Murdered by Success

by Dianne Harman

  “It was obvious he hadn’t replied to them because the letters got angrier and angrier. She said she was going to break into the house, and he was going to be sorry, but then he’d have to forgive her and be with her, and really, it was just a load of psycho stuff.”

  “Do you think she might have something to do with his death?”

  Charlotte nodded. “Maybe. Although Simon being here casts some doubt on that.” She sighed. “I’m beginning to think we’re surrounded by murderous psychos.” She put her hands on her bump protectively. “But the thing I don’t get is why Connor kept the letters. I’ve wondered if he was going to hand them over to the police. Or maybe he really did love her. I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”

  Liz wrapped her arms around Charlotte and let her cry her heart out.

  CHAPTER 16

  The next day, everyone felt a bit strange after breakfast. Gina had come in and prepared a wonderful spread consisting of bacon, pancakes with syrup, biscuits and gravy, several different kinds of breakfast rolls, toast with jams and jellies, dry cereals, and a large selection of fresh fruit.

  While they were enjoying the feast, they were almost able to forget their troubles, but when they’d finished, all of their problems came crashing back. They were in limbo, waiting to hear something about Connor. And when they tried to put him out of their minds, it was impossible, because a policeman was around every corner, a visual reminder of the danger they were in.

  Roger went to work, and the rest of them sat in the lodge unsure of what to do next. Patsy, Liz and, Julita helped Gina clean up after breakfast, but that was finished all too quickly.

  Gina headed home, and after another round of coffee, decaf for Charlotte, the two-and-a-half-ton elephant in the room had to be addressed.

  “How’s the investigation going?” Julita finally asked Liz.

  It wasn’t going well at all, in all honesty, but Liz didn’t want to say that out loud, and make them all feel bad. “Well,” she said, “we know that someone in Opal Bowers’ office started the blog. It could be Opal herself, so she’s definitely in the running. She wanted to stop the hotel deal going through, so she has a very strong motive.”

  “Yes,” said Julita. “I never did like that woman. Although she was always very friendly and polite to me and everybody else, I always felt it was phony. Something was off about it.”

  “Really?” Liz said.

  Julita nodded.

  “I can’t say I had that exact feeling,” Liz said, “but then again, I’m not all that intuitive. I wish Winston had been with me. He’s a better judge of people than I am. He seems to sense the real nature of someone.”

  “I used to have a dog like that,” Patsy said. “His name was Rex. When we took a walk around the block, he always growled and barked at an old man who took his morning stroll at the same time. Truthfully, I used to get a little embarrassed about it.

  “If I’d dropped the leash, I’m sure Rex would have torn the man’s throat out, however, the guy was always very nice about it. As it turns out, Rex was right. That man did some horrible things, was arrested, and went to prison.” She shivered. “He died there, which I thought was fitting. After that, I paid a lot more attention to Rex.”

  Liz nodded. “I feel the same way about Connor’s father. He should have spent the rest of his life in prison. Why on earth a judge would let him out is beyond me.”

  “He’s a conman, a master conman,” Charlotte said. “Connor said he not only had a special genius for making people believe anything, he was also a genius at getting a lot of money out of nowhere. And he loses it just as quickly, too, but rumor has it that he had his attorney pay some people off to get his sentence reduced so he could get out of prison faster. Connor thinks maybe he bribed social workers to allow him to get custody of Connor. He’s a very clever and dangerous man.”

  “He sounds like a total psycho to me,” Patsy said.

  “Literally,” Liz said. “There’s a word for someone like that. I think its psychopath or sociopath or something like that. I don’t know much about it, and that’s probably a good thing. But what I do know is that it’s not normal behavior. If he did kill Connor, it wasn’t from greed or betrayal or anything like that. It would just be because he was evil. Pure evil.”

  “Yes,” Charlotte said, her voice wobbling. She looked around nervously. “I’m just glad we have the police here. They haven’t caught him yet?”

