Deadly Secrets

by Jude Pittman

  “That doesn’t mean he couldn’t have an accomplice.”

  Stella shook her head. “I can’t see it. If Andrew was going to commit a murder, he sure as hell wouldn’t risk being blackmailed for the rest of his life.”

  “With everything he has at stake, he might take some risks he wouldn’t normally consider. Besides, there are ways he could’ve arranged the kidnapping without making himself vulnerable. After all, if Anna had told Krystal about her affair with Andrew, there’s no telling what Krystal might’ve done. Could Andrew take the chance they’d talked?”

  Stella frowned. “That’s true but why would Anna tell a secret that would probably drive Krystal out of her life for good?”

  “I think Anna must have changed a lot over the years she spent at Indian Creek. From what I knew of her, she’d have hated the idea of Krystal trusting Andrew and allowing him to continue running the business. I think she might’ve been willing to sacrifice her own relationship with Krystal if she thought that by speaking out she could get her out of Andrew’s clutches.”

  “You could be right. I didn’t know Anna but given the same circumstances, that’s probably what I’d have done.”

  “Okay. Now what about Krystal. Do you think she’d have kicked Andrew out of the business if Anna had told her the truth?”

  “You’re damn right she would’ve. She’s got her father so high up on a pedestal that she’d probably kill Andrew if she found out he was responsible for Clayton’s death.” Suddenly Stella stopped. “Kelly, what if Krystal’s the one who killed Anna and now she’s fixing to kill Andrew?”

  “No!” Kelly shook his head. “She’s one of the first people Gus eliminated. She was home with her roommate the entire night.”

  “Maybe the roommate lied?”

  “Penny? Not a chance! She’s a Chinese girl—an exchange student with a limited command of English—and she’s so terrified of the police she’d spill everything she knew in the first ten minutes of an interrogation.”

  “Didn’t you say she was nearly killed in that fire?”

  Kelly frowned. “It almost sounds like you want to believe Krystal’s guilty.”

  “That’s not fair,” Stella snapped. “You asked me what I thought and I’ve told you the truth.”

  Kelly nodded. “I know. I’m sorry I growled at you but you and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye with you where Krystal’s concerned. Let’s just leave it that I’ve got a cop’s instinct for murder and I’ve spent a lot of time with Krystal.”

  “She’s got some kinks, Kelly. I’ve told you that.”

  “Not exactly unexpected, wouldn’t you say, given the kind of home life she’s had.” The remark came out rather like a slap and before Stella could react, Kelly held up his hand. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t called for. Let’s get back to Andrew, shall we?”

  “As you wish,” she said, the hurt evident in her voice. “I don’t know what else I can tell you. I admit everything you say is possible but that doesn’t really get us any closer to this supposed kidnapping of Krystal, does it?”

  The telephone rang, interrupting their conversation and Stella turned toward the doorway. “I’ll take it in Andrew’s office,” she said. “Why don’t you come along? There’s a speakerphone so you can listen in if it’s Andrew.”

  Kelly followed her into a large, well-equipped study and while she answered the phone, he let his eyes scan Andrew’s private domain. Along one wall were bookcases, file cabinets and an entertainment center. An antique roll top desk dominated the center of the room and a state-of-the-art computer center covered most of the far wall.

  “It’s for you.” Stella held out the receiver.

  “Hello,” Kelly said.

  “I see you got her there okay.” Gus’ voice was on the line.

  “Sure, no problem. Any news?”

  “Nothing much. We went through the offices but didn’t find anything out of order. There’re a couple of people I want to see as a follow-up but I doubt if they’ll lead anywhere. Actually, in the absence of any communication from Andrew, the Houston boys are about ready to write the ransom note off as a bad joke on somebody’s part.”

  “They’re not serious.”

  “I’m afraid they are. And that’s not all. I spoke with Captain Jeffrey a couple hours ago and he wants me back in Fort Worth tomorrow. There’s been a break in another one of my cases and he doesn’t have the manpower to cover it without me.”

  “So where does that leave Krystal?”

