Toni trotted downstairs and tossed her bag near the door.
Realizing she would need a regular coat, she took her letter jacket out of the closet and put it in the bag also. Then she flipped on the stereo and went to work. In no time she had created a plate of sliced cheese, sliced apples and crackers. A far cry from Martha Stewart, but it would be fine. She laughed and poured herself a glass of wine. She spotted a pumpkin candle on the shelf in the living room and remembered her parents had sent her some Halloween candles. She placed them all on the coffee table and lit them. It looked nice. She leaned back on the couch and put her feet on the table.
Now all she had to do was wait for Boggs, she thought. Several 111
minutes passed before she noticed her foot twitching. Mr. Rupert was now sitting across from her, staring intently.
“What? So I’m a little nervous. I’ll get over it.” He continued to stare.
“I’m just going to play it cool,” she said, more to herself than to him. “I’m sure I blew everything out of proportion last night, but I think I’m okay. Everything I said could be taken very innocently, don’t you think?”
Even though it was a rhetorical question, Mr. Rupert must have felt compelled to respond.
“Exactly.” Toni nodded. “So when she gets here, I’ll just be my plain old fun self. It’s going to be a great party. Even if it breaks up early, I can still go to Gertrude’s Garage. Jake said he’d be there all night.”
Mr. Rupert shook his head as if to say, “Like that would ever happen.”
And it was true. She’d never go to a bar by herself.
“I don’t know why you get so worked up about these things, boy.” She grinned and leaned over to pet her lovable cat. It sure was nice to have someone who listened to her. She was still scratching his head when the doorbell rang. It was 6:10.
Edward pulled into his driveway and glanced at the clock on the dash. It read 6:10. He was so glad to be home from his business trip. The flight from New York had seemed longer than usual and his body ached from being confined in a plane. He hoped Martha was home by now. He’d called her before leaving the Big Apple, but she hadn’t answered. He gathered his bags and headed to the front door, pleased to see there were lights on inside. As he fumbled with his keys, he expected Martha to open the door for him.
It was then he noticed that the porch light wasn’t working. He thought that was odd because it was on a sensor. He let himself inside.
“Sweetheart, I’m home,” he called. He set down his bags and 112
stood there for a moment, smiling. He knew she would be walking out from the study just about now. A few seconds passed.
“Sweetheart, I’m home,” he repeated.
No response. He took a few steps through the foyer. Maybe she was upstairs, or ran an errand.
“Martha?”
Nothing. The quiet seemed to hurt his ears.
He closed his eyes. Something was terribly wrong. He slowly opened his eyes, said a small prayer and went to the study. He knew. At the doorway he froze. Nothing made sense. There she was. He could see her, but he couldn’t seem to reach her. It was as though he was trapped behind a thick sheet of ice. He could see her, but he couldn’t move. His best friend. His lover. His partner.
His life. He could see her. Tears began pouring from his eyes, melting the wall and freeing him from that spot. He walked slowly to her and knelt down. There was no question she was gone.
Nothing he could do. He gently touched her arm and wept.
Without leaving her or letting go of her, he pulled his phone from his jacket and called the police.
Seven minutes later officer Patty Green pulled up in front of the house. The dispatcher had said a man called crying, mumbled something about his wife, gave the address and hung up. The call had come from a cell phone. The address was 317 Claymore. It was the home of Edward and Martha Haley. Patty had met Judge Haley and hoped it wasn’t serious. She glanced around. Nothing seemed out of place. One car in the driveway. She touched the hood of the car, still warm. She went to the porch, listened at the door for a moment and then knocked. No response. Just as she started to call for backup, another officer pulled up.
“Hey, Steve, how’s it going?”
“Slow night so far,” he replied. “I heard the address and thought I’d come by. This is Judge Haley’s house.” Patty nodded. “No one answered the door and the car is still 113
warm.” She knocked again and yelled, “Police.” No response.
Steve tried the door. It was unlocked. Patty nodded and he slowly opened the door.
