“We were only having coffee there because he’d come up to see some of Mindy’s things to keep me from running up and down the steps.” Rebecca knew it was a lie, but she had no intention of telling him about her safe.
“I knew there had to be a good reason for the two of you being up there.” He took a deep breath. “Please forgive me for overreacting.”
“Let’s not talk about it anymore, Vernon. I need to be alone right now.”
He sighed. “If you insist.” He turned back toward the stairs. “I’ll take a shower and get ready for dinner. Maybe we can talk it out later.”
She didn’t answer.
Nick came into the room. “Well, looks like you were right. He has calmed down.”
“He’s been getting mad a lot lately, but he gets over it quickly.” She stood and walked him to the door. “I promise that if I need you, I’ll call you immediately.”
“You do that. In the meantime, I’ll call you later just to be sure you’re okay.”
“Please do.” She smiled at him, and he squeezed her hand before going out the door.
Rebecca turned. Vernon stood at the top of the stairs staring down at her, his eyes filled with contempt.
No matter how much he apologized, he was still furious. She wasn’t sure she could deal with him in this state. In a firm voice she said, “You might want to eat out tonight, Vernon. I don’t think we should be together.”
Without a word, he stalked off toward the guest room.
“Are you really all right, Ms. Rebecca?”
“I’m fine, Wilma. I feel safe as long as you’re with me, and we know we can call Nick at any time.”
She went back into the living room and sat on the sofa, her mind whirling. She had accepted the fact that things would never again be the same with Vernon, and her emotions jumped in all directions concerning Nick. Maybe she had made a mistake calling him in on the investigation, but she enjoyed every time they were together. She smiled as she remembered Aunt Millicent’s words telling her Nick was the kind of man she should have married.
Aunt Millicent may have been right.
The telephone rang, and Wilma answered it in the entry.
She stuck her head into the living room and said, “It’s for you, Ms. Rebecca.”
Rebecca came into the hall and picked up the phone. “Hello?” she said.
“Mrs. Armfield?” a raspy voice said. She couldn’t identify it as male or female.
“Yes?”
“I just want to let you know that I killed your sister, your aunt, and Gordon Jones. I will kill Max Garvey before he comes out of the coma. And then, I’m coming for you. I’m going to kill you, Rebecca Davidson Armfield. I’m going to kill you soon.”
The phone went dead.
Rebecca dropped it to the floor.
“Are you all right, Ms. Rebecca?” Wilma rushed to her. “What’s the matter?”
Rebecca looked at her maid and whispered, “That was the killer.”
“Mr. Armfield!” Wilma called out. “Come quick.”
He appeared at the top of the steps. “What’s the matter?”
“Ms. Rebecca said the killer just called,” Wilma said loud enough for him to hear.
“Oh, my heavens.” Vernon came down the steps two at a time. “Did you recognize his voice, Rebecca?”
She shook her head and mumbled, “It was a man, I think, but I’m not sure.
She crumpled toward the floor, and Vernon put his arms around her. “Hold on, Rebecca. You’ll be all right.” He picked her up and turned to Wilma. “Maybe you’d better call the doctor.”
“What about the police?”
“We’ll call them later. We’ve got to be sure she’s all right.”
“Okay, Mr. Armfield.”
Chapter 44
“I don’t want to face the police or anyone else this morning, Vernon,” Rebecca said as she sat up in bed. She didn’t tell him she planned to call Nick as soon as he left for work. She went on, “I appreciate your concern, but the shot the doctor gave me last night made me sleep like a baby. I’m feeling much better. I want to do something normal today, so I’m going to call Erica and see if she’ll spend the morning with me. Maybe we’ll go shopping.” She hoped he believed her. Rebecca wasn’t the best at telling lies.
He halted beside the bed. “May I sit here?”
“Go ahead.” She didn’t want him to get mad at her this morning. She just wanted him to leave the house.
He sat beside her and folded his hands in his lap. “I’m sorry things haven’t been good for us the last few weeks. It’s probably because of all that’s happened. Both of us are living by our nerve endings.”
“I haven’t helped matters, either. I know I’ve been caught up in all the detective business. I’m sorry, too.” She wanted him to say his piece and get out of her room. She didn’t want to say anything to rile him, but found it hard to act normal after the ordeal he’d put her through
“I accept your apology, and I hope you’ll accept mine. I know I overreacted yesterday, but seeing another man in the bedroom I should be sharing with my wife hurt me.” He lowered his voice. “I know you have always been faithful to me, my dear. I was wrong to accuse you of doing otherwise.”
“I’m glad you realize that. Now, let’s try to forget it.”
“I want that more than anything. I want our lives to get back to the way they were before Mindy’s murder. We’re meant to be together. I don’t want us to fight anymore.”
He took her hand and kissed her fingertips. A few weeks ago, she would have believed him. At that time, she might have been able to forgive him for striking her. She might even have forgiven him for stealing from her company. But he had slept with Mindy, and she could never forgive him for that. Today she could forgive him nothing, and she knew without a doubt that she could never love him again.
