Take Stock in Murder

by Millie Mack

  “Yes, sir. I understand. Thank you, sir.” He smiled and went off to get their order.

  After the pie and coffee arrived, Carrie moved to the other side of the booth to sit next to Charles. She carefully unfolded the paper she’d removed from Todd’s program manual.

  “OK, let’s see what we have,” Charles said. “We’ve fourteen sets of numbers and letters. We’ve three columns of letters broken by numbers. What do you think?”

  “It could be a registration number, a policy number, or even a license number. It could be almost anything.”

  “OK, let’s do the reverse. Let’s figure out what the numbers can’t be.” Charles took out his notebook.

  “Sounds like a good idea. It isn’t a phone number.”

  “Agreed, and it doesn’t appear to be an address unless it’s also in code.”

  “It’s not a series of dates. It’s doesn’t appear to be a code for the alphabet, so it’s not a…” Carrie stopped midsentence.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “It might be a name. The three letters could represent someone’s initials.”

  “Very clever. These could easily be initials.”

  “With Todd working for his family’s business, we should think financial. What would be financial? Could it be something to do with dollars and cents, money, the green stuff?”

  Charles grabbed her arm, then gave her a big kiss. “I think you have it, my little mystery sleuth.”

  “What do I have? Although whatever it is, I’ll have another kiss.” Charles readily obliged.

  “The letters do represent someone’s initials. The numbers after the first letter could be an account number. See how the numbers are similar, even though they’re all different?”

  “It would be easy enough to find out if this matched the account number sequence from the company. Charles, do you think it’s possible that this last set of numbers represents dollars?” She was adding using her fingers. “If you assume the numbers are in thousands, we’re talking about quite a lot of money. It would have been quite a sum for young Mr. Todd to handle.”

  “Well, at least that sum would help to explain Todd’s city condo. However, all we have is a supposition.” Charles saw Carrie looked somewhat disappointed. “However, it’s a great supposition, and I’ll bet anything you’re right on the money. We just need to go the next step and figure out what the money represents.”

  “I’m not sure about the money, but the initials make sense.” Carrie took Charles’s notebook and began to fill in names against the initials. She listed five very quickly. “I can spot five matches without too much effort: Delores Chaney, Judy Marshall, Pat Sloane, Terry Conan, and Marilyn Armstrong.”

  “Wow, sort of a who’s who of the lady members of the Tri-County Country Club.”

  “I wonder what these sweet Club women were doing with Todd Barrington.”

  arrie finished as much of her work as she could for a morning when she wasn’t concentrating on her writing. In fact, she spent most of the morning petting Baxter, who liked to sit on a pillow right next to her computer monitor. Every time she expressed a new thought about the murder, she would say it out loud to Baxter. So far none of her thoughts had impressed him. He would lift his head while she was explaining her thought, but the minute she was finished, he would flop his head back down and close his eyes.

  It was more than a week since Todd’s murder. Charles had gone to his office. He said he needed to clear up some paperwork for the upcoming issue of the Tri-County Monthly. However, Carrie knew he really wanted to get things in order in case he was arrested. Charles was convinced the detectives had him as their number one suspect.

  She’d been working hard since 7:30 a.m. on an article for the Tri-County Monthly magazine. Although she’d supported herself for years as a freelance writer and photographer, everyone now assumed that when she got an article published in one of the family publications, it was because of Charles.

  Who said a writer’s life was easy? she thought. She looked at her watch; it was now 9:30 a.m. She decided to go ahead and make the call.

  “Hello,” the voice answered slowly and sleepily.

  “Marilyn, hi. It’s Carrie Faraday. I haven’t called too early, have I?” Carrie felt intimidated by members of the ladies’ committee at the Club. Her voice sounded like that of a little girl who was about to be scolded for doing something wrong.

  “No, no, I’m awake now.” Carrie was sure she heard a muffled yawn. “Frank and I were out somewhat late last night playing cards. Then I got up early with Frank to drive him to the airport for a flight to Chicago. He’ll be fine because he can sleep on the plane, but I decided I needed to go back to bed.” Carrie thought this last statement was made through a stretch, which sounded through the phone. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still asleep. Who is this?”

  “Oh, Marilyn, I’m sorry to call so early. This is Carrie Faraday, but I wanted to catch you before you went out for the day.”

  Marilyn’s husband, Frank Armstrong, was senior partner in one of the largest law firms in the city, and Marilyn had worked as his paralegal when the firm was first getting under way. As the firm and the children grew, Marilyn was no longer needed at the office. For the last ten years she’d spent hours working with the local PTA and various charities, but now devoted most of her free time to committees, events, and affairs of the Club.

  “Carrie, how delightful. I wanted to say hello to you at the dance, but after the dancing started, I didn’t see you again. How are you?”

  “I’m fine. In fact, I’m feeling terrific.”

  “Are you still working? Although I guess with your profession, work is when you want it.”

  Carrie bit her lip. Like many people, Marilyn assumed that because Carrie didn’t leave her house and commute to a job, she wasn’t really working. “Yes, I’m still writing at home.” She tried to sound pleasant.

