In the middle of the movie, Nicole asked him if he wanted another piece of pie. He’d said, “It’d be good, especially if there is any decaf coffee left.”
“If not, I’ll make some.” She hopped up and he followed her to the kitchen.
She didn’t have to make coffee. There was plenty left. She heated them a cup in the microwave and handed him the two mugs. She picked up the two pieces of pie and they went back to the den. He sat the coffee on the table in front of the sofa and she did the same with the pie. He knew he’d look silly if he moved to the recliner again so he sat on the sofa and she joined him. After eating, she carried the plates back to the kitchen and he debated about returning to the recliner. He debated too long and she was back in the den. Without a word, she joined him on the sofa and they watched the rest of the movie. He left when it was over.
Now here he lay contemplating what had transpired. Or really, what hadn’t transpired. He wanted to kick himself. Why didn’t he at least put his arm around her shoulders instead of sitting there like a lump staring at the television? When she walked him to the door, why didn’t he at least kiss her cheek instead of simply saying, “I’ll see you Monday?” And why in hell, given all the time they were alone, didn’t he ask her why she had so few clothes.
Connor sat up, rearranged his pillows, and lay back down. He began playing the entire night all over again in his mind.
Chapter 15
Nicole came downstairs and found Lita already at the breakfast table reading the newspaper. “What’s going on?”
Lita lay the paper down. “That’s just what I want to know.”
“Whatever do you mean?”
“Don’t get coy with me young lady.” Lita smiled at her. “I’m talking about you and Connor.”
“Lita, Connor is my boss and we’re friends. Nothing more.”
Lita folded her paper and stood. “Sit.” She pointed to the chair. “I made a breakfast casserole. I hope you like it.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“Wait and see if you like it.” She opened the oven and took out a baking dish. “It’s made with sausage and eggs.”
“It smells great.”
Lita put the casserole in the center of the table and took the coffee pot from the counter, filled a cup for Nicole, and warmed her own. When she again took her seat, she blessed the food then served it.
“You do know about Connor, don’t you, Nicole?”
“What do you mean, know about him? He’s one of the Cottinghams, and I work with him. Should I know more?”
“Did you know he has been married?”
“Yes. He told me he lost his wife and children in an accident.”
“Did he tell you about the accident?”
“No.” She looked at Lita. “What happened?”
Lita shook her head. “I think he should be the one to tell you.” She changed the subject. “How do you like the casserole?”
“It’s delicious.” Nicole changed the subject back. “Why don’t you tell me about the accident?”
“It’s not my place. I’m sure when he’s ready, Connor will tell you.”
Nicole would’ve asked more questions, but the phone rang. She started to get up, but Lita stopped her.
“I’ll get it, dear.” She stood and picked up the wall phone. “Hello...yes.... Oh, Janice, that’s wonderful. When did you say? Please do.” She paused. “Thank you for calling.” She turned back to Nicole. “Janice said Dora was beginning to show signs of regaining consciousness.”
“Oh, that’s great. Has she spoken to her?”
“Not yet, but she said she’d call me back later.” Lita closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Oh, Nicole, I hope she comes out of it. Though we’ve had our differences in the past, Dora is my best friend. I want her to get well.”
“I’m sure she’ll be alright, Lita. I know Janice is thrilled, too.”
“She was excited. Dora and Janice have been at each other throats since she was a teenager, but they really do love each other. I know this has been hard on Janice.”
Nicole changed the subject. “Are we going to get into your husband’s files this weekend?”
“I’m afraid I won’t have time, dear. There are specials at the church this weekend and I’ve volunteered to help out.”
Nicole nodded. She figured it would be another relaxing weekend of reading. This, she didn’t mind at all.
* * * *
On Monday morning, Elsie was in the office almost as soon as it opened. “So why didn’t you come to the club Friday night when you got back to the office, Connor?”
“It was too late, Elsie.”
“It’s never too late to come to the club. The dances go on until the wee hours.”
“It was eleven when I headed home. I wasn’t interested in anything except going to bed by then.” He realized he’d said the wrong thing when Elsie giggled.
“Maybe if you spent more time going out, you might get lucky and not have to go to bed alone.”
Connor stared at her. He bit his tongue to keep from telling her he sure wasn’t interested in going to bed with her.
“Well, aren’t you going to say anything?” She turned her head and looked at him in a provocative manner.
“No, I’m not, Elsie.”
She shook her head. “Well, I tried to call you on Saturday, but Paul said you’d gone somewhere to play golf with a friend. Don’t you get tired of living like a monk? There are a lot of fun things to do out with the opposite sex. Why do you want to spend it with other men on a golf course, or why do you want to sit around and mope alone about a past relationship? I know Sue Ann was a great person, but she’s gone, Connor. It’s time you let loose and had some fun, and I’m just the person to help you get back into the art of living again.”
“I’m perfectly happy the way I am, Elsie.”
“Now, I don’t believe that for one minute.” She reached across the desk and put her hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go to breakfast and talk about it.”
