Mystery: The Cook's Comeuppance: A Duncan Dewar Mystery of Murder and Romantic Suspense (Duncan Dewar Mysteries Book 3)

by Victoria Benchley

  Dear Angela, still have not figured out who owned Alcala Crane and Equipment. Philip Torillo definitely not owner. Ran Alcala for a holding company. The records are murky and I believe deliberately so. Will let you know when I find more information. - Robert

  If Robert Nolan could not establish who owned Alcala, things were murky indeed! Duncan read his next email from Ben Davis. It contained in-depth biographies of all the staff and artists in residence at the academy when Ella died.

  He paged down to Geoffrey Goetz. He had an arrest record that included possession of controlled substances. Then, curiosity led him to the information on the Argentinian sculptress. Juliette spent her childhood in boarding schools. Moving on, he reviewed the poet's information. Isabella Ramon hailed from Spain, but grew up in the States. She was the correct age to have crossed paths with Ella Peña and she graduated from university in Barcelona. Duncan compared the early photos of Ella and Betty to that of a more recent picture of Isabella included with the email from Ben. Could Isabella be Betty Gruber? Had she dropped out of the University of Salamanca after losing her beau to Ella and changed her name? It was possible.

  Duncan read on. Rhinehart Oberman, who found the body, seemed squeaky clean. He scanned the rest of the biographies in the email. Only one other artists, an American, had an arrest record. He'd been picked up for drunkenness with aggravation and a domestic complaint, both in the States. The rest of the guests at the academy had spotless pasts, barring poor credit ratings, as did its few domestic employees, according to the law, anyway.

  He focused on Isabella. He placed her in the running as a suspect because of her age and heritage. Plus, she admitted to knowing Ella. Duncan recalled her apartment and how she behaved. A chill ran up his spine and produced an involuntary shudder. But, weren't there other people in Manchiego with similar backgrounds?

  Mary came to mind. Sometimes, he had the impression she was spying on him and she must have removed Isabella's book from the bin. He would run a background check on her as well. Now, all he need do is wait. He decided to head back to the casa for siesta. His head ached slightly and he craved sleep. He packed up his laptop and left the academy without saying good-bye to Frogo.

  Several theories pinged around his brain on the walk home. He hoped he'd know the truth of what happened soon.

  * * * * * *

  Duncan awoke from his nap with a jolt. He knew who killed Ella. His subconscious discovered the link between victim and murderer while he slept. He grabbed his computer and saw the background checks he'd run had been completed. He reviewed the information contained therein. Everything fell into place. Proving his theory would be the hard part.

  He heard someone moving around in the kitchen, below his bedroom. He sauntered downstairs and saw Mary standing before the open refrigerator.

  "Hallo, Mary. Why don't you take the rest of the day off? We'll be eating in the village this evening and won't need you."

  "Oh, but Señor Duncan, I should… "

  "No, I insist," Duncan said, taking Mary by the elbow and guiding her towards the front door. He continued, "You've been working so hard for us, I demand you go relax with your own family. We'll be sightseeing tomorrow, so take that off, as well. I don't want to see you here for two days!"

  Duncan all but pushed her out of the casa. After closing the door, he moved to a shuttered window with a view of the front courtyard. He watched from between the louvers as the housekeeper glared at the villa, screwing her face into an unpleasant expression. Then she took a mobile phone from her pocket and made a call. Finally, she trudged away from the house, towards town. He bolted the front door and returned to his computer. He had other information to scrutinize and telephone calls to make.

  When he heard a loud pounding on the door, he'd been working for several hours. He moved from the kitchen table to the front of the casa.

  "Who's there?"

  "It's us, Duncan. Open up!" Angus replied.

  He opened the door and in strolled Angus and Angela. They looked happy together and that sight unsettled Duncan.

  "Where did you go?" he asked.

  "We've been exploring Manchiego and doing some shopping," she answered, holding up a brown paper bag as proof.

  She continued, "I think we may head to Toledo tomorrow."

  Angus nodded his agreement.

