“According to Ms. Ross, she came in through the back door by the pool, how could you miss her if you saw her car pull behind the house?”
“My eyesight isn’t so good, is that a crime, Detective?”
“No sir but murder is and I think you had motive and opportunity.”
“I’m not saying another word until my lawyer gets here.”
“That is your right, Mr. Kessler, we will wait for your lawyer before we finish questioning you. Take a seat in the other room.”
“Now wait a minute. Are you telling me I can’t leave here until you finish questioning me? What if my lawyer can’t get here until tomorrow? You can’t hold me here.”
“You’re right, sir. However, I can hold you in the county jail overnight until your attorney arrives. This is a murder investigation and you, along with others are suspects.”
“Okay, ask away, I must get home to feed my sick cat,” Melvin lied.
Detective Bellamy questioned him for another ten minutes. He believed the man was too intent on getting his alcohol fix than murdering an old man. He told Melvin he was free to go but not to leave town and not to drive drunk. Melvin looked at the detective in surprise, how did the man know he direly needed a drink?
Brad Taylor was nervous when he entered the room for questioning. Why was Samantha sitting in the room with that man they called Fletch? He longed to touch her hair and her face. She looked uncomfortable when she glanced his way. Was this her way of telling him she needed to be rescued? He would answer the detective’s questions but he wouldn’t tell him what he knew. He wouldn’t tell anyone except Samantha.
“Mr. Taylor, where were you when Mr. Crenshaw was discovered floating in the pool?”
“I was in the library; I find I need to wind down after a performance. The sofa in that room is comfortable.”
“It’s my understanding there wasn’t any kind of performing today. The crew was setting up and waiting for script changes.”
“That’s true, Detective, you wouldn’t understand, I’m an artist and I am always in the performance mode.”
Detective Bellamy and Fletch both noticed Brad Taylor looking longingly at Samantha. Fletch could sense her discomfort and was sorry she was in the room with this man he felt might be unstable.
“Mr. Taylor, is it true this is the first acting job you have had in two years?”
“Yes, Detective, I’ve taken a much-needed break from the acting profession. I only accepted this job because I know my many fans have missed seeing me on screen. I was not sorry when Reggie called it off. My plate is full.”
Pete excused the man but not before Brad turned to Samantha and said he looked forward to seeing her again soon.
“I’m sorry Samantha, I can see Brad Taylor is fixated on you. I would never have had you stay in the room if I’d known. Fletch, keep an eye on Samantha while you’re here. Brad Taylor was in trouble for stalking a young woman not too long ago.”
“I won’t let her out of my sight,” Fletch said.
“There’s no need to worry about Brad Taylor, I admit he’s creepy but I’m sure he’s harmless. He is an aging actor, and he’s trying to prove he’s still attractive to women.”
Chapter Eleven
“I think it’s time we stop for the day,” said Pete. “I wouldn’t mind a drink, myself. Anyone up for dinner? There’s a steakhouse not too far from here, I haven’t been there recently but it was always good.”
“I’m waiting for my mother, she heard about Father on the news and is on her way. I wanted to call her myself but the reporters beat me to it. I can wait outside for her.”
“Don’t be silly, we will wait with you. If she’s up to it, she can go with us.”
Within the next few minutes, Alexandra Crenshaw pulled into the long driveway. She hugged her daughter and offered condolences. Gina introduced her to everyone.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Mrs. Crenshaw,” said Pete. He was amazed at the resemblance Gina had to her mother.
Pete Bellamy married his high school sweetheart. They had been married for fifteen years when Paula told him she couldn’t take the constant worry of being married to a police officer any longer. Pete was devastated and poured himself into his job even more. He remained close to his children although he only saw them on the weekends. He hadn’t dated in the twelve years since the divorce. Paula married again, this time to an insurance salesman. He liked her new husband and was glad she’d found happiness with someone who didn’t live on the edge of danger.
