* * * *
“Joe, I have no idea what kind of paper the man was talking about,” Nola Dean said against Joe’s chest. They were sitting on the sofa and he was holding her in his arms. “I think he was serious, though. I could tell from his voice.”
“Try not to be upset, sweetheart. Maybe he was only trying to scare you.”
“He sure managed to do that.”
“I know.” He held her tighter.
“I know there’s nothing you can do about it.” She smiled up at him. “Thanks for coming.”
“I don’t like people upsetting you. You don’t deserve that.”
“I almost wish I’d never come to the beach. I never dreamed I’d get mixed up in all of this.”
“Well, personally, I’m kind of glad you came.”
She glanced at him and smiled. “You’re kind to say that.”
“Sure. I’m the big old kind policeman.”
She started to retort, then saw the twinkle in his eyes. “I suppose I’m glad, too. How else would I have met you?” She leaned up and kissed his chin.
“Oh, I don’t know. You could rob a bank, or go on a drunken brawl…” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
“You nut,” she whispered against his chest.
“I want to get this thing settled and over with so I can walk with you on the beach in late afternoon holding hands, maybe take a moonlight swim and, as the kids say, make out.” He looked down at her. “Do you realize I haven’t even kissed you on the beach?”
She smiled and said, “That sounds like fun, but I don’t think we’ll go out there tonight.” He chuckled and she went on. “Right now I think I could use a cup of coffee. How about you?”
“Decaf?”
“Of course.”
Joe’s cell phone vibrated. He took it out and flipped it open. “Yeah, Bett,” he said.
Nola Dean went into the kitchen and put on a pot of decaf while Joe was talking with his partner. She took a tray and put two cups on it. She poured cream in hers and left one so Joe could have his coffee black. When she went back into the living room, he’d hung up.
“I was waiting for you to calm down to tell you about the break-in at Dolly Overton’s house. Bett was filling me in on it.”
“Oh, my. What happened?”
“Mrs. Overton went home to get some things she needed and found her house ransacked.”
“Poor Dolly. She’s had a rough time.”
“Humph…”
“What?”
“I was wondering if the break-in had anything to do with the paper the caller wanted from you.”
“You know Dolly says someone keeps calling asking her to give them something Walter had and she swears she doesn’t know what they’re talking about.”
“She probably doesn’t. I have a feeling Walter was into things Dolly had no knowledge of. In fact, I think that piece of paper is the other half of a list of bank numbers.”
“I certainly don’t have it.” She stood. “The coffee turned off.”
“Good,” Joe said with a chuckle. “I should have asked you to make regular coffee. It looks like it’s going to be a long night.”
Chapter 31
“Robbery didn’t find any prints we didn’t already know about in the Overton house,” Bett said as she sat across the desk from Joe. “I stayed until almost three this morning. How were things with Nola Dean?”
“There were no more calls and she promised to let me know if she heard anything else. She hasn’t called.” He took a drink of the dark coffee and stifled a yawn. “Boy these late hours can get to you, can’t they?”
“What time did you come in?”
He grinned. “I came back here from her place.”
“So you haven’t had any sleep?”
“I dozed a little at the desk.”
Bett shook her head. “You need to get some rest. Why don’t you go on home and let me handle things. I promise to call if anything comes up.”
“I might do that in a little while.”
The phone rang. “Joe Randell here,” he said. “How can I help you?”
“I think I might have found something that will help you solve the robbery.”
“May I ask your name, ma’am?” Joe motioned for Bett to pick up the phone and listen in.
“I’m Kit Carson and I don’t want any jokes about my name. I live in North Myrtle Beach.”
“And what can I do for you, Ms. Carson?” Joe couldn’t help grinning.
“I don’t know if I should have called you or not, but I didn’t want to take a chance,” she said. “I saw the drawings in the paper when that investment company was robbed. It said there were some possible antiques missing and the public was to keep an eye out for them.”
Joe knew that wasn’t exactly what the paper said, but he didn’t correct the woman. “Have you seen something?” he asked.
“I’m not sure, but when I went to put my garbage in the dumpster this morning, there was a broken vase next to it. I assume it fell out when the city emptied the dumpster last night. Now, it could be one that someone in one of the complexes threw away, but I thought I’d tell you about it anyway.”
“I’m glad you did, Ms. Carson. What did you do with the piece?”
“You may think I’m silly, but I’ve watched a lot of cop shows on TV. I knew not to pick it up with my bare hands, so I used a tissue I had in my pocket. I brought it home with me and put it in a plastic bag. I hope that was all right.”
“That was perfect. Please give me your address and someone will be right over to pick it up.”
After writing down the address, he thanked Kit Carson and turned to Bett. “This is probably nothing, but we’d better check it out.”
“Want me to go with you to pick it up?”
“Sure. We’ll grab a biscuit. I didn’t have breakfast.”
* * * *
Nola Dean was getting ready to do a load of laundry when the doorbell rang. She was surprised when she opened it and Shane Norrick stood on the other side.
