“He was a radio operator in the Navy, right?” Tina put the leftover meatloaf into a plastic bag and stuck it into the refrigerator. “Hey, maybe after you get your inheritance from Mrs. Blackwell you can hire a cook.”
Laura looked up from putting a glass in the dishwasher. “Are you implying something about Uncle Bob’s and my cooking?”
“Heavens no.” Tina laughed. “I just figured you must be tired of it.”
“I love to cook.”
Tina stared at her mother. “Really?”
Laura’s lips twitched. “No. But Uncle Bob does.”
“Yeah, I know.” Tina suppressed a sigh. Then she brightened. “He could still cook on the cook’s days off.”
“Hmm. It’s a thought. And what are you going to do with five million dollars, young lady?”
“I have no idea. I can’t imagine not working.”
“Surely you won’t continue to be a professional organizer?”
“Why not? Maybe as a volunteer for nonprofits.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “You are so stubborn.”
“Wonder where I got that from. Obviously it doesn’t run in the family.” Tina let the sarcasm drip. “Was my father stubborn?”
Laura glanced around the kitchen, saw all the dishes were in the machine, put soap in the dispenser, and closed the door. “He could be.” Her voice was soft, reflective.
“You still miss him.” Tina was surprised.
“Yes. You wouldn’t think so after twenty-some years, but I do.” She gave a little shake of her head and smiled. “Sometimes you’re very like him.”
“In a good way, I hope.”
“Yes. In a good way.” Laura turned on the dishwasher, and the doorbell rang. “Who could that be?”
“Not the police, I hope.” Tina followed her mother to the front door.
“Colin.” Laura opened the door.
A chill ran down Tina’s spine. Come on in, murder suspect.
CHAPTER 37
“What a nice surprise.” Laura opened the door wider, and Colin entered. Tina couldn’t tell if her mother was being sarcastic or not.
Colin wore an open light jacket over a blue Henley and too-tight jeans for his slightly chubby body. “Mrs. Shaw, how are you?” His ran his hand through his wind-ruffled hair.
“I’m fine. I haven’t talked to you since, well, ages ago.” Laura took his jacket and hung it up in the hall closet, then led the way to the living room. Colin followed, and Tina trailed.
Laura indicated a chair for Colin, and they sat down. Tina lingered in the doorway. “Can I get you something to drink? A soda, some coffee?”
“Ice water would be nice. I’m pretty thirsty.”
“Mom?”
“Same for me. Thanks, Tina.”
In the kitchen, Tina called Hank. “Colin’s here. For some reason, I’m uncomfortable. Can you come over?”
“Be there in five.”
Relieved, Tina fixed glasses of ice water and took them to the living room on a tray.
Laura noticed the extra glass but didn’t say anything about it. “Colin is wondering how the clean-out is going.”
Tina sat down, cold glass in hand. “It’s going. We keep running into things that slow us down.”
“Oh? Like what?”
Tina met his stare. “I don’t think the police would want me to talk about that.”
“Come on. What harm would it do? It will probably all be in the papers tomorrow anyway.”
“I don’t think so. All the people working, except me, are police officers.”
“And Hank Silver.”
Tina felt a jolt of surprise. “How did you know he was there?” She clamped her lips together, realizing she’d admitted something she shouldn’t have.
“I have some friends at the paper. They saw him go in.”
“They know who he is?”
Colin laughed. “I think everyone in town knows who Hank Silver is. But no one knows what he does for a living. Very strange.”
And strange, Tina thought, that you know so much about Newport when you live in Quincy.
Laura broke in. “Hank is a very private person. I’ve known his mother for years.”
Colin smiled. “Newport is a small town, after all, isn’t it?”
“It is if you’ve lived here long enough.”
And belong to the right clubs and go to the right churches. But Tina wouldn’t say that out loud.
“Had you seen your aunt lately, Colin?” Laura set her water glass down on a coaster.
Ah, Mom on the attack. Tina suppressed a grin. It dawned on her that Laura probably knew Tina had called Hank and was stalling.
“Not for a while. It was difficult to be with her, especially in that house. And she rarely left it the last year or two.”
Tina bit her lip so she wouldn’t blurt anything out about the attic bedroom.
“Seems to run in the family, not leaving the house,” Laura said.
“Well, not for the current generation. Jenny and Tabitha get around.”
Was that a double entendre? “What do you mean, they get around?” Tina asked.
Colin smirked. “I think you know what I mean. Tabitha with the next door neighbor. Jenny with the ‘happily’ married congressman.”
Tina’s eyes widened. Could it be true? Or was Colin devious enough to make stuff up to cast suspicion on his cousins and away from himself?
When the doorbell rang, Tina jumped up. “I’ll get it.”
Hank stepped inside, and she fell into his arms. “Thanks for coming.” She breathed in the scent of his leather jacket and aftershave.
His arms enfolded her in a hug. “You’re welcome.”
His breath tickled her ear, and she relaxed against him for a moment. Then she hung up his jacket and took his hand to lead him into the living room. “Look who’s here. Hank, you know Colin?”