  “Well, Frank and I’ve never understood why you spend so much time working when Charles is one of the wealthiest men in the county. County?” She laughed. “Oh, hell, he’s one of the wealthiest men in the state.”

  “Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Charles and I’ve been talking about my cutting back a little. After all, as you say, we don’t need the money.” Carrie decided to go right to the reason for her call. “I called you for some information about the ladies’ activities at the Club.”

  “That’s wonderful, Carrie dear. How can I help you?” Marilyn was fully awake now. Carrie could see her sitting up in bed, straightening her silk gown, and brushing her dyed blond hair away from her face.

  “One of the reasons I haven’t stopped working…” Carrie deliberately let the sentence hang.

  “Yes, dear, go on. You and Charles aren’t having problems, are you?” Carrie didn’t like the gleeful way the question popped from Marilyn.

  “Oh no, our marriage is as wonderful as ever.”

  “I’m so glad.” Marilyn said the right words but sounded disappointed there would be no gossip to spread.

  “I’m afraid if I stop working, I’ll be bored. I’d have nothing to fill my days. That’s why I’m calling you. I was hoping you would let me play golf with you one day or perhaps suggest some other activities I might get involved with at TC3.” Carrie’s voice sounded just a little desperate.

  “Oh, Carrie, of course you can play golf with me…And I’m sure the rest of the group will be delighted to have you join us.”

  “Us? You play in a group?” Carrie really wanted to talk to Marilyn alone. “Marilyn, if you already have a group, I don’t want to intrude.”

  “Carrie, I can’t believe you don’t know I head the ladies’ golf division at the Club. You really do need to get more in touch with Club activities. Surely you know we have a women’s tournament group.”

  “I didn’t know about the group, but I knew you would be the right person to call.”

  “That’s a very nice compliment, and you must join us,” Marilyn said with auth
ority.

  “I’m not sure about a ladies’ tournament group, though. I’m afraid my golf game isn’t very good.”

  “Oh, posh. None of us was any good when we started out. We simply give new players a bigger handicap. Besides, your game will improve faster playing with us. Some of the gals have really gotten quite good,” Marilyn said enthusiastically.

  “Well, I’d like to try, if the ladies don’t mind letting me play. Are there other activities?”

  “Of course there are. We do a great deal more than play golf.” Marilyn sounded annoyed but recovered nicely, realizing Carrie was naive about these important activities. “We help organize the social events at TC3, we do all kinds of charity work through the Club for the community, and we’ve a stronger voice in the operation of the Club through our action committees than women had in the past.”

  Marilyn’s last comment referred to the days at the Country Club when women had had no role in the management of Club affairs and even had limited times of day when they were allowed to be on the golf greens.

  “I had no idea. It all sounds very admirable,” Carrie said

  “You mentioned not wanting to be bored. In addition, we’ve activities that are informative. There are lectures, political and educational, the Book Club, the Culture Exchange Committee, the Travel Club, and then our latest entry, the Investment Club.”

  “The Investment Club? What’s that?”

  “I discovered that many of the Club ladies knew very little about finances. Oh, don’t get me wrong. Most of us handle our household checking accounts and pay the day-to-day bills. But it’s assumed women don’t understand the more complicated financial transactions. In reality, once we’re educated, we understand just fine. In fact, we seem to do quite well.”

  “By ‘complicated,’ you mean financial transactions like investing in stocks and bonds?”

  “Yes, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and even international trades. We wanted to learn more about these items and managing an actual portfolio of investments. And it’s been proven time and time again that women have good instincts.” Marilyn was talking excitedly.

  “Marilyn, you’ve piqued my interest. This Investment Club really does sound exciting.”

  “We started out with a series of lectures and workshops. Then we started our own Investment Club.”

  “You actually invest money?”

  “Of course we do. Once we felt comfortable with the process, investing money was the next step. We meet every two weeks, review our portfolios, and then decide what to keep, sell, and buy.”

  “Marilyn, would you be willing to let me join the Investment Club?”

  “Yes, I don’t believe the ladies would mind, but…” Marilyn hesitated.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t put pressure on you. Do you need to discuss my joining with the other ladies first?”

  “Oh, no. I’m sure everyone would be delighted with you joining. It’s just that the Investment Club was under the guidance of Todd Barrington. With his death, there may be some changes.” Marilyn was thinking aloud. There was a clicking sound on the phone. “Hold on, dear. Someone else is trying to get through.”

  Marilyn was off the line for just a few seconds. Then she came back.

  “I’m sorry, dear. It’s Frank’s mother on the line. Got to go! I forgot we have an appointment this morning to get our hair done, and she’s on her way. Look, our group is playing golf this afternoon. Why don’t you join us at two?”

  “Well, OK, if you’re sure.” Carrie hesitated.

  “I’m sure. See you there.”

  Carrie wasn’t sure. However, maybe it wasn’t such a bad idea to be part of the group. If the ladies accepted her, she could find out firsthand what Todd Barrington had been doing with the investments. Carrie went back to finish her article so she would be free by 2:00 p.m.

  Several hours after Carrie’s phone call to Marilyn, another phone call was taking place.

  “That’s easy for you to say. I just received a call. Carrie Faraday will be joining the ladies of the Investment Club for a golf outing today.