  “I’m sorry, Kelly but as it stands right now, there’s every reason to believe Krystal’s absence is voluntary.”

  “I understand. You won’t mind if I stick around for a couple of days and see what turns up, will you?”

  “Of course not. That’s why I called. My hands are tied but that doesn’t stop you. As long as you have Stella’s cooperation, you might as well keep after Andrew and see where it leads.”

  “Thanks, Gus. That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Any suggestions?”

  “Well, first off, I’d give that house another going over. We went through it rather quickly and maybe missed something. Another thing… Finding that ransom note in Andrew’s desk the way we did bothers me. It was too easy—almost like someone wanted us to find it. You don’t suppose Stella’s involved?”

  “I doubt it. That’s not her style. What exactly did the note say?”

  “If you want to see your niece again, get together $100,000. Instructions will follow.”

  “Typed?”

  “Nope. It was printed in block letters using a thick lead pencil.”

  “I don’t know what to think, Gus. But I’ll talk to Stella.”

  “Good. I’ll spend the morning following up the leads we picked up at Andrew’s office but if nothing turns up, I’ll catch the noon flight back to Fort Worth.”

  “Good enough,” Kelly said.

  “Any news?” Stella asked, when he hung up the phone.

  “Nothing. They suspect the ransom note might be some kind of a prank.”

  “A prank? Who’d do something that stupid?”

  Kelly blushed and dropped his eyes.

  “Wait a minute. Don’t tell me those idiots think I might have written that note?”

  Kelly grinned and lifted his arm like a shield. “Don’t kill the messenger,” he said. “I didn’t suggest anything like that.”

  “No but I got the idea from your conversation that I was suspected of something.”

  “Gus thinks there’s something fishy about that ransom note, that’s all. As it stands, there’s been nothing to indicate any real danger to either Krystal or Andrew, except that note and given the backlog of homicides Gus has to deal with, he really can’t spend anymore time down here waiting for something to happen.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” She placed her hand over her mouth to cover a yawn. “I guess I’m too tired to think right now. What do you say we get some sleep? Maybe things will make more sense in the morning.”

  “That sounds like a winner.” Kelly yawned. “You just point me toward a bedroom and I’ll be asleep before my head hits the pillow.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Kelly slept fitfully in the strange bedroom and woke before six. He wandered down the hall and found the kitchen. A pleasant, round-faced woman was wiping down the cabinets and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee tickled his nostrils.

  “Good morning! I’m Maria. Would you like coffee?”

  “Morning, ma’am,” Kelly replied. “I’d love a cup.”

  “Ms. Davis generally doesn’t come down until after nine but if you’d like some breakfast now, I’ll be glad to fix it.”

  “Coffee’s fine.” He took the offered mug and smiled his thanks. “I’ll just take it to the other room and leave you to your work.”

  Maria nodded and Kelly headed into the lounge. He felt a little awkward asking Stella to let him search the house and he spent some time trying to figure out how to word his request. Finally, deciding the
straightforward approach was always the best one with Stella, he drained his coffee cup and strolled back to the kitchen for a refill.

  The room was empty. Maria was apparently working somewhere else. Kelly pulled one of the stools up to the counter and had just poured another coffee when the telephone buzzed. It sounded like an intercom but Kelly wasn’t sure whether he should answer it or not. When it buzzed again, he shrugged and picked it up.

  “Is that you, Kelly?” Stella’s voice purred in his ear.

  “In the flesh.”

  “Has Maria fixed you some coffee?”

  “I’m drinking it right now. Do you want me to bring you a cup?”

  “That would be wonderful.” Stella sounded pleased. “Take the stairs to the second floor. It’s the first door on your right.”

  “Gotcha! I’ll be right there.”

  Kelly took a cup off the rack, picked up sugar and creamer, placed them on a small tray and got the coffee. Then he carried the loaded tray upstairs and knocked on the door.

  The bedroom suited Stella and Kelly could see at a glance that Krystal hadn’t exaggerated about Andrew and Stella’s sleeping arrangements. There was nothing masculine about this room. A four-poster bed draped in yards of dark yellow satin dominated the room and contrasted nicely with the lemon yellow walls. Stella, with makeup applied and hair well brushed, had herself propped against a pile of satin pillows.

