by Jaden Skye
The bitterness in Andrea’s tone became more and more apparent.
“You don’t sound as if you respect Penny much,” Olivia couldn’t help but comment.
“No, I do respect her. I love Penny. She’s a wonderful friend. She has a heart of gold and would do anything for me,” Andrea objected.
“And you also work for her father, don’t you?” Olivia wanted to find out more.
“Yes, I’m a medical assistant and a good one,” claimed Andrea. “Mort was lucky to have me on his staff. I could have gotten a job anywhere.”
“I’m sure you could have,” said Olivia.
“In fact, Penny wanted me to get the job with her dad. She went all out for me,” Andrea remarked.
“And was her father good to you, too?” Olivia’s asked in a softer tone.
Andrea paused and played with her hair, twirling it around and around in her fingers again.
“Was he?” Olivia pushed it.
Finally Andrea shrugged. “Mort was good to me in his way, but he was distant. At work he treated me just like everyone else there, not like a part of his family.”
Olivia was surprised by the intensity behind Andrea’s comment. “Was that okay with you?”
Andrea shrugged. “It was and it wasn’t,” she uttered. “Of course I wanted him to be more like a dad to me, but he wouldn’t.”
“That disappointed you?” Olivia felt she was getting close to something important.
“Of course it disappointed me,” said Andrea. “It would disappoint you, too, wouldn’t it?”
“Naturally.” Olivia wanted to keep Andrea talking about it.
Andrea jumped up from the chair then. “It’s a relief to hear that! What you’re really saying is that I’m not crazy!”
“Who said you were crazy?” Olivia was fascinated.
“Nobody,” Andrea answered crisply, “but I can’t help wondering that myself from time to time.”
“You wonder if you’re crazy because you were disappointed by Penny’s father?” Olivia dug in.
Andrea got very close to Olivia then, and her voice became raspy. “I think I’m crazy because deep down, unlike everybody else, I never really liked Mort much.”
Olivia took a step back, nervously. “Why not?”
“Mort’s next door neighbor Margaret doesn’t either,” Andrea continued, bitterly. “She told me herself. She wouldn’t tell everyone, but she told me one night. She said she just wasn’t comfortable around him. I was so relieved to hear it.”
“Why didn’t you like him?” Olivia pushed it. “Why didn’t she?”
“Why should I?” Andrea suddenly seemed on the verge of tears.
Olivia remembered Wayne saying that Andrea was jealous of Mort’s wife, Christine. “Did your feelings have anything to do with his wife, Christine?”
At that Andrea took a few steps back. “Who said that? Who have you been talking to?”
“I was just wondering,” said Olivia.
“You’re smart, you’re sharp,” Andrea burst out. “You can probably see for yourself what a drama queen Christine is, desperate for attention and always flashing her big jewelry in front of anyone who’s around.”
“Isn’t the jewelry part of her own line?” Olivia was confused about why this would bother Andrea.
“No, it’s the jewelry Mort gives her, again and again! That’s the whole point of it,” Andrea insisted. “Christine just wants everyone to see how much Mort loves her, how important she is to him.”
Both Olivia and Andrea took a deep breath then at the very same moment.
“Mort loved her a lot more than he cared about you,” Olivia whispered almost under her breath.
Andrea heard every word. “Of course he did, that’s normal,” she exclaimed. “But it’s not nice or normal to flaunt things in your face the way Christine did. It’s like she wanted everyone else to remember that she was number one, and to stay away from him.”
Red lights flashed for Olivia as Andrea kept talking.
“Where were you when Mort was killed?” Olivia asked suddenly.
Andrea stopped and smiled strangely. “You’re not asking me if I did it, are you?”
“No, of course not,” said Olivia. “It’s just a routine part of my job to find out where everyone was at the time of the murder.”
Andrea’s smile twisted oddly. “Well, actually, I was with Penny all afternoon. There was a storm that day and we went into town to spend the time together shopping.”
