by Carly Winter
“I don't know about that, Bernie. What if she's trying to get her hands on Belinda's money? I mean, having your friend declared incompetent based on the fact she's drunk because her husband died? What kind of nonsense is that?”
Pursing my lips together, I reflected on Ruby's theory. I had considered Nancy having ulterior motives as well but her sincerity seemed so real, I couldn’t imagine her having anything but goodness in her heart. But then again, I wasn’t nearly as jaded as Ruby.
“And I don't even know if she's drunk,” Ruby continued. “From what I saw, I can understand her being a little tipsy off of two glasses of wine, but not stumbling around and running into walls so bad, her arm looks like she was hit with a baseball bat.”
“What do you think is going on?” I asked, now intrigued.
“I have no idea, but I think we better go back to the hotel and snoop around a little more.”
My stomach flipped just thinking about hiding out in the hotel hallway again. Security had come so close to catching me before.
When the phone vibrated in my hand, it startled me so badly, I almost threw it across the room as if it were a snake.
“You need to unknot those knickers of yours,” Ruby said. “Who is it?”
A number I didn't recognize scrolled across the screen. I almost didn't answer, but then I saw it originated in Idaho. “Hello?”
“Is this Bernadette?”
“Yes, but you can call me Bernie. Can I ask who's speaking?”
“Bernie, my name's Vicky Darling. I'm Darla's mom.”
“I'm so glad you called,” I said, absolutely relieved to have something else to think about besides a murder. “How is she?”
“It takes time for the medications to work, but she seems a little more in touch.”
“That's fantastic. Is there anything I can do to help her?”
“Not right now,” Vicky said, sighing. “I also spoke to the guy who called me... Jack. He's told me everything Darla has done. It didn't surprise me, but at the same time, she used to tell me about you and how much she liked being your friend. When she's out of the hospital and feeling better, I hope you'll have compassion for her.”
Darla had hurt me, but I could easily forgive her, especially since I now understood the root of the issue. “Of course. I can't wait to see her.”
“It's going to be a while before I can allow that to happen,” Vicky explained. “I wish she'd never moved away from home. She actually chose to live in Sedona because she believed the vortexes would help her condition. I hated having her in another state, but she seemed to be doing so well the past few years.”
“Until now.”
“Yes, until now. I had a feeling she was off her meds. The paranoid talk of you trying to take her boyfriend who appeared out of nowhere worried me, but she assured me she was fine.”
“She never told me about the medication or the schizophrenia,” I said. “I never understood where her accusations came from. They seemed ridiculous to me, and then she just became nasty.”
“I'm so sorry about that, Bernie. Between you and Jack, she's got some great friends here. I hope you'll both be able to forgive her.”
“That won't be a problem for me.”
“I'll keep you posted on how she's doing,” Vicky said. “Again, thank you for being such a wonderful friend to my daughter.”
I hung up the phone and stared at it a moment, missing Darla. I'd loved our chats and hanging out together. Maybe she'd be able to whip me back into shape when she was feeling better. Hanging out with Ruby, I'd become quite lazy and it was starting to show.
“Earth to Bernie,” Ruby said. “Let's get back to the task at hand, shall we?”
I sighed and glanced over at my ghost. “And what's that? You seem to think Nancy is some psycho who wants Belinda's money while she strikes me as nothing but a very concerned friend.”
“Humor me. Let's go back to the hotel and prove me wrong.”
With a groan, I set down my phone and placed my head in my hands. Maybe my initial suspicions about Nancy had been correct—she wasn’t a concerned friend but wanted access to Belinda’s money. If so, she was one heck of an actress and had me questioning myself. I needed time to think and I needed to talk to Adam about the recording.
But then again, what if Ruby was right? What if Nancy had an elaborate plan to take Belinda's money?
“I’ll consider going back to the hotel,” I muttered. “After I speak with Adam.”
“Okay, fine. What time are you talking to the copper?”
“I don’t know. As soon as he can meet me.”
“Can we go to his house?”
“Why?”
Ruby shrugged. “I want to see Ned. He's kind of cute... for a dead guy.”
Oh, no. Was Ruby becoming sweet on Ned?
Chapter Sixteen
Adam invited me to an early morning coffee at his house the next day. I left a pot on in my own kitchen and set out a plate of donuts with a note to Mr. O'Malley to help himself. Not exactly the best host, but Adam and I had a murder to solve.
Ruby whisked through his door before me, oddly quiet. I knocked and he opened the panel right away.
“It's good to see you,” he said, embracing me.
“You as well.”
“Coffee?”
“Oh, yes,” I said. “It's desperately needed.”
“So what happened yesterday?” he asked, leading me to the couch. We hadn't been able to talk the previous evening because Adam had worked late once again. He wasn't confident our conversation would remain private at the station. The walls have ears, he'd said.
“I recorded the discussion between Nancy and the lawyer,” I replied.
Adam arched a brow. “You shouldn't have told me. That's illegal.”
“Don't remind me,” I grumbled. “But before you listen to it, I wanted to see Belinda's statement.”
