“Why not?”
“Because Wesley’s grandmother isn’t my grandmother.”
Annie’s mouth fell open. She should have thought that far, but why would she?
“Everyone knows, except you, I guess. Racine’s mother is the one that’s left Wesley money. No blood relation to me at all. And why should I care about her money when like I said, my dad is rich. I already know he’s going to leave me money. If I wanted to kill someone, it would be him.”
Annie winced at his speaking so casually about killing his father. Mark’s tone of voice was cold and heartless. When he spoke of his brother, he didn’t give off a shred of grief. Being a man, he might be hiding it, but she didn’t want to assume either way.
“If I was going to suspect anyone in my family, I’d put it to Racine,” Mark went on.
She gasped. “But she’s his mother. She looked like she was going to have a breakdown at the station.”
Mark shook his head. “An act. I’m not saying she didn’t love him. In her way, I’m sure she did. It’s just that Racine is all about herself and about reputation. Wesley broke the golden rule by getting seriously involved with someone like Barbara Jean Stanford. If Racine thought he would marry her, she would do something to stop it.”
“But she wouldn’t kill her own son.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it wouldn’t surprise me. If you keep poking your nose in our business, you’ll find out for yourself.”
“Are you threatening my life?”
He gaped. “No, I meant you’ll learn what kind of family we are.”
“We? So you include yourself in the description you gave of Mrs. Witman’s character.”
“I’m not pretending to be a good guy, Annie. I don’t mind showing the world who I am. My family is different in that respect. They like to put on airs, throw parties, and pretend we’re all this big loving family that just so happens to have money. My dad gives a small fortune to charity.”
“I know quite a few ladies who work with charities. They consider it their duty. My aunt for one. I think it’s become her full time job.”
His expression turned dark with disgust.
Annie still didn’t feel she had learned anything useful from Mark. He didn’t have a direct motive, but his explanation of Racine’s character didn’t convince her. She wouldn’t rule Mark out or his father, but she had nothing whatsoever to move forward on.
“If there’s nothing else you want to know,” Mark began, “I’ve got things to do.”
“Were you meeting someone?”
He laughed. “Jeez, you’re gullible. That looking around and acting all suspicious was a show, too. It was fun. I can’t imagine your books do very well, if you’re that easy to fool. Entertain me again sometime, Annie.”
“My books do great.” She yanked her purse off her shoulder and shuffled through it. When she found a business card, she shoved it into his hand. “Look me up online, or you can walk into any bookstore, and they’ll order one of my books for you.”
He tapped the card against his palm after examining it. “Maybe I will.”
Before he could walk away, she thought of another question. “Mark, were there special terms for Wesley to get the inheritance from his grandmother? From what I’ve heard, it seems like she’s already passed, and he was what, thirty or so? Seems an odd age to wait for an inheritance.”
“Wesley was twenty-nine. His grandmother died six years ago. He would get her money when he turned thirty or when he got married, whichever came first.”
“You’re kidding? Thirty? That seems unreasonable in this day and age.”
“What other use did he have for the money? He still lived at home like I do. We come and go whenever we want. We have an allowance, and we can travel the world if we like. Servants at our beck and call.”
He gestured around him.
“And a town full of people who kiss the ground my dad walks on.”
“But not you,” she said.
His lips drew back from his teeth in a snarl. “See you around, Annie. Or not.”
She watched him go, and then started at the sound of screeching wheels. A car pulled sharply around the corner and cut in front of Mark before he could cross the street. Annie stared in horror as Flynn climbed out from behind the wheel and grabbed Mark’s jacket front.
“You and I are going to have a conversation,” Flynn growled. “Get in!”
Chapter Seven
Annie stood there while she and many other town residents watched Flynn almost throw Mark inside his car and peel away from the curb. She blinked in confusion. What in the world had set Flynn off so much, and where was he taking Mark?
