by Diane Weiner
Lake Minnewaska wasn’t far, and since it was a Monday in the middle of January, there were few visitors. She was able to park close to where the trail up the waterfall started. As she pushed the stroller up the hill, she could hear the water spilling down the waterfall. Because it was winter, the trail was closed part way up the mountain, but Susan ducked under the chain, and was able to get to the spot where Adam had fallen. A makeshift wooden cross marker with a rosary around it confirmed she was in the right place.
“Well, Anabanana, there’s not even a railing at the edge of the waterfall. And the way this trail winds, it’s possible no one would have seen around the bend if Sophie had attempted to push Adam. Someone who’s afraid of heights would not have gone all the way to the edge. It is a little creepy looking down at the water here, don’t you think?”
“Gaga,” said Annalise. That was her name for Susan. Annalise said Gaga before she even said Mama. Susan took a good look around before heading back to the car. There were many boulders and assorted smaller rocks along the trail. Could Sophie have hit Adam on the head with one of them? Na. That would have left some kind of mark.
“Time to go,” said Susan. On the way home, she stopped at the McDonald’s with the indoor play area and shared a bit of a vanilla ice cream cone with the baby before dropping her off at Lynette and Jason’s. Then she decided to stop by the middle school and have a little talk with the guidance counselor. She wanted to know more about Sophie’s character since her curiosity had been piqued. If Caleb was convinced that Sophie murdered Adam, maybe he’d found a way to get back to the states. Perhaps he enlisted the help of a friend. Revenge was a strong motive for wanting Sophie dead.
Susan greeted Antonio and walked back to Elaine’s office.
“Hi, Elaine. Are you busy?”
“Not really. What can I do for you? Do you have news about Sophie?”
“Not yet, but we’re working on it. You know how you told me there were rumors about Sophie killing her husband?”
“Yes, ridiculous rumors.”
“So, there’s no way you can imagine anything driving Sophie to that, right? I heard they were having financial issues and the relationship was deteriorating.”
“Adam lost his job and they were a bit overextended, so naturally there was tension in the relationship. That doesn’t mean Sophie would have killed him.”
“What if she’d seen no way out of the financial mess?”
“Susan, you have to keep this confidential, but there was another way.” Elaine leaned in closer. “Sophie’s old high school boyfriend had come back into the picture. He was her ticket out. The guy owns a plumbing business and Sophie said he wanted her to divorce Adam and he’d take care of her. Sophie was going to do it.”
“Elaine, are you sure? Where’s this boyfriend now?”
“I am sure, but it doesn’t matter. What are we going to say––that Sophie didn’t kill Adam because she was going to leave him for an old boyfriend with whom she was having an affair?”
“It would help clear the murder rumors.”
“It doesn’t matter. There wasn’t any evidence that Sophie had hurt Adam, and the rumors have completely died down. What does this have to do with her disappearance? Our focus has to be on finding her.”
“Where’s the boyfriend now?”
“They called it quits after Adam’s death. Sophie was too upset to be involved in a relationship after what happened. She never mentioned him again after Adam died.”
Chapter 18
Susan clutched that tantalizing tidbit regarding Sophie and her high school boyfriend firmly in her thoughts. Just because Elaine said he was out of the picture after Adam’s death didn’t mean it was true. Maybe Sophie had hidden it even from her best friend. She wished she had a name. Perhaps she’d share this news with Lynette. I think I’ll give her a call. Just at that moment, her phone rang.
“Hi, Lynette. Did you get any results back on the sweatshirt yet?”
“No, Mom. I told you it could take a while. You know, Jason told me you took the baby out in the cold to Lake Minnewaska. What were you thinking? What if you’d fallen or something? No one’s around that place in the middle of winter. And Annalise could have gotten sick being out in the freezing air.”
“Lynette, calm down. I’d never hurt Annalise. Fresh air is good for babies. She was all bundled up in her hat and snowsuit. I even wrapped two blankets around her. I didn’t think you’d mind.” Susan sensed an argument brewing.