Perfect alibi, thought Olivia, though she said nothing.
“Did I pass the test? Am I off the hook?” Andrea’s eyes narrowed.
“Who said you were ever on the hook?” Olivia responded plainly.
*
The interview with Andrea left a bitter taste. Andrea seemed to know just what she was doing and saying. Her story and alibi all fit together perfectly, but there were large holes in the picture for Olivia. Who knew what really went on between Andrea and Christine, or even between Andrea and Mort? It was obvious how badly Andrea wanted a father. Had she placed too many hopes for that onto Mort? Or had something actually happened between them that pushed Andrea over the edge? Olivia also thought of the neighbor who didn’t like Mort either. Olivia would have to speak to her soon, as well. Under the din of a well-tuned life there were always jarring notes you could hear if you listened closely.
As Olivia took a cab back to the hotel now, she knew Wayne would be there waiting. It was the perfect time to fill each other in and have a late lunch. Olivia hoped all would be easy and natural by now. She even wished the unfortunate encounter between them had never even happened. What had she been thinking? It was just that working on a case took so much of her time, it seemed impossible to include a personal life or the chance to go out and meet others. Olivia would have to find a way to balance that. She wanted and needed the closeness and warmth that a real connection with a man could give her.
To her surprise, when Olivia got back to the hotel, Wayne was outside on a bench in the front, waiting.
“Good to see you,” he said when Olivia got out of the cab. “I was just wondering how the interview with Andrea was going.”
“Lots to talk about,” Olivia answered lightly, smiling. “Let’s go to the coffee shop and get something to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
*
Olivia and Wayne went to a lovely café in the hotel. To Olivia’s surprise, when she entered, the outside of the place was surrounded by trees filled with sparkling lights and little birds flying in them. The atmosphere inside was warm and relaxed. A perfect place to forget your cares. And, thankfully, there were no ruffled feathers and the mood between her and Wayne was pleasant. Nevertheless, Olivia was determined to keep things on track and as professional as possible.
Once they were seated and their orders taken, they looked at each other directly. Wayne seemed a bit sad and also confused. For a split second Olivia wanted to cry, but quickly pushed her emotions to the background. Fortunately they had the case to talk about and she quickly plunged in.
“Andrea is a strange character,” Olivia started. “There’s a bitter, morose quality about her. She’s Penny’s best friend, almost like a sister, but she herself was raised by foster parents.”
Wayne was glued to every word Olivia was saying. “Did you ask her about her relationship with Christine?”
“Yes, she said Christine flaunted her relationship with Mort, seemed possessive of him. Apparently, according to Andrea, Christine wanted to let everyone know she was number one in his life.”
Wayne nodded slowly and smiled. “Common stuff,” he said, “not exactly cause for murder.”
“Not exactly,” Olivia agreed, “but it’s worth looking into further. Who knows who else Christine upset? And why she had to be so blatant about her relationship with Mort? By the way, Andrea also commented that she didn’t much like Mort and that their next door neighbor Margaret didn’t either. So at least there’s a little chink in the armor.�
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“Good.” Wayne was pleased to hear it. “You’ll talk to Margaret and also Christine soon, I imagine.”
“Very soon,” said Olivia. “And what did you find at Mort’s office?”
“The high point was learning that Andrea was jealous of Christine,” said Wayne. “Otherwise, things there seem in good order. There’s some money in a personal bank account of Mort’s that was not accounted for, but taxes were fully paid on it. Basically, that’s common. Nothing else really caught my attention.”
“Shouldn’t you explore the clinics in Nashville as well, and whatever went on there?” asked Olivia.
“In due time.” Wayne seemed thoughtful. “The murder happened down here and the police can be territorial. When they’re ready, if they have to, they’ll start looking in Nashville as well. They’re also waiting to see what happens in Nashville when Mort doesn’t return. They’re waiting to hear from people down there. See who and what turns up.”
“So far nothing?” asked Olivia, fascinated.
