Where There's a Will ....There's Murder

by Julie Ramson

  Digs smiled slowly and reached out, running his finger along the inside of the front of my towel. “Yeah? What about you? Do you need some cold air too?”

  I stopped breathing. Those laser blue eyes were locked on mine and time just stood still. He leaned in, brushed my lips, ran his finger lower under the towel. “Let go, Maggie,” he whispered. “Let go.” He tugged at the towel. It dropped a few inches. He ran his hand over me, leaving a trail of heat there where he touched - and everywhere else too. He started kissing me, brushing my lips open so he could get in. His hand brushed lower and lower. Whoa. This gave a whole new meaning to, “have you finished in the bathroom yet.” I leaned forward, opening more.

  His cell phone rang and we both jumped. “Dammit!” he grabbed it out of his jeans.

  I stepped back. “What?” Digs just barked the word. Killer headed for the bathtub.

  Digs didn’t say anything else for a moment, just listened. Then he said, “Right.” He snapped the phone closed and sighed. “I’ll take Killer out and be right back. I have to go out though. I hope it won’t be long.”

  “Out? Out where? What’s happened?” We were all business now. “Where do you have to go?”

  “That was Sean. He wants me to go with him, back to the scene. Seems a neighbor called and the Castelletti house is now on fire.”

  “Fire! What? Wait! I’ll go with you!” I headed for the bedroom.

  “No, Maggie. This won’t be long. Stay here. I can’t be sure of what - or who - is there. Please. Just stay here.”

  I debated. I really didn’t want to go back there. Not at night. “Okay, but please don’t be long!”

  He pulled me smack up against him and kissed me. “Why not, Maggie? Will you be waiting for me?”

  I pulled back. “I just want to know what you find!” I said, shaking my head.

  “Uh huh. I’ll be back.” He kissed me again and then, Killer at his side, he left.

  He returned a few minutes later. I was fully dressed, nightshirt and bathrobe. He grinned when he saw me. “Here’s Killer. Be back soon.” He waved and was gone. I double checked the lock and looked at Killer.

  “This is not going well, Killer. The man is Trouble.” Killer just gave me a sideways glance. I munched one last cookie for dreamland and went over the couch and curled up. I was just going to rest for a little while. I wanted to hear what had happened when Digs got back.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

  I woke slowly. Then stiffened. I was still on the couch, pressed against the back of it, with a blanket over me. There was also an arm under me, hand wrapped around my breast. Another arm was on top, hand much lower.

  I tried to sit up but the arm on top kept me down. I turned my head. Digs lay next to me, one eye open, grinning.

  “What are you doing here?” I tried to sit up again. There wasn’t much room on that couch, so sitting up wasn’t going to work.

  Digs just grinned, his hands starting to get very busy. “I repeat, what are you doing?” I stopped his hands and raised my eyebrows.

  “You wanted me to sleep on the couch, so I am. But it was cold last night. I thought you might be cold too. No point in both of us being cold.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  He wiggled his eyebrows at me. Grinned. I gave him the fishy eyed stare. He sighed. “Guess I’ll go make coffee.”

  He swung his legs out. Everything else swung out too and none of it was covered. Okay.... Digs just laughed softly. I checked quickly. I still had my nightshirt on, but it was bunched up above my waist. Nothing had happened, had it? Was I glad - or not?

  I heard Digs leave the bathroom and move into the kitchen. I jumped up, grabbed jeans, underwear and a sweater from my bedroom and beelined it for the bathroom. I did the teeth and face thing, then scowled at my hair. It is about shoulder length - when combed - but so curly! My mother always promised I would outgrow the curls. She lied. I plugged in the hot iron. Hopefully it would give me some control. This was not for Digs, I told myself. It was for me. I wanted to look nice. Well, except for the face. The face was still a disaster. Now much more green than purple. A horrendous shade of lime green. Foundation, concealer, blush. Too much blush. With my green skin, I looked like a tall Christmas tree. Wiped some off. Mascara. Perfume. I set my hair, pulled on the jeans and sweater. Tried a little more concealer. Oh, well. I tried again with my hair, ran a brush through it where I could and I was good to go. Or as good to go as I was going to get this morning.

