Murdered by Success

by Dianne Harman

  “These are absolutely lovely,” Liz said. “I’d like to contribute something, too.”

  “That’s very kind of you,” Charlotte said, “but no thanks. I don’t mean to be rude, but I think this little girl has got more clothes than she’ll ever be able to wear for the next few months, even if I change them three times a day. And if she grows fast, she may never have a chance to wear some of them.”

  Liz nodded with a smile. “It’s easy to get carried away. Those clothes are so adorable, but what about something for you? Like some relaxing products from our spa, so you can continue your treatments at home?”

  “I’d love that. Thank you,” Charlotte said.

  “Okay, great,” Liz said. “We’ll put a package together for you of all the different things we carry. You know, the body scrub, the facial paste, the creams and lotions and oils and all of it. Oh, and a candle.”

  Charlotte smiled. “That sounds perfect.”

  Patsy, Julita, and Charlotte had decided to make smoked salmon sandwiches and take those and chips and grapes out on the grounds of the lodge and enjoy an early lunch there. It was a lovely day, with a gentle breeze blowing that rustled the trees overhead, and Liz wished she could join them. But Roger was due to arrive with Ash at any minute, so she felt she needed to be ready to deal with whatever information he had for her.

  Liz didn’t tell them anything about Ash. She felt like her investigation had become nothing more than a wild goose chase. Having been here, there, and everywhere, but basically finding out nothing. She decided she’d only report back to them again if she had something concrete.

  She’d seen the disappointment on Charlotte’s face when Charlotte had asked how the Danica meeting had gone. Liz said, “I didn’t really get anywhere,” and a pained look flicked across Charlotte’s face briefly, before she smiled gently and said, “Thanks for trying.”

  Liz walked out to where the women were eating lunch and saw Seth Williams on patrol.

  “Mornin’, Miss Marple,” he said.

  “Please don’t call me that, Seth,” she said. “But good morning to you all the same. And why are you here on patrol? Shouldn’t you be looking for leads in the Moynahan case?”

  “Like I tol’ ya’, gots us a serious staff shortage,” he said. “Believe me, doin’ this monkey work ain’t my idea of a good time, either.”

  “There’s still a staff shortage?” Liz asked, in an incredulous tone of voice. “Then who’s doing the investigation?”

  “Me.” He pointed to his head. “In here.”

  “You do know that I drove eight hours last night and five hours this morning chasing a lead? And then I was attacked by Simon Moynahan, and trust me, that was no fun. Plus, Winston was kicked by him. And you’re telling me you’re doing the investigation work in your head?”

  “You never tol’ me none of that,” Seth said

  “I called Bob Salazar,” Liz said evenly. “Because I knew you wouldn’t do anything about it.”

  “Hey, hey, hey,” he said. “I know ya’ think yer’ some kinda’ Columbo around here, but you ain’t. In fact, yer’ doin’ dangerous things with yerself’, and if police have to come pull you out of a jam, that’s wastin’ police time.”

  “You’re the one wasting police time,” Liz angrily replied, “by standing here and not being out there trying to find out who killed Connor.”

  Their argument was cut short when Roger drove into the parking lot with Ash in the passenger seat. Seth watched them with a flicker of disgust, then turned away, walking down the path, his hand hovering over his gun.

  “Ms. Lucas,” Ash said, getting out the car.

  Roger gave Liz a meaningful look. “I think we all need to go talk somewhere. Is that Seth?” he asked

  “Yes.”

  “He needs to come, too. Seth!”

  Seth turned around. “That’s ma’ name.”

  “Wait a minute!” Ash said frantically. He walked over to Liz and asked her in a hushed voice, “Is he a policeman?”

  Liz nodded.

  Ash’s eyes grew huge. “No, I don’t want him to come. He’ll put me right back in juvie, I just know it.”

  Liz turned to Seth. “We were just going to have some smoked salmon sandwiches for lunch. We wanted to know if you’d like some.”

  “Smoked salmon?” He scrunched up his face in disgust. “Yuck. No, thanks. I’ll be headin’ out for a pizza in an hour or so. I’ll get someone to cover fer me.”