“I’ve already eaten breakfast.”
“Well, I haven’t. You can have coffee while I eat.”
“Nicole hasn’t come in and there isn’t anyone to watch the office. Dad left for Savannah again this morning and Paul hasn’t arrived yet either.”
At that moment they heard the front door open.
“Well, there comes someone,” Elsie said.
Connor got up from his chair and started toward the front office. She followed him.
Nicole was putting her purse in the desk drawer when they entered. “Good morning,” she said to both of them.
“Good morning, Nicole. Did you get the damage report on the Rogers house on Friday? He called this morning and is demanding to know when his roof will be fixed.”
Nicole didn’t have the foggiest idea what he was talking about, but she figured it had something to do with Elsie being in the office. She smiled. She could play along. “I’ll get right on it, Connor. Are you going to have to go out there?”
“He can’t go anywhere except to breakfast with me,” Elsie announced. “He didn’t bother to come to the club Friday night, then he took off to play golf for the rest of the weekend. The least he can do to make up for that is take me to breakfast this morning.”
The front door opened and Paul walked in. “Good morning, all.”
“Hello, Paul.” Elsie walked up and kissed him on the cheek. “I’m trying to persuade your brother to take me to eat. He’s got all kinds of excuses for not going.”
Paul smiled knowingly. “Well, we’re pretty busy. Mondays are always that way.”
The phone rang and Nicole turned her back to them to answer.
“Nicole, this is Janice Hildebrand. I need to speak with Connor.”
“Of course. I was glad to hear about your mother.”
“Thank you. Is Connor there?”
“Yes. Just a moment.” She put the phone on hold and turned to the group still standing near her desk. �
�Connor, it’s Janice Hildebrand. She insists on speaking to you.”
He untangled his arm from Elsie’s. “I’ve got to take that.”
* * * *
“Well, hurry. I’ll wait for you.” When Paul started to move away, Elsie said, “Tell me, Paul, why is your brother being so obstinate? I only want to help him get back into the swing of things. I think it’s about time, don’t you?”
“Connor has always been obstinate, Elsie.” He ignored her last question. “He likes to do things on his own schedule. You can’t push him into anything he doesn’t want or isn’t ready for.”
“All I want to do is show him a good time.” She turned her mouth down at the corners. “You know I’ve always thought he was a hunk, but even I wouldn’t come on to him when he was married. Now that he’s available, I don’t see any reason not to move in and stake my claim.” She dropped Paul’s arm and flipped her silky brown hair back from her shoulder.
Nicole couldn’t help thinking she could easily model for one of those shampoo commercials. She didn’t mention it, though. Elsie’s ego was big enough.
Paul took a deep breath. “Well, don’t get your hopes up, Elsie. If Connor says he isn’t ready for a relationship, he’s not.”
“Well, it’s time he got over it. After all, he didn’t kill his family on purpose.”
Paul shot a look at Nicole, but spoke to his sister-in-law. “Elsie, why don’t you give Erline a call? Mattie is in playschool this morning and I’m sure Erline is at loose ends. Why not take her to brunch and go shopping or something?”
“But I wanted to go—”
“I know, dear, but it looks like Connor has his hands full this morning. Maybe it would be better if you made plans with him in advance. He’s not one to do things on the spur of the moment.”
“Well, I thought it would be a nice surprise.” She stuck out her lip in a little girl pout.
“Connor isn’t much for surprises. He likes to know in advance what’s going to happen.” He turned to one side and dialed his cell phone. “Hi, Honey, I know where Elsie disappeared to so early this morning. She came by to take Connor to breakfast, but he’s really busy today. You know how Mondays are. I suggested you and she take the morning and go shopping.” There was a pause then he said, “I’ll tell her to come right back to the house. Love you.”
He looked at Elsie. “She was tickled to know you’d come keep her company.”
“Oh, all right.” Resignation sounded in her voice. “Just let me go wave good-bye to Connor.”
Before anyone could speak, she scooted down the hall. She was only gone seconds. “He’s still on the phone, but he waved at me.”
“I’ll tell him where you’ve gone.” Paul walked her to the door.
“Be sure to. Tell him to call me and we’ll go to dinner.” She looked at Nicole. “Don’t let him work late or anything. Smart secretaries can steer their bosses away from work sometimes.”
“I’ll do my best, but he is one of the bosses and I won’t push him too hard. I like my job and I don’t want to make him angry at me.” Nicole smiled at her.
Elsie shook her head and went out the door.
Paul turned around and looked at Nicole. “I’m sorry she drew you into her quest for Connor. She came to stay with us when she went through her third divorce this summer. Now, for some reason she’s decided to make Connor her project this fall. Elsie has to have a man, though once she has him, the thrill is over for her. I think she just enjoys the pursuit. I don’t want my brother to become her fourth victim.”
Nicole simply nodded.
After picking up the mail and the messages she’d left him the day before, Paul headed to his office.