“Sure.” Adam rose from the couch and hurried into the kitchen, returning a few moments later with two steaming mugs and his laptop. “If we’re breaking laws, it’s best to make sure we shatter them all.”
I took a long sip of the brew and sighed. Nectar of the gods, especially in the early morning hours.
“Here you go,” Adam said, handing me the device. “This is the second interview we did with Belinda. I couldn't believe it, but she showed up drunk.”
“Really?”
“Yes. She was slurring her words and seemed like she was about to pass out.”
“It's bold showing up for an interview in that condition.”
“Or stupid.”
I always believed a fine line existed between stupid and bold, and sometimes they were one and the same. “Maybe both?” After another gulp, I set the cup down and focused on the screen. “Thanks for the coffee, Adam. Delicious.”
“You’re welcome. Keep in mind that during the interview we’re showing Belinda a map of the cliff.”
* * *
Q: Thanks for coming in again, Belinda. Can you go over what happened the night of your husband's death?
A: Harold and those men argued when I asked them to lower their voices because I couldn't hear the tour operator.
* * *
Q: And what transpired when you got to the top of the cliff?
A: Harold and I walked toward the moon. It was so big and beautiful. Like a huge face in the sky. Everyone went different ways.
* * *
Q: So you and Harold walked over here. Is that correct?
A: Yes. A little trail led to the overlook. The moon lit it well. I had to get away from the rest of the group.
* * *
Q: You and Harold were admiring the moon. Then what happened?
A: We were close to the edge and I began to feel a little woozy. I returned to the Jeep.
* * *
Q: Did you two argue while you were by the edge?
A: No. Harold barely spoke to me. When he's upset, he gets quiet.
* * *
Q
: I thought he was yelling and insulting everyone?
A: That was before. After, he was quiet.
* * *
Q: That night you had red dirt on your pants. Do you want to tell me how that happened?
A: I already did.
* * *
Q: Humor me. Tell me again.
A: I was heading back to the Jeep and I tripped and fell.
* * *
Q: Are you sure?
A: Of course I'm sure.
* * *
Q: There wasn't a scuffle between you and your husband? And you fell during that?
A: Are you insinuating I killed my husband?
* * *
Q: We have to ask, ma'am.
A: How dare you! I didn't kill Harold!
* * *
Q: Let's get back on track. You and your husband walked over to the ledge. You admired the moon for a bit, then you began heading back to the Jeep where you fell. Correct?
A: Yes.
* * *
Q: The driver, Jack, doesn't recall seeing you back at the Jeep.
A: I was there before he whistled for everyone to return! I was there! I had sat on a rock near the back, a few feet away from the bumper!
* * *
Q: Are you okay, Belinda?
A: I'm sorry. I don't feel well.
* * *
“Was she upset during the interview?” I asked.
Adam nodded. “She was either crying or indignant. Reading the transcript doesn't give the proper nuance of the meeting.”
I imagined her in floods of tears one moment, screaming the next, most likely caused by the alcohol. “Was O'Malley there with her?”
“Yes. He shut it down when she mentioned she was ill.”
“Do you think she murdered Harold?”
“I don't know, Bernie. I mean, she admits she went to the ledge with her husband. She's got the best motive and the most to gain out of anyone who was there. But then again, she's obviously grieving.”
“Or she's the best actress around.”
“Yes, that could be the case as well.”
I stood and walked into the kitchen to refill my cup. When I returned, Adam asked, “Can we go over what happened yesterday at your place?”
“Sure. Do you want to listen to it?”
He sighed and shook his head. “Yeah, but I'm breaking the law by doing so.”
“It's still up for debate whether you're breaking the law by having a ghost spy on the suspects.”
“Agreed, but this is definitely a rule breaker.”
We stared at each other for a long moment and finally, he shrugged. “Just give me the rundown on what happened. I can't bring myself to listen to the recording.”
Once finished, I said, “Ruby thinks Nancy is a snake in the grass and wants Belinda’s money. To me, she comes across as a concerned friend. I'm not sure who's correct.”
I fully expected Ruby to make an appearance and declare herself the winner, but she didn't. Where in the world had she gone?
“It's impossible for Nancy to have killed Harold,” Adam said. “They were on the upper left of the cliff, Nancy was on the lower left. She'd have to walk right by Jack to find the trail leading to Harold.”
“And he didn't mention that?”
Adam shook his head. “I mean, it's possible she made it past Jack without being seen, but not very likely.”
“Belinda said she came back to the Jeep and sat on a rock near the bumper,” I said. “She'd see Nancy as well.”
“And she never mentioned it.”
“What if they're in on it together?” I asked. “Just thinking aloud.”
“Nancy doesn't have a motive to kill Harold.”
“Except a long and deep friendship with a woman who was married to a jerk.”
Adam sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Maybe Belinda promised her a big payout for killing Harold?”