As she thought about her conversation with Mark and his attitude, she didn’t blame Flynn. From what she saw, Mark was the kind of man who liked pushing other people until they lost their cool. Flynn being worried about Barbara Jean would be easy to get riled. What concerned her was how far Flynn would go.
Annie ran down the street to her own car and hopped in. She drove in the general direction she had seen Flynn drive but didn’t come across him anywhere. Going on a hunch, she drove in the direction of the firehouse and spotted Flynn’s car pulled haphazardly into a lot on the opposite side of the street.
The men were out of the car, and Flynn’s doors were left wide open. Like he had done in the downtown area, Flynn had Mark by his collar and shouted at him.
“Explain, now!”
Mark held his hand up and maintained a slight grin. Annie pulled into a spot beside Flynn’s car and hurried to get out before the men came to blows. Mark appeared cool, but his voice held a slight tremor when he spoke.
“I’d be happy to explain if you tell me what you’re all fired up about.”
Flynn tightened his grip. Annie ran over and grabbed his other wrist. He had balled his hand into a fist. “Flynn, you don’t want to get charged with assault. You’re a firefighter. I’m guessing that’s not going to go over well with your boss.”
She peered past his shoulder to the firehouse. Was he nuts for bringing Mark here? He couldn’t hide it if he did get into a scuffle.
Annie’s words seemed to get through to him, and Flynn released Mark and backed up a step. He folded his arms over his chest, and Annie guessed he did it to keep from hitting Mark.
“I talked to one of your maids,” Flynn said. “She had some interesting information.”
Mark brushed hands over his jacket and straightened. He gazed around, and Annie did as well, but no one wandered this particular street where there was only a few businesses and the firehouse. The guys hadn’t noticed them yet.
“You can’t keep the help from gossiping,” Mark quipped.
Flynn gritted his teeth. “Don’t play that smug role with me. She said you stole Wesley and Barbara Jean’s marriage license.”
Annie gasped and covered her mouth.
“Yeah, so?”
She couldn’t believe he wasn’t denying it.
“You admit you tried to stop them from getting married?” Flynn was back to hovering over Mark, ready to strike. Annie debated running across the street to get Shem, but if she did, Flynn might lose control before they got back.
“Flynn, calm down.” She touched his shoulder. He didn’t look her way or acknowledge her words.
“It wasn’t for me,” Mark admitted. “My stepmother asked me to steal it, so I did. I gave it to her. I don’t know if she destroyed it or not.”
“You’re a sorry excuse for a son,” Flynn bit out. “You’d sell out your own mother?”
“She’s not my mother. Like I told Annie, Racine will do anything to maintain this stupid image of our family. Barbara Jean doesn’t fit in the picture. So you’re telling me I should lie and let myself get beat up to protect her?”
Annie stepped around Flynn. “If you think so little of her, why did you do her dirty work?”
“I agreed with her for once, and turning over the license to her meant it was on her, not me
.”
Some of Flynn’s heat died down. “Stealing the license is stupid. You didn’t think you could stop them from getting married, did you?”
“It would cause a delay at least. Barbara Jean didn’t love my brother. She wanted our money. She proved it every time she broke it off with him to run back to you. As far as I’m concerned, the two of you probably worked together to kill Wesley.”
Flynn aimed a fist, and Mark ducked, covering his head with both hands. Annie recognized the move as a bluff, but Flynn got the reaction from Mark he wanted.
“Get this straight,” Flynn growled. “I’m not a murderer, and neither is BJ.”
Mark took his time rising. “Whatever. Are you satisfied? Can I go now?”
“For the time being.”
Mark walked away at a clipped pace and soon disappeared around the corner. Flynn turned to Annie, glaring, but she smiled back at him, totally unfazed with his anger.
“Annie, why were you talking to him?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m investigating the case.”
“I told you to stay out of it.”
“I don’t recall.”
His expression darkened further. “What else did he tell you?”
“Is Barbara Jean out of jail?”