“Thank you for your kind words, Detective. I’m sorry Reggie is dead but I haven’t had much of a relationship with him for years. I’m here to console my daughter.”
Samantha could see the sparks fly between Pete Bellamy and Alexandra Crenshaw and asked Mrs. Crenshaw to join them for dinner.
“Yes, Mom, please join us,” said Gina with a twinkle in her eye.
“If I’m not intruding, that would be nice, please call me Alexandra.”
Pete Bellamy took Alexandra’s arm, and they walked together to her car.
Samantha, Megan, and Gina all grinned their approval as Fletch and Mike wondered what the women were up to.
The group was seated beside a crackling fire in the dining room. Pete Bellamy stepped out of his role as a homicide detective and felt more relaxed than he had in a long time. He felt an attraction to Alexandra Crenshaw; she had a softness the opposite of Rachel Ross. He understood why Reggie was reluctant to divorce her and marry Rachel. If Alexandra was his wife, he would never let her go. He loved Paula when they were together but he never considered giving up his career in favor of her. Pete could imagine himself ending his career in law enforcement for a woman like Alexandra.
Gina had never seen her mother with a man before. She often asked Alexandra why she stayed married to her father. “Gina dear, if I find someone I want to be with my marriage to your father will be formally ended. Until then, I see no reason to do so, he is free to begin proceedings if he chooses.
Now there was no reason to go through a divorce, Mom is free to do as she pleases. Gina thought to herself and then felt ashamed. She didn’t mean to be unkind to her father’s memory but she wondered if he deserved her loyalty after abandoning her and her mother years ago.
The pleasant conversation eventually went back to the murder earlier in the day.
“You must think I’m cold-hearted,” said Alexandra looking sheepishly around the table. “I am saddened by Reggie’s death but he is a stranger; I can’t pretend I have feelings for him. I don’t care that he walked out on me but he walked out on our daughter too.”
“Alexandra,” said Pete, “no one is judging you; I assure you.” He looked around the table and everyone nodded in agreement. “I shouldn’t say this but I’d appreciate your honesty after witnessing the fake Mrs. Crenshaw’s performance.”
“Gina,” said Samantha, “why do you think Reggie transferred his holdings to you? Do you think he suspected his life was in danger?”
“He confided that Rachel wasn’t planning a long-term relationship with him. He didn’t love her but because of her beauty, she was an asset to him. My father was a shallow man; I loved him but I didn’t like him much. I told him when he said he was putting everything he owned in my name that I wasn’t comfortable with that much money. He didn’t care, he did it anyway. Money never made Father happy and now that he’s gone, I can give it away to worthwhile causes. Working in a hospital, I know there are many folks who need money to help them with the astronomical cost of medical care.”
Samantha thought of Barry Kline, he didn’t know how he would feel about accepting Reggie Crenshaw’s money but she would mention his situation to Gina when she had the chance.
Alexandra still worked as a school secretary. She loved working with the children and they all loved her. She was entertaining her new friend with funny stories of the children. They laughed and were thoroughly enjoying themselves when a familiar booming voice interrupted their laughter.
“Well, isn’t this a happy group? Are you celebrating your father’s death missy? You have all his money now but you won’t have it for long. I’ll see to that.”
“Rachel, don’t make a spectacle of yourself. No one is celebrating anyone’s death we are enjoying a meal with friends; I suggest you do the same,” said Fletch.
“Fletch, how can you speak that way, come sit with me in the bar. I’ll get rid of Melvin; he’s drunk anyway and he won’t miss me.”
“Go away, Rachel,” said a frustrated Fletch.
“You’ll be sorry when you remember what it was like with me. You’ll make love to little Samantha tonight but you will imagine me in your bed.” Rachel turned on her heel and walked toward the bar.
“Don’t say it!” Fletch said to everyone. “I don’t know what I saw in her either.”
“Fletch, if you want to leave, we’ll understand,” said Pete Bellamy.