  I wandered into the kitchen. Coffee! I needed coffee.

  “Good morning, Maggie,” Digs said cheerfully. “How’d you sleep?”

  I just grunted. Morning is usually a good time for me, but not today.

  “I thought you might be a little cranky this morning so I stopped and got eggs and bacon before coming home last night.”

  Home? This was definitely going on too long.

  “Hardly your home, Digs,” I said. “Where do you live anyway?”

  “Lots of places. Wherever the job takes me.” Typical. No answer.

  My phone rang. Who? It wasn’t even 9 am! I picked up. Sam started asking questions immediately. “Maggie, what is going on? The news said there was a fire last night - next door to Lily Hastings' house! And someone died in it! They said the Hastings' murder is open again! Is that true? Isn't that your client? Is she involved?” She ran out of breath.

  “Yeah, Sam. Emily Hastings is my client. I don't think she's involved. I really don't know what is happening.” I blew out a breath.

  “Maggie, this is a coffee cake crisis. I will be right there.” She hung up before I could say any more.

  I turned to Digs. His jeans had the top button undone and his shirt was open. “A friend of mine is coming over. So button up and behave. No strong arm stuff. And no charm.” I walked back into the bedroom and waited for Sam.

  When the knock came, Digs answered the door. I followed him there and just watched both faces when they saw each other. Sam spoke first. “Whoa. Who are you?” She sounded a little stunned.

  “I’m Digs. Maggie’s friend. Good friend.” He grinned at her. “Is that coffee cake? Great! Come on in.” Digs stepped back.

  Sam raised her brows at me. I just rolled my eyes. “Sean’s idea.” Sam laughed. She followed me to the dining room table and put the coffee cake down. With another look at Digs she strolled to the refrigerator and pulled out orange juice and creamer. I put coffee, cups and plates on the table. I shook my head and put out three of each.

  We sat. Sam spoke. “Maggie, what is going on? What's with the murder?” She studied my face. “You look better,” she said then added, “No more attacks?”

  “More?” Digs looked at me and narrowed his eyes. “How does she know about the attack? Does she know about anything else?”

  “Sam just knows.” I eyed him. “Okay, I told her. And no, I haven’t talked to her since we found the heart.”

  “Heart? What heart?” Sam looked alarmed.

  Digs turned to her. He was all business. “We haven’t told anyone that Maggie was even in the Hastings house, much less attacked. We don’t want anyone to know that. And someone - possibly the same man - broke in here Tuesday night and left a large raccoon’s heart with a knife through it on her table.” Digs watched her reaction.

  Stunned, Sam just stared at him. Then at me. “Wh-what?” she stammered. “Maggie! What is going on?”

  Digs and I looked at each other. “I don’t know, Sam. I can’t imagine why someone has done these things.”

  Digs spoke up again. “We don’t want anyone to know this, Sam. And we don’t know who did this or why. But I’m staying with Maggie until we do.”

  Sam narrowed her eyes at him. “I won’t say a word to anyone. But with that purple and green face, it’s hardly a secret that something happened to her.” She thought a moment, then said, “I know. I’ll just tell everyone you’re her new boyfriend and that you beat her up!” She raised her eyebrows and grinned.

&
nbsp; Digs leaned back in his chair and laughed. “You do that.” He grinned back.

  “But only if you both give me full details of what is going on!” Sam pressed.

  “Sam, don’t let him charm you! He’s the Perma Glue Man! He’s a burr I can’t shake!”

  “Maggie, I don’t care! I want you safe. You do need him here.” She turned back to Digs, frowning. “You have a gun, right?”

  “Yep.” Digs had stopped smiling.

  Sam smirked. “Good. Then I think she’s safe from whoever that guy is.” She arched a brow. “But is she safe from you?” I groaned.

  “Not if I can help it, Sam. Not if I can help it.” Digs eyed me. “I think she needs more than just regular safety, don’t you? I think she needs 24 hour, round the clock, stuck to her hip safety.” He turned on the full wattage charm.

  Sam giggled. “Oh, yeah, Digs. I agree. And you sound like the perfect man for the job.” The two of them looked like Cheshire cats, grinning at each other.