  “Unfortunately not,” Liz said. She’d called Bob Salazar while Gina was preparing breakfast, and he’d reported that Simon Moynahan had completely evaded law enforcement. “Some of his previous records describe him as being slippery as an eel,” Bob had said. “Slipping away out of anyone’s grasp. From what’s happening, I’m inclined to agree.”

  Charlotte bit her lip.

  “Do you think he might have killed Connor?” Liz mused out loud. “Or do you think he’s only coming around now because he thinks he might get some of Connor’s money?”

  “Trust me. He’s not getting a penny,” Charlotte said. “I’m going to live off the interest of Connor’s investments, and the rest is going in the bank for this little one.” She patted her bump with a motherly smile.

  “To answer your question, Liz,” Julita said, “I’m not sure if he was the one who killed Connor. But if he did, because of his bigotry, it might have been the biracial baby that was the final straw.”

  Liz nodded. “I’ve been thinking that could be a possible motive. Or maybe he just wants the money, and the racism is a convenient excuse. Either way, he’s a monster.”

  “Absolutely,” Julita said.” What about Joe Treadwell?”

  “I don’t know,” Liz said. “I mean, he was in town checking up on Connor’s movements, but he wasn’t exactly hiding it. And yet he does have a motive, trying to get his investments back.”

  “I don’t think it’s him,” Charlotte said.

  “What makes you say that?”

  “Just a hunch.”

  Liz nodded.

  “Pregnant ladies usually have good hunches,” Patsy said.

  “That’s an old wives’ tale, Patsy,” Julita said.

  As they were talking, Liz realized that there was one suspect she hadn’t looked into, Danica Wilcock, the woman Charlotte had told her about last night while they were in the spa. She got the feeling Charlotte didn’t want her to speak about it in front of anyone, so she didn’t say anything about Danica.

  Liz knew she needed to go to the bar where Danica worked and see what she could find out. She realized she might have to come up with a white lie for Patsy and Julita in order to not reveal the information she knew about Danica and Connor.

  She wanted to speak to Charlotte in private, so she said, “Would you like some more spa treatments, Charlotte? It might help you relax. I know you said you shouldn’t have too many massages because it raises your blood pressure, but we have a full menu of other things you could do. Maybe a manicure, a pedicure, or even a facial?”

  Charlotte heaved herself out of her chair. “Any of those sound good and would probably help take my mind off of everything. Thanks,” she said. Her eyes met Liz’s in such a way that she understood Liz wanted to talk to her privately.

  “What are your plans for the day?” Liz asked Julita and Patsy.

  “I was just planning to look after Charlotte,” Julita said. “We’d thought about going into town to get some nice baby clothes, but I wasn’t sure if we were safe or not. I was afraid Simon might be lurking around.”

  “Unfortunately, that’s a possibility,” Liz said. “You know what, though, there’s a lady in Red Cedar who has a wonderful baby store, with really one-of-a-kind items. And she has women associates who help sell her things to their friends and at parties. I know because she had a bunch of them come from out of state to train with her.

  “She’s very particular about how things are done and wants to meet everyone who sells her things. The women stayed here in the cottages. I’ll be
t she’d come here after work to show you some things, or she’d know someone she could send here.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea,” Julita said. “That’ll be something to take our minds off everything, won’t it, Charlotte?”

  Charlotte looked numb, like she’d cried so many tears she’d completely dried up, and there was no emotion left in her. “Yes. That would be fine.”

  “Okay, I’ll call and arrange it,” Liz said. “Charlotte, let’s go over to the spa and see what Bertha can set up for you. I’ll walk you down there and help you get set up.”

  As soon as they were out of the lodge and earshot of Julita and Patsy, Charlotte said, “You want to investigate Danica Wilcock, don’t you?”

  “Patsy must be right about pregnant women’s intuition.”

  Winston had been lying down in the dining room with them. When Liz and Charlotte got up to go to the spa he stood up and walked out with them. Brandy Boy was in his usual position on the porch and looked up briefly as Charlotte and Liz passed, then settled sleepily back down.

