by Linda Wiken
Henry laughed. ‘I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. I didn’t want you to think that just because my mom hoodwinked you into the dinner you had to say so.”
“She didn’t hoodwink me but she did have an ulterior motive, I think.”
Henry groaned. “Ah yes. My mom, the matchmaker.” He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, angling forward slightly. “Look, J.J., just so you know. I think you’re a bright, funny, intelligent woman and really quite striking-looking but I’m not in the market for a relationship.”
J.J. smiled. “I am so happy to hear you say that, Henry. I didn’t want to hurt your mom’s feelings by turning down the dinner, and I didn’t want to turn it down when I heard you were a chef”—she paused and Henry laughed—“but I’m not looking for one either. Friendship would be nice, though.”
Henry stuck out his hand. “To friendship.”
J.J. took it and they shook on it.
“Now, after all those compliments, I hope you’ll be inclined to answer a couple of questions.”
Henry suddenly looked wary. “Sure. Maybe, I guess. About what?”
“Well, I had a talk with Alison’s neighbor the other day and he said that you had a major argument with James in the backyard just before he moved out. Do you mind telling me what it was about?”
Henry smirked. “That neighbor has some memory. I barely remember it myself but he’s right. I was fuming, and fortunately, James was home alone but outside. I confronted him with the fact that I’d seen him with another woman when I was in Plattsburgh one day. They were walking down the street looking at store windows then just stopped and had a passionate kiss.”
“And what did he say when you confronted him?”
“He denied it at first but when he saw I wasn’t backing down, he admitted he was seeing someone else. So, I told him to drop her ASAP or move out.” He shrugged. “I had no idea they were married. I guess he made his choice.”
“You never mentioned this to anyone?”
“Like who? Surely not Alison, nor my folks. That was the last thing anyone wanted to know about.”
“And you and he never spoke of it again? He didn’t give you any more details?”
“Like I said, he moved out. I never saw him again. But I did happen to see them together one more time. I had to go back to Plattsburgh the next month. One of my wholesalers is there and I had to pick up an order. When I’d gotten back in the car, I saw James and the woman sitting with another man at an outdoor patio of a bistro. I didn’t let him know I’d seen him and I didn’t tell Alison. I’m still glad I didn’t mention anything about the other woman even though the marriage came as quite a shock to her.”
“I can understand that.”
“Do you think I should have warned her, prepared her?”
“You did what you thought best, Henry. That’s all any of us can do.”
*
• • •
Monday afternoon at three P.M., Devine walked through the office door. She hoped he couldn’t see how pleased she was to see him. He certainly shoved aside in her mind any lingering thoughts of Brad. She glanced at Skye, who gave her a sly smile. She knew. Oh well.
“Is this a good time? Can you leave now?” he asked.
“I’ve just wrapped up the file I was working on. Let’s get going. See you tomorrow, Skye.” She’d already filled Skye in on their plans to drive back to Plattsburgh. She was just grateful it wasn’t any farther away. This was getting to be too much of a routine.
Traffic was light and it took only a few minutes to reach the highway. Devine set the cruise control and then asked how long Ness had stayed on Saturday night. J.J. had hoped to avoid talking about Saturday entirely but that obviously wasn’t to be.
“He left not long after you. I guess he’s right about Lieutenant Hastings. I didn’t get a chance to go in and see him today, though. Maybe tomorrow morning.” She looked at Devine to see if he concurred.
“I wouldn’t be too sure that they’re not already on top of this. I think retirement may have soured Ness’s memories. That does happen.”
“To you? Although you didn’t really retire, did you? Just changed careers. Why did you do that? You’ve never spoken about it.”
Devine glanced at her as if deciding and then spoke, staring straight ahead at the road the entire time.
“It’s not a pretty story. I became a cop to put the bad guys away, which all too often got derailed by the court system. I have to admit, I knew it was time to quit rather than stew about it. But what really made up my mind was my final case. We were after someone wanted in a serious assault case, and as I chased him down one alley after another, I wondered why, knowing he’d probably be cut loose on some technicality. So, I shot him.”
J.J. gasped. What do you say to that?
Devine didn’t wait for a comment. “Okay, I didn’t really shoot but I visualized it, from pulling the trigger to giving the thug an extra bullet to the head for good measure. I wanted to and I wanted it bad. So, I knew it was time to quit. I couldn’t guarantee what I’d do next time around.”
She let out the breath she hadn’t been aware she’d been holding.
“And was it the right decision?”
“Yes, it was. Okay, it’s your turn now. Tell me why you moved to Half Moon Bay.”
Ugh. I guess I owe him. “I got a job at an advertising firm in Montpelier right out of college, as an account executive. I enjoyed it. It allowed for creativity and control, at the same time, much like what I do now. That’s where I met Patrick Jenner. He did the same job and we started dating, then got engaged and made plans for a spring wedding. I called it off when I found out that he’d slept with a prospective client—did I mention she was older and very wealthy?—and that he got the account and a nice promotion that went with it. I handed in my resignation shortly after.” The best decision I ever made.
“I’m sorry. That’s pretty crappy, in my books.”