“You never respect what I say. You only hear what you want to hear.” Susan heard Lynette let out a sigh.
“I was just about to call you. I found out something that may possibly help us find Sophie.”
“Go on. Tell me the info.” Lynette’s tone was less angry now that she’d vented.
“I was speaking to Elaine Cummings, Sophie’s best friend, and she mentioned Sophie had been seeing her high school sweetheart even though she was married to Adam. Do you think he might be involved in this?”
“Do you have a name? I hope you didn’t try to call him or anything stupid like that.”
“No. I was hoping you could find that out. Who knows––maybe they even ran away together like what happened with that bank teller everyone thought had been kidnapped.”
“She was seeing Mitch Coniglio, remember––Mitch, the math teacher?”
“I know, Lynette. Like I said, maybe it isn’t important at all. I thought I’d share it just in case. I was trying to help.”
“I’ll do a little digging. We don’t have much else to go on right now. And next time you think about doing something with Annalise that you know I’d question, how about asking me first?”
“Of course.”
Kids can be exasperating. Her mom used to say that all the time. She wondered if her birth mother lacked the patience to raise a child. Maybe that’s why she gave her away.
When she got home, Susan decided to check on her adoption web sites before starting dinner. Ludwig snuggled next to her. She hoped she wasn’t putting too much optimism into the Georgia Babes possibility, but all the research she’d done about the case since seeing Sixty Minutes the other night had made her optimistic that it was at least a possibility. It would be hard to have patience while waiting for the cheek swab appointment. Meanwhile, she continued to explore the old channels as well. There was a woman on one of her chat boards who’d seen the same story and also planned on going for testing. Susan’s phone vibrated on the desk.
“Hi, Antonio.”
“Hello, Susan. Hope all is well. Have you found out any more information about Sophie? Parents are beginning to ask about her disappearance. It doesn’t take long for news to travel these days.”
“I found out there was an old boyfriend in the picture back before Sophie’s husband died. Elaine Cummings says they’d broken off contact, but Lynette is going to talk to him and see if he has anything to offer.”
“Also, Susan, Mitch Coniglio, Sophie’s current paramour, dropped by my office today. He said Sophie had mentioned several threatening e-mails and phone calls in the weeks before her disappearance.”
“Regarding the embezzlement charges?” asked Susan.
“No. These threats had to do with her dead husband. Someone was taunting her––accusing her of murdering Adam.”
“Well, that may be the motive then. Let me share this with Lynette and see what she comes up with.”
“Thanks, Susan. Ciao.”
While Susan started dinner, she decided to touch base with Lynette once again.
“Hi, Lynette. I have something else to share with you.”
“More? You really work fast. I’m still trying to find the name of Sophie’s high school sweetheart. I’m going to drop by the Pearsons on my way home and see what they can tell me. Jason already picked up Annalise from daycare.”
“Antonio tells me that Mitch Coniglio dropped by his office and mentioned that Sophie was receiving threatening e-mails and phone calls accusing her
of murdering Adam.”
“Yes, Mitch mentioned that when Jackson and I interviewed him. We’re looking into it.”
“Of course, he did. Just making sure. I’ll see you at Jackson and Theresa’s wedding on Sunday, if not before. That’s going to be one beautiful wedding. Is your dress ready to go?”
“Yep. Just picked it up from the bridal shop yesterday. Fits like a glove, and isn’t bad for a bridesmaid’s dress. Jackson is so happy, he’s jumping out of his skin. I’m really excited for them both. Of course, it leaves me without a partner for a few days while they honeymoon.”
“Well, Lynette, I could kind of stand in for him in an unofficial capacity, of course.”
“Oh sure. My mom, the deputy. Run that by Dad, will you? See you Sunday.”
Chapter 19
The next morning, Lynette knocked on the Pearsons’ heavy oak door.
