by Libby Klein
I wasn’t convinced. I returned to the kitchen, where Aunt Ginny was calmly drinking a cup of tea and reading the paper. A black cloud had descended. And when I say a black cloud, I mean a black cloud dressed in Marc Jacobs and wearing Chanel no. 5.
“Poppy, good, you weren’t carried away by street thugs last night after all. I was concerned.”
“You were so concerned you locked me out.”
“Well, I had to protect the rest of us, didn’t I? Besides, you looked like you could take him if push came to shove.”
I considered that for a moment. Was that another jab about my weight? Georgina was getting more subtle with her insults as time went on. I had to get her out of here and soon.
“Oh, before I forget.” Georgina pulled a pink card out of her pocket. “You had a phone call yesterday. Julie from Leeman and Furrier. She said it was very important.”
“You mean Judy? From Freeman and Furman?”
“I don’t know, I couldn’t understand her. Girl talked like she had marbles in her mouth. Reminded me of a college roommate I had from Massachusetts. We called her Mumbles. Anyway, she said it was urgent.”
I snatched the paper from Georgina’s talons. “She told you yesterday that it was urgent and you’re just now giving me this?”
“Well, I was very busy yesterday.”
I left the room before I did something nefarious that Barbara Walters could talk about later. I went to my room and dialed the number on the card.
“Freeman and Furman, Judy here.”
“It’s Poppy. I just got your message.”
“Oh good. I thought you may have forgotten about us.”
“No, of course not. What’s up?”
“I found something I think you need to see.”
“Something like what?”
“It was hidden in Brody’s desk, but I don’t really understand it, so I don’t know if I should show it to Ken and Kylie yet.”
“And you want me to see it?”
“You’re the only one who believed me that Brody was innocent. They fired him without having any proof. I don’t want to show them this until I’m sure. Besides, you’re a cat person. I trust you. Could you come today to take a look at it?”
“Absolutely. I’ll meet you in thirty minutes.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
I didn’t know what Judy had found, but I sure wanted it to be proof that someone else had killed Brody. Was it too much to hope for a murder weapon and a signed confession?
Chapter 33
I parked at the curb in front of Freeman and Furman. A woman in long purple robes stood next to a black car with a dent in the hood, waving around some smoking branches. People were milling about, walking down the sidewalk, going into offices. No one else around seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary with the scene.
I walked up the stairs to the second floor. Before I could go into the office, I heard a pssst to my left. Judy was waving a pink scarf at me from the emergency exit.
“Get in here!” she whispered loudly.
I entered the creepy concrete stairwell to find Judy pacing nervously with her arms crossed over her chest like I had to do that one time I tried jogging. Next to her was a banker’s box full of framed pictures of a young girl, a homemade clay ashtray probably made in school, a cactus plant, and other assorted office supplies. “Thank God you’re here. They just got out of a partner meeting and it’s only a matter of time before they come looking for me.”
“What’s going on outside?” I pointed in the direction of the curb.
Judy waved a hand in dismissal. “That’s just Madame Zolda the psychic. She thinks her car is cursed or something.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. I think someone broke into it last week and stole her good luck charm. Listen,” she said in hurried, hushed tones, “forget about her. I was cleaning out Brody’s desk yesterday morning, you know, to give his stuff to his daughter.”
I looked down at the banker’s box and the picture frames. “Are these all pictures of her?”
Judy whimpered. “That’s Christina. He wanted to reconnect with her so badly. Now he won’t have the chance.”
“That’s a shame. I met with Liz the other day and she said Christina is devastated by her father’s death. I think she’s regretting that decision now.”
“Poor dear. If only she hadn’t been so bitter and could have forgiven him for the mistakes he made when he was younger. We all do things we regret.” Judy’s body shuddered with a compressed sob. “Ken ordered me to clean out Brody’s office so he could hire a new broker before tax season. I don’t think he was even going to call the family to come get this stuff. I was going to drive over to Liz’s consignment shop later, but since you know her, do you think you could take these to her? If I leave them here they might just end up in the dumpster.”
“Of course, I can take them up for you. I owe her a cake anyway. Liz said that Brody had come into some money lately. Did he have any accounts that were doing particularly well?”
“He made a windfall for the Wintergate Corporation. They invested in some tech company that developed an app that tracks your heart rate and the early warning signs of heart attacks.”
“Did he get a piece of their investment?”
“He made a commission, so yes. He got a nice check that month. Which I’m sure he spent on his Teen Center kids.” She heaved a sigh, and her shoulders relaxed. “Anyway, here, I found this.” She pulled a padded envelope out of her bra and shoved it into my hands.
“Oh, ah … okay.” That wasn’t awkward at all.
“It was taped to the bottom of Brody’s center drawer.”
I opened the clasp and peeked inside. The envelope was full of pages that had been printed off from an account. A yellow sticky note was stuck to the document with the words I know written on it. I fished in the envelope and pulled out a black flash drive.
“Do you think maybe Brody found the error in the books and he was going to turn this in?”
Or he hid it because it was incriminating. Why would you tape the proof that you were innocent to the bottom of your desk?
