also because the truth became a layer of protection for me. Someone would know where I was and I could reach out for help if needed.
Still, I couldn’t believe I let Ruby talk me into her plan. If I didn’t care for Adam so much, I’d have told her to go pound sand.
“What did you hear?” he finally asked.
As I recounted the conversation, he stared at me so hard, I thought laser beams may stream out of his eyes.
“Well, at least we've learned the stories about her husband are true,” Adam said when I'd finished. “He wasn't a nice man.”
“Tell him she was drunk,” Ruby cut in.
I turned to her. “Why?”
“It may be an important clue,” she replied with a shrug.
“Ruby wants me to tell you Belinda was wasted. Like running into walls and slurring her words drunk.”
“That's not exactly a crime.”
“She wanted you to be aware of it.” I shrugged.
“Based on what you heard, do you think Belinda could have done it, Bernie?”
“I don’t know,” I replied. “She and Harold were apparently very wealthy. She said she has no idea how much money they have, but with him out of the way, it's all hers.”
“With him being such a jerk, she's got two motives: getting rid of him and inheriting money.”
As I recalled the conversation, I realized I hadn't fully processed what I'd heard. I'd been too worried about getting caught. “Belinda had it pretty good... or pretty bad, depending on the way you look at it. She has no idea where all their money is, how to pay her bills. She's never even pumped her own gas. Harold took care of everything for her.”
“That's amazing, especially in this time period.”
“It is.” I couldn't imagine a life like hers. Had she been pampered, or should it be labeled something far more sinister? “It's like she had the freedom that money offers, but she was still imprisoned by him.”
I hadn't heard any mention of children, and if there were, I would think that caring for them would be foremost on her mind. If she didn't know where the money was and how to access it, how would she put food on the table? Or maybe any offspring they might have had were grown and no longer financially dependent on her? “Do they have children?”
Adam shook his head. “No. Nancy said Harold never wanted any, so they'd skipped kids.”
“What about Belinda? Did she want any?”
“Nancy said yes. It was a bone of contention between the couple.”
“So, Belinda and Nancy have been friends for a long time.”
“Yes, they have. Nancy is an intricate part of Belinda’s life. A true friend and confidant.”
“Belinda sure seems distraught,” I said. “Can someone fake something like that after killing someone?”
“Sure she can,” Ruby said. “If I were married to that turd, I'd have pushed him and played up the part of the grieving widow. She's rich now and doesn't have to put up with him.”
Turning to Adam, I said, “Ruby's convinced Belinda killed him.”
He nodded. “I'm leaning that way as well. But I have to be able to rule out everyone else.”
“Let us help you, Adam.” I stood and circled my arms around his waist and laid my head against his shoulder hoping to convey a bevy of emotions: regret for sticking my
nose where it didn’t belong, and the desire to help him succeed. Not that I cared whether I dated the second in command at the sheriff’s office, or a deputy, but I could see how badly Adam wanted the promotion and to solve the murder.
But then there was that whole gray area of legalities. Ghosts don’t exist. So was it truly wrong for Ruby to eavesdrop?
“I’m angry at you for spying on Belinda and Nancy, but also touched that you would want to help me. It could be dangerous, Bernie.”
“But I’ll tell you where we are and what we’re doing. You can swoop in and save the day.”
“It's a waste of energy to look into anyone else,” Ruby said. “Belinda did it, end of story. But then again, it's not like I've got anything better to do. Nothing but time on my hands, so I'm in, although I do wish I had the trench coat and fedora I spoke of earlier.”
“What's next, Adam?” I asked. “Where should we go from here?”
He sighed heavily and shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I want you to look over the statements from Art and Trevor and give me your thoughts, but I have to get to the office. In the meantime, are you free tomorrow morning?”
Chapter Thirteen
Golf. I'd gone once in my life and regretted the time wasted ever since. I simply don't have the patience to chase a ball over acres and acres of grass and swing at it with a club.
“I love golf,” Ruby said from the seat next to me. On her insistence, Adam had rented a cart so we didn't have to walk the full eighteen holes. I wouldn't have minded the exercise, but when she pointed out how much sun we'd be getting, I acquiesced. “I used to go golfing with Sheriff Walker,” she continued. “It's so quiet out on the course, and then my favorite part is the beer lady driving around.”
“Golf is a boring game,” I muttered.
“You obviously didn't drink enough beer when you played,” Ruby said with a shrug.
