by Linda Wiken
“If he’s in hiding, you mean. I still don’t understand what he’s doing. This makes it look really bad, doesn’t it?”
“It always was bad. You don’t just disappear during a murder investigation.” Devine shrugged. “I know it’s not what you want to hear.”
“But it is possible that he just needed some time away. I’m sure he’s not the killer.”
Devine covered one of her hands with his. “You are so fiercely loyal. This is the thing with Rocco Gates all over again. While it’s admirable that you support your friends, it’s foolish that you do so without questioning the possibilities.”
“I have thought about the possibilities, believe me, and I still believe he’s innocent. So let’s just play a game. Say, you believe the same thing. Who would be at the top of your suspect list instead?”
Devine let go of her hand and sat back against the bench. “I’m still on the clock with the TV station, tracking down their supposed vandal or stalker or whatever he is. I haven’t given much thought to this.”
“What about Mikey Cooper? Could he be a murderer?”
Devine sat up straighter. “What do you know about him?”
“I know he’s the station manager’s son but was fired for crashing the station van while drunk. There must be a lot more to it, also. You’d think he’d give his son a second chance. I can imagine Mikey is pretty disgruntled, as they say. The perfect person to harass and stalk.”
“He’s under consideration. But murder is a big jump from threatening letters.”
“What about the near miss with the weather guy?”
“Possibly not deliberate.”
“What about some of the coworkers as killer? There seems to be a lot of jealousy and rivalry going around.”
“Possibilities. But how many of them were at the casino night? You can check those photos again to see if there’s someone else we’ve missed.” His eyes narrowed. “Or is there already another person you haven’t told me about?”
“No, there isn’t.” She avoided looking at him and he kept silent.
Finally, she went on. “But I do want to talk to Miranda’s assistant, Hennie Ferguson, again. I want to know what she was doing at the casino night.”
“Let me handle it.”
“No. It’s my clue.” She leaned forward, arms crossed on the table.
“May I remind you, you are not the professional.” He leaned toward her and tapped the tip of her nose with his finger.
“But I’m here with you now. I’ll go with you when you talk to her, too.”
He glared at her but she held his gaze. He shook his head. “Okay. But I choose when and where.”
“Okay.”
“So, tell me all about this married cop.”
There it was. She searched his face but didn’t find any of the anger from the night before. He just wanted information.
“That’s all I know. Hennie said Miranda met him while doing an interview.”
“That’s an even better reason to talk to her again. We need more information on the identity of the cop.”
CHAPTER 17
Sunday morning, J.J. lay in bed longer than she’d intended, going over the previous day’s happenings in her head. They’d arrived back in town long before supper, and J.J. had to admit she was a tad disappointed when Devine didn’t suggest they eat out. He instead dropped her curbside at her apartment with a warning to stay out of trouble.
Oh man, he irritated her.
He could run hot or cold or both at the same time, even. She refused to take her own feelings out for examination. She just didn’t like not knowing what was going on. Okay, nothing. Quite right. He hadn’t asked her out on a date since she’d turned him down. She wasn’t sure if she regretted not accepting. She just knew he was an irritating man.
She flung the duvet off and crawled out of bed. She needed a long walk after being in the car so much of the day before. Indie appeared from under the duvet and followed her to the kitchen, waiting patiently while J.J. filled his wet and dry food cups after putting fresh water in his bowl.
J.J. watched Indie vacuum up the canned food, then ground some espresso beans for her own morning treat. She would take a walk down to the boardwalk. That should clear her thinking.
As soon as she’d savored her first cup of espresso.
She had her hand on the doorknob when the phone rang. She checked caller ID. It was Beth. She’d better take it.
“Good morning, Beth. What can I do for you?”
“Glad you’re around, J.J. I’m just trying to get everyone together this afternoon. I’m so worried about Connor since he hasn’t shown up yet. I thought we could talk it over some more. Also, I’ve been trying some recipes in this Mystery Writers of America Cookbook and want you all as guinea pigs. I know, it’s not the dinner day but this is just for fun. I’m saving Sara Paretsky’s Chicken Gabriella for the club dinner.”
“Sounds good, and I do have some info on Connor, although he’s still missing. What time?”
“Nice thing to leave me hanging with, J.J. How about four P.M.?”
“I’ll be there. Can I bring something?”
“How about some sparkling water?”
“Done.”
J.J. took a final look out the window before heading out and decided to add a Windbreaker to the hoodie she wore. Her jeans should be warm enough. She was halfway down the slope of Gabor Avenue when she realized what a good idea the Windbreaker had been. The few flags that hung outside the shops were fluttering and a chill crept up the back of her legs. She walked faster.
Several people were walking along the beach, which surprised her. She’d expected to see the numerous dog walkers, but she would have thought the cold wind would put off the others. That’s silly. Look at me.
She took a couple of deep breaths, then pulled her hood forward a bit more. Sticking her hands in her pockets, she started walking quickly along the edge of the lake, scanning the shoreline for interesting rocks or driftwood. Her mind was blank as she concentrated on where she was walking and listening to the waves lapping the shoreline. This was just what she needed. Very therapeutic and soothing. By the time she reached the far end of the beach, where it became too overgrown with thicket to walk, she was feeling the cold. She turned back, walking even faster with her head down against the wind, trying to assemble her thoughts.
