* * * *
True to his word, Nick called Rebecca during dinner. She was glad to leave the table because of the tenseness. Erica chatted away, and Vernon continued to ignore her as much as he could. Rebecca tried to keep the conversation going, but it wasn’t working. He was in a bad mood, and she knew it would only get worse when she told him Wilma had moved in.
“Rebecca,” Nick said. “I’m sorry I had to rush you off the phone this afternoon, but a policeman was here getting all the information we’ve gathered.”
“I understand. I knew from your voice I had called at a bad time.”
“The police have charged George Carter with attempted murder on Max Garvey.”
“Does that mean Max is still alive?”
“Yes.”
“What about Mindy?”
“George keeps saying Max killed her.”
“And Aunt Millicent?”
“He swears he knows nothing about her death, and I believe him. A thief may have done it after all.”
“Why don’t I want the murderer to be Max Garvey?”
“Because it leaves too many unanswered questions.”
“Yes, it does.”
“Tell me about your company. You say Vernon is stealing from you?”
“It looks that way.”
“You can’t talk. Right?”
“Right.”
“Can you meet me?”
“No.”
“Let’s see. Can I come over there to tie up some loose ends?”
“That’ll be fine. How about in an hour?”
“I’ll be there.”
She returned to the table. “That was Nick Quimbley. He’s coming over.”
“Why?” Vernon demanded.
“He wants to tie up some loose ends.”
“I don’t want to see him.”
“Well, I do.” Erica said. “I think he could turn out to be an interesting person.”
“You two probably would hit it off,” Vernon glared at her. “He doesn’t appreciate the finer things, either.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Never mind. When’s he coming, Rebecca?”
“In about an hour.”
“I think I’ll shower and go over to the hospital. I should show some concern for Robyn’s problem.”
“Nick says the Carter man keeps saying Max killed Mindy.”
“You’re kidding.” Vernon looked startled.
“No, I’m not. Seems they were involved in some sort of sex ring. Max and Mindy were the main leaders. The Carter man said they had a falling out.”
“That’s nonsense. Mindy wouldn’t be involved with Max Garvey.”
“Oh, Vernon. You’re wrong. Don’t you remember those photos I found? The man with Mindy was Max Garvey.”
“Rebecca, I wish you’d stay out of things that don’t concern you.”
“What do you mean, they don’t concern me? The death of my sister is of great concern to me.”
“I’m going to take a shower and go to the hospital.” He stood up and threw down his napkin. “I see right now I’m not needed around here.”
“Vernon,” Rebecca said. “I’ve moved your clothes to the blue guest room.”
He stared at her. “How could you?”
“It was easy. I must insist that you not come into my room again.”
“You stupid bitch.” He stalked toward her. “You can’t do this to me.”
“Don’t you dare touch her!” Erica yelled.
He whirled, then backed off. For a moment, he seemed to have forgotten Erica was in the room. He stalked out without saying anything else.
As soon as he was gone, Rebecca burst into tears. “See what I mean, Erica?”
“I certainly do.” She stood. “I thought for a moment he was going to hit you.”
“I think he would have if you hadn’t been here.”
“Do you think Max Garvey killed Mindy?”
“No.”
“But you said—”
“I know what I said. I just don’t think it was him.” She stood. “Let’s have our coffee in the sunroom. Nick is coming over in an hour. He’ll fill us in on everything.”
Chapter 40
Nan Shallowford was on duty when they brought Max Garvey into the intensive care unit. She adjusted his IVs and checked to be sure the transfusion was working correctly. Satisfied everything was working as it should, she picked up his chart and studied it.
“Did you hear how this happened?” Billie Franklin, the other nurse, asked.
“No. Did you?”
“One of Garvey’s neighbors found out he’d been having an affair with his wife. The neighbor lost his cool and beat the shit out of Garvey.”
“Do you know the neighbor’s name?”
“Carter, I think.”
“Oh, Lord,” Nan said. She had a sick feeling in her stomach.
“What’s wrong?”
“I live next door to George Carter. His wife was having an affair with Max Garvey.”
“How do you know?”
“We all live in the same condo complex.”
“The one where the Davidson woman lived?”
“Yeah.”
“I didn’t know you lived there.”
“Yeah,” Nan said again.
“Did you know her?”
“Not very well.”
“The news said there was some connection. Do you know what it was?”
“No.”
“Pooh. I wanted to hear some good gossip.”
“Sorry.”
Robyn came through the door. “They said I could… Hello, Nan.”
“Robyn, I’m sorry. What in the world happened?” Nan took Robyn’s arm and steered her away from Billie.
“Oh, Nan. It’s a mess. A big mess. Just be glad you’re not involved.” She looked at the nurse. “You’re not involved, are you?”
“Of course not.”
“I can’t believe it. They say Max was having an affair with Tess Carter and several other women. Do you know anything about it?”
“Not much,” Nan said. “I’d see them all at the pool sometimes.”
“I’ve heard a rumor that they’re going to charge Max with Mindy Davidson’s murder. Have you ever heard anything so ridiculous? Max wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“He always acted as if he liked Mindy. I don’t think he’d kill her.”