Before I could slide the document out of the envelope, I heard Ken’s voice calling from the office. “Judy! Are you down there?”
Judy paled. “Quick, hide it!” she hissed. “If they know I gave you that I’ll get fired.”
I didn’t have pockets or a purse, so I shoved it in my bra like Judy had done. Ehhhhhck. I cracked open the door to the hallway and saw Ken heading our way. I didn’t want him to see the banker’s box, so I did the only thing I could think of. I grabbed the cactus from Brody’s things and jumped out into the hall in front of him.
“Hi there.” I shoved my hand out and grabbed his and began to shake it. “Remember me? I was here a few days ago to discuss your investment services.”
“Err …”
“Can we talk for a minute?” I still had his hand and started to lead him back into the office.
Ken bristled. “Do you have an appointment?”
I gushed on, “No, but I brought you a plant for your office as a thank-you for our meeting the other day. Let’s go put this on your desk and give it some water, shall we.” I looked over my shoulder as I led him to the office door with his name on it. Judy slipped back in behind her desk and gave me a thumbs-up.
“And I just had to talk to you about the animal shelter.”
We’d reached his office and I led him inside.
Ken rubbed his forehead, then looked around the room like he was surprised to find himself there. “What about the animal shelter?”
I put the cactus on his desk and poured some water on it from a bottle of Evian that was fresh from the mini-fridge. “Kenya’s a friend of mine and she said your work with them has just been invaluable.”
“She did?” He ran a hand through his beard. “I mean, I’m just the comptroller. She’s the one who’s hands-on with the daily operations.”
“Well, now you’re just being modest. Kenya said they couldn’t run that place without you. You’re a real hero.”
Ken’s chest puffed out and he rocked on his feet. “I do what I can. I think we should all strive to do good, and take care of the innocent ones who can’t take care of themselves.”
“She even has your picture on the Wall of Blessings, accepting your humanitarian award last year. That’s the same award your deceased employee got this past spring, isn’t it?”
“Ah, well …” He paused for a moment, then his eyes narrowed and he gave me a critical look.
Hmm, I may have overplayed my hand a bit.
His voice took on an accusatory tone. “What were you doing at the shelter? Were you spying on me? Is this about Brody?” His fist balled at his side and he took a step toward me. I took a step back toward his desk.
“What? No! Don’t be ridiculous. I was looking for a pet—a cat. I mean I have a cat and I want to get him a friend … a little cat friend … to play with.” I was nervous rambling and couldn’t stop myself. “You know how much cats like to have other cats as friends. My little fella is lonely. So I went to Kenya … to adopt a cat … like you do.”
He glared down at me with fire in his eyes, just breathing in and out.
“Can I see your award?” I squeaked.
“No!”
“Is that it there?” I pointed to a tall bronze statue of an angel on a scallop shell holding a star over its head.
His face flushed crimson and he lifted one arm and pointed to the door. “Get out!”
I lunged at the statue and grabbed it. This could be my only chance to examine it for dents or blood or something incriminating.
Ken stared frozen in disbelief.
Except for dust, it was in perfect condition. How disappointing.
“Do I have to call the police on you, lady?”
I put the statue back on the bookshelf in the dust outline it had come from, and started for the door.
“Your office could use a good cleaning. I know a service …”
“Out!”
“I’m just trying to help.”
He pursued me at a menacing distance to be sure I was leaving.
Kylie stood in front of Judy at her desk.
Judy held the phone out to Kylie with one hand covering the mouthpiece. “He’s left twenty-seven messages today. He’s threatening to come in here.”
Kylie vigorously shook her head no. “Please, tell him I’m not here.” She ran back to her office.
Judy caught my eye and pointed to the phone. She mouthed, “Frank Ribbett,” and stuck her tongue out.
Ken had one hand on my back and practically pushed me into the hall.
“You could do with some anger management classes,” I offered as a helpful suggestion.
“If you so much as step one foot in here, I’m getting a restraining order issued against you!” He slammed the office door in my face.
Well, that could have gone better.
I returned to the stairwell and gathered up Brody’s banker’s box.
Out at the car, Madame Zolda was clutching a big pink rock and calling for her spirit guide. She didn’t acknowledge me.
I put the banker’s box in the trunk of my car. Suddenly I heard Ken yelling from the upstairs window. “And keep your stupid plant.” He hurled the cactus and it landed on the windshield of Madame Zolda’s car, breaking the glass and setting off the car alarm.
Madame Zolda looked at her broken windshield and her bottom lip started to quiver and her eyes teared up.
“That can’t be good for business,” I said.
She started to full-on bawl and I knew I had to make a quick escape before the cops came or a Patronus showed up. I didn’t know which one would be more frightening.
I drove away and dialed Sawyer. I wanted to tell her about my run-in with Ken Freeman. Her phone went to voice mail … again. Where is that girl? She hasn’t answered any of my calls for days. I feel like she’s hiding something from me.