“In mine, too. But look where it landed me. I love living in Half Moon Bay, I have a fantastic job with my old college roommate as my boss, I have an incredible group of friends, and life is good.”
“You have me, too, if you want to include that.”
J.J. looked at him quickly to see if he was kidding. He gave her a quick smile and went back to concentrating on driving. Wow.
“That’s not really what you’re supposed to say to a gal when you’re driving, Devine.”
He grinned. “I’ll make it up to you later.”
And suddenly they were at the car dealership, Higgins Motors. J.J. felt like she was in a dream.
He parked the car and they went inside, with Devine telling the receptionist they had an appointment with Kent Higgins. She made a quick call to him then directed them to an office at the far end of the showroom.
Kent Higgins stood when they walked in, revealing his obvious paunch that pushed out his white dress shirt. The sleeves were rolled up and his blue-striped tie had been loosened. His black hair, just a little too much so for J.J.’s taste, short at the sides and back, had been coaxed to stand at attention above his forehead. A teenage look for someone obviously in his fifties.
His office looked stark, with dark wood–paneled walls showing off photos of various cars and one wall with a sign declaring Customers Count. Devine made the introductions. They sat across from him and both declined his offer of coffee, although J.J. was dying for one.
Devine started. “We’d like to ask you about an employee, Jeffrey Bailey.”
“I guess it depends on what you want to know.” Higgins sat and leaned back in his chair, looking completely at ease.
“You do know he’s dead?” J.J. asked.
“Yes. I did hear about it. Such a tragedy. And murdered? It’s hard to imagine.” He looked sincere.
“I’m wondering how you heard since his wife didn’t know anything about his working here.”
“She didn’t? I can’t imagine why not. It wasn’t a secret, at least no
t from our end. Why wouldn’t Jeffrey tell her something like that?”
Devine stepped in again. “That’s what we’d like to find out. How was his track record with you?”
Higgins shrugged. “It wasn’t a real job, you know. He jockeyed cars for us and would fill in driving the courtesy shuttle. I got the impression he just liked hanging around the cars. He was a fireman, as I’m sure you know. So, I guess he just did it for a little extra cash and maybe to keep busy.” He leaned forward, the chair creaking slightly. “I heard he died over in Burlington. Is that right?”
“His body was found there,” Devine answered. J.J. noted the wording but Higgins didn’t seem to catch on.
Higgins shook his head. “Well, it’s been a big shock for all who knew him. Was there something else you wanted to know?”
“How much do you know about his personal life?”
“Like I said, not much. I did know he was married.”
“Do you play hockey?”
Higgins looked surprised at the question. “Uh, yes.”
“And Bailey was on your team?”
Higgins’s face closed as sure as a shutter that had been pulled down. “No, he’s wasn’t a member.”
“But he did hang around with the team?”
“He may have. There are always guys who go for a beer with us after a game. Now, I’m afraid I have a lot of work to get through today.” He stood and walked toward the door, which he opened for them and shut behind them.
When they reached the reception desk, Devine thanked the receptionist while J.J.’s attention was drawn to a pegboard with employee names on it, showing if they were in or out. Brad Patterson was shown as being out.
Brad worked with Jeffrey. Brad was on the hockey team that Jeffrey hung around with. Brad had been keeping so much from her.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Devine said as he started the car.
Should she share it with him? He was already a bit jealous of the guy. He might blow it all out of proportion. No, she’d talk it over with Ness. That was a plan.
“No. Just wishing this had been a more productive lead.”
“I think seeing Patterson’s name on the employee board was just that.”
Of course he’d seen it.
“There is that.”
“Okay, so what are you thinking about that fact?” he asked as he pulled onto the highway.
“I don’t know what to think.”
“Well, you have met with the guy. Didn’t you ask questions about Jeffrey’s life? Wouldn’t that kind of information have come out? You did ask questions?”
“Of course I did. I just can’t remember what exactly we talked about.”
Devine was quiet for quite a while. He finally asked, “Were these dates you were on?”
J.J. shifted in her seat. She couldn’t lie. He had asked. “Not really. They weren’t meant to be. I guess maybe they were. Sort of. We went out to dinner a couple of times and he asked how the investigation was going, and I asked questions but maybe not the right ones.”
Devine snorted. “I guess the meals were too delicious for any serious investigating to be going on.”
That angered her. Or rather, made her feel even more guilty. “I thought you were the one telling me not to go around asking a lot of questions about the murder.”
“I guess I should have also told you not to get involved with anyone on this case.”
Even you?
They drove in silence the rest of the way back to Half Moon Bay. Devine dropped her off in front of her apartment with a curt “good-bye” before driving off.
J.J. stood watching his car grow smaller. She felt totally dejected. This was not good. She needed Ness.
CHAPTER 23
Ness answered before she’d stopped knocking.
“Come in, J.J., and be quick about it.”
Uh-oh. “Lola problems?”
“Don’tcha know it. But, what are your problems? I saw you getting out of that guy’s car. He didn’t stop in for a drink?”
