“I’ll certainly investigate this further. Thanks Ray,” Jake said. “Is Derek on the trip this weekend?”
“He should be around here somewhere, although come to think of it, I haven’t seen him.”
“Okay, I’ll see what I can find out,” Jake said shaking Ray’s hand again. “I appreciate it, Ray.” Ray gave Jake a nod and headed off.
*****
A short time later, when Jake and Clark returned to the hotel, DeeDee greeted Jake with a long hug. She held him tight, not wanting to break the clinch. It had been an emotional day, and she’d missed his quiet strength.
“I’m so happy to see you,” she whispered, resting her head on his chest. “Roz and I ate before one of the employees who’s a friend of hers took her home. I hope you’re not hungry.”
“Hush,” Jake said, rubbing her back before maneuvering her toward one of the club chairs in the lounge area of their suite. He gently pushed her into the seat and then sat opposite her, in the chair Roz had sat in earlier. The room service tray was still on the table, and most of the food Roz had ordered was still on it. Although she’d been hungry, when the food arrived DeeDee found she didn’t have the stomach for more than a couple of bites.
“I had a sandwich at the golf club,” Jake said, running a hand through his cropped salt and pepper hair. “I was talking to some of the men about Johnny, trying to find out if anyone knew anything that might be relevant concerning his death.” Jake sighed. DeeDee poured two glasses of water from the decanter on the table, and handed one of them to him.
“Thanks,” Jake said, before downing the water in several long swallows. DeeDee poured him another.
“Did you learn anything useful?” DeeDee asked, sipping her water.
“Possibly,” Jake replied. “The general consensus is that Johnny was healthy, and if he died from natural causes it would be quite a surprise. There’s always the possibility he had a heart attack, but I have a feeling there’s something more sinister going on. One of the club members pulled me aside and told me Johnny had an altercation with the Island View golf pro who apparently has a grudge against him. Seems like there might be at least one person who could have had a motive to do him in.”
Jake smiled somberly at DeeDee and said, “And where there’s one, in my experience, I’m sorry to say, there’s usually more. Were you able to talk to Cassie?”
DeeDee recounted her conversation with Cassie. When she got to the part about Cassie saying it was all her fault, Jake rubbed his chin. “That’s a strange thing for her to say. Do you have any idea what she might have meant? Do you think Johnny and Cassie were on good terms, or was there some sort of trouble brewing between them?”
DeeDee shrugged. “That’s what Roz was asking, too. There’s nothing that I know of, but I’ve hardly seen Cassie since I moved to Bainbridge Island. I never suspected marriage trouble between those two in all the time I’ve known them, but after Lyle and I split, Cassie said she never saw it coming either. I didn’t really share it with anyone, apart from Roz.”
“We can find out the details from Cassie when she arrives. What time did she say she’d be here?”
“As soon as possible,” DeeDee said. “I’ve made reservations for the three of them to stay here at the hotel tonight. There’s something else I’d like to discuss with you, Jake, but you’re probably not going to like it.”
“How so?” Jake asked, his eyes twinkling. “I don’t think there’s anything you could say that I wouldn’t like, DeeDee, but I’m a big boy, so shoot.”
“It’s just that Cassie will probably want the body sent back to Mercer Island as soon as possible. I’m sure she’ll be returning to Mercer Island right away. I expect there will be a big funeral. I’d like to leave Whistler tomorrow to go back with her, and see if there’s anything I can do to help. After what’s happened, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the rest of our time here.” She looked over at Jake, judging his reaction. “Cassie will really need someone there to help her, whether she knows it or not. Even if it’s only making tea for guests or tidying up her home. Her children are going to be dealing with their own grief, and I don’t think they’ll be much help, plus they really shouldn’t have to do it.”
Jake reached across the table and squeezed DeeDee’s hand. “I think that’s a great idea. You’re a good friend, DeeDee.”
DeeDee gave Jake a half-smile. “We can come to Whistler another time, when this is behind us. I think we’re overdue for some quality time together.”
Jake looked at DeeDee. “It’s a deal, but on one condition.”
“Name it,” DeeDee said.