  "Uh, about that," he said, glancing at the floor. "I've got two tickets from Madrid to London for you for tomorrow morning."

  "What?" the couple exclaimed in unison.

  "I'm sorry. I know this may be cutting your holiday short, but the case is almost over and I think it would be best for everyone if the two of you weren't around after tomorrow morning. I've been compromised and I'm not sure who knows what about our situation," he said.

  "What about Mum?" demanded Angus.

  "She's safe for the time being. I've warned her to be careful and whom to avoid. A mass exodus isn't a good idea either, so she'll stay on a few days more," Duncan explained. He continued, "I want you two to slip out quietly, without any fuss. I'll have the academy car ready and you can leave it at the airport in Madrid. Here are your tickets."

  He handed Angus the tickets he'd printed from the computer.

  "You can stay at my place in London until you're ready to head home, Angus. You know where the key's hidden."

  "I need to explain to Sunny," Angela said, her voice trembling.

  Duncan's former assistant appeared troubled and confused.

  "Please, just call her tomorrow afternoon, when you're back in London. I don't want it getting out that you've left," he added.

  Angela looked as though she might cry. He began to move towards her, but Angus beat him to it, placing his arm around the lass.

  "Don't worry. Sunny will understand," Angus said.

  "I need to pack," Angela remarked as if to herself.

  "I'll walk you to your hotel," Angus volunteered.

  Duncan wanted to explain further, but the two were out the door before he got the chance. He thought of going after them. Waiting to express his feelings may have been a mistake. He jogged to the front window and peeked out to see if she had already left, intending to catch the lass and speak with her. There, in the courtyard, he observed Angus embracing Angela. She shook as if crying, while his brother stroked her hair with one hand and encircled her waist with the other. Duncan felt a hard knot fill his stomach as if he'd been punched there. He debated what to do. In the end, he returned to his computer, leaving Angus to comfort Angela. Her safety was more important than explaining his actions.

  - 18 -

  Revelations

  Duncan was up early. He'd secured the auto yesterday afternoon, and now made the short jaunt to the academy to pick it up. Returning to the casa, he left the automobile in the courtyard. He placed its key on the kitchen table with a note instructing Angus that once at the airport, he was to leave the key under the compact's mat, on the driver's side, before manually locking its doors. Someone would pick the vehicle up later.

  Angus hadn't returned to the casa until the wee hours of the morning, and Duncan didn't wake him now. He took a brief shower, dressed, and awaited his own ride in the courtyard. At nine, sharp, a silver vintage Rolls Royce limousine pulled in front of the house.

  Before getting in, he noticed the unique mascot on the car's bonnet. It was the standard form for a Rolls ornament, but instead of metal it appeared to be made of amethyst crystal, Lalique, he guessed. Duncan remembered from physical science that manganese in glass turns purple when exposed to the sun. In Scotland, the mascot would have remained clear.

  During the ride, he stayed focused on the task at hand, knowing that timing was crucial to his success. When Castle Tormes came into sight, Duncan checked his watch. Angus and Angela would be up by now and preparing to leave for Madrid. The driver pulled through the lancet arches into an empty courtyard before easing to a stop. He opened the door for him, then drove away as Duncan made his way to the castle's entrance. Surprised no
servant awaited to announce him, he inhaled a deep breath of arid, desert air and emptied his lungs slowly. Finding a button that appeared to be the doorbell, he pushed it and waited.

  After a minute, he prepared to push again when he heard someone turn a latch. Old hinges creaked and the wooden door eased open, driven by a white gloved, elderly servant. It was Joseph, whom he'd met on his initial visit.

  "Señora is not prepared to receive visitors this morning, Mr. Dewar," he said.

  "She'll see me. Please let her know I'm here," Duncan said, brushing past Joseph and strolling through the entryway to the hall with the grand fireplace.

  He glanced at the arcade of arches down each side of the cavernous room. They led to more rooms or outside terraces. He took a seat in front of the massive hearth in one of the substantial red leather chairs and waited.

  "I wondered when you'd come to see me," Sunny said as a greeting, a few minutes later.