“Don’t be silly, I can ignore the woman if you can.” Fletch looked at Samantha.
“She doesn’t bother me, Fletch,” Samantha answered, “I feel sorry for her, it’s obvious she is an unhappy person and I would be too if I didn’t have you. How about some cheesecake everyone? I saw the waitress serving it at the next table and it looked wonderful.”
After the dessert was served and everyone cleaned their plates, Megan looked at her watch. “Samantha, do you suppose we should get our men to the hotel? They are still in the eastern time zone and are probably ready to call it a night.”
“It has been a trying day for everyone,” said Pete. “Alexandra, would you like me to drive you and Gina home? I will be happy to pick you up in the morning to retrieve your cars.”
Before Alexandra answered, Gina spoke up, “Detective, why don’t you drive my mother home? I have my car here and I would feel better if she didn’t have to drive that winding road to pick up her car. There are no street lights out that way.
Alexandra was mortified that her daughter would be so obvious. They lived ten minutes away and there was no reason Pete Bellamy should drive out of his way to take her home.
“That’s a great idea, Gina,” Pete smiled. “Blake Lambert will meet me at the Seabrook house first thing in the morning. I’m sure he will want to speak to the representative of your father’s affairs regarding the death that took place in his home. That way your mother can see the estate, it’s an interesting place.”
They left the restaurant together without seeing Rachel sitting at a corner table of the bar watching them with venom in her eyes.
“Samantha, this place is amazing,” said Fletch reaching for his wallet. “who’s footing the bill now that Mr. Gottrocks is gone?”
“It’s paid for through the week. We will move when you guys arrived. There are a few nice hotels in the area and not so lavish.”
“Hey, even us lowly cops like lavish occasionally, especially when the price is right. Now, I am only interested in being with my beautiful wife. Where’s the bedroom?” he asked with a smile.
After a quick good night, both couples went walked to the opposite ends of the suite and closed the doors.
“I hope you aren’t taking the things Rachel has said to heart, Sam. Seeing her now, I can’t remember why I was attracted to her.”
“She’s a beautiful woman, any man would be enticed by her.”
“You believe I’m over her and have been for a long time. I know she is trying to make you doubt my love for you and it won’t happen.”
“Joseph Fletcher, don’t you have more faith in me than that? I know you love me; you show it every day. I have Rachel to thank for turning you sour on women for so long. If she hadn’t broken your heart, you may have been married with two kids when we met and we couldn’t do this.” Samantha threw her arms around him and pulled him down on the bed. Rachel was far from Fletch’s mind for the rest of the night.
“I’m sorry you had to drive all the way out to Pasadena, Pete. My daughter was being silly, I’m sure I wouldn’t have had any trouble driving on a winding road.”
“I’m glad to drive you home. I would like to get to know you better. I find myself attracted to you and that doesn’t happen often with this old cop.”
“I feel the same way, Pete. I haven’t been interested in anyone since Reggie and I were first married. I was young and stupid and fell for his charm. I know I should have divorced the man years ago but this way, I could always say I am a married woman. It was an excuse, I’m afraid.”
“My wife told me she didn’t want to be married to a cop. That was after we had two kids. We were high school sweethearts and maybe we married because that was what was expected of us. She’s happy with someone in a safe line of work and I’m alone with no one to worry about me.”
“What about your children, do you see them?”
“Yes, they are both grown now but they take pity on their old man and spend time with me as often as they can. Gina is a special young woman; I know you must be proud of her.”
“Gina is wonderful, Reggie loved his daughter although he found it difficult to show affection. I know Gina loved her father too. She understood his flaws and looked beyond them. I think his happiest times were when the two of them were together. I’m afraid Reggie’s last years with Rachel were the least happy of his life.”
Pete drove into the driveway of a modest home on a tree-lined street. He expected a billionaire’s wife would live in a mansion with a butler opening the door for the mistress of the household.