I headed toward the Garden State Parkway, and mulled over the conversation with Ken Freeman. That man had some serious rage issues. I could totally see him bashing Brody over the head. Heck, I could see him bashing Mother Teresa over the head if mildly provoked. I didn’t get a confession or absolution out of him, but when I was in his office I did figure out why Kenya and his statues seemed so familiar. I had seen that scallop shell outline in the dust before. Brody had the same outline on his desk the day Georgina and I looked around his house. It looked like whoever whacked Brody stole his award, and maybe used that statue to do the deed.
Chapter 34
I pulled into the parking lot at the Teen Center. It was Saturday afternoon, so the place was full of activity. Skateboarders were riding the ramp in the back. A game of basketball was in full swing on the court and various kids were littered about the lawn and front walkway in different stages of electronic hypnosis.
I was here to talk to the girls to see if Brody had ever made inappropriate advances toward them like he had with Erika. It could open up the investigation into a whole new direction if I could prove Brody was attacking girls. I signed in at the front desk and said hello to Brenda.
“Did you bring any goodies today?”
“No, I’m afraid not. I had an emergency this morning and haven’t done my baking yet. I can make some brownies and bring them early next week if you’d like.”
Brenda shook her head. “No brownies. They’re not allowed. Some kids tried to sneak pot brownies in once—now it’s on the NO list.”
“How about some butterscotch oatmeal crumble bars, then?”
“Ooh, they sound yummy.”
“You got it. Hey, are Dani or Keisha around?”
“I haven’t seen Keisha today, but Dani is in the computer lab.”
She gave me directions down the hall and across from the Ping-Pong room I was in during my last visit.
The computer lab was a bright orange room with utilitarian fluorescent lights and a center desk in the back for a chaperone. Six long tables were set up in two rows. Several laptops were spaced apart, joined by cable spaghetti. A few boys were huddled in two rival groups, one on either side of a table, playing a video game against each other.
Dani sat in the front corner with another girl I hadn’t met yet. She was a pretty strawberry blonde with a smattering of freckles across her nose. Dani looked up when I came in.
“Hi, Poppy. Did you bring more cookies?”
“I didn’t today, but I’ve already talked to Brenda and I’ll bring some cookie bars when I return.”
Dani didn’t look up from her laptop screen. “Hmm. Whatever it is, better bring two if Brenda knows about it. This is Clare.”
Clare gave me an apologetic smile. “Brenda is usually on a diet and she gets hangry.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I grinned. “Hey, I was wondering if I could ask you girls a very serious question about Brody.”
Dani still didn’t look up from what she was working on. “Sure, what is it?”
“Well, I was wondering if Brody had ever done anything inappropriate to you girls.”
Dani and Clare blinked at me with wide eyes. Clare spoke. “Like what?”
“Well, you know, maybe touched you somewhere he shouldn’t or made you do anything you didn’t want to—or wouldn’t do in front of your grandmother.”
The girls said in unison, “Ewwww.”
Then Clare said, “Besides, my gran is a dirty old lady. She’d do way more than I’d be comfortable with.”
“So, I take that as a no.”
Dani folded her hands in her lap. “Brody never did anything like that to me. He always treated me with respect, like equals.”
Clare nodded. “That’s why so many of us came here. He was like, an adult, with like, adult rules and all. But you like, never felt like you were being looked down on, like you do at home or school. You know?”
“I’d really like your perspective on B
rody and Erika’s relationship.”
Clare snickered. “What relationship? She had the same relationship we all had with Brody. He was our friend and mentor.”
Dani added, “Well, actually, Erika was like Brody’s biggest fan. Always ‘Brody this and Brody that.’ And I think Brody really got a kick out of that, ’cause he spent a lot of time with her.”
“Do you think Brody could have taken advantage of her … enthusiasm?”
Dani cocked her head to the side. “If he did, then Emilio would have jumped him for it.”
“Emilio? The boy who isn’t allowed to come here anymore?”
“You know him?” Clare asked.
I remembered our run-in last night in the hydrangeas and rubbed my elbow where I’d jabbed him in self-defense. “We’ve met. Why would Emilio jump Brody because of Erika?”
“Emilio and Erika were dating up until a few weeks ago.”
Dating? Neither one of them mentioned that little fact.
“He’s not allowed here anymore ’cause he broke rule number one,” Dani explained. “No drugs.”
“Do you know if they’re still dating?”
Clare shook her head no. “Erika broke up with Emilio a couple weeks before he was kicked out. He was really upset about it. I think it’s what sent him over the edge.”
“Why’d they break up? Do we know?”
“Emilio started using again. Erika was a hot mess, but she wouldn’t be around drugs.” Dani shook her head. “Not after her mom.”
“So, Erika and Emilio are dating. Erika breaks up with Emilio because he starts using drugs again. Then Emilio gets kicked out of the Teen Center for possession?”
The girls both nodded, so I must have gotten that word right. “Then Erika’s father comes in and threatens Brody for …”
Clare turned her palms up and finished my sentence. “For molesting her.”
These kids don’t miss anything. “Then Brody is murdered in his home.”
Both girls nod.
“Do you think Emilio could have killed Brody for molesting Erika?”
The girls sat on the question for a minute, then Dani finally answered. “I think Emilio is capable of killing, especially if he’s trippin’.”