“I want to go with you. I’m between cases at the moment, and Cassie might need the help of a private investigator. At least it’s sure starting to look that way.”
DeeDee felt the warmth of Jake’s hand, still holding hers. This man is definitely a keeper, she thought as she smiled at him.
CHAPTER 12
DeeDee and Jake were waiting in the lobby of the Fairmont Chateau Hotel when Cassie and her two children arrived that evening. The smartly dressed, middle-aged woman and her children looked like all the other guests arriving for a weekend stay in Whistler, except they had no luggage.
“We came straight from the museum,” Cassie explained in her ever-present calm manner. As usual, she was dressed in a classic and unassuming outfit. She wore a simple string of pearls, a crew-neck pale blue cashmere sweater, and a matching pencil skirt with low-heeled shoes. Her children towered above her, both taking after their father in the height department. There was not a hair out of place on Cassie’s cropped pixie hairstyle, but DeeDee could tell from the pain in her friend’s hazel eyes that inside her heart was breaking.
“Jake, it’s wonderful to finally meet you,” Cassie chattered, after DeeDee had introduced him. “I’ve heard from DeeDee that you’re the man who has been making her so happy.” She beamed at DeeDee, her eyes brimming with tears, before turning back to Jake. “Jake, this is my son Liam, and my daughter Briana.”
The two young adults were also composed, shaking Jake’s hand and kissing DeeDee. Liam looked just like Johnny, DeeDee thought, with his prominent jawline and handsome face. Liam’s unruly mop of black hair showed no signs of thinning, despite the fact that Johnny said his own baldness had started when he was in his twenties. Although Johnny was known for exaggerating things, DeeDee suspected that may have been one case where he was telling the truth, since Johnny had been bald the whole time she’d known him. She hoped Liam would be able to hold on to his raven locks for a few years longer than his father had.
“I’m so sorry about Johnny,” DeeDee started, her chin trembling. “I…”
“Oh, DeeDee,” Cassie said, shaking her head and raising a finger to her lips. “We have to stay strong. There’s so much that must be done. Liam and I are going to the morgue.” She looked at her son, who nodded. “Would it be alright if Briana stays here with you? She doesn’t feel strong enough to see her father right now.” Cassie gave Briana an encouraging smile, but Briana wouldn’t meet Cassie’s eyes and stared at the floor.
Cassie continued talking, “We can check into our rooms when we return, or Briana can do it for us while we’re gone. Hopefully, we’ll only be here for the one night.”
“Absolutely,” DeeDee said, exchanging a worried look with Jake. “Cassie, do you want Jake to go to the morgue with you? I’m not sure if I told you that he’s a private investigator. He’s already spoken to Inspector Stewart about getting Johnny’s body released, so if there are any issues that come up he might be able to help.”
“Thanks, Jake,” Liam said, speaking up on his mother’s behalf, “but I think we’re good. Mom spoke to the coroner already. The release form will be signed once the autopsy has been completed. We can’t set a date for the burial until the coroner releases the body to the local funeral home here in Whistler. Once the funeral home takes custody of the body, they’ll transport it back to Mercer Island.” Liam put his arm around Cassie,
and DeeDee thought Cassie looked even smaller than usual, despite her heels.
“If you and DeeDee could look after Briana, we’d appreciate it,” Liam said. Briana’s head tilted upwards, and she looked at Jake through the long messy strands of dark hair which obscured her face.
Liam glanced at his sister and looked back at DeeDee and Jake. No further words were necessary to explain his concern. Anyone could see that Briana was in no condition to go anywhere. Through her long dark hair, the young woman’s sunken eyes were rimmed with red, and her pale cheeks were streaked with makeup and tears. DeeDee wanted to scoop her up and tell her everything would be okay, except that was a promise she couldn’t make.
“Of course. We’ll keep an eye on Briana while you’re gone,” Jake said as he walked Cassie and Liam towards the main entrance of the hotel. The three of them talked a little longer before Cassie and her son walked out into the fading early evening light.
