He gathered up his crutches. At the door he turned. “Mrs. Owens says her nephew should be here around noon to replace the locks.”
“Good. I’m sure we’ll all breathe easier.”
She followed him to the door where he brushed a kiss across her lips. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”
Carolyn managed to ease out of the dream-like trance in which Michael had enveloped her. “Focus,” she told herself. “You need to get this place cleaned up.”
After four trips to the dumpster in the alley her studio looked pristine. Carolyn completed her project by pulling half a dozen canvases out of the storage shed along with some paints. Excitement over starting several new projects propelled her forward. She’d work on Adam’s portrait first and then start a landscape. An ocean scene with a full moon skipping across the water.
Mrs. Owen’s nephew came to replace the locks. He was a short stocky guy with a mustache. She’d met him and his family before.
“Hi, Martin. Thanks for doing this.”
“No problem.” He adjusted his cap. “I should be out of your hair in an hour or so.”
While he worked, Carolyn covered two twenty by twenty-eight inch canvases with a black gesso. While she waited for it to dry, she under-painted black gesso over a slightly smaller canvass. Once she’d done that, the portrait canvas was ready. Using acrylics, she created a grey, magenta, blue and teal background. The darker, subtle background would match his blue-gray eyes and be a stunning background for his silver hair. It took only a few minutes for the background to dry and when it had, Carolyn used a white pencil to sketch in Adam’s features.
An odd feeling of de’ja’vu washed over her leaving her weak-kneed. She hitched her hip onto the stool. Though she’d only known him for a few weeks, Carolyn felt a deep sense of loss.
“That about does it,” Martin said. “There are two keys, one for the doorknob and one for the deadlock. I’ll leave your set on the counter.”
Carolyn thanked him and locked up when he left. She’d barely gotten back to work when a tap on the adjoining door interrupted her. “Come in.” She expected her visitor to be Mrs. Owens and jumped when she turned and saw Michael.
“Sorry to disturb you, but I wanted to let you know I was back. I’m going to lay down for a while with some ice and thought I’d go to Burke’s funeral services this afternoon.”
Her emotions shifted from annoyance to concern. “When is the funeral?”
“Three.” He made his way toward her. “Are you thinking of going?”
“I hadn’t thought about it.” She set the brush she’d been using into the water. “I’d like to pay my respects.”
“Ordinarily I’d warn against it, but it might not hurt. Doug and Marla plus several other officers will be there to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.”
“If you’re going, maybe I could ride with you.” He grinned at her. “I think Doug is tired of acting as my chauffer.”
Carolyn nodded. “I’ll be happy to.”
“Looks like you got quite a bit done today.”
“Yeah,” she responded. “I thought I’d be more depressed over losing my work, but I’m okay. Maybe even a little excited about starting over.”
He’d come to stand directly behind her and she could feel his breath on her cheek as he bent forward to examine her work. “I know nothing about painting. Maybe someday you could talk me through it.”
“Sure.” She turned slightly and, finding herself entirely too close, moved off her stool and picked up a fresh brush. “Um—what time do you want to leave for the funeral?”
He raised an eyebrow, no doubt knowing exactly how his nearness affected her. She half expected and maybe even hoped for another kiss, but instead he backed away. “We should leave about two-thirty. Will that work for you?”
“I’ll be ready.”
Carolyn found it hard to get back to painting after her brief encounter with Michael. It wasn’t just him, but the idea of going to Adam Burke’s funeral. She very much wanted to go to, as she’d said, to pay her respects. Still, was she taking too much of a chance being there? What if Adam’s killer showed up? Michael had assured her that the services would be well-attended by the police. Unfortunately, that wouldn’t keep the press from hounding her. She didn’t want to disguise herself, but being recognized by reporters would be nearly as bad as being recognized by the killer. She’d attend as Mary Chapman and wouldn’t be recognized by anyone except Brian and Emily. True, Brian was still her top suspect, but he wouldn’t be gunning for her at his dad’s funeral. Would he?
Chapter Fourteen
Carolyn and Michael arrived at the Garden Cemetery at two-forty-five and worked their way through a throng of people. Michael wielded his badge to give them clearer passage. Reporters and camera crews had packed in around the roped off area. Michael’s badge again got them past the security guards.
“Shouldn’t we stay back here?” She gripped his arm as she walked slightly behind him, the heels on her pumps digging into the lawn.
“Doug is holding a couple of chairs for us up front.”
“Wonderful,” she muttered. She’d hoped to stay out of sight and blend in with the crowd. She’d been surprised to learn that the entire funeral service would be graveside. A flag covered the casket and several naval officers stood at attention with their guns. Adam Burke had served his country, that she remembered from his credentials as a politician. It was one of the things that made him so popular among his constituents. Even some of the protesters who’d been at the fundraiser had shown up.
Marla gave them a slight nod as they walked past her.
Michael came to a stop and indicated that they sit in the vacant chairs in the second row. There were a dozen chairs, most like placed for the family and most were filled with people she’d never seen. Family members. Suspects?