  “What do you mean? It sounds like a good idea.

  “I get it. There isn’t anything for the nosy Mrs. Faraday to see except a legitimate Investment Club designed for the entertainment and education of the ladies.

  “Yes, I feel better. I just wish I was sure I got everything when I searched Todd’s condo.

  “I’ve checked the laptop. I even checked all the software manuals, and there’s nothing.

  “But that’s the point. I should have found something about the investments.

  “There may be more in the folders of material or the disks I took. I haven’t finished looking at everything.

  “You’re probably right. If I can’t find the information, no one else will find it either. Or even if they did, knowing Todd, it’s probably in some childish code they won’t be able to crack.”

  arrie wasn’t sure what the ladies of golf were wearing these days, but she changed into dark blue pants with a white polo shirt and a matching jacket of blue and red. She pulled her hair back with a blue band. She hoped her outfit would be acceptable to the ladies. She made a sandwich, which she ate while driving to the Club, and arrived in plenty of time to tee off.

  Carrie found the five women in the Clubhouse and was pleased to see they wore outfits that were similar to hers. They were all wearing slacks in various autumn shades with matching golf jackets. Unlike her jacket, theirs displayed the Club emblem stitched across the breast pocket, indicating they’d been purchased at the Clubhouse store. There was no question about the ladies being glad to welcome her to their golf game.

  Only five members of the group had made it for today’s game. Six were too many for one team, but just right for two groups of three. Marilyn insisted that Carrie join the team of Delores Chaney and Pat Sloane for the game, while Marilyn, Judy Marshall, and Terry Conan would form the second team. Carrie would have preferred to have golfed with Marilyn to find out more information. However, after the first several holes, she understood why she was playing in the second group. Clearly Marilyn’s goal was to assign the players to a team based on skill.

  By the ninth hole, Carrie felt very comfortable with her team and her golf game. On most holes she either tied or was within a stroke of her teammates. By the fifteenth hole, they were golf chums, and the casual conversation allowed Carrie to ask some important questions.

  “Delores, how’s everyone taking the recent murder of Todd Barrington?” Carrie asked casually.

  “Oh, I hate to even hear that word ‘murder.’ Who would have thought that at a Club like ours, there could be a murder?” Delores wiped off her ball with the yellow TC3-emblem towel attached to her golf bag.

  “Not only a murder, but the murder of the son of one of our most distinguished Club families,” Pat chimed in as she removed a number-two wood from her bag for the next shot. Carrie wondered for a moment whether Pat’s clubs had been custom made because of her height.

  “Yes, it does seem unbelievable. Todd was so likeable and seemed to have so much going for him. Don’t you think?” Carrie deliberately ended with a question, hoping the ladies would continue the conversation.

  “Well, far be it from me to say anything ill of the dead, but of all the Club members, Todd’s death surprised me the least. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”

  “Delores, that’s an awful thing to say!” Pat replied.

  “Perhaps, but I just can’t get all emotional over his death. Maybe it’s because I’m a good ten years older than you two and have seen a lot more in my time, or maybe it’s because I’m the mother of a daughter. But I can say that I was never pleased with Todd’s behavior. Just because his family has money is no reason to allow his flirtatious behavior with his various women. It was rumored that Todd was having affairs with several different women at the same time.”

  “He had affairs with women here at the Club?” Carrie tried to sound surprised.

&nb
sp; “Well, that was the rumor.”

  “Rumors are no good without names, Delores,” Pat said.

  “Pat, now you’re being awful,” replied Delores.

  “No, I’m not. There’s no sense implying a rumor if you don’t give the proper details. That’s how untrue rumors get spread. If people have all the details, they can make up their own minds about a rumor.”

  “Well, OK, but you two have to swear that this won’t go any further. Because like you said, Pat, these are just rumors, and we don’t want innocent people to be hurt.”

  Both Pat and Carrie stood side by side, raised their right hands, and swore they wouldn’t repeat anything Delores told them.

  “I don’t know whether I should.” Delores still had doubts.

  “Come on!” Carrie and Pat shouted at the same time.

  “Oh, all right. The rumors are about members of the other team. That’s why I was hesitant to say anything.”

  “The other team!” Pat said, looking at Delores and then at Carrie. “You mean Marilyn, Judy, and Terry?”

  “Yes.”

  “All three?” asked a surprised Carrie.

  “Two of them.”

  “Which two?” asked Pat as their golf game came to a standstill on top of the hill approaching the sixteenth hole.

  Delores checked that no one else was around to hear and then answered “Marilyn and Terry?”

  “I knew it couldn’t be Judy,” Pat said. “Well, I mean, being married to the president of the Club, well…She would have to be more careful. Plus she seems totally devoted to James.”

  “Delores, why do you think Todd may have been involved with Marilyn and Terry? Did someone tell you about them?” Carrie asked gently.

  “No, I saw them. I mean, I saw one of them with Todd, and then later I overheard a fight about Todd.”

  “OK, Delores, enough is enough. Stop giving us bits and pieces and give us the scoop, the whole scoop,” Pat demanded as Carrie nodded in agreement.