Meanwhile, DeeDee ushered Briana towards a cluster of chairs in the corner of the lobby. As they crossed the room, DeeDee noticed Briana’s step was uncertain and her legs were shaky. “Sit here,” she said, patting the girl’s shoulder. DeeDee thought what an attractive young woman she’d become. Her alabaster skin contrasted beautifully with the dark color of her hair, and sculpted brows framed the piercing blue eyes that sat above razor-sharp cheekbones. Although tonight, from what DeeDee could see, those eyes looked vacant. Briana sat down heavily, and DeeDee took a seat beside her.
Jake strode over with a serious look on his face. “I’ll take Balto out for a walk,” he said, sizing up the situation. “and give you ladies some space.” He smiled at Briana and kissed DeeDee on the forehead before walking away.
“He’s cute,” Briana said, watching Jake from under her hair as he left.
DeeDee leaned across and lifted Briana’s hair out of her eyes, tucking it behind her ears. “Look at you,” she said, morphing into a mother’s role. She wiped Briana’s splotchy cheeks with a clean tissue from her purse, leaning back to admire her work. “That’s better,” she said with a smile. “So you think Jake’s cute, huh? I’m glad you approve.”
She was pleased that Briana managed a half-smile in return. “Yep, for an old guy. How long have you two been dating?”
“Not long, about six months,” DeeDee said. In some ways, it had seemed like longer.
“Do you think my mom will date again? I don’t want her to.”
Briana looked like a sulky little girl to DeeDee. Her bottom lip curled out the same way DeeDee had noticed it many times before when she, along with DeeDee’s daughter Tink, had done something they shouldn’t have when they were younger, and they’d been caught.
“Oh, Briana. I’m sure that’s the last thing on your mother’s mind right now. You’ll have to ask her how she feels about that, but I don’t think she’ll be rushing into anything.”
Briana stared at DeeDee. Her manicured hands were clasped together tightly on her lap, and DeeDee noticed they were trembling. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course,” DeeDee said. Briana’s face was expressionless, and DeeDee waited for her to speak.
“I think my father was having an affair.” Her voice was a flat monotone. “He denied it, of course, but now I’m not so sure. I don’t know what to think. We argued when I found out about it. He said it was nothing, that the woman was stalking him, and that Mom didn’t know. He made me promise not to say anything.” Briana paused and twisted her fingers in her lap. “Whatever I decide to do, I feel like I’m lying to Mom, or else betraying my dad. But Mom knows something is up, I’m sure of it. She’s been acting really weird, even before Dad died. If he was having an affair, I can’t tell her now. It would hurt her even more. What do you think I should do?”
DeeDee was speechless. A million thoughts had been flying through her mind all day, but Johnny being unfaithful to his wife hadn’t been one of them. Johnny Roberts adored the ground that Cassie walked on. Whatever had been going on between Johnny and Cassie, and Cassie had promised to tell her later, DeeDee was a strong believer that children should not be involved in their parents’ problems. However, it seemed that in this case, Briana had already been dragged into the middle of whatever was going on, and there was no going back from that.
DeeDee had a nagging feeling in the back of her mind that the information may in some way be relevant to Johnny’s death. But however much DeeDee sympathized with Briana’s wish to protect her mother, she knew in her heart that there was only one answer she could give her.
DeeDee took a deep breath and slowly began to speak, “I’m a big believer in the truth, and that it has its own way of getting told. I also believe that speaking to your mother about this might set your mind at rest. However much you want to shield her from more heartache, it could be a simple misunderstanding or something she knows about already. If it’s bothering you, I think you should get it out in the open. I know your mother can deal with it, but you have to let her decide what to do with the information, Briana.”
Briana looked unsure. “Okay,” she said eventually, “but I need to tell you this as well, in case…anything happens. I’m scared, DeeDee. My dad was acting weird that day. I don’t want anything bad to happen to my mom, and if Jake is a private investigator he might be able to help us. Please?”
“Of course,” DeeDee said with some reluctance. “Tell me what happened, Briana.”