Colin stood up and the two men shook. “We’ve never met,” Colin said. “But…”
“We’re aware of each other’s identity,” Hank finished for him.
After everyone was settled, there was an awkward silence. Finally, Laura said, “Colin was telling us about Tabitha and Jenny. He thinks they’re having affairs.”
“Really?” Hank raised an eyebrow. “You think or you know?”
Colin looked uncomfortable, trapped. “I’m not positive about Tabitha, but I am about Jenny. It’s been going on for years now.”
“It’s common knowledge then?” Laura asked.
“Among the family. Ironically, I’m pretty sure Jenny doesn’t know we all know.”
“Colin said the man is a local politician.” Tina said.
“Local as in Quincy or state?” Hank asked.
“Massachusetts senator.”
Hank kept his poker face, but Laura looked a bit shocked. “I’m surprised anyone like that could keep it a secret. You said it’s been going on for years now.”
“Yes, but they’re very discreet.”
“How did you find out, then?” Laura asked.
“Tabitha saw them together in an out-of-the-way restaurant in Chelmsford. She told me about it. She seemed both amused and surprised. I had the feeling she was there with someone, too. And not her husband, Ezio. A few months later I went to visit and saw her sneaking into the next-door neighbor’s side porch.”
“You figure Mrs. Blackwell knew about these alleged trysts? You told her, I suppose.” Hank quirked his eyebrow again.
Colin shifted in his chair. “I may have mentioned it to her.”
“And you came here to tell Tina all about it?”
“Well, no. I came to see what might have turned up in the decluttering process.”
“And she said?”
“She couldn’t talk about it,” Colin mumbled.
“You thought she would?”
Pink crept up from Colin’s collar to his hairline. “I thought she might.”
“But she didn’t tell you about the bong in Olivia’s bedroom, rig
ht?”
Colin’s eyes widened.
“Yours, right?” Hank asked.
“No. No!” Colin sputtered. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”
“Because your fingerprints are all over the attic bedroom. And I can’t imagine anyone else who’s been in that house giving or buying a bong for Olivia. Or maybe you didn’t. Maybe she just found it up in that room.”
Colin appeared to shrink in his chair.
Tina had never seen Hank question anyone before, and she sat mesmerized. Colin seemed totally cowed, not like the self-confident man she’d first met who cheered Jenny up.
When Colin remained silent, Hank said, “And then there’s Olivia’s letter to the financial firm you work for about her suspicion of fraud. I assume you knew about that?”
“What? No! No,” Colin sputtered.
“You’re probably the one sneaking into the house, looking for things that would implicate you.”
Colin stood up on shaky legs, his face bright red. “I don’t have to answer questions from you. How do you know all this information, anyway? You’re an undercover cop, aren’t you?”
Hank sighed. “No. I’m only a consultant. Nothing as glamorous as an undercover officer. My best advice to you is to get a lawyer, and don’t come around here fishing for information again.”
“I’m not the only one fishing for information. You did a pretty good job yourself. But know this. I did not murder my Aunt Olivia. Actually, I was rather fond of the old girl. The information about the possible fraud would have come out eventually, so killing her wouldn’t have done me any good. And yes, I introduced her to pot one day when she was feeling down. I used to crash in her attic when things got tense at home. But again, I didn’t murder her, and I didn’t go snooping around in her house after someone else did. If there is anything going on at the firm that’s illegal, I’m not a part of it.” Colin brushed by Hank, and everyone followed into the foyer. He got his coat from the closet and turned to Laura. “It was nice seeing you again. Sorry for the ruckus.”
And he left.
Tina’s head was reeling.
“Back into the living room,” Laura said. “We need to talk.”
Hank and Tina exchanged glances. You did not argue with a Newport mother.
“Yes, ma’am,” Hank said with a sweep of his arm, indicating they should go first.
When they were all settled again, Laura took a sip of water, set the glass down carefully, and then fixed Hank with a penetrating stare. “So, finally, you’re letting the world know you’re a consultant for the police. How did that happen?”
Hank grinned. “Your first question is about that? Not whether I suspect Colin of murdering his aunt?”
Laura waved her hand at him. “Of course he didn’t.”
Now Hank laughed out loud and looked at Tina. “Your daughter wants to know why you are so sure he didn’t.”
Laura shook her head as she gazed at Tina. “He doesn’t have the courage, or even the drive, to do something like that. If the firm is scamming their clients, he’s not in on it, either. The biggest crime Colin will ever commit in his life is smoking some pot. You agree, Hank?”
Hank tried to hide his amusement, but Tina knew him well enough to understand her mother delighted him. “Absolutely.”
“Then why did he come here?” Tina asked.
“Good question. He wanted to get the information he thinks he has about his female cousins to the police without telling them outright.”
“But,” Laura said, “the police already know about Tabitha and Jenny.”
Hank nodded.
“Why did he want the police to know?” Tina asked.
“To take suspicion off himself,” Hank said. “He’s honest, but he worries.”
“Oh.” Tina felt a bit miffed that her mother and Hank seemed to know things she didn’t, or surmise things she hadn’t thought of.