“It's possible. Or maybe they're in love and wanted Harold out of the way. I always found it odd that a married couple would stay in the same hotel room as a single woman. I could understand if finances were an issue, but in this case, they aren't. Perhaps Belinda insisted on having Nancy stay with them.”
Adam sprung to his feet and began to pace. “I never considered that angle.”
As Adam walked off his frustration, I had nothing to add. I wished I could wave a magic wand and solve this case for him just so he'd have a little peace in his heart. Being in charge of finding the killer was eating at him, especially since the investigation was at a complete standstill and he was relying on a not-very-reliable ghost and her granddaughter to solve the case.
When Ruby had suggested going back to the hotel to spy on Nancy and Belinda, my original reaction had been to shut it down because I'd almost been caught by security. However, I recognized Belinda and Nancy were the keys to breaking this case wide open. Adam needed me to take Ruby back there. How he proved whatever evidence we discovered would be up to him.
But I didn't want to be arrested for trespassing. My record was squeaky clean, and I had every intention of keeping it that way. I'd already lied by omission to O'Malley by not sharing that I was actually a witness in the investigation involving his two clients, and I'd recorded a privileged conversation. Bile rose in my throat as I considered how many laws I'd broken to help Adam. Was I willing to go even further?
And what if I was arrested at the hotel? Would it matter? I supposedly had law enforcement on my side, but if it came right down to it, how far would Adam go to protect me?
I wasn't sure I liked the waters where our relationship had ventured. Seemingly, I was the one taking the risks while in the end, he'd get the rewards.
But I wanted to help Adam.
Jeez, I hated this.
“Ruby wants to go back to the hotel and spy on Nancy and Belinda some more,” I said. “I'm not sure it's a good idea though. I'm on security's radar. If I'm caught outside Belinda's door, it could ruin the case, especially if O'Malley is able to put you and me together. A conversation with the right people in town would verify that we know each other. Heck, if he actually studied the file and looked at the names of those involved, he'd realize he's staying at a witness's house.”
“Not a very hotshot lawyer, is he? And us knowing each other doesn't make us guilty of anything.”
“Some would say we're dating,” I said, shrugging.
“That's true.”
But now I was uncertain. Weren't we seeing each other? Or had I been horribly mistaken this past month? No, he'd specifically asked me out on a date. Perhaps I was overthinking our relationship? Me overthinking something? It wouldn’t be the first time.
“What if I went back to the hotel with you?” Adam asked. “I wouldn't be in uniform, but I'd be close by. That way, if you do get caught snooping, I can smooth things over with security.”
“How would you know?”
“We'd keep in contact via phone.”
Ruby appeared. “Let's go,” she said, heading for the front door.
“Where?”
“To the hotel, Sherlock. Let's crack this case for the copper. We know there's stink in the state of Demark, so let's find out who's passing the gas.”
Adam glanced around. “Ruby's here?”
“Yes. She wants to go to the hotel right now.”
After glancing at the clock on the wall, he stared at me. “I can be late. I just need to call it in. I'll go with you.”
The clock read close to eight. There would be a lot of hustle and bustle in the hotel of early morning golfers and hikers, which would make it easier for me to blend in while Ruby snooped. Either that, or people would wonder what the heck I was doing standing outside someone's hotel room. There were only so many times I could bend down to tie my shoe, right?
And what about Belinda? If she was as big of a drinker as everyone claimed, I bet she found it hard to raise her head from the pillow before noon.
But, there was only one way to find out. “Okay,
let's go.”
Chapter Seventeen
When we arrived at the Sedona Grand Hotel, Adam stayed in the lobby while Ruby and I decided to walk the stairs instead of taking the elevator to the second floor. Well, I actually made the choice while Ruby complained about it. How that woman had stayed alive for so long with her hatred of exercise and all her bad habits, I’d never understand.
When we arrived at Belinda and Nancy’s room, I assumed my previous position and Ruby ghosted through the door, humming softly to herself. The hallway remained clear for a few long moments, and I began to relax until my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw Adam was calling. I glanced to my right and to my left but didn’t want to take the chance of Belinda and Nancy hearing me speak to him, so I sent it to voicemail.
A few moments later, Ruby exited and motioned me to follow her down the hall.
“What’s going on in there?” I asked, my heart thundering.
“Not a lot. Belinda’s still in bed moaning about something while Nancy’s getting dressed. Her bra and panty set are a little too frilly for me, though. You know, I always preferred to go au naturel. Much more comfortable.”
Should I remind her we were in the middle of a murder investigation, not a lingerie show?
“Did Nancy happen to mention where she was going?” I asked.
“Nope. She’s getting pretty jazzed up for a trip down for coffee though.”
I couldn’t imagine where’d she be going besides downstairs. Perhaps she was one of those people who didn’t venture out in the morning unless she had on a full face of makeup and was dressed to impress. Unless she’d met someone she wanted to dazzle while she’d been here? And what kind of person found a boyfriend while in the middle of a murder investigation? “We need to find out where she’s headed off to,” I whispered. “Go back in there and see if she gives any indication to Belinda so then we can sneak ahead of her.”