“Detective, do you have news about Sophie? You found her, right?” said Mrs. Pearson. She was dressed in yoga pants and a long-sleeved tee shirt. Mr. Pearson came into the foyer.
“Did you say you found Sophie?” he said. His eyes were wide with hope.
“No, not yet, I’m sorry to say. I’m just following up on a possible lead. Can you tell me the name of Sophie’s high school boyfriend?”
“Her high school boyfriend? You mean Rusty?” said Mrs. Pearson. “She hasn’t talked to him in years. Why do you ask?”
“We’re just trying to cover all the bases,” said Lynette. “If they were still involved, perhaps they had some sort of a fallout and he was reacting to it. Like I said, just trying to cover all possibilities. We don’t have much in the way of leads.”
Mr. Pearson shrugged his shoulders. “Far as I know, they haven’t spoken in years. What about that former principal? She certainly had an ax to grind with our daughter.”
“So far nothing, but we’re still investigating. Do you know where I might find Rusty?”
“He works with his Dad––family plumbing business. At least, I assume he’s still doing that. Worked there all through high school and talked about running it when his dad retired,” said Mrs. Pearson. “The shop is down the road from Walmart––Sumter Plumbing. They have quite the monopoly on the plumbing business in this town. They’re very good. We’ve had them out here several times.”
“Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Pearson. I’ll keep you posted. We’re doing everything we can to find your daughter.”
Lynette decided to stop by the plumbing shop. If she hurried, maybe she could catch them before they closed. She pulled up to a gray, cement building which could have been any kind of warehouse except for the old-fashioned water well in front and the billboard with the ‘t’ missing from Sumter. Sum er Plumbing, still open. She was greeted by an elderly gentleman sitting at a desk. She assumed he was Mr. Sumter.
“Can I help you?”
“I hope so. I’m detective Green from the Westbrook Police Department. We’re investigating a missing person’s case. I was wondering if your son Rusty is available to speak with me.”
“Missing person? It’s that Sophie girl right?”
“You know her?”
“She and Rusty were quite an item all through high school. Can’t say I wasn’t happy when they broke up though. She was no good for Rusty––always pulling him into trouble. Don’t wish bad on nobody though. He’s working in the back. I’ll get him.”
A Ron Howard clone emerged from the back wearing a gray jumpsuit with ‘Rusty’ embroidered over the front left pocket. Lynette was surprised at how young he appeared. Maybe it was the copper-colored hair and freckles.
“Hello, ma’am. Can I help you?”
“Yes. Let’s have a seat. I’m investigating Sophie Bartolo’s disappearance. You heard she’s missing, right?”
“I heard about her on the news. Made the hair on my arms tingle. I haven’t seen her since high school. Sorry I can’t be of much help.”
“No thoughts on who may have kidnapped her?”
“Nope.”
“With all due respect, knock it off, Mr. Sumter. We know you’d been seeing Sophie, even after she married Adam.” Lynette’s eyes stared through him like a laser.
Rusty squirmed in his seat. “Well, okay. I was seeing her but we’d broken it off after Adam died.”
“And you hadn’t seen her since? Somehow I’m inclined to think you have. Can’t be that close to someone and just end the whole thing and never speak again. Especially not if there hasn’t been some huge fall-out.”
“We weren’t involved like that anymore. We did hang out as friends, but that new math teacher boyfriend of hers is the jealous type. Sophie was afraid he’d lose his cool if he knew she was still talking to me. She was really upset. Someone had been sending her threatening e-mails and voicemails. We thought it was Adam’s brother. The guy couldn’t let up on thinking Sophie was responsible for his brother’s death. I was trying to help Sophie prove that the threats came from him.”
“Adam’s brother has been stationed in Germany. Sophie knew that. Surely she couldn’t have felt threatened by a man stationed across the Atlantic from her?”
“No, no. He’s back in town.”
“He’s not due to come home for another six months. We’ve confirmed that.”