“So far things are quiet,” replied Wayne. “His clinics down there seem to be taking things in their stride. The good news, of course, is that they’ve got Hank Waring in custody now, and are bringing him back to town. Nothing will happen until he’s investigated. The case will only move forward if he’s cleared.”
“The police are convinced it’s him, aren’t they?” Olivia murmured.
“They’re sure hoping so,” Wayne replied. “In fact, they want us to be at the station first thing tomorrow morning when they’ll be grilling him.”
“Good,” said Olivia.
“That will definitely be a turning point,” said Wayne. “Could be the case will be over fast.”
“Could be,” said Olivia, “but somehow I think we have a long way to go.”
“Based on what?” Wayne was interested.
“Based on my gut.” Olivia smiled. “This definitely isn’t one, big, happy family. Just wait and see what comes out.”
*
After lunch was over, Olivia and Wayne walked to the elevator in the lobby together slowly and got in.
“I’m thrilled there are no hard feelings here,” Wayne said as they got off on their floor.
“I’m relieved about that as well,” said Olivia. “And I’m pleased that at the very least, we’re absolutely clear about where we’re going and who we are.”
CHAPTER NINE
The rain fell in torrents as Olivia and Wayne headed to the police station for Hank Waring’s grilling.
“It’s good we’re here,” Wayne remarked. “This way they can’t close in on Hank too fast.”
“It’s nice that they want us to join them,” Olivia remarked.
“Yes, it is,” Wayne agreed. “These are good guys down here. I’m pleased.”
The taxi crawled slowly through the heavy sheets of rain and wind to the station and finally Olivia and Wayne arrived. When they walked up to the front desk they were greeted warmly.
“The interview has actually begun,” the clerk behind the desk reported. “Go to Room 343 and take a seat. Not only have you been invited but several other officers and detectives as well.”
Olivia was disappointed momentarily. She’d hoped she could interact with the suspect herself.
“We’re just going to be in the audience?” she asked Wayne as they walked along the hallway.
“My guess is we’ll get a chance to question him eventually,” said Wayne.
“Why invite so many to view the interrogation?” Olivia was confused.
“This is big news,” Wayne murmured, “and the police probably want to get it out in the press. They’re showing what a great job they’re doing. They nabbed the convict who ran out of town and are now interviewing him in plain sight.”
“In other words it’s all a big show?” asked Olivia.
Wayne grimaced. “Possibly, but I’m not sure.”
Wayne seemed more subdued than usual, Olivia thought. She wondered what he was really thinking about everything that was going on.
*
The room Hank Waring was being questioned in had about ten cops and detectives sitting in the front row watching the grilling through a one-way window. Olivia and Wayne sat in the third row, right behind them. Chief of Police Joe Dowl was doing most of the questioning, and a young officer Olivia had never seen before sat there as well. He was a rugged, good-looking guy, focusing intensely on every word Dowl had to say.
“Okay, tell me one more time why you were in the vicinity of the crime.” Dowl was doing his best to unnerve Hank Waring. Hank looked gaunt and agitated and rubbed his hands together feverishly.
“I told you before. I was taking a walk,” Hank uttered.
“Just taking a walk in the middle of the storm?” Dowl shot back quickly.
“The rain let up. I was there after the storm.” Hank shook his head back and forth. “I’d been cooped up indoors all day and needed a walk. I was at the Barn before that. People saw me there. I gave you my alibi. It all checked out.”
“Yes, it did,” the young cop couldn’t help but add. “You were having a few beers with Tom Lane, your buddy, at the Barn when Mort Townsend was killed. People saw both of you there.”
“What’s the Barn?” Olivia whispered to Wayne.
“A well-known pub in town,” Wayne replied.
“I was having a few beers,” Hank repeated. “That’s not a crime, is it?” His face looked gnarled and sad at the same time.
“Of course not,” replied the young cop, and Olivia was struck by his compassion.