“I hope you don’t mind me dropping by, Nola Dean,” he said with his super salesman smile.
“Come in Shane.” She stood aside and ushered him into the living room. “Would you like a coke or some iced tea?”
“Tea would be wonderful. It’s unusually hot for this time of year.”
She motioned to the sofa. “Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”
She returned with two glasses of iced tea. She chose a side chair for herself, wondering why he’d dropped by.
He told her with his next statement, “I was wondering if your friend, Mrs. Brunson had said anything about making contact with her sister?”
“Oh, Shane. I should have called you. Olive did tell me she had talked with Helen. Helen was furious and told Olive she had no intention of moving to Myrtle Beach and proceeded to tell her if she moved to a coast it would be the West coast of Florida. I think she added something about Olive staying out of her affairs.”
Shane looked disappointed. “I’m sorry she felt that way. It’d be nice if the sisters lived closer together and were better friends.”
Nola Dean nodded. “Being an only child who lost her parents at a young age, I think it would be wonderful to have a sister to share with.”
“But you have a lot of good friends.”
“Yes, I do.”
There was an awkward pause before Shane said, “I have something else I wanted to discuss with you.”
“Oh?”
“I’ve got the opportunity to buy some land in the area and I think it will be a great investment. I thought you might be interested.”
“I appreciate the offer, Shane, but not at this time. We’re expanding some things at home and it will tie up my extra income for a while. I don’t want to spread myself too thin.” She had no intention of telling him she was thinking of investing with the Colliers.
He drank from his glass. “Well, I think it is a good deal and I wanted to offer it t
o my friends first,” he said. “I think Mrs. Overton might be interested.”
Nola Dean cocked an eye. “That surprises me. I don’t see Dolly as the type to be interested in investments.”
“I think this will turn over quickly and she stands to make a lot of money if it does.”
“Then I’m happy for her. It’d be good to see Dolly get interested in business.”
They chatted a little longer, and then Shane stood to go. “Well, if you change your mind, give me a call. There’s always a place for you in an investment deal.” He smiled at her and added, “I’ve got to pick up Dolly and show her another piece of property we’re thinking of buying. Tell Mrs. Brunson I’m sorry it didn’t work out with her sister.”
“I’ll tell her. Thank you, Shane.”
She showed him to the door and frowned as she closed it. Shane had always been interested in investments, but he’d always bought into condos and houses in the area. She was surprised he was now turning to land. Was that what he had been discussing with Walter when Olive spied them on the beach? She shook her head. I hope he doesn’t get Dolly into a bad deal. She turned back to her laundry.
From habit, she checked the pockets of her clothes. Often she’d find a tissue, loose change or scraps of paper on which she’d written notes. Today was no exception. She stuck her hand into the pocket of a pair of jeans and pulled out a piece of paper. She looked at it and her heart caught in her throat as the pants slid from her hand to the floor.
“It’s a sheet of half written numbers,” she said aloud. It then dawned on her it was the paper she’d discarded as not being important the day she discovered the money. “Could this possibly be what Joe was looking for?”
She ran to the telephone and dialed his cell number. When he answered, she said, “I think I’ve found it, Joe.”
“Found what?” He asked.
“That sheet of paper with the numbers on it. It’s been torn in half and only half of the numbers are here.”
“That’s great, Nola Dean. Put it in a safe place and we’ll be there in a little while. We have one stop to make first.” He hesitated then added. “Of course you know not to tell anyone.”
“Of course and I’ll keep it safe. I’ll put it back in the pocket.”
* * * *
Mr. Smith couldn’t believe his good fortune. He was listening to Nola Dean’s phone conversation at the right time. If he hurried, he could get to her and get the numbers before Joe Randell finished his errand.
He wouldn’t even take time to put on the disguise this time. It didn’t matter anyway. He might even be able to finesse her enough that she’d never know what he was after.
* * * *
Joe and Bett were leaving Kit Carson’s house. “I think we should turn this in and get prints if we can,” Joe said. “From the way they were described to me, this very well could be one of the vases from Walter Overton’s office.”
“I can also see why everyone thought the objects were ugly, but why would the thief toss it if he or she thought it had monetary value?” Bett said.
“Maybe they found out it didn’t. After we get it printed, we’ll have it appraised, just in case.”
Joe pulled out of the parking lot. “Let’s go by Nola Dean’s before we take it back to the station. If she has found that list it’s going to be a big step in solving this crime.”
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed she did find it.”
* * * *
The doorbell rang. Again, Nola Dean dropped the laundry she was holding and answered it, expecting to see Joe and Bett.
“Grady,” she mumbled. “It’s you.”
He chuckled. “I’m sorry to drop by like this, Nola Dean, but I was on my way out of town and thought I’d pop in to see if you’ve been thinking about the land deal.”
“As a matter of fact, I have.” She held the door open. “Would you like to come in?”
“I can only stay a minute. My wife wants me home by four to go to some kind of charity thing.” He chuckled again. “You know how wives are.”