“Well, either the guy has a twin, went AWOL, or he got out early. I saw him at Walmart a few weeks ago. Sophie and I ran into him at Shop Rite late one Saturday night too. He had a few choice words for her right there in the grocery store. Said he hadn’t forgotten what she’d done to his brother. Said he had proof that would bring her down.”
“Are you sure it was him?”
“I’m a hundred percent positive. Sophie was scared of him. She couldn’t sleep that night––called me at two a.m., worried he’d try to break into her house. She thought she heard noises outside.”
“Why did she call you and not Mitch?”
“He was out of town. Some kind of convention or conference or something.”
“Call me if you remember anything else,” said Lynette. She handed him a business card.
“No problem.”
Chapter 20
Susan finished her eggs and decided to stop by the station on her way to volunteering at the high school. She thought she’d bring some doughnuts over. Lynette had been working late into the evenings this week, and she said Jackson was running around like a chicken without a head due to his upcoming wedding. Sugar, thought Susan. Yep, sugar was just what Jackson needed. Maybe he’d chomp down half a dozen Krispy Kremes, then crash and be able to relax. Yep. That was a great plan. Dr. Oz would love that one.
The station was unusually quiet, and Susan couldn’t help overhearing a conversation between Jackson and Lynette. After all, the door was wide open. Susan waited behind it for a bit before announcing her presence.
“Jackson, I just got off the phone with my military contact. Caleb Bartolo was discharged from the Air force a month ago due to medical disability.”
“What? Why wouldn’t he have told his parents? They still think he’s in Germany.”
“If I were him and had an ax to grind with Sophie, I wouldn’t announce my reappearance either. It’s a perfect cover. If he was supposed to be in Germany, he couldn’t have kidnapped Sophie. He had an alibi.”
“What was the medical disability? Did he get shot or something? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?”
“They wouldn’t tell me. You know, privacy laws and all that,” said Lynette.
“Let’s find out where he’s staying. Rusty and Sophie ran into him a few times. He has to have a place in town.”
“And if he’s no longer in the service, he needs a job. We should contact the local pharmacies.”
Susan stifled it as long as she could. She held her breath. She held her nose. Then it just came out. A sneeze that could have been heard in Manhattan.
“Mom, what are you doing here? Were you eavesdropping?” said Lynette. Her voice was firm as she stared at her mother, who was wedged between th
e wall and the door.
“Um, no. I mean, of course not.” Susan held up the box of doughnuts. “I… I brought you and Jackson a treat.” Susan held out the box. Jackson immediately opened the lid and dove in.
“Thanks, Miss Marple. Delish.” He took a gooey bite. With bits of glaze still on his lips, he said, “These are my favorite.”
“Yes, mine too,” said Susan. “Here, have another one.” She pushed the box toward Jackson.
“Mom, stop that. You are not going to worm your way out of this one with a box of Krispy Kremes.”
“Lynette, I was just coming by to bring the doughnuts and say hello. I swear. When I heard you and Jackson talking, I got caught up in your conversation. I was there literally a minute before I sneezed and gave myself away.”
“That was confidential information. You could ruin our investigation if you go blabbing something you overheard here.”
“I’m not going to tell anyone. Besides, if it was so confidential, maybe you should have closed your office door,” said Susan. “What would your boss say if he walked in and heard you?” Lynette took a step closer. “Don’t you wag your index finger at me,” said Susan.
“Now, ladies,” said Jackson. “Let’s calm down.” He stepped in between and pushed them away from each other. With sticky lips, he grabbed another doughnut.
Susan took a deep cleansing breath. “Lynette, I can help. Our neighbor is a realtor––you remember Mrs. Crumpet, right?”
“Mom, don’t go fishing around for information.” Susan wished Lynette wasn’t so high strung. She worried about her health with all the daily stress she dealt with.
Lynette hadn’t lost the agitation in her voice. “It’s not your job. Jackson and I are going to investigate where Caleb may be living or working. Go and buy some new earrings to go with that dress you bought for Jackson and Theresa’s wedding. You said last week you needed to do that.”
