Murder in Georgia

by Agnes Alexander

  “Lita!”

  “Well, you do. Since you’ve had this romantic weekend, I’m not too old to realize you’ll be diddling around now that you’re home.”

  “Lita!” Nicole said again.

  “Okay, I’ll drop it for now, but I’m still calling the doctor.”

  Nicole nodded. “I appreciate that. Though Connor said he’d stand by me no matter what, I don’t want to burden him with that choice.”

  “Good, I’m glad you agree.” Lita patted her arm. “Now come out here in the den, I want to show you something.”

  The den was cluttered with stacks of files and several banker boxes. “What in the world?” Nicole looked around.

  “I decided to get busy with my husband’s old files while you were gone. There are a couple of files I want you to look at. You’re smarter than I am and I want your opinion. There are some things I find questionable.”

  Nicole made a place to sit on the sofa. “Okay. What have you found?”

  Lita picked up a file. “This one is kind of strange. It is a woman who refused to have some of the tests Sal wanted to do. She said she couldn’t afford it.”

  Nicole took the file. She saw immediately the woman had given the doctor some conflicting information. “First she says she’s married then she says she’s a widow, then again here she says she has no children and later she says she has a son.” Nicole looked at Lita. “Do you think she could’ve had mental problems?”

  “That’s a possibility, but look at the last page. Sal made some notes there.”

  Nicole turned to the notes. “It says your husband decided the woman suffered from a split personality and he recommended a psychiatrist.” She looked up at Lita. “I wonder if she followed his advice.”

  “There isn’t really a way to know. I actually called the number on the file, but the people who have the number now say they’ve never heard of this woman.” Lita picked up another file. “Now look at this one. It really is strange.”

  “It’s a Jane Doe.” She frowned. “It says here she is twenty-four and not married. She refused to give her name because she doesn’t want to embarrass her family by letting them know she’s pregnant by a married man.” Again Nicole looked at Lita. “I can understand anyone not wanting to let anyone know the father was married, but were women really that afraid to let people know they were going to have a baby?”

  “Yes, at that time they were. It was still a stigma and though it was getting better, it wasn’t as easy for women then as it is now.”

  “Some people still look down on it, Lita.”

  “I know, but those are only the snobs.”

  Nicole looked back at the file. “It says here, the woman went to Atlanta when she was five months pregnant and had her baby there. She never told anyone who she was or who fathered the child.”

  “What I thought unusual was the note Sal wrote saying the woman gave the baby up for adoption then returned to Macon. He said she later married and was reasonably happy.” Lita looked at Nicole. “What I wonder is how Sal knew all this unless this woman was a friend of ours.”

  Nicole turned to the notes. “Maybe she confided in him. Your husband may have known who the father was, too.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Nicole looked at Lita. “Neither of these would explain why someone was harassing you or why they hurt Dora.”

  “I know, unless...”

  “Unless what, Lita?” Nicole asked softly.

  “Honey, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I really loved my husband and I never had the notion to divorce him, but.... Well, he did have a couple of affairs while we were married.”

  “I’m sorry, Lita.”

  Lita nodded. “I might not do now what I did then, but I had three children. I didn’t have a way to support them so I always forgave him.”

  “You did the right thing, I’m sure.”

  Lita nodded. “It was right for me at the time. I just...”

  She stopped and Nicole touched her arm. “What, Lita?”

  “I wonder if Sal was the father of this woman’s baby.”

  “Oh Lita, surely not.”

  “I don’t know. I asked him once if he’d fathered any other children, but he brushed me off. He said if he had other kids, he didn’t know where they were. That could be taken several ways. One is that he did have them and they were given up for adoption.”

  “Oh, Lita.” Nicole laid the file down. “I wish we’d never mentioned going through these files.”

  “It’s too late now, dear. It has brought back a lot of memories.” She turned haunted eyes toward Nicole. “I remember about this time Dora had to go to Columbus and take care of her ailing mother. She was gone about six months and I didn’t have her to turn to when I learned Sal had had yet another affair.”

  “So she wasn’t here when this woman was a patient?”

  “No. Well, not for the whole time. She may have been here when the woman first came in.”

  A thought crossed Nicole’s mind, but she didn’t voice it to Lita. Instead she said, “Then she won’t be any help with this, will she?”

  “Not at all.”

  Nicole took Lita’s hand. “Let’s think this is just a woman Sal wanted to help. She very well could’ve been a friend and he wanted to spare her. In fact, I’m almost sure that’s what happened. He wasn’t the kind of man to spread tales about the people who came to him, was he?”

  “Oh, no.”

  “See. If it was someone you both knew, he didn’t want to burden you with the responsibility of keeping the secret.”

  Lita smiled. She patted Nicole’s hand. “I bet you’re right. I bet Dora wouldn’t have known who she was either. She probably came to Sal with some other ailment and he kept all her secrets.”