  “Good morning!” She flashed a Pepsodent smile. “This is a real treat.”

  Kelly bowed and placed the tray on her nightstand. “It’s my pleasure,” he said and sat down on the bench beside her bed. “How’re you feeling this morning?”

  “Better now.” She reached for the coffee cup. “Did you sleep okay?”

  “Like a babe.”

  “Andrew’s assistant needs something out of the safe, so I have to run by there this morning but I’ll be back as fast as I can. I suppose you’d better let the answering machine pick up the calls, just in case Andrew tries to get through. When the telephone rings, why don’t you go into Andrew’s office and listen to the machine. That way, if it happens to be for you, you can intercept the call.”

  “No problem but I do need to ask you a favor.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Well…this is a little difficult but I guess the best way to handle a tough question is to come right out with it.”

  Stella tilted her head and met his eyes. Her expression was curious but not alarmed.

  “Gus figures they might have been a bit too hasty with their search last night and he suggested I might like to have another go at it. That is, if it’s okay with you.”

  For several moments, Stella stared at him over the rim of her coffee cup. Finally, she shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  “You don’t mind then?”

  “Of course I don’t mind.” Her tone belied her words but after a few minutes of silence she smiled at Kelly and softened her voice. “I shouldn’t be more than an hour. You already know where to find Andrew’s study and his bedroom is down at the end of this hall. Then there’s the attic, if you really want to dig. I don’t think Andrew keeps much up there but there’s a bunch of junk that belonged to Vivian and of course, what’s left of Clayton and Anna’s stuff.

  “Krystal’s bedroom is on the first floor, next to the guest room where you slept last night, if you want to poke around in there.”

  Kelly nodded. Her voice had sharpened when she mentioned Krystal’s room but he didn’t react. Krystal was a sore spot between them and he figured the less said about her, the better they’d both feel.

  “You’re a trooper,” Kelly got up from the bench.

  “Oh, get out of here and let me get dressed.” She tossed her head as if to throw off the compliment.

  Kelly grinned and left the room. Downstairs, he headed for Andrew’s study. As a cop, he’d searched rooms as a matter of course but he hadn’t been a cop for a long time and standing there with his hand on the knob, he struggled with his own discomfort. Finally, shrugging his uneasiness aside, he pushed open the door and walked inside.

  Not expecting to find much considering Gus and the boys had concentrated on this room, Kelly started with the desk. He went through all the drawers then turned his attention to the files. There were several drawers of them but nothing of interest to Kelly. He continued the search, flipping through all the books on the shelves above the computer center and going through a tall file cabinet. As expected, he found nothing. He had just finished the last of the files and was trying to figure where to look next when a knock sounded on the office door and Maria peeked her head inside.

  “I’m leaving now,” she said, “but I’ve fixed a snack for you and left it on the counter.”

  “You’re a lifesaver.” Kelly smiled at her. “I could do with a bite.”

  “I’ll say goodbye then.” Maria smiled and pulled the door shut.

  Kelly closed up the cabinet. He’d found nothing but he hadn’t expected to so he wasn’t disappointed. “Waste of time,” he muttered as he headed downstairs to find his lunch.

  The enticing aroma of fresh bread mingled with the pungent smells of salsa and cilantro filled the kitchen. Kelly sniffed appreciatively and lifted the cloth from a large wooden tray. Thick slices of bread, barbecued ham, jalapenos, olives and a bowl of frijoles topped with grated cheddar were arranged on an oak platter. His stomach growled.

  “Now this is what I call a meal.” He picked up his fork and tried to convince himself the morning hadn’t been a waste.

  By the time he finished eating, Kelly had decided to pass on going through Andrew’s bedroom but the attic still intrigued him. Stella had said Clayton and Anna’s belongings were stored up there.