She did have information to share with the Culinary Capers gang but nothing that got them much closer to finding Connor and getting him to come home. Maybe the group could come up with something once they’d heard all the details. Someone had to know where he’d gone. What was he doing?
• • •
J.J. arrived at Beth’s first-floor condo at the appointed hour. She rang the doorbell with her elbow, juggling a cloth bag from Walgreens with two bottles of S.Pellegrino in one hand and a box of truffles from Lake Champlain Chocolates in the other. They could always eat more chocolate!
Evan opened the door for her and grabbed the bag after giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Come in and be prepared to savor.”
J.J. sniffed the air. “Oh, yum. This will be a treat, I’m sure.”
The doorbell rang, and Alison was next to arrive. “I guess the gang’s all here. All that will be here, anyway.”
Beth joined them. “Unfortunately, that’s right. Let’s grab a coffee and a seat. The meal will be another thirty minutes.”
They followed her into the kitchen and helped themselves to the coffee on their way into the family room. J.J. grabbed the worn club chair next to the sliding patio doors while the others also took their usual places.
“So,” Beth started, “let’s get right down to business, and I mean Connor. You said you had some news about him, J.J. First of all, though, Alison, is there anything new from the police end of it?”
J.J. hid a smile. She could so imagine Beth as a high school teacher when she was in this mode.
Alison shifted in her club chair. “Why do you all always do t
his to me? You know I can’t share any information with you. However, just musing out loud to myself, I wonder if my sarge has gotten an update on the reported sighting of Connor’s car on South Hero.”
Beth grinned. “I’m sorry you feel you can’t discuss this, Alison, and we do understand. J.J., what’s your news?”
“Well, surprisingly enough, Connor’s car was spotted on South Hero Island a couple of days ago.”
“Do tell.” Beth grinned again and sat forward in her chair.
“So, yesterday I drove up there and had a look around.”
“Alone?” Alison sounded less than pleased.
“I may have gone with Devine,” J.J. said under her breath.
Evan picked up on it. “Devine? As in that PI you were none too pleased with a few months ago? You’re seeing him again?”
“I am not seeing him. Our paths just happened to cross on this case.” She noted out of the corner of her eye that Alison’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly. “He was hired by the TV station to determine if Miranda’s murder is part of some other attacks on TV personalities and property.”
“Wow,” Evan said, sounding suitably impressed. “Is it? That would be great. Well, for Connor, anyway.”
J.J. shrugged and went to refill her coffee. When she sat back down, she continued. “So, what we need to figure out is, why was Connor on one of the islands? Is he still there and if so, where? Does he know someone who has a cabin around there?” She glanced around her. “Any ideas?”
Nobody said anything for a few minutes, each lost in thought. Beth was the first to speak. “I’m not much help. I can’t think of an answer to any of your questions, except maybe that Connor is somewhere around there and wants to be alone, just to get his head back on straight. He’s never been overly effusive when talking about his life. I think even though he is the big media personality, he’s a very shy person. And he needs to take this time to himself.”
Evan looked at Beth, admiration in his gaze. “Eloquently put, Beth. And I do think you’re on the right track. Connor never really talked much about his past or his other friends or even family. When we’d all get together, he’d always be asking what was going on in our lives or talking about the food, right? J.J., what was he like on dates?”
“Well, firstly, we’re talking about him in the past tense.” She shuddered. “What is he like on a date? He’s charming, fun, really knows a lot about the place we’re eating and the food itself. But, you know, and I hadn’t thought about it until this all started, he hasn’t shared many details about his life or his past with me, either. And all of our dates have been out to dinner or lunch. The odd movie. That was the focus of our talks, the food, the movie, or whatever we were doing.” She thought about that a few seconds. “I never realized it before, but we didn’t go for walks or long drives, activities that would allow for getting to know each other better.”
“Introvert,” Beth said.
“Secretive,” Alison countered.
“Do you think there’s something in his past that might be related to what’s happened?” Evan asked.
J.J. shook her head. “I don’t know and I don’t even want to go there. Not unless we have to. I’d hate to intrude on his privacy. There must be a reason he hasn’t shared more information about himself, and we should respect that.”
“Unless it’s made him a murderer,” Alison added softly.
“Don’t even think that.”
A timer went off in the kitchen and Beth excused herself. Nobody said anything, but in a couple of minutes the aroma from the kitchen brought smiles to their faces.
“Dinner is served,” Beth called out. “Evan is on wine duty, please and thanks.”
The mark of a truly delicious meal, as J.J. was learning, was its being eaten in silence. That equated with true appreciation. J.J. watched as Beth looked from face to face for some sign. Sometimes, it was like they were playing a game. Who would cave first and break the spell by talking? J.J. decided today it would be her.
“Delicious, Beth. I loved everything about it.”