“That’s what I tried to tell them, but they wouldn’t listen. They say he was involved with her sexually. I don’t believe that, either. Did you ever see him with her?”
Nan looked into Robyn’s haunted eyes, and guilt crept in. She wished she’d never sent George the DVD. She never dreamed he’d do this. She thought they’d fight, but make up afterward. That’s the way it worked in the movies. Why couldn’t real life be the same way?
“He’ll be all right, Robyn. Just have a little faith.”
“How can I? I loved him so much, Nan. I denied him nothing. He didn’t have to work. I let him follow his dreams. And he paid me back by screwing around with my neighbors. I don’t know if I can ever forgive him, even if he lives.”
“He just made a few mistakes. From what I can tell, he loves you.”
“How could he and Tess sit with George and me and share meals, go on trips, and pretend to be friends? I was always faithful. After I met him, I was never with any other men, and when we got married, those wedding vows meant something to me. Now everything has changed. Life will never be good again.”
“Don’t talk like that. Go visit Max. He needs you now.”
“I don’t know if I can stand to be in the same room with him.”
“You have to try. He’s in bad shape. Your love might be the only thing that can pull him through.”
“I’ll try. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try.”
The crushed woman turned away and walked into the unit holding her husband. Nan closed her eyes. She felt terrible. If Max Garvey died, it would be her fault becau
se she sent that DVD to George Carter.
“Oh, Lord,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”
The alarms went off.
“Code Blue,” Billie hollered. “Get Garvey’s wife out of there. He just stopped breathing.”
* * * *
Gordon waited until the car pulled in behind him, then jumped out of his car and opened the trunk. He took out a bag filled with DVD orders.
“Looks like a nice haul,” the man said. “This has been a windfall, hasn’t it?”
“I’m hoping you have some money for me,” Gordon answered.
“Will five thousand help?”
“That’s great. I wasn’t expecting that much.”
“I thought you could use it.” The man opened his trunk. “Do you mind lifting those letters into my car for me? I pulled my back today, and it’s hard for me to bend over.”
“Sure thing.” Gordon picked up the bag of mail, swung it around and, tossed it into the other trunk.
“Stick them close to the back. My wife might use this car in the morning. I want them hidden from her.”
“Okay.”
As Gordon bent into the trunk, a hard object struck the back of his head. Everything faded to black.
* * * *
The man looked around make be sure no one had seen him hit Gordon. Satisfied no one had, he pulled Gordon around and shoved him into the trunk of his own car. Then he looked around again. The parking lot was still deserted.
To make sure Gordon would never be able to tell more than he already had, the man took a kitchen knife from his pocket and plunged it deep into Gordon’s chest several times, making sure the blood spilled into the trunk and not on him or the pavement. Then he closed Gordon’s trunk, knowing his friend’s body wouldn’t be found for a while.
He took one final look around to make sure nobody had seen what he’d done, and then smiled into the deserted night.
He slammed his own trunk lid, got into his car, and hurried out of the parking lot. He was beginning to feel better. Things were going to work. He was going to emerge from this entire mess unscathed. Getting rid of Gordon had been the smart thing to do. The man had enough decency in him to break under pressure and tell everything he knew about the operation.
Now he was no threat.
The part of him that had enjoyed the killings was only sorry he didn’t get to see the look on Gordon’s face when he died. That would have made killing him much more exciting. But he couldn’t risk letting Gordon know what was happening. He’d had to knock him out first. He would have to be content knowing he’d done what he had to do.
Now, if the police would just go ahead and charge Max Garvey with Mindy’s murder, things would work out just fine. He had no doubt that he could find a way to fix everything else.
Chapter 41
Millicent Davidson’s funeral went off the way she’d planned it. Vernon did threaten to come home, but Rebecca told him that if he did, she’d never vote the company stock the way he wanted. He didn’t show up.
All of the ministers, the priest, and the rabbi did come and were dumfounded when Rebecca gave them each a thousand dollars in cash as per her aunt’s instructions. The gardener thanked her seven times for the money. Wilma cried when Rebecca gave her the ten thousand. Someone made a toast, a man hammered the plaque into place, and the caterers Rebecca had hired served the group at lace-covered tables scattered across the back lawn and on the patio. She had decorated each table with a pink rose centerpiece and white candles.
The guests trickled away three hours later. Finally only Erica, Justine, Nick, Wilma, and Rebecca were left. Wilma darted in and out, giving instructions to the caterers.
Erica had Nick cornered near the swimming pool. He didn’t seem to mind, though. He laughed at something she said.
Rebecca and Justine sat in white chairs on the patio.
“Do you think Aunt Millicent would be pleased?”
“I think she’d be delighted. You carried out her instructions exactly as she put them down.” She looked at Rebecca. “Did your husband object?”
“He protested a little, but I was determined for Aunt Millicent to have her last wish.”
“Good for you, Rebecca.” She sipped the remainder of the champagne from her glass.
“Did he give you a hard time over the papers you found?”