  “The thing is, Danica’s bar is quite far from here,” Charlotte said. “I looked it up. It’s about a five-hour drive from here, maybe more.”

  Liz bit her lip. “What about a plane?”

  “There’s no airport nearby where that woman is, or I’d send you in my plane.” She said the words “that woman” with disgust.

  “Then I guess I’ll have to drive,” Liz said decisively. “It’s 10:00 now, so I should be there about 3:30 this afternoon. I could stay an hour, and I’d be back at 9:30 tonight.”

  “Ten hours of driving in one day?” Charlotte said in a doubtful tone. “And that’s if you don’t meet traffic on the way. And providing she’s there at the time you want her to be, and…”

  “You’re right,” Liz said. “I think I was being overoptimistic. But I might make it by 11:30 tonight, and it won’t be a disaster even if I come back after midnight. You’re all well-protected with the police. Roger will be here at night, and Bertha will be in her office during the day. There’s chicken salad in the refrigerator for sandwiches for lunch, and Gina’s coming back to do sweet and sour chicken tonight. Everything’s covered.”

  “Go,” Charlotte urged. “We’ll be okay. You might find something out. You never know.” She swallowed, looking pained. “Even if she didn’t do it, maybe Connor told her something. Maybe she has some information we don’t have that will help us find out who did this.”

  Liz could practically hear her heart breaking and gently patted her shoulder. “Okay. I’ll find out everything I can.”

  “And look after yourself.”

  “I will. I’ll take Winston with me. Brandy Boy will be here, but he’s for looks only. He’s not real good when it comes to serious protection.”

  CHAPTER 17

  The drive to Randy’s Bar was horrendous. Liz left the lodge at 10:30 in the morning, and didn’t arrive until 6:30 in the evening, an eight-hour drive instead of the five hours Charlotte had predicted.

  Granted, Liz had stopped in Red Cedar to drop off a couple of Roger’s suits for dry cleaning, but that only took a maximum of ten minutes. She’d also stopped on the way to pick up a burrito for lunch to eat in the parking lot by the side of the highway, but that only added another fifteen minutes.

  Most of the time was eaten up by traffic. There was roadwork being done, one lane was closed, and the speed limit was reduced. Traffic was bunched up around all the exits, and although she didn’t sit in any traffic jams for any extended lengths of time, the overall slower speed was sufficient to add the extra hours to her time.

  Winston slept most of the way. By the time the GPS got Liz to Randy’s Bar, she was totally and utterly exhausted. All she wanted to do was go back home, ideally by instant teleportation, and sink into Roger’s arms.

  But that wasn’t going to happen. And there was no way she was going to drive back that night. Even if there was no traffic, adding the time she’d be spending at the bar, she wouldn’t be home until well after midnight. That still wouldn’t have been too bad, but the prospect of driving for all that time was simply untenable. She was afraid she’d fall asleep at the wheel no matter how many cups of coffee she plied herself with.

  Thankfully, Randy’s Bar wasn’t too seedy. It looked like a family style diner that was probably packed to the rafters with little kids on the weekends. As it was, being a Wednesday evening, there wasn’t much going on.

  There was a hotel opposite Randy’s which looked quite acceptable. At least it wasn’t a seedy motel. “We’ll have to stay there,” she said to Winston, even though he was still asleep. “I just hope they take dogs. I’ll go check. Stay here, and I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  She went inside the modern looking hotel, which had been finished with a red brick façade which she thought was quite attractive. The inside was very inviting with an attractive falling water feature behind the front desk. The lights were dimmed, and she heard soft piano music playing.

  “Hi there,” Liz said to the young man at the front desk. His name tag said his name was Bradley. “I’m unexpectedly in town for the night. Do you have any rooms available?”

  “Yes, ma’am, we do, and welcome.”

  “Thank you,” Liz said with a smile. “Please tell me you take dogs.”