Nola Dean only smiled. “Do you have time for a little something to drink?”
“Not really,” he glanced at his watch. “But I did think we might go for a quick ride up the beach. I want to show you something.”
She frowned. “Up the beach?”
“Yes. At the inlet. It will only take fifteen minutes or so.”
“I’m sorry, Grady. I can’t go now. I’m expecting someone.”
He took her arm. “I must insist.”
She pulled away. “What are you doing? I said I can’t go now.”
“As I said, Nola Dean, I insist.” His voice was firm.
She started to argue with him, then gasped. “What’s going on?”
Grady slid his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small gun. “Come along and you’ll be fine.” He took her arm again.
Nola Dean’s mind was full of confusion and fright. “You couldn’t be the one…”
“I’m the one, my dear. I’m sorry it has to be this way, but I have no choice. Give me the sheet of paper.”
“What paper?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I know you found the other half of the list of bank numbers.”
“How did you know that?”
“It doesn’t matter. I know.” He looked directly into her eyes. “Now give them to me.”
She started to argue, but the sound of the opening elevator stopped her. She knew it would be Joe and Bett. She would be saved.
Grady glanced down the hall. An older man and a woman got off. They had grocery bags in their arms. “It’s not your policeman, my sweet. It’s only a couple going to a condo down the hall.”
She closed her eyes. Please let Joe get here.
“The next time, it could be your police friend,” Grady said. He took her arm again. “Let’s go.” He pulled her out the door and slammed it behind them. “Make one sound and I’ll shoot you. I don’t want to, but I will.”
“Where are we going?” she demanded when they reached the car and he pushed her into the passenger side of his Mercedes.
“It doesn’t really matter, does it?” His chuckle became sinister. “You’ll know when we get there.” He got into the car and pulled out of the parking lot.
“There goes Shane and Dolly,” Nola Dean said.
“Damn,” Grady said. The car went on by. “I don’t think they saw us.”
She sighed in frustration. “Grady, I don’t understand. What’s happening? You’re not the man who killed Walter, are you?”
He laughed. “What do you think?
“I don’t know. I’m totally confused.”
“Well, let me clear up that confusion. Yes, I killed Walter. I also killed Brown and that nosey little stripper. I don’t want to, but I’ll kill you if I have to.”
Nola Dean didn’t know what to do. Though she thought her heart was going to pound out of her chest, she sat quietly and tried to form a plan of escape. She didn’t know how she was going to do it, but she knew she had to think of something.
* * * *
“Wasn’t that Grady and Nola Dean?” Dolly looked at Shane.
“It must have been someone else. Where would they be going this time of the morning?”
“It sure looked like them,” she said. “Nola Dean usually gets up early. She’s not like me. You know I like to sleep in.”
“Yes, but you have a good reason to be up today.”
She smiled at him. “I guess I do at that.”
He returned her smile. “I’m sure we’ll make a bundle of money on this inlet property. I want you to see it before the rest of the office gets a look at it.”
“I appreciate that, Shane. If I stick with you, we’ll end up making a lot of money, won’t we?”
“Absolutely. It will be the first of our investments together. If you like this, there’s some land I will show you later.” He smiled again. He knew it was the smart thing to get Dolly to invest in this condo
which was going into foreclosure. If she was pleased with it, he would have an investor as long as he needed one. And she was beginning to grow on him. Maybe she was the one who could settle him down at last. He’d have to give it some thought. After all, he wasn’t getting any younger. The mirror told him this morning how the lines were beginning to show. To spend the rest of his life with this rich widow wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. He might better think about doing it before it got harder and harder to attract these rich ladies. He reached over and took her hand in his.
Dolly glanced at him and gave him a contented smile. Grady and Nola Dean weren’t mentioned again.
Chapter 32
Joe rang the bell at Nola Dean’s condo. When there was no answer, he rang again. “She’s got to be here. She knew we were coming.”
“Maybe she’s in the shower or something and can’t hear the bell.”
“Maybe.” He rang it a third time.
When there was still no answer, he whipped out his cell phone and dialed her number. When the answering machine came on, he closed it. “I don’t understand this.”
Bett shook her head. “Neither do I. Try the door.”
Joe turned the knob and the door opened. “Nola Dean,” he called as they entered the condo. “Are you here?”
Maxie came running up to them. “Well, she’s not walking the dog,” Bett said. “I’ll check the bedrooms.” In a few seconds, she called, “She’s not in here.”
“What could have happened to her?” Joe frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“She wouldn’t have left knowing we were coming,” Bett said. “You don’t suppose…” Her voice trailed off.
“How could anyone know we were coming?” He gave her a bewildered look.
“I don’t know…”
Joe interrupted her. “Unless…”
“Unless, what?”
He went into the kitchen. Bett was on his heels. He picked up the phone that sat on the bar, flipped open the receiver and said, “Damn.”
“What is it?”
“Her phone is bugged. Someone knew we were coming, and they knew what we were coming for.” He removed the bug and sat the phone down.
Murder in South Carolina Page 22