  “Okay,” Liz said, forcing a smile. “Sorry you can’t join us.”

  Liz led the way into the lodge, and she, Roger, and Ash sat down at the dining room table.

  “Ash, tell Liz what you told me on the way here,” Roger said gently. “You didn’t give me all the details, but I know you have them.”

  Ash looked between them, his eyes wide, biting his lip. He looked about ten years old. “Am I gonna’ go back to juvie?”

  “Well, did you kill Connor?” Liz asked.

  “No,” he said, looking offended.

  “Why are you worried about going to juvie? Have you done something?”

  “No, but…” he trailed off, nervously picking at his dirty fingernails.

  “Go ahead, Ash,” Liz said softly. “Please tell me what you know. I’m sure it’s important.”

  “I didn’t know who else to tell,” he said. “I wanted to tell you when I saw you at Opal Bowers’ office, but I chickened out and said stuff about a job. Well, I do want a job as well, but I don’t even know why I wanted to tell you. You just looked sorta’ nice and kind. Then I saw Opal come out of her office a little while after you left, and she was talking on the phone about some ‘busybody’ doing some investigating. And from the stuff she said, I knew it was you.”

  “Busybody, hmm?” Liz said. “It sounds like she doesn’t much care about the smear blog.”

  “I don’t know nothing about that,” he said.

  “What do you know?” Roger pressed.

  “I was in her office ‘cause I was looking for my friend, Mason. Me and him used to go to Opal Bowers’ office and do little favors and stuff for her. Like going and finding out stuff about people, that kinda thing. Well, Mason used to, really, and I started tagging along after a bit ‘cause she paid him so much, and he could afford nice clothes and everything. He even got a car.”

  “Right,” Liz said. “Go on.”

  “Then this one time she said she wanted us to do a ‘special job.’ She didn’t say what it was, but she was talking about guns and stuff. And I thought, nah, this is too much. I don’t wanna’ go back to juvie. I said I wouldn’t do it.

  “And she said I had to keep my mouth shut and if I didn’t, she’d send someone after me. So I tried to get Mason to stop working for her, but he wouldn’t. She said she was gonna’ buy him a brand-new Mercedes for doing the job.”

  Liz and Roger looked at each other in alarm.

  “I’m thinking the job was to kill that Connor guy,” Ash said. “And now I can’t find Mason anywhere. His phone goes to voicemail. He’s not at his apartment, and his mom doesn’t know where he is, either. It’s like he’s just disappeared. That’s why I was there at the office. To find out where he was. But she wouldn’t even speak to me.”

  “Okay,” Liz said, trying to process what he’d just said. “I know you’re wary of law enforcement, but we need to tell someone in law enforcement about this. I’m not sure Seth is the best option.”

  “Call Bob Salazar,” Roger said. He turned to Ash. “Bob is a very good friend of mine and a County Supervisor. He can help us.”

  After Ash gave his okay to having Liz call Bob Salazar, she called him, but he wasn’t in the office. His assistant said he was taking the day off playing golf. Liz tried his cell phone, and it went to voicemail, so she left a short message for him to call her. Liz sighed deeply. “I think we might have to tell Seth. I’m not sure we have any other choice.”

  Roger went outside and came back with Seth. Ash told his story again, and
Seth shook his head. “Ya’ got any evidence?”

  “Like what?” Ash asked.

  Seth rolled his eyes. “Somethin’ she wrote for you? Instructions.”

  Ash shook his head. “No.”

  “What you said ain’t worth jack, boy. Could jes’ be ya’ makin’ up malicious rumors ‘cause she wouldn’t give you a job. Get some more evidence, then come back and talk to me.”

  “Isn’t it your job to get evidence?” Liz asked, clearly irritated.

  “Right now my job’s to go out and get a ham and pineapple pizza.” He got up and grinned at them. “See y’all later.”

  CHAPTER 20

  “That man,” Liz fumed, as the three of them drove to the offices of Bowers, Inc. They didn’t feel they had any other option. “He should lose his job. He’s out getting a Hawaiian pizza, while we’re the ones doing the real investigating.”