“You thought I’d live in a fancy place in an upscale neighborhood, didn’t you?”
“No, I thought you’d live in a mansion dripping with servants. I’m glad I was wrong, I like this house, it suits you.”
“Reggie hated it; he never forgave me for moving out of the house we shared. It wasn’t a mansion, but it was too big for Gina and me. I couldn’t keep it up myself and couldn’t afford gardeners and maid service on my salary.”
“You didn’t want his money, I take it. Gina is a lot like her mother, she’s lucky she had you to influence her choices.”
Pete walked her to the door. “I’d ask you in but it’s getting late and you have a busy day tomorrow. Gina will be picking me up at dawn and I need my beauty sleep too.”
Pete took her hand and then found that he couldn’t resist kissing her lips gently. “I’d like to see you again, Alexandra.”
Alexandra was pleasantly surprised at how much she enjoyed Pete’s kiss. “I’d like that, Pete. I’ll see you in the morning when Gina drops me off to pick up my car.
“I’ll look forward to it,” he said and walked back to his car. Detective Peter Bellamy had a difficult time keeping the smile off his face all the way home.
Alexandra Crenshaw spun around when she closed her front door. She felt like a teenager again and danced all the way up the stairs. She must remember to thank Gina for a perfectly lovely evening.
Chapter Twelve
Blake Lambert slept better than he thought he would on the airplane. Before landing, he called the property manager who oversaw the rental of the Seabrook house for the movie.
“Tell me more about what happened yesterday,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lambert, I can’t give you much information, the police suspect it was foul play but they aren’t giving any specifics.”
Blake Lambert was usually a patient man but this whole situation was getting the better of him. The mansion had been an albatross around his neck. He bought the place because he loved his grandmother and she loved telling stories of the activities in the old mansion. He realized when he grew older that the stories never happened and they were all in Jasmine’s mind.
He’d spent a small fortune on repairs and now someone had died in the pool the previous owners had built. He didn’t know why he agreed to allow the movie company to film on location in and outside the house. Myra Sims was a friend of his secretary, Susan, in his Los Angeles office. Myra was trying to make a name for herself in the movie industry. She
was a professional real estate home stager and wanted to branch out to set decoration. She’d read about the movie in a trade magazine and knew the history of the Seabrook Shores estate and that it belonged to Susan’s boss.
“Myra, I can’t ask Mr. Lambert to recommend you for this job. He has nothing to do with the movie.”
Myra ignored her friend and took it upon herself to contact Blake personally. She used her friendship with Susan to persuade him to recommend her for the job. She convinced him that the house would sell quickly if it was furnished in period pieces. He was anxious to get the movie over with and get the house sold and agreed to recommend her.
He told Susan of her friend’s request and she was appalled that Myra had gone behind her back and used her name to influence Mr. Lambert.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Lambert, I didn’t know Myra would do such a thing.”
“Don’t concern yourself, Susan. If it helps to sell the place, I will be forever grateful.
Now, the movie wouldn’t be made and Myra was out of a job. As soon as this investigation is over, I will sell it at a loss. I’m sure I can’t get what I put into it because of the murder, but I don’t care anymore. Blake thought to himself.
Pete Bellamy arrived at the mansion before seven o’clock. His meeting with Blake Lambert wouldn’t take place for another hour or more but he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss seeing Alexandra when Gina brought her to retrieve her car.
“Mom,” said Gina, “I hope we aren’t too early to run into Detective Bellamy, I wish I didn’t have a meeting this morning.”
“What makes you think I’d be interested in seeing the detective again?” asked Alexandra trying to hide her grin.
“Mom, you could never hide your feelings, it’s obvious sparks were flying between you and the cop. I think it’s wonderful, it’s time you had a man in your life.”
“I’ve done well without a man for many years. I think you and I have had a good life so far.”
Murder in Seabrook Shores Page 7