Patty scanned the area. A suitcase and coat were lying on the floor. There was a light on in the first room to the left. Patty called out again but got no response. She held up her hand to keep Steve from speaking. She listened for a moment, then gestured for Steve to follow.
Patty quickly assessed the situation. There was no doubt the body on the floor was that of Judge Haley. She was lying on her back in a pool of blood that had turned to black. Her face was now purple and her eyes—wide open—were a milky white color.
Panties had been shoved in her mouth. Patty could see her body was frozen with rigor and that Martha’s right hand looked distorted. Patty swallowed hard twice, attempting to keep her focus.
She also recognized Edward Haley as he knelt beside his wife, weeping silently. She asked Steve to call the dispatcher and to use the Dexter Crown code. This would lessen the chance of a media onslaught. She knelt beside Edward, careful not to disturb anything.
“Mr. Haley?” she asked. “My name is Officer Patty Green. You need to come with me, sir.”
Edward continued to weep, oblivious to the intrusion. She gently took his hand and repeated herself. His deep emotion touched her heart. The contact brought Edward back. In the background sirens could be heard.
Patty spoke again, a little more firmly. “Mr. Haley. You need to come with me, sir. You need to let go of her and come with me.” Edward looked at Patty and blinked several times. Tears still streamed down his face. The paramedics arrived, although there was nothing they could do for the judge. Patty raised her hand to keep them back from the crime scene.
“Mr. Haley,” she said gently, “The paramedics need to check you over.”
Edward looked at Patty through half-closed eyes. He looked confused, as if he couldn’t bear leaving Martha. Patty sensed his turmoil and gently pulled his hand.
114
“I’ll take care of her for now, Mr. Haley,” she said. “You go over there with the paramedics.”
Edward nodded and Patty led him back to the foyer. She suggested to the paramedics that they take Mr. Haley out to their unit to “check him out.” One of the guys nodded and seemed to understand it was best for Mr. Haley to be removed from the scene.
Steve was standing in the doorway. “Well,” he said. “I did a quick look. Nobody around and no forced entry.” Patty shook her head. “That bastard is back at it again. Okay.
Let’s rope off everything. I don’t want anyone else contaminating the scene. Is Sarge on her way?”
“Should be here any minute,” he replied. “Along with anyone else who can get here. I heard on the radio that Detective Parker is on his way. Because this is obviously the work of his boy, I’m sure he’ll take over.”
Patty rolled her eyes. Like most of the female officers in the department, she couldn’t stand Frank. His “God’s gift to women” attitude grated on her. Thankfully, she rarely came into contact with him. Just then Frank drove up.
“Well,” said Patty, “speak of the devil.” Neither Steve nor Patty said anything as Frank approached the front porch. His blazer was wrinkled and it looked like he hadn’t shaved that morning. He was limping ever so slightly.
“Evening, Detective,” said Patty.
Frank ignored her and looked at Steve. “What do we have?” he asked.
Steve glanced at Patty. She was the first on scene and it was her case until she turned it over. Patty shrugged her shoulders
ever so slightly and smiled, indicating that Steve should answer.
“Judge Haley. Her throat was slit . . . panties in her mouth.” Steve gestured over his shoulder. “She’s in the study, first room on the left. Husband called it in. He’s a mess. Over at the unit. Did a quick perimeter check, no forced entry. Green here secured the scene.”
Frank nodded as he pushed by both officers.
Patty followed him to the study and shuddered seeing the body 115
again. She saw Frank look at the judge and sigh. He shook his head as if to clear his mind. By the time the crime scene unit arrived, Frank appeared to be back to his old charming self.
The crime scene team that arrived was the best in the department. Three guys who were not only the best in the business, but truly loved their jobs. Patty knew they had worked the other Dexter Crown cases but had turned up nothing.
Less than five minutes had passed when officer Bannon, one of the crime scene investigators, called out. “Hey. Take a look at this.”
Patty and Frank looked at the spot where he was pointing.
“Blood,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s hers. Looks like it dropped straight down but not from the height of her neck. You can tell by the shape. Maybe we caught a break this time. Maybe she wounded the son of a bitch.”