He sighed. “Yes, I told her to lay low for a while.”
“Until you clear her name.”
“I’m not having this argument again, Annie.”
She swung away. “I’m not arguing.”
He sidestepped her and cut off her path. “You’re not going to butt out, are you?”
“Nope. So, tell me. Are you going to ask Racine if she asked Mark to steal the license?”
“I might, but I don’t think it will do any good. Unlike her stepson who loves telling you exactly what’s on his mind, Racine will lie about the color of her eyes while you’re staring into them.”
“Oh,” Annie whispered. “I like that observation. Can I use it?”
He frowned.
“Doesn’t this prove Barbara Jean wasn’t married to Wesley and therefore had no reason to kill him?”
Flynn rubbed his eyes. “No, unfortunately, it doesn’t. One, I can’t prove Mark stole it for himself or his mother. Two, BJ still insists she married Wesley.”
Annie’s mouth fell open. “She has to realize if they weren’t married, she doesn’t have a motive.”
Red tinged his cheeks. “She believes I’ll find a way to clear her name.”
“Meaning she’s free and she can claim the inheritance.” Annie held up her hands. “Whoa, Flynn, don’t get mad at me again.”
He stared at her in silence a minute. “Annie, I apologize for what I said before. I know you’re not that kind of woman.”
She winked. “I’ll let you off the hook this time.”
He chuckled and walked over to his car. “I’ve got to figure out a way to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Witman. Their driver isn’t letting me near them, and calls go to voicemail, which gives the name of their lawyer.”
Annie tapped a finger against her cheek as she thought. “I’m sure I can think of a way or two to get to them. Leave it to me.”
“I didn’t want you to get involved.”
“That’s when you were silly enough to think I would try to frame her because she’s skinny and cute.”
“I didn’t say that, Annie.”
She swung toward her car.
“Hey, Annie.”
She looked back at him.
“You’re cute, too.”
A smirk curved her lips. “I know.”
Annie pulled out her cell phone when she got in the car, and she dialed a familiar number. She cringed some at the payment for the favor, but decided it was worth it.
“Hello, Aunt Bridge, it’s Annie.”
“Annie, sweetheart, I was going to call you tonight and talk to you about a nice young man I just met.”
Annie groaned and decided to get straight to the point. “Aunt Bridge, I was wondering if you know a Mr. and Mrs. Witman.”
“The name sounds familiar. Let me think. Wait, didn’t they have a death in the family recently? I know I’ve heard that name thrown about among the ladies in the last few days. My mind is all over the place what with all I have going on.”
“Their son was murdered. They’re one of the wealthiest families in Mars Cove.”
“Mars Cove, isn’t that where that firefighter friend of yours lives?”
“You know about Flynn?”
“Stacy told me all about him. I had hopes something would develop between you, but maybe he’s a little too out of your league, sweetheart.”
“Wow, thanks, Aunt Bridge.”
“I’m just saying the really handsome men tend to go for a different sort of woman. I love you, dear, but well, you do have your challenges. You’re a beautiful woman in your own right, but we must be realistic.”
Annie rolled her eyes. “If my self-esteem were low, Aunt Bridge, you would have sent the last of it up in flames.”
“Annie, don’t be so sensitive.”
“Anyway, I was wondering if you can do me a huge favor, Aunt Bridge. I hear Mr. Witman is involved with a lot of charity giving. Can you arrange a meeting with him for me under the guise of charity work? Unless he’s on a higher level that you don’t deal with.”
Annie recalled while Aunt Bridge seemed to have an endless supply of her own money, most of the people who attended her fundraisers were far below the Witmans in financial standing.
“I’ll have you know, I have rubbed elbows with some of the most influential men and women in America. My second husband had many important connections. As his wife, I got to meet quite a few rich and famous. However, I prefer our small city and the people that make it up.”
“I apologize if I offended you, Aunt.”