He looked at her face and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Uh-oh. Me and my big mouth. I guess that was a bad question. Let me offer you one instead. In fact, I was just heating up the moussaka I made on the weekend and I have a lot of it. Will you join me for supper?”
“I’d love to, Ness.” She felt a bit happier at the prospect. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Naw. It’s going to be pretty simple. Here, let me getcha the wine.” He took her jacket and steered her into the living room. “Just sit down and relax. Talk to me when you’re ready.”
He brought her the glass and she sat in the worn club chair, staring out the window. Where to start? She didn’t want to share the Devine stuff with him. She knew he wouldn’t want to hear that. So, focus. What has happened with Brad? Aside from the dinners.
“I’ve just been finding out that Brad, the brother of widow number two, knows a lot more than he’s been saying about his dead brother-in-law. I’m not sure if it’s crucial information but it bothers me that he’s kept it from me.” She kept talking about all that had been happening and when she’d finished, she had an empty glass and realized that Ness had at some point sat in his favorite lounge chair and was watching her intently.
“Okay, so sometimes details like this mean just that. You were having dinner with the guy, right? So, he thought you were on a date so he didn’t get into all the nitty-gritty about his dead bro-in-law. Or else, it could mean he had something to hide. Any ideas as to what that might be, if that’s the case?”
“No. Not a clue.”
“Well, all I can suggest is you sit and think about it. Go right back to when you first met him and write down everything you can remember. All the things you talked about, what you did, that kind of stuff, and maybe it will make sense. Sound about right?”
“I guess. I can’t think of anything else to do about it.”
“Good, let’s chow down.” He pointed to the counter separating the kitchen from the living room, same floor plan as her place. He’d set two places and waited until she was seated before dishing out the moussaka. He passed her the bread basket and she chose a small slice of what she thought was garlic bread. He also refilled their wineglasses.
She realized she was starving. Wine will do that. After eating several mouthfuls she said, “This is so delicious, Ness. I need this recipe, for sure. What’s the secret ingredient?” He always had one of those.
“I don’t have one this time, but the secret is I finally learned how to make the perfect béchamel sauce. Do you agree? You see, I’ve always been in too much of a hurry but it takes patience to keep stirring the sauce over a low heat until all of the milk has been drizzled in and mixed.” He grinned, obviously pleased with himself.
He seemed anything other than a cop who’d retired after thirty-plus years on the police force, with an average pension and an intense desire to be left alone. Being a cook was his new persona and J.J. could understand that. She felt the same way. It was comforting to know she had such a good friend based on such a wonderful thing.
“That’s not the only thing that’s bothering you, though, is it? Something to do with a certain PI, maybe?”
That caught her by surprise. She wasn’t quite sure what to say. She hadn’t figured it out herself, yet. “You’re right but it’s a lot more complicated than just being bothered. I have a lot of things to sort out.”
“Okay, I won’t pry. You know my feelings about the guy but I must admit, he’s seemed on the up-and-up all along, except for our first meeting, where he was trying to pull a fast one. So, if you ever want to talk about it—though I’m sure you’ve got lots of girlie friends to do that with—just know, my door is always open to you.”
He looked embarrassed and shoveled a forkful of moussaka into his mouth.
J.J. felt like hugging him but knew that would really throw him, so she took another sip of her wine instead. They finished the meal in silence.
“Can I help with
the dishes?” she asked as they were clearing them away. Always the same question; always the same answer.
“I have a dishwasher, doll. That’s its job. Now, can I make you a coffee? Tea?”
“No, thanks anyway, Ness. I’m really exhausted. It’s been a long day but I’m grateful for the meal. And the talk.”
She turned at the door and gave him a hug anyway. Let him deal with it.
“G’night, doll.”
*
• • •
J.J. desperately needed a brisk walk the next morning. She’d been unable to sleep soundly so had gotten up early. She decided to put her runners on and head for the beach. She’d been thinking about what Ness had said ever since she woke up. About all the things he’d said. She’d resolved to write down what she could remember from her times with Brad as soon as she got back home. What to do about Devine was another matter, not to be easily solved.
What was it about the guy? Sure, they’d shared a few kisses but it hadn’t gotten much further than that. There was a hint, a promise, of something more, though, at least that’s what he’d said. What made him so tantalizing? So desirable? Maybe the not knowing? Since she first met him, nothing had followed a familiar path of two people meeting, being attracted, and dating. She wasn’t even sure if they’d had a proper date since they always ended up talking about investigations, victims, and suspects. Maybe that was all they had in common. If so, that wasn’t really a good foundation for anything long-term.
Right. I am right. Enjoy what’s happening now but don’t think it’s anything more than what’s happening.
Now Brad, he seemed to be something else altogether. A straightforward, normal guy who was awfully hot. But could he be trusted?
Before she realized it, she was heading back up Gabor Avenue and back home. She went straight to the tap for a tall glass of water then to the espresso maker. Indie came trotting down the hall, a small stuffed red mouse in his mouth. He dropped it at her feet. She often wondered if she had a cat or a dog. She gave the mouse a kick down the hall and he bounded after it. She grabbed her espresso and sat at the counter, where she’d left a pad of paper and pen.