  I rolled my eyes. “Hate to break this up, but you two clowns can stuff it. I’m not some little, helpless female needing a big, strong man in my life!”

  Digs put an arm around me. “Well, you’re not little. You’re tall. And you’re not helpless but you do have a way of finding trouble. And I’m here to serve.”

  Sam snorted. “Think Sean finally found you your match, Mag.” She stood.

  “Well, good to know that you are in safe, capable hands.......well, capable hands, anyway.” She started to say something else when the phone rang.

  “Popular place today, Toots.” Digs grinned as he answered my phone. He had more nerve than brains. His face tightened.

  “For you,” he said handing the phone to me. I took the phone from him and Brice Connolly said, “Good morning, Maggie. I hope this isn’t too early but I’ve been thinking of you. Hope I’m not interrupting something?” No wonder Digs looked annoyed.

  I thought of Digs curled up around me when I woke up. “No, you’re not. I’m fine, Brice. How are you doing?” God, my conversational skills were appalling.

  Sam’s eyes widened. “Brice?” she mouthed to me. “Brice Connolly? No kidding!” Digs looked at her curiously through slitted eyes. He lasered them back on me.

  Brice continued, “Great. I’m calling to see about dinner? Any chance for tonight?”

  Digs was standing absolutely still. He looked amazing. Angry, but amazing. He still had not buttoned his shirt. I had a hard time concentrating on Brice.

  “Brice, thanks so much! This is just a bad time for me. I am trying to do some research on these murders and I still looked like I’ve gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. Can we make our raincheck a little longer? Do you mind?’ I was torn. On the one hand, I was flattered that Brice would call. He certainly was attractive! On the other hand.....no, the other hand would be Digs. And he was Trouble.

  “No, of course not. But I will hold you to dinner at some point. Take care, Maggie. I’ll call again soon.”

  I hung up and looked at Digs’ face. He did not look pleasant. Sam, on the other hand was openly laughing. “Wow, Mag - Brice Connolly. FBI Brice.” She turned to Digs. “Big cheese.”

  “I know,” he said tightly. “I’m taking Killer out again, Maggie.” He got Killer’s leash and Killer, startled, did the jump and dance thing around his legs. They had already been out once but Killer was always game for an outside stroll. Sam and I watched them leave.

  “Okay, Girl - talk! Who is the blond hunk? He’s a walking Near Occasion of Sin! Are you sure Sean sent him?”

  “Yes, I’m sure. I don’t know who he is. I mean, I know his name and all but I don’t know who he works for or exactly why he is here. Something to do with the mob and investigating them. He’s hot but.......”

  “But what?” Sam was laughing. “Maggie, he’s perfect! No known background, doesn’t live in Chicago, no strings - this is perfect! A fling, a tryst, a guy with no future! And hot!”

  She had a point. It wasn’t like Digs would be around long enough to complicate my life. “Sam, you are something. Talk about the Near Occasion of Sin!”

  “Hey, just doing my duty as a friend. My fee is complete disclosure after the deed. I want full details. And why is Brice Connolly calling you?” She leaned forward and grinned. “Never rains but it pours.”

  “Yeah, wouldn’t you know! And me, looking like a train wreck!” I made a face at her. We both started laughing.

  She stood up and flung on her coat. “Remember, full details.....” She laughed again and was gone.

  Digs and Killer were back a few minutes later. “Sam gone?” Digs asked in that neutral tone I already hated. “I’m going to make some eggs.” He turned back to the stove.

  “That sounds great. Then maybe we can work on the files some more.” I looked at him uncertainly.

  “Sorry, Toots. I’m meeting Sean at the morgue for the autopsy.” He didn’t look at me.

  “Digs! I forgot! The fire! What happened?”

  Digs scraped the eggs onto two plates. “It was a mess. The place burned practically to the ground. Scorched the house on the other side, but not Lily’s. There were gasoline traces all around the house and traces of it within the house as well. They were mainly in the kitchen and living room. Arson. No witnesses.” He didn't look at me. “The fire marshal is going through again this morning.” He placed a plate of eggs in front of me and said down. “Maybe you should try Emily again and let her know what’s been going on.”

  Emily! I had still not heard from her. Where was she? “Yeah, good idea. I’ve left messages but I’ll try her again today. Uh, Digs...”