  “We do, but only in some select rooms on the ground floor. Let me check and see if we have anything available.” He tapped into the computer. “Aha. It’s your lucky day, ma’am. We have a cancellation on a select dog room.”

  Liz sighed with relief. She rummaged in her purse, found her credit card, and put it down on the counter. “I’d like to take it for one night.”

  “Sure thing.” He took her name and address details.

  As he was processing the payment, she turned and looked over at Randy’s. “That bar across the street, is it any good?”

  “Yes,” he said. “Don’t pay attention to the reviews you might see online. It used to be kind of rundown and dirty, but new management took it over about a year and a half ago. They gave it a makeover and now it’s great. It attracts a lot of families as well as business people.”

  “I’m not surprised.”

  He nodded. “A lot of companies have their people stay here and they have their meetings at Randy’s.”

  Liz nodded. “Sounds like it’s good for everyone.”

  “Yes,” he said. “We’ve developed quite a few regulars who have monthly meetings there.” He handed her back her card with a smile. “All set, Ms. Lucas. Have a wonderful stay. Would you like your key card now? May I help you with your luggage?”

  “I’m afraid I don’t have any luggage,” she said. “Not so much as a toothbrush, unfortunately. I really didn’t expect to end up staying in town tonight.”

  “Well the room has everything you need. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hairdryers, tea, coffee, minibar, it’s got it all. Everything’s complimentary except for the minibar.”

  “Wonderful,” Liz said, cheering up. Perhaps a night alone in a nice hotel would do her some good. She could have a relaxing bath, recline on her bed in a fluffy white bathrobe, watch trash TV, and have treats from the minibar. It sounded quite heavenly, actually.

  “Thank you, Bradley. I think I’ll head over to Randy’s, then I’ll come back and settle in. I’ll pick up the key card on the way back in.”

  “Sure,” he said with a smile. “Try the nachos. It’s a cheese and jalapeno heaven.”

  Liz smiled. “I just might.”

  She was so pleasantly surprised by the hotel that she almost forgot why she was there, but not quite. As she left the hotel and went back to the car, she thought about Danica Wilcock, and how she should approach her.

  She got Winston out of the car and put him on his leash, at the same time eyeing the patio outside Randy’s. She hoped they’d let him stay on the patio with her, but if necessary, she could tie him up outside. There was a large tree near the patio, and he’d be
comfortable there.

  She’d be on one side of the railing with him on the other, and he’d be able to see her, which would put him at ease. She also made a mental note that she’d have to order something for him to eat, since she hadn’t brought dog food with her, except for a few treats in the trunk which she kept for when they went on walks. She also took his bowl out of the trunk, so he could have some water.

  “Here goes nothing,” she said to Winston, as they made their way over to Randy’s Bar.

  It was clearly not very busy, because a host greeted her before she’d even reached the patio. “Good evening, ma’am.”

  “Hi there,” Liz said. “Can my dog stay on the patio with me? Or should I tie him…”

  “Yes, he can stay on the patio with you,” the host said with a smile. “That’s totally fine.”

  “Good.”

  “Please make yourself comfortable and choose a table. I’ll go get a menu for you.”

  “Perfect.”

  He returned a moment later. “May I get you a drink while you’re looking at the menu?”

  “Yes,” Liz said. She was about to open her mouth and order her default sparkling water, but then she paused. “I’ll have a scotch on the rocks, please.” She didn’t have to drive anywhere, so why not relax for a few moments? “And may I have some water as well? It’s for my dog. I’m also going to order him a meal. But don’t worry, he won’t have that out here.”

  The host smiled mischievously. “There’s no one else out here, ma’am,” he said. “He can go ahead and chow down if he’s hungry. I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Not a problem,” he said. “I’ll go get your drinks, and then I’ll take your order.”

  After she’d ordered an artisan cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and side salad for herself, and a small steak for Winston, she looked at the host and asked, “Is Danica here this evening?” she