Nicole tried to concentrate on the work before her, but some of the things Elsie said kept running through her mind. She wondered why Paul said Connor didn’t do things on the spur of the moment. He certainly did that Friday when he’d picked her up and took her home then stayed for dinner and a movie. Mostly she wondered what Elsie meant when she said Connor didn’t kill his family on purpose.
Chapter 16
“So, what do you think?”
“I think we need to talk with Nicole Lynch again.”
“It does look suspicious with the letters ‘Nico’ scrawled on the desk calendar in his blood.” Detective Milo shook his head. “But we were interviewing her Friday afternoon just about the time Bowie was murdered.”
“I know, but she could have left right after we were there.”
“And driven downtown and knocked off Jeff Bowie?”
“It could happen.” Trudy Collins looked across the desk at him. “There’s something about her I don’t trust. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s something.”
“Now don’t get carried away, Collins. I know the clues all seem to point to her, but the evidence doesn’t. As we said before, someone could be trying to set her up. It’s been done before.”
“I know it has.” She sighed. “Okay, let’s go talk with Lita Mancini. I don’t think that lady would lie to save her grandmother.”
Detective Milo laughed. “I suspect her grandmother is beyond saving.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know exactly what I mean.”
Thirty minutes later, they were knocking on the door of the large Victorian home. Lita opened the door and ushered them to the living room. “Now, what have I done this time?” she asked with a twinkle in her eyes.
“You haven’t done a thing, Mrs. Mancini. We just need to ask a few more questions.” Trudy Collins smiled at her.
“I thought I’d told you everything I know, but if you think differently, go ahead and ask.” She sat on one of the wing chairs.
The detectives sat in the chairs she indicated. William Milo asked, “Mrs. Mancini, after we left Friday, did Ms. Lynch or Mr. Cottingham leave soon after?”
“Neither of them left. We had dinner.”
“Mr. Cottingham, too?” Officer Collins looked surprised.
“Yes. I invited him and he accepted.”
“What time did you finish dinner?” Milo looked at Collins to indicate he wanted to do the questioning.
“About seven, I think. We chatted a while at the table.”
“Then what did everyone do?”
“We went into the living room and played gin until about nine. I then excused myself and went to my room.”
“What about Ms. Lynch and Mr. Cottingham?”
“They went to the den and watched television. I heard him leave about eleven.”
“What is the relationship between Ms. Lynch and Mr. Cottingham?”
“She works for him.” Lita smiled. “I kind of think he might be interested in her. Poor man, after what he’s been through it’s time he quit moping around and found some young lady to be interested in. He certainly couldn’t do any better than Nicole. Friday was the second time he brought her home so there might be hope there.”
“Oh? When did he bring her home before?”
“The day it rained so hard the other week. He didn’t come in that time, but he waited to be sure she was in safely.” Lita smiled again. “He’s taken her to lunch a couple of times too.”
“Why doesn’t Ms. Lynch drive to work?”
“She says walking is good for her and she enjoys it. She has said she might drive when the weather gets really cold.”
“I see.” He looked at Officer Collins as he stood. “I think that’s all we need to ask at this time.”
Lita stood. “Why in the world are you asking me all these questions. It’s as if you’re checking up on Nicole for some reason.”
“We’re just tying up some loose ends, Mrs. Mancini. Rest assured we don’t suspect Ms. Lynch of any wrong doing.” His eyes dared Trudy Collins to speak.
* * * *
At lunchtime on Tuesday Nicole and Connor sat in the café across the street from the office. “Thanks for coming to lunch with me, Nicole.”
“I enjoy eating lunch with you, Connor, besides you said you had
something you wanted to talk about in private with me.”
“It’s about that call I had this morning from Janice Hildebrand.”
“Oh?” Nicole bit into her club sandwich.
“When you gave me the call I figured she was calling about her mother’s life insurance just like she did yesterday, but she was actually calling me to ask questions about you.”
“Me?” Nicole lay her sandwich down and stared at him. “Why me?”
“She evaded that question when I asked her, but she kept questioning me. She wanted to know how long I’d known you and how long you’d been living with Mrs. Mancini. She also asked if you’d ever said anything about her mother. Things like that.”
Nicole’s heart pounded. She hoped he couldn’t see it through her sweater. “Why would she want to know those things about me?”
“That’s what I wanted to ask you. Do you know her very well?”
“I only met her once. The day she came to tell Lita about her mother’s attack.”
“It’s strange, but it did make me think about the fact I know very little about you.”
“I’m not that interesting.” Nicole’s mind raced. How could she get him off the subject of her? How could she avoid telling him she had no idea who she was?
“I think you’re pretty interesting.” He smiled at her.
She weakly smiled back. “You’re the interesting one,” she mumbled.
He chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve heard earfuls about me. People like to drag up juicy stories.”
She shook her head. “All I’ve heard is that you lost your family in an accident and for some reason you seem to think it’s your fault.”
His voice was almost a whisper, “It was my fault, Nicole. I killed my family.”
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