  “What?” Digs was all business. He still wouldn’t look at me.

  “Digs, do you think Emily is safe?”

  That got his attention. He looked at me soberly. “Maggie, I don’t know. Something's going on. Emily's aunt is murdered, now she's missing, Louie Bacci in Cicero was murdered, now Castelletti’s murdered and his house set on fire.” He looked at me. “I don’t know how this all ties together with you, but I think it does. Someone thinks you either know something or have something......he’s attacked you and broken into your apartment. Sean and I are meeting today with the Cicero cops. Maybe we can see something new in the Bacci case. I won’t be gone long.” Please promise me that you will stay here until I get back.”

  “Digs,” I sighed. “I appreciate this but I have a life too. I can’t spend it in my apartment because I’m afraid. I want to find Emily and I need to get back into Lily’s house and see if I can locate the missing will. Mrs. O’Brien said there was a will and that Lily saw an attorney. I need to find it for Emily. I’ll be careful. That’s the best I can promise.”

  “God, you are so damn stubborn!” Digs picked up the plates and banged them on the counter. “I have to go. I’m already running late. Do what you want. You will anyway.” He wouldn’t look at me. “But remember that Lily’s house is a crime scene and you are not allowed in.” Then he turned and glared. “And if you go in again, I will help Sean with your arrest.” He grabbed his jacked and banged out the door.

  I watched him leave. I turned to Killer. “What does he want? He comes into my life, uninvited, and expects me to do exactly as I am told to do. I don’t know why he thinks I will do that for him. I don’t do it for anyone else.”

  Killer just sighed and gave me the ‘you are nuts’ look. I made a face back at him and sipped coffee. Where was Lily’s will? And if an attorney had drawn one up, why hadn’t he come forward to probate it? After all, her death had hardly been quiet. It was big news, reported in the newspapers, on TV. Surely the attorney knew she was dead and should have probated the will.

  I decided to go get my mail and then check the probate court files again on my computer. On the way to the mailboxes, I ran into Mrs. Klemcheck, my neighbor.

  “My, she said, eyes bright with curiosity, “That is some nice young man staying with you! Is he another brother?” Mrs. Klemcheck is about 80 and spends her days watching
soap operas. Trust her not to miss that a man was staying in my apartment!

  “No, he’s a friend of my brother’s. He’s just in town for a short time, though, and needed a place to stay.”

  “Oh,” she sounded disappointed. “We thought, that is, I thought, well, with all the police here the other night......” she trailed off. Great. Now I’m the subject of gossip in the building!

  “Oh, that was just a bunch of his friends coming over,” I lied. Man, these lies were becoming a way of life. “No big deal.” I felt a little guilty lying to her about someone not breaking into my apartment but I figured whoever it was probably had no interest in her. Just me. He just wanted to kill me.

  I got the mail. Bill, bill, bill, ad, ad, bill. So much for anyone caring enough to send the very best. I went back into the apartment and checked the door to be sure it was double locked. Mrs. Klemcheck had reminded me of the break in and the heart on the table. I got scared all over again.

  Killer pushed his food dish hopefully. I filled it with his kibble and he just glared at me. Okay, okay. I added some ham from the refrigerator and the left over pizza. He looked happier.

  I sat down at the computer and brought up the Cook County files. I checked probate. No will was on file for Lily Hastings.

  Then I looked up Emily, my client, and got a hit. She was 34 years old, born in Chicago. She was the daughter of Herbert Hastings’ brother, which I knew since the last names were the same. No siblings. She had a BA in education and a Master's degree in social work from De Paul. No arrests. Looked like there might have been a juvenile file, but that was common. Probably some kind of high school prank or something. She currently worked as a school counselor in the Chicago Public School system.

  I next googled Lily Hastings. Very little on Lily. She was born in Chicago. No arrests, no credit problems. It listed her husband, Herbert, but did not give any other information on him. It noted her death on December 2, stating she had been probably murdered and that the case was still open.

  Herbert Hastings, her husband, on the other hand, had a long internet report. There were lots of arrests back in the 1960's. He died in a car accident at the age of 55 and was listed as having only one marriage to Lily. They had no children.