  The stairway wound like a snake from basement to attic with steps carpeted so thickly that Kelly’s boots left an imprint of his passage. On the attic landing, he tried the handle of a plain white door. It swung open and Kelly stepped into a dimly lit, low-ceiling room. Patches of sunlight played across bare wood floors and a brass ceiling fan spun cedar-scented air around the room. He crossed the floor on thick braided rugs that muted his footsteps and stopped in front of a large window seat. A soft pillow covered its wide ledge. Standing there looking at the seat, Kelly could imagine Krystal curled up on the cushion with a favorite book.

  Turning his mind back to the business at hand, he scanned the room and spotted three garment bags.

  “Let’s see what we have here,” he muttered, opening the first bag. That one held a couple of men’s suits.

  In the second, he found two formal gowns and a London Fog overcoat. The third bag was more intriguing. It contained an old wedding dress, a bouquet of dried flowers and an antique lace veil. Kelly smiled. Krystal might wear that dress one day.

  The far corner of the attic held a stack of trunks and boxes. He moved over and peered down at them. One of them had caught his eye because it was tied with a pink rope. He pulled it out and set to work on the knots. The strands were tangled but he loosened them enough to slip the rope aside and open the top flaps.

  Inside, he found what must have been the contents of Krystal’s toy chest. Barbie was there and Ken and Skipper and Barbie’s car. A small cardboard closet was filled with Barbie’s party clothes. Buried deep in the box was a pink kitten with a long fluffy tail. The kitten’s ears were squashed and its fur stuck together. Kelly wondered if late night tears had matted them down like that. He sighed and started to replace kitten and dolls, touched by this glimpse into Krystal’s past, even though it was no help with his problem. His fingers tightened around the kitten and some paper rattled. Puzzled, he turned it over. The tail flopped back to reveal a zippered opening.

  This was intriguing. Walking over to the window-seat, he sat down and pulled open the zipper. A long white envelope rested inside. Kelly stuck his fingers inside the kitten and tugged. The envelope was in there good and tight but he finally worked it loose. Holding it up to the light, he saw where the flap had been opened a
nd then resealed with strips of tape. He turned it over and squinted at the spidery writing. The barely legible faded ink read “Andrew Davis—Private”.

  Kelly stared at the envelope. Something was out of kilter here. Why would Krystal hide a letter addressed to Andrew inside her old kitten? A small inner voice suggested he put the envelope back in the box. Kelly shook his head. His other voice, the louder one, told him he’d be a fool to overlook anything that might be a clue to Anna’s murder. He folded the envelope and stuck it inside the back pocket of his jeans. Then he packed the toys back in the box, retied the rope and left the attic.

  Back in the kitchen, Kelly decided Stella wouldn’t mind if he helped himself to a beer and taking one of the cold bottles out of the fridge, he paused to contemplate what to do next. He’d found nothing except the letter, which he’d already decided to give to Gus—that way he’d feel better about taking it out of Krystal’s private box.

  “Might as well check the telephone,” he muttered and started down the hall to Andrew’s office.

  He stepped over to the desk and looked down at the flashing light. It hadn’t been lit before, so there must have been a call while he was up in the attic. Picking up a pen and getting a piece of paper ready so he could make a note of the calls for Stella, he turned on the tape.

  “Stella!” a female voice said. “My car’s going to be in the shop tomorrow. Can you pick me up for the luncheon?”

  Shaking his head, Kelly pushed the pause button. “A name would have been nice,” he muttered. Oh well, Stella probably knew who it was. He jotted down the message and restarted the tape.

  “Stella!” The next caller was a man. “It’s Andrew,” the voice said and Kelly snapped to attention. “Krystal’s in trouble. I’ve gone out to Sea Isle to meet her. You’ll have to call the office and tell them I won’t be in for a couple of days. I’ll give you a call once I’ve got things straightened out. And Stella…not a word about Krystal. If anybody asks, I’m on a business trip.”

  The tape stopped but Kelly sat for several minutes staring at the machine. An ugly suspicion had been lodged in the back of his mind ever since last night’s conversation with Stella and now, reluctantly, he let it float to the surface. First Anna’s murder, then Penny’s narrow escape and now Andrew’s mysterious phone call.