Beth’s face beamed. “It’s from Hank Phillippi Ryan in The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. I love her writing and now, I love her food. She called it Worth-the-Effort Turkey Tetrazzini, and it does take some prep work but lives up to the name. Of course, I didn’t have any turkey leftovers at this time of year so I bought a large turkey breast, which I precooked.” She looked totally satisfied with herself.
“Not only will I give this one a try sometime,” Evan said, “I’ll also read one of her books.”
“I’ll guarantee you’ll read more than one,” Beth replied as she started clearing the table. “Michael’s a big pasta fan, isn’t he?”
“He is, and any excuse to use my new pasta machine is appreciated.” He refilled everyone’s wineglasses.
Alison stood to help clear the table. “I suggest we all put our thinking caps on and try to recall if Connor made mention in any way of someone he knew with a place on one of the islands.”
J.J. nodded. “And I think I need to talk to Megan Spicer again. She’s the chair of People and Causes, and the one who suggested I ask both Connor and Miranda to emcee together. I want to know why those two. I should have asked her a long time ago, but she’s been ill and off work. I heard she was back near the end of last week, though.”
No more excuses.
CHAPTER 18
J.J. phoned Megan’s office first thing Monday morning, hoping she was indeed back at work, and was lucky enough to snag an appointment with her right after lunch. Until then, she worked some more on the thirtieth-year class reunion coming up next spring. She’d obviously had one corner of her brain tasked with thinking about it, because she’d woken up with the thought of a blue jeans tea for the women attending while the men would be off at a golf tournament. Hah!
At 11:50, she took a seat near the window at Cups ’n’ Roses and sipped the latte she’d grabbed while waiting for her food. She glanced around at the other customers. There were a couple she now recognized as being fairly regular. Could one of them be the thief?
Beth brought her ham and Swiss cheese panini to the table and added a side of beet salad. “I’m thinking of adding it to the menu. You can be my guinea pig.”
“Looks delicious. Happy as always to oblige. Any shortages reported on the weekend?”
Beth sighed. “I’d like to be able to say ‘no’ but in fact, one of the small rectangular plates that I use for small side salads disappeared. And it was dirty. Can you imagine? I hope it made a big mess in the perp’s purse.”
“So, you believe it’s a woman, and a ‘perp’ no less,” J.J. couldn’t help adding, biting back a smile.
Beth shrugged then wiped her hands on her apron and looked around the room. “I can’t really expect my weekend staff to be totally vigilant. But it’s annoying. Oh well, one day we’ll catch a thief. Male or female. Enjoy your lunch.”
“I always do but I feel like I’m eating under false pretenses.”
“Not today. Remember, I want a serious rating of the beet salad.” Beth winked and went back to work while J.J. enjoyed her lunch, keeping an eye peeled just in case. She also took some more photos, just in case the deed was happening right under her eyes.
As she left, she told Beth, “It’s a keeper.”
Beth grinned and nodded.
J.J. pulled into the parking lot at Megan’s office on Park Street overlooking Battery Park a few minutes before one thirty. She checked a second time to make sure she hadn’t spilled any lunch on her black pencil skirt. She liked to look her best for all meetings, especially this one. Megan, always elegantly dressed, stood at the receptionist’s desk when she walked in.
“So good to see you again, J.J. I’m sorry I wasn’t available sooner, but the flu really knocked me off my feet and then there was just so much work to get caught up on. You know how it is.”
J.J. was surprised by the quick hug she received. “I’m glad you’re better. Nothin
g worse than being sidelined.”
Once in Megan’s office, J.J. took a minute to look at the large picture frame filled with photos from the casino night, hung on the wall next to the door. “These look really great. I’m glad it worked out. The photographer came highly recommended even though he’s still in school.”
“The board is very pleased with his work as they are with yours. We had a meeting on Friday morning to review your report, and then all hell broke loose, so I didn’t get a chance to call you about it. They really were delighted with the overall outcome of the evening, notwithstanding the grisly ending.”
J.J. noticed a slight shudder pass through Megan’s body as she said this.
J.J. nodded. “I’m glad to hear that. What happened on Friday, if I may ask?”
Megan sighed deeply. She looked tired even though as usual, she was dressed for success in a red suit with a cream-colored blouse. Her blonde hair looked like she’d just left the beauty salon. “We were subjected to another round of police interrogations. Or at least, Sue and I were. They wanted to know if I knew where Connor might be hiding.”
Nice lead-in to the reason for her visit. “You? Why would they think you’d know?”
Megan stood and walked over to the window, seeming very intent on what she was looking at. After a couple of minutes she turned back to J.J. “You see, Connor and I were once engaged.”
J.J. could feel her jaw drop. “You were? When? And, what happened?”
Megan started pacing and after a few strides, explained. “We met at a basketball game in college and just clicked. After a year of dating, he asked me to marry him. I was the happiest girl on earth.”
She sat down in her chair behind the desk and picked up the stapler, just looking at it for a few moments. She cleared her throat and put it down. “Then one night we went to a frat party, and Miranda was there. I didn’t know they were seeing each other behind my back until one of Miranda’s friends let it slip. I was livid and broke up with him on the spot.”