Doug stood just inside the roped off area to their immediate left. Emily glanced back as they sat down. She frowned at Carolyn then seemed to recognize her, gave her a drawn smile and turned back around. She must have said something to Brian as he turned as well. His glare turned her stomach upside down. She took hold of Michael’s hand. “I shouldn’t have come. Brian is not happy.”
“He’s still holding on to the delusion that you had something to do with his father’s murder.”
“Despite the evidence?” Anger flared and died just as quickly. She couldn’t fault Brian for blaming her; not after the press had made her out to be a . . .. She squeezed the accusations out of her mind. Emily had vindicated her and knew there had never been an affair.
Carolyn relaxed a bit as the minister, a robust man wearing a robe with a clerical collar, called the group to order. He reminded her of the portly Father Brown, a character out of the Chesterton mysteries.
“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” He made the sign of the cross as did a number of people who’d gathered. “We come together today to say goodbye to man who delighted in doing good. He not only served his country, he served the church, his family, and God. Adam Burke loved helping people in all walks of life. He founded our homeless shelter, Sisters of St. Paul, and we’d often see him volunteering there.”
The priest went on for another ten minutes talking about Adam and the good he had done. Grief caught her off-guard. She dabbed away tears that wouldn’t stop. Why was she feeling so bereft? She barely knew Adam Burke and yet he’d somehow become a man she would miss.
He’d invited her to the political gala and even given her a seat at his table. He’d been kind. He’d praised her work and had chosen her to paint his portrait. She glanced over at Brian. How fortunate he’d been to have a man like Adam Burke as a father. And how devastating to lose him.
A man in ranking naval uniform rose and made his way to the podium. He introduced himself to the group as Adam’s brother, Admiral David Burke, US Navy. She’d seen him somewhere. Maybe at the dinner. His gaze caught hers and held for an instant. Long enough t
o set her nerves on edge. It was a look of recognition. Likely, he’d seen her on the news. But what if he knew her from somewhere else. Could he have killed his brother? Not likely.
There had been no malice in his eyes as they’d passed over her. He piqued her curiosity as did several of the family members. From his eulogy, Carolyn learned that Adam had a sister and brother-in-law and six nieces and nephews. Adam Burke would be missed.
The service ended with the twenty-one-gun salute and a blessing from the pastor. Carolyn rose with Michael. Emily stood near the casket, her shoulders heaving with sobs. Brian stood beside her, arm around her and heads bent together. David Burke along with several others stood with them, offering comfort.
Carolyn wanted to comfort them as well, but Michael placed a hand on her back guiding her away. As if reading her mind, he said, “You can talk to them at the reception.”
She nodded and drew in a shuddering breath. Just as well. She needed to compose herself. Brian might not appreciate her tears and it might cause him to think she had been more involved with his dad than she had been.
“Nice service,” Michael said once they were settled in her car.
She nodded. “It was hard to see his family there. So much grief.”
“He was a family man.” Michael clicked in his seatbelt.
“Where is the reception?” Carolyn started the car.
“At the Burke home.” He grimaced as he tried to straighten his leg.
“Are you okay? You’re in pain.”
“I’m fine. Just stop by the market so I can get a bottle of water. I’d like to take some Aleve.” He paused to answer his phone. “Yeah.”
Carolyn suspected the call had come from Doug or one of the other officers present at the funeral.
“Huh. No kidding.” He glanced at Carolyn and then turned away. “Sure. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.”
“What was that all about?”
“It’s not important.” His answer was gruff and he seemed annoyed with her. She dismissed his sudden attitude change as coming from the pain.
Carolyn opted not to press him. At least not until he felt better. At the store she volunteered to go in for his water. She made the purchase and he took his pills.
“I think I’ll go back home and ice this thing.” He pressed his lips together. “That is if you’ll drop me off.
“Um . . .. Sure.”
“You should be safe there,” he said as if he understood her concerns. “No Press allowed—only family and friends. Both Marla and Doug will be attending along with security detail. I doubt anyone will bother you there.”
She wasn’t nearly as worried about being in danger as she was about Michael’s well-being but she left without admitting her concern. She did want to go to the reception to give her condolences to Emily and Brian.
It took about ten minutes to make the drive to the Burke home. The sun came out in snatches as it tried to chase away rain clouds. Cars had been parked along the side of the road and in the parking lot of the beach access. Carolyn found a space and squeezed her car into it. She paused before getting out of the car. The house was about a quarter of a mile away. “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea after all,” she muttered to herself.
She hauled in a deep breath and braced herself. She’d seen a police officer nearby and she suspected there’d be several more. She reached for the door handle and stopped cold when a man knocked on the window.
“You okay in there?”
Carolyn gasped and then let out a rush of air. It was the police officer she’d seen as she’d turned in to the lot.
She rolled down her window. “I’m fine. I was just getting out.”
He nodded. “You were at the service with Detective Stedman.”
“Yes. I….” She hesitated, not sure how much to tell him. “He went home to ice his leg.”
“You’re Carolyn Hudson, aren’t you?”
She frowned. “How did you….?”
He smiled. “Don’t worry, Marla and Doug briefed us before the funeral. Said you’d be wearing a disguise.” He opened the car door and stepped aside for to exit. “I’ll walk you up to the house.”