Patty was encouraged by the find but Frank looked stunned. He just nodded and stepped back. The other techs came quickly. One photographed the area while the other waited to collect samples.
Patty went back outside, followed by Frank. He called Steve over. “Canvass the neighborhood,” he instructed. “If you get any bites, let me know immediately. Don’t let them ramble on. I’ll be doing all the interviewing of witnesses.” Steve nodded and he and Patty relayed the information to Sergeant Cooper, who said, “You two go ahead. When you’re done, give the info to Frank, then go back on patrol.” Steve and Patty turned to go.
“By the way, Green,” added Sergeant Cooper, “good work on securing the scene. And Wilson, good job using the Crown code over the radio. Looks like we’ve avoided the media for now.”
“Thanks,” Patty replied.
Steve shrugged. “Patty here gets the credit, Sarge. She’s the one who told me to call it in that way.”
Sergeant Cooper nodded to Patty and walked away.
116
CHAPTER 13
Toni looked through the peephole. Ah, a distorted Boggs. She laughed and realized she wasn’t nearly as nervous as she thought she would be. Making the conscious decision that she would just have fun and be herself had certainly made a difference. She opened the door and waved Boggs inside. Except for the fact that Boggs was obviously a woman, and wore no hat, her costume was perfect. She looked just like every 1940s private investigator portrayed in the movies. Toni raised her hands to her cheeks and said in her best baby doll voice, “Thank heavens you’re here, Detective. The coppers say I killed Big Jim, but I didn’t. I adored that big lug.”
Boggs shook her head and grinned. “Cute.” She eyed Toni’s outfit. “Well, that’s an original costume. What are you supposed to be? A college student? A protester against the wearing of Halloween costumes?”
“Very funny yourself.” Toni laughed. “I discovered that my 117
outfit, although prize-winning, was difficult to get around in. I thought I’d be comfy until we were ready to go. Have a seat and I’ll serve the pre-party hors d’oeuvres. Would you like a glass of wine?”
“Sure,” Boggs replied as she headed for the couch.
Toni went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of wine and her plate of goodies. “I want you to know,” she said as she placed the plate in front of Boggs, “I’ve been slaving in the kitchen all day.”
Boggs looked at the plate and laughed. “Toni, you shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. Thank you.” Toni sat down and sampled the cheese. “Marvelous, if I do say so myself.”
They chatted for a bit until Toni looked at her watch.
“I better get a move on. It should only take me a few minutes.” She rose from the couch. “I think I can secure the pillow by myself, but I’ll yell down if I get in a jam, okay?” Boggs nodded as Toni left the room.
“Make yourself at home, Boggs,” she called over her shoulder.
Toni dashed up the stairs, pleased with herself. She had detected no tension in the air and she was sure the evening would be a lot of fun. She wrapped her big pillow around her waist and struggled to secure it with the bungy cords. Twice they slipped from her hands and flew across the room. On the third try she was successful. Next, she carefully attached her rubber butt and backed up to the mirror. It was a little high, but it needed to show above her jeans. She pulled them on, thankful she had left her shoes on.
Bending down was a bit tricky. After a little squirming and read-justing the butt, she looked over her shoulder at her reflection in the mirror and burst out laughing. This was better than she hoped.
The T-shirt hung down just enough to cover the top of the rubber crack, and the jeans fit tightly halfway down. She turned in a circle for the full effect, then she tucked the shirt inside the jeans in the front so the pillow wouldn’t show. Next, she slipped on the jacket.
It was too short in the back, giving a full view. Still giggling she 118
strapped on the last item, a tool belt. Making it snug would ensure that her jeans stayed put. She hurried back downstairs. When she got to the bottom step, she strolled across the room. Boggs turned to watch and smiled. Toni then lumbered past her and bent over slightly at an attempt to retrieve something from the shelf.
Boggs couldn’t contain herself. “That . . . is . . . hysterical!” She gasped in between laughs as tears streamed down her face. “Oh, my God. That looks so real. Did you see yourself?” Unable to keep a straight face, she nodded vigorously.