“Vernon, I want to ask you something,” she said. “And I want you to tell me the truth.”
“I will, my dear. I’ve always been truthful with you.”
She ignored his statement and asked, “Have you ever been unfaithful to me?”
He paused. She knew he wasn’t sure if she had proof of his exploits. She figured his first impulse would be to lie, but he apparently thought better of it. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Please, Vernon. I have to know.” She looked into his eyes. The lack of emotion there frightened her a little. He said pretty words, but had no feeling behind them.
“I was unfaithful one time, Rebecca, and I’ve regretted it ever since. It happened while you were ill. I was distraught. You were so unhappy, and I felt lost. Please don’t ask me who I was with.”
“I don’t have to. It was Mindy, wasn’t it?”
He didn’t answer.
Had he hesitated for effect?
“Your silence tells me everything I need to know.” She let out a sigh. “Maybe it was partly my fault. I should have understood you were hurting, too.”
“No. None of it was your fault. It was my weakness. I should’ve told you about it then. I wish I could take it back.”
She wished that were true, but knew it wasn’t. Still, she said, “Maybe we can work through it together.”
He smiled at her. “Can I put my arms around you? I do still love you, my dear.”
She embraced him, but being in his arms didn’t feel right. She knew it would never feel right again.
He cleared his throat and stood. “I know you want to see Erica, but you can see other people this afternoon, can’t you?”
“Who do you want me to see?”
“No one in particular. But if anyone calls, maybe you should see them.” When she gave him a puzzled look, he said, “I want to be sure you’re around people all day. I don’t want anyone calling or upsetting you.”
She smiled. “I thought you said the call last night was probably a prank. You said people often do that sort of thing when something terrible happens. You said it could be someone with a tw
isted sense of humor.”
“That’s true. On the other hand, after thinking it over, I know the only way for you to be truly safe is for you to be careful.” He took a big breath. “Though I hate to ask you to do it, maybe you should call that detective friend of yours. It won’t hurt for him to check with you every so often.”
“Thank you for caring.”
“Of course I care. I’ve always cared about you. I just haven’t shown it like I should have lately.” He went to the door, turned, and blew her a kiss. “Now, it’s time for me to get to work.”
“Have a nice day,” she called after him. She stared at the closed door.
Oh, Vernon. If only the things you said were true, but I’m finally seeing the real you. I wonder if you ever really loved me or if you only married me to get your hands on my money as Aunt Millicent claimed you did. Why was I such a fool?
Wilma knocked lightly and came in when Rebecca answered. “Mr. Armfield seems to be in a good mood this morning.”
“Yes, doesn’t he?” She took the cup of coffee Wilma offered. “He’s been very nice to me since the call last night.” She sipped her coffee. “Tell me what happened, Wilma.”
“He told me to call the doctor, and I did. He was here in a short time. He gave you a shot, and you went right to sleep.”
“I remember the doctor and the shot. I just don’t remember anything else. Did you call the police?”
“Mr. Armfield said he would report it.”
“Do you know if he did?”
“No, Ms. Rebecca. I don’t. But I did tell Mr. Nick when he called.”
Rebecca smiled. “I wondered if he would call.”
“He did. I told him about the call and said the doctor had given you a shot. He wanted to come over, but when I told him you were asleep, he told me to watch you carefully and to call him if anything else happened.” She smiled at Rebecca. “He still wanted to come over, but I told him I thought he’d better wait until today.”
“What did Vernon say about Nick’s call?”
“I didn’t tell him about it.”
Rebecca laughed. “Smart girl.”
The telephone rang. Wilma answered it. “It’s Justine Crouse.”
Rebecca took the phone. “Good morning, Justine.”
“I have a lot to talk with you about, Rebecca. Are you busy this morning?”
“Can you come over this afternoon instead?”
“I don’t think this can wait. We need to do it this morning.”
“If it’s that important, of course we can.”
“I think it is. I’d also like Nick to be there.”
“I need to call him anyway. If he’s available, I’m sure he’ll come.”
“If he’s not, tell him to send someone. I want a detective to be there.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Rebecca wondered what the rush was all about, but she didn’t inquire. Instead, she asked, “What time are you coming?”
“Around ten. Is that all right?”
“Yes.”
“Rebecca?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t be alone this morning. Make sure Wilma or someone is there.”
Rebecca started to ask why, but she didn’t. She simply said, “I will.”
Chapter 45
Vernon was surprised to find Robyn in her office when he arrived at work. He wondered if now would be a good time to begin the plan he’d thought of last night. If he could convince enough people Rebecca was losing her mind, it would be the perfect way to get back control of the company. He had no doubt Willard could break Aunt Millicent’s will. Then Rebecca would be the sole heir to the fortune and as her husband, he’d take over once she was out of the picture. If his plan worked, it would be the perfect solution—and who better to test it on than Robyn? If it worked on her, it would work on everyone. He’d start making phone calls as soon as she accepted his story. He tapped on her door.
“Come in.”
“How’s everything going?” he asked.
“They told me last night they think Max will live.”