“Thank you.” She fell into step beside him, wishing she’d changed into her flats. Her feet felt like they wanted to explode by the time they reached the house.
“Here you go. When you’re ready to leave, just grab one of the officers inside to walk you to your car. It seems pretty quiet, but you never know.”
“I will. Thanks again.” She turned and made her way to the front door which stood open. A couple emerged as she approached. The woman held a tissue to her eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone,” she said.
“I know.” They headed out without acknowledging her. “Adam was a good man.”
“Do you think Emily will marry . . .?”
Their conversation faded and Carolyn almost turned around to follow them. What did she mean? Was Emily involved with someone? Were they looking at Adam’s murder all wrong? If Emily was having an affair, whoever that person was could have killed Adam. A group of four streamed out. Carolyn recognized one of the two women as Greta Conners. Carolyn almost greeted her, but realized that Greta didn’t recognize her.
“I can’t believe the police haven’t nailed the killer yet,” one of the guys said.
Carolyn shrank back until her back pressed against the door.
“Yeah,” Greta agreed, “Burke’s got money and power and those are the cases the cops solve first.”
“They should have arrested that artist,” the second woman said. “Everybody knows she did it.”
The rest of their conversation drifted into the wind. Carolyn ducked into the house. Heat flamed her face. How many people believed what they did? Even though the police had cleared her and even released the information to the press, she’d been deemed guilty. She’d wanted to shed her disguise and be herself, but maybe she’d hang on to Mary for a while yet. At least when she ventured out in public.
Emily approached her as she entered. “I’m glad you could come.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss.” Carolyn knew the words were trite, but didn’t know what else to say. She couldn’t very well ask her if she had a lover waiting in the wings.
Before they could speak further, Brian stepped up beside her. “Thanks for coming,” he said. “I know you were taking a chance.”
His kindness surprised her. “I wanted to offer my condolences to both of you.” She swallowed to hold back a fresh batch of tears. “I don’t know if you heard about my paintings being ruined.”
“We did.” Emily looped an arm around Carolyn’s arm. “Marla told us about it. How awful.”
“Who would do something like that?” Brian asked. Carolyn caught his gaze expecting to see sarcasm, but he seemed genuinely concerned.
“I don’t know. Your father’s portrait was one of those ruined. I started a new one, but I could use another photo of him. Whoever tore up my studio ripped mine to shreds. I taped it up, but the features aren’t clear.”
“Of course.” Emily steered her into the dining area where a lavish buffet had been set up. “Why don’t you have something to eat and I’ll find you a photo.”
“Thanks, I will.” Seeing all the food reminded her that she hadn’t eaten much all day.
“My mother likes you.” Brian handed her a plate.
“But you don’t.”
“It’s not that. I understand about the evidence—or lack of it. It’s hard to understand why my dad would have been in that hotel room with you.”
“I wish I knew.”
Emily rejoined them and handed Carolyn a framed photo. “I think you’ll find this much easier to work with.”
“This is perfect. Thanks.” She used her free hand to tuck the picture into her bag.
There’s something Brian and I need to discuss with you, Carolyn,” Emily said. “Not here. It’s a private matter and we need to see to our other guests.”
Carolyn look
ed from one to the other. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a business matter,” Brian offered.
“Could you come to the house on Tuesday at ten?” Emily asked.
“Sure.” Carolyn frowned. “What’s going on?”
“It’s not something we can discuss right now. Just come on Tuesday.” Emily’s gaze met hers. “It’s a private matter so please don’t tell anyone about our meeting.”
“Come alone.” Brian grabbed a glass goblet from the end of the table and walked away.
She turned back to Emily, but she’d already moved on to talk with someone else.
How odd. Carolyn’s appetite vanished amidst the curiosity and the dread of having to return. Whatever they wanted to talk with her about didn’t seem to appeal to either of them.
She thought about making the rounds and talking with some of the family members she’d seen at the funeral, but thought better of it. Carolyn especially wanted to speak to Adam’s brother, David. His gaze had caught hers and there’d been a look of recognition. But that was impossible. He couldn’t have realized who she was. Not with her disguise. Unless Brian and Emily had pointed her out. She blew out a long breath. Paranoia had set in.
Carolyn didn’t bother to ask for an escort to her car. Instead she slipped around to the beach side of the house and walked down the sandy trail to the water’s edge. What could Emily and Brian Burke want with her? Private? Alone? Don’t tell anyone? Were they planning to kill her?
“Of course not.” Carolyn paused to take in the glorious sunset, reassuring herself that the Burkes were perfectly safe. She then sauntered up the coast dodging the incoming tide. All too soon she reached the beach access road that would take her to her car.
Chapter Fifteen
Carolyn arrived back at her apartment at seven-thirty. She’d stopped by the Safeway store for groceries. Since she hadn’t eaten at the reception, she splurged on a fresh broccoli salad and a roasted chicken from the deli and bought enough for two. Marla hadn’t said if she’d be back but Caroline assumed she’d at least come by to check on her. Michael might come over as well. Maybe she should have picked up enough for three.
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