“Upstairs in the mirror. Isn’t it a hoot? Take a few pictures of me, okay?” She handed her the camera. “My folks want to see the final product.”
Boggs took the camera, took several shots, then said, “Now how about a nice shot in front of the fridge?” She chuckled.
Toni complied and struck several poses, each one more exag-gerated than the one before. She gestured for the camera and grabbed Boggs’s hat from the nearby table.
“Okay, gumshoe,” she said, “couple of mug shots for the authorities, please.”
Boggs seemed slightly embarrassed but donned the hat and posed. She even pulled back the trenchcoat enough to reveal her shoulder holster. Toni was momentarily taken aback when she realized it held a real gun. Well, of course she carried a gun . . .
duh. Don’t be naïve, Toni told herself. And of course that’s why Boggs always wore a jacket. Toni grinned and took the picture. A woman with a gun—sexy.
Toni shook the thought from her head and came back to reality.
“I think we’ll have the best costumes.”
“Well, I don’t know about me,” Boggs replied, “but you’ve certainly got a winner.” She turned a seemingly critical eye toward Toni’s costume. “I don’t know, Toni. Don’t you think your pants are a little out of style? They look a little nineteen seventies, if you know what I mean.”
Toni laughed then said as seriously as she could, “Thank you very much, Ms. Cutting Edge. Kindly refrain from making any 119
further cracks about my outfit.” With that, she turned and reached for her glass of wine.
“Can you sit?” Boggs asked.
Toni shrugged. “I guess I better give it a try.” With a plop she landed on the couch. “Hey. Not too bad. It’s not as uncomfortable as I had imagined.”
“But can you get up?”
Toni struggled a bit but was able to extricate herself from the couch. She turned her back toward Boggs. “Does my butt look okay? Did my jeans stay in place?”
Boggs surveyed the area. “Looks good to me. But, how are you going to manage at the haunted house? It is usually pretty tight in those places.”
“Oh, I’m bringing a
change of clothes. I figured I’d change before we go. You don’t think Sam and Betty will mind, do you?”
“Oh, no. Not at all. Most people begin peeling off their costumes after about an hour. Especially the ones who wear masks.” Boggs looked at her watch. “I guess we could head out if you want.
It’s about a twenty-minute drive from here.” Toni agreed and picked up the plate from the coffee table.
Boggs followed her to the kitchen carrying the wineglasses. Toni put the plate in the fridge and nearly bumped into Boggs when she turned around. Their eyes met and the electricity was back in full force. Damn it, Toni thought.
“Um, oh, thanks . . .” she stammered as she took the glasses from Boggs.
Boggs seemed to immediately sense Toni’s nervousness. She gazed at Toni again and smiled as if she’d decided to think about this for a few minutes, as if it could be fun.
Toni, regaining her composure, pushed past Boggs with her large stomach.
“Looks like there’s a full moon out tonight.”
“Boy, you really crack yourself up, don’t you?”
“If you don’t mind, Slim, I think I’ll drive, I know where Sam lives. Anyway, my vehicle can handle wide loads.” 120
Toni grabbed her wallet and keys, then reached for her bag near the door. The process of bending over caused Boggs to start laughing again. Toni, still bent over, backed up toward Boggs. “Beep, beep, beep,” she chimed. “Wide load, watch out.” She laughed.
“Since I’m obviously such a sight to behold, maybe I should hire you to be my bodyguard for the night. Or at least clear a path for my butt.”
Boggs readily agreed. “Sure, Slim, be happy to accommodate you. It’s the least I can do after you went to all that trouble fixing the hors d’oeuvres.”
Toni said good-bye to Mr. Rupert, who had been napping on the couch, and the two women headed out the door.
When Toni and Boggs reached the party, Sam and Betty greeted the new arrivals with their typical haunting hellos, but Boggs noticed an underlying distress immediately. After introduc-ing Toni to Betty, she confronted Sam. “What’s wrong?” He hesitated a moment, then stepped out on the porch with Toni and Boggs. He looked back at Betty, who smiled and nodded, then retreated inside with the other guests.
Anticipation Page 12