  She emerged from the arcade on the left, clad in a coral sheath dress. Its jewel neckline was embellished with silver beads and crystals, resembling a necklace. Light reflecting from the trimmings created a glow about her face. Sunny appeared much younger than usual. As always, sleeves covered her upper arms, hitting just below the elbow, and the hem crossed her knees, features of her clothes that hid the wrinkled skin on her joints. She approached Duncan and gave him her hand.

  "What with all the poking around in our flight plans."

  This time, Duncan did kiss her hand, bowing slightly. A smile played across Sunny's lips and she eased into the chair opposite that of Duncan's.

  "I see you're finally catching on to our ways. Although, a proper Spaniard would never visit a lady before ten in the morning."

  "Vizcondesa, you move with marvelous fluidity. How do you manage that?" he asked, ignoring her comment about the time.

  He had not planned to say that, although he'd wondered about it since they'd first met.

  "Practice," she replied, settling back into her chair.

  Once she was seated, Duncan also sat.

  "I'm leaving tomorrow."

  He checked his watch again.

  "Angela and Angus left for London this morning. I want to discuss something with you before I depart."

  Sunny looked genuinely pained when he told her Angela had gone.

  "Why did she go without saying good-bye? Was it your doing, Duncan?" she asked, giving him a sharp stare.

  "Yes, but only so far as telling her my investigation had been compromised. She wanted to tell you she was going, but I convinced her to call you this afternoon, after she arrives in London. She cried after agreeing to leave, Sunny. She is very fond of you," he added.

  "I'm fond of her as well. She's like the daughter I never had. It was wicked of you to send her away. I see she still clings to a misplaced loyalty to you, Duncan."

  "I don't believe it is misplaced."

  "Hmm, she shared her feelings with you on the beach, and you've done nothing since," Sunny said, lifting an eyebrow at Duncan. "That brother of yours will win her if you keep sitting on your hands."

  Her tone carried a discernable amount of disdain. He felt his neck turn red and knew his face would follow if he allowed Sunny to fluster him. What else did Angela confide in the Vizcondesa?

  He took a deep breath and said, "You know that's not what I came to discuss. I want to talk about Ella and why you killed her."

  He looked for a reaction from Sunny but there was none.

  Her face as serene as ever, she said, "Duncan, are you wearing a recording device?"

  "You know I'm not. This is for my personal benefit. I think you owe me that much, Sunny."

  "How so? You've been well paid for your time here."

  "I brought Angela into your life, and now I have to live with that, Sunny. You owe me for that."

  "Yes, but you'll try to poison her against me. You've already separated us," she responded.

  "No. I just don't want to see Angela hurt. She cares too much for you. That's why I sent her away this morning. I'll never try to influence her where you are concerned. You have my word."

  Sunny raked her eyes over Duncan.

  "Stand up," she commanded.

  He did as told.

  "Turn around, s-l-o-w-l-y," she said.

  Duncan rotated, presumably so Sunny could ensure he didn't have a recorder on his person. He felt himself turning red.

  "Really, Duncan. You act as though you've never been frisked, as they say in the States. Certainly the night you were arrested an oficial de policía gave you a real pat down."

  She tapped Duncan's chair, implying he could now sit. He took his seat, hoping her games were over. He was about to threaten her with reporting her activities to Angela when she spoke.

  "All right, Duncan, I'll confide my secrets in you. There's no one else present to hear, and no one would believe you anyway," she added in a stage whisper.

  Her dark eyes twinkled with anticipation like a child's on Christmas morning.

  "I'd like you to start at the beginning, Betty," he said in a low tone.

  "So, you know about that, do you? I haven't given you enough credit then," she said, leaning close to his chair.

  He also shifted towards her, creating an intimate environment between them. Their faces were just centimeters apart. She grinned and again reminded him of a tigress.

  "Did you know Betty Gruber's father operated heavy equipment for Allegheny County in Pennsylvania?"

  "Yes, I knew," he replied.

  The background check results he received last night revealed details of her life in the States.