Briana’s face lifted, and she began to speak. “It was a couple of weeks ago,” she said, leaning in towards DeeDee. “I was downtown at a business meeting, and Dad called me. ‘How’s my girl?’ he asked, you know the way he did…” Briana stared into the distance before focusing back on DeeDee. “Anyway, we met at a nearby Starbucks. We used to do that quite often to catch up on things. Sometimes Mom would join us.” She smiled, and her face lit up, remembering Johnny. “On that particular day we were talking, just me and Dad, and then someone phoned him…”
Briana bit her lip. “It was a quick conversation. I couldn’t hear what the caller was saying, but I could tell whatever the person said made Dad upset. He cut the conversation short and told the person never to phone him outside work unless it was an emergency. He also told the person that he couldn’t meet with them to discuss the issue, because he was busy with his daughter. When he ended the call, he acted really strange.” She shook her head, and twisted a strand of her hair around her finger.
“I asked him what was going on, and he refused to discuss it in any detail. He just said there was a woman at work called Mimi Edmonds who had told him she liked him, if you know what I mean, but it was nothing to worry about. When I pressed him about it, and asked if anything had happened between the two of them, he swore it hadn’t. Then he admitted she was practically stalking him. He was pretty sure he’d seen her driving by the house, and things like that.”
“Well,” DeeDee said. “it sounds like you have your answer. Why would your dad lie about it?”
“I don’t know, but I asked if Mom knew about it, and that’s when he made me promise not to tell her. He said Mimi needed to get professional help, and he’d take care of the problem. I asked why he didn’t just fire her, and he said that she was one of his best salespeople, and if she left, J.R. Mercedes would lose a ton of sales. He told me every other dealership in town wanted her to work for them, so he needed to be very careful.”
Without knowing the whole story, DeeDee considered that Briana had a point. Something was fishy about the phone call, and she wondered if there was more to it than Johnny had admitted to. “I’m sure your father was dealing with the situation in the best way he knew,” she responded. It was the only thing she could think of to say, but if she’d hoped it would reassure Briana, it was ineffective.
Briana shrugged. “DeeDee, you know my dad wasn’t afraid of anyone. That’s why I thought maybe they were having an affair, and she had something on him. Maybe she’s psychotic and wanted to do something to hurt my mom. If so, I think it’s better to tell Mom b
efore she does. Something was up with Mom and Dad recently, and I think this woman might have been the problem. That’s why I wondered if Jake could find out more, before I say anything to Mom.”
DeeDee’s mind was racing ahead. Like it or not, she thought to herself, you’re up to your neck in this, DeeDee Wilson. Looking on the bright side, she told Briana there was a good chance that Jake might be able to help.
After all, it was possible Mimi Edmonds might be a lot more dangerous than Briana imagined.
CHAPTER 13
It was a tired and stressed sounding Cassie who telephoned DeeDee’s suite later that night.
“I’m sorry it’s so late,” Cassie whispered. “I sent Liam to bed to get some sleep, since we have to leave in the morning to go home and make the funeral arrangements. I wonder if you could come to my room for a few minutes, so we can talk?”
DeeDee had made reservations for separate rooms in the hotel for Cassie, Liam, and Briana, to allow each of them their privacy. Briana had checked in right after she’d shared her worries with DeeDee about the situation between her father and the woman at his car dealership.
“I hope you and Jake won’t mind if I eat alone in my room,” she’d said. “I’m not feeling very sociable right now. Please don’t think I’m being rude.” DeeDee had assured her not to worry and told her she’d see her in the morning.
Jake and DeeDee had eaten dinner, and Jake had gone out with Balto for one last time, leaving DeeDee surfing through the channels on the hotel television, waiting for Cassie to get back from the morgue and call her.
“Of course,” DeeDee said, pulling on a robe. “You’re on our floor, so I’ll be there in a minute.”
Cassie was also wearing a hotel robe when she opened the door of her room for DeeDee. The thick white toweling fabric dwarfed her tiny frame. “Come in,” she said with a limp smile. Inside the room, she pointed to a bottle of white wine on top of the minibar that was already open. “Will you join me in a toast to Johnny?” And then, Cassie crumpled onto the bed, sobbing hysterically.
Northwest Cozy Mysteries #1 Page 21