  Ash was sitting in the backseat, biting his lip. His skin had turned very pale, verging into a shade of white. “I’m not sure about this,” he stammered.

  “I know,” Liz said. “Neither am I, honestly, Ash. But I think you might be the key to this investigation, and if we can get any sort of evidence, maybe we can convince Bob Salazar to get the police department to start moving on this case.”

  “What if she hurts me?”

  “She can’t,” Roger said. “There are three of us. And I certainly won’t let that happen. By the way, I’m an attorney, and I have a license to carry a gun, which is on me at the moment. And I’m a very good shot.”

  As they were driving to Opal’s office, Bob Salazar called. “Liz, sorry I missed your call. I was in an area of the golf course where there’s no phone reception. What’s going on?”

  Liz relayed what Ash had told them.

  “Okay,” he said. “I don’t want you to go to her office. I want to meet this young man immediately. I know this is outside the scope of my duties as an elected official, but if Seth Williams won’t take it seriously, I will.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Liz said in a relieved tone of voice. She hadn’t been sure they were doing the right thing. “Where do you want to meet?”

  “I’m going to take my golf cart back to the clubhouse, and then I’ll drive to wherever it’s convenient for you.”

  “We could meet you at the golf club. We’re actually pretty close to it. We can be there in about five or ten minutes at the most.”

  “I’ll see you then.”

  Liz explained to Ash and Roger what was going on.

  “He’s not going to send me back to juvenile hall, is he?” Ash asked.

  “Not quite,” Liz said, laughing a little. “He’s trying to get enough evidence for the police to arrest Connor’s murderer.”

  “What if my buddy did it?” Ash said. “Will he go to jail for life?”

  Liz looked at Roger. “I don’t know, Ash.”

  “If he will, I’m not saying anything.”

  “You have to, son,” Roger said. “It’s unfortunate for your friend, but…”

  “I ain’t no snitch,” Ash burst out.

  Liz sighed. He lived a life that was a world away from theirs, and she knew it. “Let’s just see what happens, Ash.”

  They rode the rest of the way to the golf club in silence. The golf club was magnificent with a huge long drive lined with trees that led up to the clubhouse.

  “Oh my God!” Ash yelled, so loud that Liz and Roger both jumped.

  “What is it?” Liz said.

  “Mason just texted me. He says I’m gonna throw this phone in the river so it can’t be traced. I went to New York City to get away. Opal gave me the car for the job but I regret it. I just keep seeing the dead guy’s eyes. Get out of the game, man. Go straight. Maybe I’ll see you one day, bro.”

  “Oh, my goodness,” Liz said.

  They parked in the clubhouse parking lot, and moments later, Bob Salazar came out to their car. They showed him the text message Ash had just received from Mason.

  “Good,” he said briskly. “This is enough for an arrest. I called her offices, and they said she’s at the Hamilton Hotel.”

  “Doing the deal, no doubt,” Liz said. “The deal she killed Connor for.”

  Bob Salazar nodded. “I’m going to call Seth now.” He saw Liz’s expression. “Trust me, I’d rather leave him out of the loop altogether, but it’s not appropriate.”

  He made the call and they heard him say, “Seth, meet us at the Hamilton Hotel immediately, and bring backup.” He looked at them. “I’ll drive my car and meet you there.”

  As they were driving to the Hamilton Hotel, Roger said, “I’ve never been more tempted to speed in my entire life. The sixty I’m doing right now feels painfully slow.”

  “I know,” Liz said. “I just hope Opal doesn’t leave before we get there.”

  As it turned out, they were scarily close to that happening. When they arrived, Opal Bowers was about to drive out of the parking lot. When she saw them with Ash sitting in the backseat of the car, Liz saw her eyes widen, and she stepped on the gas.

  In a split second, Roger swerved their car in front of hers, in such a violent motion that Liz was nearly thrown out of her seat. Opal smashed her car right into theirs, on Roger’s side. Thankfully she hit the rear passenger side, and Ash was on the other side. No one was injured.