“Now, about this consulting business.” Laura picked up her glass and toasted Hank with it then took the last sip and set it down again.
Hank cleared his throat. “Since all of Newport seems to think I’m an undercover police officer, we decided to clear everything up about what I really do.”
“What you do now, or what you’ve been doing all along?” Laura asked.
“You’re tenacious.” Hank shifted his gaze to Tina. “Does she always give you the third degree when you get home from a date?”
Tina grinned and nodded. “Always. Especially when I go out with you.”
Hank laughed and turned back to Laura. “It wouldn’t be healthy for me if certain people think I had ever been undercover. So let’s leave it that I’ve been consulting.”
“And what were you doing when you weren’t living here in Newport for those four or five years after college?”
“CIA. But again, it’s best to keep that quiet.”
“You quit the CIA?” Laura looked incredulous.
“Mitzi needed me. And believe it or not, I missed Newport.”
“I remember when you came back. You mother was so happy. After what happened to your sister, she must have been horribly worried about you.”
“Not that I’d get cancer, but yes, you’re right, she worried. Still does, but I don’t think as much. She knows I’m not undercover.”
“Or at least you reassured her that you’re not.”
Hank didn’t answer. Instead he looked at Tina again, judging her reaction. “You okay with all this?”
Tina shrugged. “I’ll come to terms with it. I assume being a consultant is a lot safer than being undercover.”
“Yes.”
“But why the secrecy all this time?”
“Several reasons. No one questions the salary for an undercover cop, but they will about a consultant. The position is being paid for by a private individual, and he wants it kept quiet.”
“Another secret.” Tina glared at him.
He laughed, which made her angrier. “Hey, I don’t know who he is, either. Actually, could be a she.”
Tina threw up her hands. “This town.”
“Don’t start,” her mother said.
“I never finished,” Tina said, then laughed at herself. “Okay, as everyone says now, it is what it is. What are some of the other reasons for all this secrecy?”
“No other reasons.” When Tina gave him a skeptical look, he said, “Really. That’s it. And now that all your questions are answered, I assume, I’m leaving so we can all get a good night’s sleep.” He stood up. “Nice to see you again, Mom,” he said to Laura.
Tina trailed him into the foyer. They hugged good-bye, and he kissed her lightly on the forehead. The feeling lingered long after she climbed into bed. She guessed she was going to have to do something soon to move the relationship forward. Old Hank was obviously not going to push it.
CHAPTER 38
Nothing more turned up at Olivia’s house on Tuesday. Tina and Mickey slogged through most of the papers, and the upstairs was finished. Some people were working in the attic and basement, and a couple more were helping in the living room and dining room. Tina figured they’d be finished by the end of the week. But the officers were called into work on Wednesday to catch up on some things, so she had a free day.
She called Rebecca Tinsdale. “I have set aside several items I thought might interest you and would be happy to drive up to Quincy today to show them to you.”
“That’s sweet of you, Tina. When do you expect to arrive?”
“Early afternoon, if that’s all right.”
It was, and so at that time, Tina stood on the Tinsdale doorstep, juggling the big box in her arms, waiting for someone to answer the door. She huffed while waiting, having had to lug the box from around the corner. For some reason, Shed Street was lined with cars.
About to ring the bell again, she jerked when it opened abruptly. Tightening her grip on the box, she stared at Rebecca Tinsdale. Today she wore makeup and was dressed in beige linen slacks and a yellow cow
l-neck sweater. Her arm was still in its black sling, but she wore several silver bangles on both wrists. She looked ready, Tina thought, to go out.
But she never went out.
Tina made herself stop staring. She didn’t know why she felt so uneasy.
“Tina, nice to see you again. Come on in.” Rebecca opened the door wider and stepped aside.
“I thought you might like to see the most interesting things we’ve found so far,” Tina said as she followed Rebecca to the living room and set the box down next to the coffee table.
“Have a seat. I have been curious to know what you’ve unearthed.” Rebecca settled herself in the rocker she’d used for the reading of the will. “How’s your mother doing?”
Tina blinked. She hadn’t expected the question. “She’s fine. Now. You don’t suspect her any longer of attacking you?”
Rebecca shook her head. “I never did. That was the police’s idea. The timing was bad. If I acted as if I blamed her at the reading of the will, it wasn’t that. I was in shock. I still can’t believe Olivia is gone. We used to talk every morning at ten, and every morning, my mind and body get ready for that call. Which never comes.” She swiped angrily at the tears in her eyes with her right hand.
“I’m so sorry. I understand how hard this is for you. How’s your arm doing?”
“It’s my shoulder, actually. Sprained, not broken, thank goodness. But it’s still sore, and the doctor recommended I keep it in this sling.”
“I hope it gets better soon. Let’s look at what I brought.”
“This is so thoughtful of you. How’s the clean-out going? The police won’t tell me anything. I call them every day, but they keep saying ‘the investigation is on-going.’ Well, I hope so!” She smoothed her slacks with her right hand and raised her eyebrows.
Buried Under Clutter (Tina Tales Mysteries Book 2) Page 15