“No, you couldn’t have known, honey. You are my biggest case, and if you are interested in rubbing elbows with such as the Witmans, then I’m going to do all I can to support you. Now that I think of it, I believe I heard they have another eligible son.”
Annie dropped her face into her hands. “Why do I have to be a ‘case’?” She decided not to deny an interest in Mark so her aunt wouldn’t back out of helping her.
“I can do better than getting you in to see them for charity sake. If I’m not mistaken, it was Nan who mentioned them to me recently. Let me give her a call and phone you back. Don’t you worry. I’ll see you settled no matter what.”
Annie mustered a bit of enthusiasm. “Thanks, Aunt Bridge. I knew I could count on you.”
Chapter Eight
The doorbell rang, and Annie checked her image in the full-length mirror. She wore a blush chiffon gown with a V-neckline and a sequined design from her shoulders to mid-thigh. The part she really liked was the hook and eye closure in the back. For some reason, that kind of feature in a dress always gave her an extra warm-and-fuzzy in the center of her tummy. She was weird, but so what. She looked amazing.
The dress was a knockoff of a ritzy one she had seen for three hundred dollars but managed to buy cheaper at another store. She had ordered it online and had it delivered that morning. Cutting it close, she also purchased two different pairs of heels to try with the dress once it arrived. Thank goodness, the fit was awesome.
Not being a woman who concentrated much on fashion—unlike that night—Annie didn’t usually spend a lot of time on her looks. Blond highlights in her mousy brown hair and just above the shoulder cut was as far as she went. Normally, she polished her own toenails and kept her fingernails bare. Since she did a lousy job on the toes, this time she had sprung for a pedicure.
The season turning cooler meant her feet might be a bit chilly, but she figured the party would take place inside, so she would be fine.
When Aunt Bridge called to tell her she had arranged for Annie to receive an invitation to a party at the Witman house, she couldn’t believe it. They had just lost their son, and they were throwing a party? Aunt Bridge explained the
event had already been set, and Racine Witman wanted to change the theme a little to be a celebration of her son’s life.
“She probably wants to cry and get as much sympathy from her friends and acquaintances as possible,” Annie’s friend Stacy had said.
“Stacy, neither of us can imagine what it’s like to lose a child. Don’t be so hard on her.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Annie had studied Stacy’s face and noticed the pallor to her skin and the sadness in her eyes. “How are you and Robert doing?”
“We’re…fine.”
“Stacy?”
“Don’t worry, Annie. You just go find out who killed Wesley and come back and tell me every detail. I’m all aflutter to know the details.”
“Aflutter, huh?” Annie teased. Stacy loved historical and Regency romances, and her vocabulary tended to show every now and then. “Okay, well wish me luck.”
“Good luck.”
Her conversation with Stacy a couple days ago kept her wondering about what was going on with the woman, but now her date had arrived. She needed to concentrate on the night’s events and figure out what she would say to Wesley’s parents to get them talking—or anyone else who might know something for that matter.
Annie opened the front door to Omen Nobleton, her date. Omen, still painfully thin and still wearing clothing that appeared too big for him, smiled at Annie and let his gaze travel up and down her length.
“Wow, Annie, you look amazing.”
“Thanks. Why does your tone sound so shocked?”
He laughed. “I’m not. I’m just blown away. Maybe tonight won’t be as boring as I expected.”
“Sweetheart, when I’m involved no event will be boring. I won’t allow it.” She moved to his side and took his arm. “Shall we go? Aunt Bridge told me the food at the Witmans’ house is sure to be delicious. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.”
He led her to his car waiting in the driveway. “We can’t let you go hungry, then. Can we?”
“No one wants that.”
Annie joked and laughed with Omen all the way to the Witman house. Half her mind was occupied with the coming party. On the other hand, she felt free to enjoy herself. Omen wouldn’t look at her seriously as a date no matter how badly Aunt Bridge willed it.
Death Loved A Woman (Happy Holloway Mystery Book 2) Page 5