  Then Opal jumped out of her car. Her eyes darted all around, like she was looking for somewhere to run. Her cheeks were bright red, but then she said, “What do you think you’re doing? Swerving out in front of me like that? That’s very dangerous. You caused this accident, and I’m going to have my attorney sue you for damages.”

  “Give it up, Opal,” Liz said, getting out of the car. “We know what’s happened.”

  Opal smiled sweetly and tilted her head to the side. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Ash sat in the backseat, evidently too afraid to get out. But he yelled out the open window, “Yes, you do!”

  Her smile didn’t waver. “You’re going to jail, young man.” She turned to Roger and Liz. “You do know you have a juvenile felon in your car, don’t you?”

  “You’re the one who’s going to become a felon,” Roger said. “And you’re also going to be the one going to prison.”

  Opal laughed. “I don’t think so.”

  “You wrote that blog, didn’t you?” Liz asked. “You wrote it because you wanted the Hamilton Hotel deal. And then when Connor got it, you knew you had to get rid of him, so you sent a young boy, Mason, to do it, and promised him a Mercedes car in return for murdering Connor.”

  Opal paused for a moment, shocked, looking as if she’d been slapped in the face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said again, but this time her voice was shaking with uncertainty.

  The sound of rapidly approaching vehicles behind them made them all turn around. Bob Salazar came to a screeching stop only a few feet from them, and Seth Williams pulled up right behind him in his patrol car.

  “It’s over, Opal,” Roger said.

  But when Liz turned back to look at Opal, she was gone. “Where did she go?” Liz shouted.

  Liz and Roger quickly ran through the parking lot, and caught a glimpse of Opal as she was running towards the back of the hotel. She’d discarded her high heels and was running barefoot.

  “This way,” Ash called out to Bob and Seth, as the three of them set out after her in a full sprint, followed by Liz. Seth drew his gun as they ran around the back of the hotel.

  They came out on the other side next to the pool area where families were sunning themselves and enjoying their vacation. Opal was jumping over chaise lounges and weaving in and out of children playing.

  “Help,” Liz yelled. “Please, somebody, catch her!”

  But the families by the pool were so surprised by the sudden intrusion that they didn’t react quickly enough. However, some young men sitting at the pool bar stood up and ran towards Opal, trying to catch her. She managed to wiggle out of their
grasp, but then she stumbled, lost her balance, and fell backwards into the swimming pool with a huge splash.

  Some people laughed. Some people cheered. Opal, her hair stuck to her head and her black makeup dripping down her cheeks, looked frantically for a way out. But there wasn’t one. She was cornered.

  “Come on out, Opal,” Bob Salazar said. “Seth here has some handcuffs waiting for you.”

  *****

  After Opal was arrested, Ash, Roger, and Liz had to go to the police station to give their statements. Thankfully, it didn’t take long, because Supervisor Bob Salazar rushed everything through, and they were soon free to go.

  “I’m starving,” Roger said, as they walked out of the police station.

  “Me, too,” Liz said. “Let’s order some pizza to be sent to the lodge, and by the time we get back, it’ll be on its way.”

  They phoned their order in using Liz’s cell phone, but they never got to eat the pizza.

  When they arrived back at the lodge, it was eerily quiet. Three police officers were still guarding the perimeter, but Julita, Charlotte, and Patsy were nowhere to be seen.

  When Liz asked one of the police officers where they were, he said with a grin, “You haven’t heard the news?”

  “No, I haven’t,” Liz said. “What’s going on?”

  “They went to the hospital,” the officer explained. “Mrs. Moynahan is having her baby.”

  EPILOGUE

  “Oh my,” Liz said. “Look how she can sit up!”

  Charlotte beamed proudly, then pulled her little girl, Connie, into a gentle bear hug.

  “Isn’t she beautiful?” Patsy asked. “Look at those curls.”

  The little girl had black curly hair and the longest blackest natural eyelashes Liz had ever seen. “She’s absolutely gorgeous,” Liz said.

  It was winter, and they were inside the lodge with the fire blazing in the fireplace. Charlotte had brought a large playpen with them for the visit, and Connie was babbling at her toys and giggling and generally being an absolute delight.