  "That's how Betty knew how to drop that rigging," she said with enthusiasm.

  It worried Duncan that she now referred to herself as a third person from the past. He hoped she wasn't cracking up completely.

  She continued, "Betty won glorious scholarships first to Smith College and then to the University of Salamanca, allowing her to escape Pittsburg."

  Sunny's eyes grew large and round and the corners of her mouth curved in a smile.

  She added, "Betty reinvented herself, using her middle name, Susan. It was a wonderful time."

  She sat back in her chair and stared at the fireplace. Duncan took the opportunity to steal a quick glance at his watch.

  "But then Susan met Ella Peña," he prodded, after a moment.

  Sunny sighed.

  "Yes, that ruined everything. Betty and Susan were both naïve, although Susan pretended to be a sophisticate. Ella seemed like the perfect roommate and friend. Even after I fell in love with Roberto, she played her cards to perfection."

  Duncan gave Sunny a moment and then leaned closer to her and said with a sympathetic tone, "Then Ella stole your beau. He chose to marry her instead of you. That must have been a terrible shock."

  Sunny laughed out loud, her voice producing a loud cackle that echoed through the grand hall. Then she stopped herself, placing a bony hand over her mouth.

  "How little you know, Duncan. And don't be cruel. It doesn't suit you," she added, bending forward to get a better look at him and giving him a stern nod. She continued, "Before I go on, I want to warn you not to get any ideas. I have many loyal friends here in Spain. Whatever I share with you should stay in this room, for your own benefit, Duncan. My powerful connections would crush you." She paused, then continued, "Excuse me for using that word, but they'd crush you if you tried to harm me," she threatened.

  "I don't wish to harm you, Sunny."

  A satisfied smile spread across her face and she continued, "I married Roberto Dominguez, not Ella. We loved each other deeply."

  Confused, Duncan wanted to jolt Sunny back to reality.

  "The marriage certificate states that Ella Peña wed Roberto Dominguez," he said.

  "Of course it does, Duncan."

  She reached across the space between the chairs for Duncan's hand. She held it with a vise grip.

  Sunny continued, "Back then, a girl would lose her scholarship if she marr
ied. Married women were expected to stay home and have babies in Spain. It was Ella who came up with the idea that I should marry using her name. We looked enough alike that the court official would never know I wasn't the girl on the identification. How foolish we were to believe she wanted to help us."

  She lowered her voice to a whisper and shook her head back and forth, expressing regret.

  "She convinced us we could keep our marriage private. After completing my time at Salamanca, Robert -- that's what I preferred to call him -- Robert and I could straighten the whole thing out, legally. I'd graduate and we'd go on with our lives as husband and wife."

  "What went wrong?" Duncan asked, still holding Sunny's hand.

  "Ella wanted him for herself. She wanted everything I had. He kept his own lodgings, but visited often. Once, when I was out, she slipped something into his drink. She tried to convince me he'd been unfaithful, but I didn’t believe her. Robert didn't drink alcohol, and her story made no sense. I kicked her out of the flat we shared, and two months later she telephoned him, claiming she had conceived a child. She threatened to go to the University with the whole tale. He was furious. I was close to completing my program at Salamanca and soon we would be able to be together in the open, as a married couple. Robert was on his way to see her, to try and talk some sense into her, when he lost control of his automobile. The police said he was killed instantly. I didn't find out until the next day, because there was no official record of our connection."

  Duncan's hand ached from the grip Sunny had on him. Surprising, how a bony hand could be so strong.

  "That must have been horrible for you," he said with real empathy.

  "You cannot begin to imagine. I didn't know until it was too late, but I was the one who had conceived a child. I miscarried when I heard about Robert. Back then, my situation was shameful. I had nowhere to turn until I thought of the Vizconde. I'd met Eugenio on several occasions as the recipient of his family's scholarship. He always expressed a special interest in me. He was a trustee of the university and the hospital. When the nurses asked me if I had any family that should be notified, I gave them his name. When he came to see me, I told him everything. He took pity, and had me moved here."