“So much was going on, I didn’t tell him I had found them. He had to go out last night, and I didn’t hear him when he came in.” She smiled. “I’d moved him into the guest room, and he was too upset about that to think of anything else.”
“I have an appointment with Willard Brookmeyer, and I want to look over those papers before I see him. If you don’t mind, that is.”
“I’ll get them for you.”
“Can I get something for you, Ms. Rebecca?” Wilma came onto the porch.
“If you like, Wilma. The papers you found are in my closet under a stack of sweaters on the third shelf. Will you please bring them to Ms. Crouse?”
“I’ll be happy to.” She turned at the door. “Before I go, can I get either of you something else to drink?”
“No, thanks, Wilma,” Justine said. “I’ve had my limit. I’m driving.”
“Ms. Rebecca?”
“Thank you, but no. I’m fine.”
Erica and Nick ambled toward them. She had her arm linked through his. “Rebecca, I’m glad I finally got to see Nick. I do remember him from high school. We didn’t have any classes together because I wasn’t as smart as you, but I remember how well he played football.”
Rebecca smiled. “I’m happy I could reunite you two.”
Nick shook his head and smiled at her. “It was a lovely service, Rebecca.”
“I simply followed Aunt Millicent’s instructions. She planned everything.”
“Aunt Millicent was a good old girl. We all liked her.” Erica dropped to a chair beside Justine.
Nick chose one beside Rebecca.
“Have you heard how Max Garvey is doing?” Rebecca asked him.
“He’s still unconscious, but hanging on. His heart did stop last night, but they were able to bring him back. The doctors say every day he lives gives him a better chance of making it.”
“Vernon told us how bad he was at breakfast,” Erica said. “He went to see Max’s wife last night.”
“I feel sorry for Robyn,” Rebecca said.
“I know. I talked with her yesterday, but she was too distraught to make a lot of sense,” Nick said.
Justine broke in. “Have they charged Max Garvey with Mindy’s murder yet?”
“No. Carter still insists Max did it, though.”
“Will they charge him, then?”
“I don’t know. Bernie said an officer friend told him they’re still investigating.”
Wilma reappeared. “Here are the papers, Ms. Crouse.” She handed them to Justine.
“Thank you.” Justine took the folder and glanced inside. “I think you’re right, Rebecca. This looks like a set of books.”
“I thought so.”
“Is that a set of books showing profits and losses at your company?” Nick looked at Rebecca.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“Millicent told me about a set of books Mindy hid. She’d been trying to find them.”
Stunned, Rebecca stared at him. “You mean Vernon didn’t hide them?”
“Millicent said Mindy had gotten them away from Armfield and hidden them where he’d never look.”
“Wilma found them in the servants’ quarters when she was cleaning.” Rebecca smiled. “That means Vernon won’t know we’ve found them.”
“That’s right,” Nick said.
“I’ve been worried what he’d do when he realized Wilma had moved in,” Rebecca said.
“This means you can relax a bit now,” Erica said.
Justine stood. “I’m going back to the office to study these. I have a lot of work to do before I meet with Brookmeyer.”
Nick stood.
“It was nice to meet you, Ms. Crouse.”
“Oh, come on now. We’re all friends of Aunt Millicent. She’d want us all to be on a first name basis,” Erica said to both of them.
“Erica is right,” Justine said. “Call me Justine, Nick.”
“I’ll do that.”
Erica jumped up. “I’ll see Justine to the door, Rebecca. Nick has something he wants to say to you.”
“Thank you, Erica.” To Justine, she said, “Thank you for all the help you gave me in arranging this.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ll be back in touch.” She indicated the papers.
Rebecca nodded.
“You have two nice friends there,” Nick said.
“Yes, I do.” She turned to face him. “You have something you want to talk to me about?”
“I just want you to be extra careful. And before you ask why, I’m going to tell you.”
She laughed. “You knew I’d ask, didn’t you?”
“Yes.” He leaned toward her. “Gordon Jones is missing. He works for me, and he’s one of the people I recognized in the DVD. He called in last night to say he was in position to watch the post office box in Kernersville where the sex ring has the DVD orders sent. No one has seen or heard from him since. He didn’t come in this morning, and his girlfriend called to say he didn’t come home last night.”
“Maybe he left town.”
“I don’t think so. Not without Tammy. He’s in love with her, so he would have taken her with him.”
Rebecca dropped her head. “Where’s it all going to end?”
“I’m not sure, but I do believe it’s coming to a head. I don’t know why I think that, but I can just feel it.”
Wilma came out onto the patio. “There’s a phone call for you, Mr. Quimbley.” She handed him the portable phone.
Rebecca could only hear Nick’s end of the conversation.
“When? How?” he asked. “Damn, I was afraid of something like that. I’ll be right there.”
A feeling of dread draped itself over her.
He ended the call and turned. “That was Bernie. Gordon Jones’ body has just been found stuffed inside the trunk of his car parked at Hanes Mall.”
“Oh, Nick.”
“Promise me you won’t stay here alone, Rebecca. Not even for a few minutes.”
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