“You say you were there at the time of death, but as of now the exact time of Townsend’s death has only been approximated,” Dowl replied. “Your alibi will not check out officially until we get the exact time from the medical examiner.”
“And when will that be?” Hank turned his attention to the young officer.
The officer shrugged. He seemed sympathetic to Hank and it surprised Olivia.
“The young cop seems sympathetic to the suspect,” she whispered to Wayne. “Who is he?”
“Just some guy on the force,” Wayne remarked. “And he’s right. Dowl’s pushing Hank too hard.”
“But Hank fled town, he broke parole,” Olivia commented.
“I can understand why,” Wayne replied. “He must have panicked. He had to know he’d be caught. In and of itself fleeing town is not evidence of a crime.”
“When will you have the exact time of death?” Hank repeated gruffly.
“We should have the report within the next day or so,” Dowl responded. “I’ll make sure Justin keeps you informed.” Dowl motioned to the young cop.
“Once you have the exact time you’ll let me go free?” Hank now began to look desperate. “I didn’t kill him, I did my time.”
“Some people would say once a killer, always a killer,” Dowl taunted him.
“I said I didn’t do it.” Hank’s hands turned into fists. “Once you have the exact time of death you’ll let me go free?” he repeated
“That’s not up to me. You broke your parole, left town,” Dowl reminded him. “It was a stupid thing to do.”
“He was scared!” Justin interrupted.
“Right! Scared to death,” Hank bellowed. “You guys were closing in. I didn’t have a chance.”
Justin rubbed his face. “There’s always a chance,” he said.
“Even now?” Hank pushed it. “That’s news to me.”
“If your alibi holds up, and we find the killer,” Justin said.
“My alibi’s gonna hold up,” Hank insisted. “And that should be enough.”
“Will that be enough?” Olivia asked Wayne.
“Could be,” Wayne answered. “I don’t know what else they have.”
“Or am I cooked?” Hank stared into Justin’s eyes. To Justin’s credit, he didn’t flinch, just looked right back.
“No one’s cooked,” replied Justin.
“That’s not true,” mused Olivia.
Justin didn’t seem like a kid to Olivia. He was about the same age as she was, and Wayne was only a few years older.
“Is Justin misleading Hank?” Olivia wondered out loud.
“Not necessarily,” said Wayne.
Olivia found the interaction fascinating between Justin and Hank.
“Listen,” Hank piped up loudly now. “Think about it one more time. What reason in the world would I have to take Townsend out? I didn’t know the guy. Never saw him in my life.”
“You didn’t know anybody connected to him either?” Justin pushed on.
“Nobody! Not one of them! And even if I did, what would they have to do with me? I’ve been rotting in jail for years,” Hank added. “I’m a convenient target and that’s about it. Pretty easy to nab an old killer and close the case.”
“Some killers get a taste for killing and can’t wait to do it again,” Dowl jumped in. “Some spend years in jail just waiting for the chance to spring again.”
“Some, maybe, but not me!” Hank insisted, putting the full force of his attention onto Justin.
Olivia could see why. There was something incredibly sympathetic about Justin, who was listening to every word Hank said.
Justin turned abruptly to Dowl then. “Do you have an idea of when we’ll have the exact time of death?”
Dowl shook his head. “If I did I’d have let both of you know,” he replied. “But we’ve got to hold him until we get that information. He’s become a flight risk.”
“Yeah, hold me all you want,” Hank muttered. “But you better keep looking, too. Right now you’re empty-handed. Whoever killed Townsend is still out there. And for all you know another victim will turn up soon! If you were smart, you’d let me talk to some of my old buddies in jail. I’ll find out if they know something.”
“Not a bad idea,” Justin said to Dowl.
“All in good time,” Dowl replied.
Justin went over to Hank, put his hand on his shoulder, and whispered something in his ear. Hank stood up then and Justin slowly led him out of the interrogation rom. When they were gone, Dowl walked to the one-way window and spoke to those seated outside.