“That’s good news, Robyn.”
“I’m not so sure. They also told me to expect brain damage and possible paralysis.”
“That’s too bad.” He sat in the chair in front of her desk. “You know you’re free to take as much time off as you want to.”
“I know and I appreciate it, but I can’t stand the hospital, and I can’t stand being at home alone. I decided the best place I could be is right here.”
“Certainly. Feel free to come and go as you need to.”
“By the way, thank you for coming to the hospital the other night. I kind of lost it when Max quit breathing. It was nice of you to stay with me that long.”
“I was glad I could be of help. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“Nothing, unless you’re able to stop all the gossip going around.”
“Is it that bad?”
“It’s horrible. I even have strangers calling the house asking if they can buy a copy of that DVD. I can’t believe it, but this publicity will make a fortune for whoever is selling it.”
“You’re probably right.”
She sat back in her chair. “I’ve even seen the damn thing myself.”
“Oh?”
“It wasn’t so great. Stupid me. I didn’t even recognize my own husband. Can you believe that?”
“Did you recognize anyone else?”
“Just Mindy Davidson, and only after Max pointed her out to me.” She shook her head. “It’s still a mystery to me how something like this could happen right under my nose—and I was so blind about it.”
“According to reports, some of your neighbors took part.”
“I know, but nobody in the neighborhood is talking now. We all know Tess Carter is in it. Of course, I couldn’t tell which one she was.” She sighed. “The neighbors are all trying to get a copy so they can see if they can pick out the people they know.” She chuckled. “Some of them are scared, I’m sure. They don’t want to be recognized.”
“We should make copies and sell them ourselves. We could make a tidy profit.”
Robyn laughed. “Maybe we should. Now with the hospital bills piling up, I could sure use the money.”
“What happened to Tess Carter? She must be having it rough with her husband in jail.”
“He beat her up pretty badly, but she went to the doctor and is going to be okay physically. I hear George won’t even see her, though she’s tried to visit him in jail. Somebody else told me she’s going to have to move out of the condo. She was a housewife, you know. She didn’t work and probably never will if she can find a man to support her. Personally, I don’t care what happens to that bitch. Look what she’s done to me by being so willing to sleep with my husband.”
“I certainly understand why you feel that way.”
“Not only has she taken him away from me, she’s left me with a shell of a man who’ll probably be a drain on me for the rest of his life.” She looked at Vernon. “You’ll probably think I’m awful for saying this, but I think he and I would both be better off if he died.”
“Believe it or not, I understand how you feel.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” Ready to test his story, he stood. “May I close your door?”
“Of course.”
He did so and sat. “I don’t want this getting around the plant, and I know I can trust you.”
“Of course you can.” She seemed eager to hear the gossip. “We’ve always been able to depend on each other.”
“You’re right, and I need to depend on somebody right now.” He sighed and went on, “Rebecca hasn’t been the same since she lost the baby. It’s getting hard to live with her.”
“I’m sorry. I knew she had a problem right after the loss, but I thought she was fine now.”
“You know she had a breakdown.”
“I did hear that.”
“Well, I think she was probably recovering nicely, as
her doctors thought she would, but I guess the deaths of Mindy and her aunt finally pushed her over the edge.”
“What do you mean?”
“You wouldn’t believe some of the things she’s done lately. She’s even accused me of physically attacking her. And one day last week, for no apparent reason, she moved all of my things into one of the guest rooms and said she wouldn’t let me sleep with her anymore.”
“You’re kidding.” Robyn’s eyes widened.
“No, I’m not.” He smiled at her. “I’m sorry, but it feels so good to get this off my chest.”
“Please. No apologies are necessary. We all need to talk to somebody sometimes.”
“When I came home yesterday, I found her and the detective who has been investigating the murder having tea in her bedroom.”
“You’re kidding.”
“No. Poor Wilma was so flustered she ran up and down the stairs. Said she’d tried to get Mrs. Armfield to let her serve tea on the terrace, but Rebecca had insisted on having it in her room. The poor detective was embarrassed and looked relieved when I came home. Rebecca just walked him downstairs to the door as if nothing strange had happened.”
“I’m sorry. That must be very hard for you.”
“It is. I hope this doesn’t embarrass you, but Rebecca and I haven’t had sex in months and months. I think part of it is that she’s self-conscious about her weight, though she’s lost a little. That really isn’t important to me because she’s still a good looking woman. It’s all getting very frustrating.”
“I can definitely understand that.” She looked at him. “You did know that George Carter made a eunuch out of Max with a baseball bat, didn’t you?”
“How horrible.” He sighed. “If you need someone to talk to when you can’t take it any longer, you know I’ll be here, Robyn.”
“Thank you, Vernon. As you said, it felt good to get it off my chest. Max and I had a good sex life, I thought. But that’s over for sure.” She shrugged and smiled. “You know, of course, I’ll keep everything you’ve told me about Rebecca in confidence.”
“I know you will.” He stood. “Thanks for listening.”
“Anytime you need to talk, please feel free to talk to me.”
Murder in North Carolina Page 18