  “That’s exactly what a good doctor would do.”

  “Oh, Nicole. You’ve made me feel so much better.” She stood. “Let’s put this all away now and go have a cup of tea.”

  “That sounds good to me.”

  Later in bed, Nicole couldn’t help thinking about Dora. She remembered the older woman saying she was single when she first came to work for Lita’s husband. Could she possibly be the one who had the baby and gave it up? Did the nurse have an affair with her boss? If this was true, how did she keep it from Lita all these years?

  Nicole would have thought about it longer, but the cell phone Connor had insisted she have, rang. “Hello, darling,” she said. “I love you.”

  “Those words are music to my ears, baby. The only thing which would make them better is if I was there with you so you could say them in person.”

  “You know it goes without saying I wish you were here, too.”

  “Can I come over and slip into your bed?”

  She laughed. “No, darling, you can’t.”

  “I figured you’d say that.” He sighed. “I know it was only a couple of hours ago, but it seems like forever since I saw you. I couldn’t go to sleep without at least hearing your voice.”

  “I had the phone right beside my bed hoping you’d call.”

  “If I can’t come sleep with you, can I come over and kiss you good-night one more time?”

  She laughed. “No, my love, you can’t do that either. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “I’ll come pick you up in the morning.”

  “No, Connor. I want things to be as normal as possible. I want to walk to work and be at my desk when you come in. I want you to tell me good morning and smile at me, and I want to tell you good morning right back.”

  “Okay, we’ll do it that way on one condition.”

  “What condition is that?”

  “After we say good morning you’ll follow me to my office. We’ll go inside and close the door, and I’ll take you in my arms and kiss you over and over.”

  “That sounds like a good plan to me. I’ll certainly go along with it.”

  “Then I’ll see you in the morning, my love.”

  “Good-n
ight, Connor.”

  “Good-night, Nicole, and remember, I’m falling quickly for you and I’m not going to be denied your company very long.”

  She giggled. “Are we going to Europe?”

  “We might.” He laughed. “I’ll see you in the morning, love.”

  Chapter 27

  Connor was surprised when Nicole wasn’t at her desk when he arrived at work the next morning. He figured she was in the bathroom. He went down the hall and opened his office door. He took the picture frame from his briefcase and sat it on the desk. He couldn’t help smiling when he looked at it. Nicole was running toward him from the ocean at Tybee. In her hand were her sandals and the wind had blown her skirt to the side showing the shape of her right leg. Her blond hair floated around her head and she had that fabulous smile on her lips. He could almost taste the kiss she gave him as soon as she reached him and threw her arms around his neck. He was glad he’d gone to the one hour photo place and had it developed. Now he could look at her all day.

  “Good morning, brother.” Paul stuck his head in the door. “What you got there?”

  Connor picked up the picture and handed it to him. “Made this Tuesday at Tybee Island.”

  Paul nodded. “Good picture of her. Looks like she was having fun.”

  “We both were. Of course, she had to go wading in the ocean.”

  “I bet you didn’t wade, did you?”

  “No. I had more sense.” He looked at Paul. “Where is Nicole, by the way?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t seen her. I figured she was coming in with you.”

  “No. She told me she wanted to get back to normal and walk to work this morning.”

  “Well, she’s not here.”

  Connor frowned. “It’s not like Nicole to be late”

  “Not unless you wore her out this weekend.”

  Connor’s mouth turned up at the corner. “She was fine last night.” His eyebrow shot up as he looked at his brother. “Not that I didn’t try to wear her out.”

  Paul nodded. “Good for you.”

  Connor looked at the clock on his wall.” It’s almost nine-thirty. I’m going to call and check on her.”

  “I’d say not to bother, but I’m like you. It isn’t like her to be late. She would’ve called if something came up to delay her.”

  First Connor dialed the cell number he gave her. It rang several times then went to voice mail. “Nicole, it’s Connor. Just checking to be sure you haven’t quit. Call me, will you, honey?”

  He turned to his brother again. “I’m going to call Lita and see if she’s left.” When she answered he said, “Good morning, Lita, It’s Connor.”

  “Good morning to you. I’m glad you called. I want to tell you how much I love the stained glass you and Nicole brought me. She helped me hang it in the breakfast room window this morning. It catches the sunlight and it casts such lovely colors all over the table.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He cleared his throat. “I just wanted to check and see if Nicole has left your house yet.”

  “Oh, yes, Connor. She left around eight-ten just like she always does.” Lita’s voice took on a frightened tone. “Isn’t she there?”

  “No, Lita. She hasn’t come in yet. Maybe she had something else to do.”

  “What? She couldn’t wait to get there because she wore that pretty sweater you bought her in Savannah. She said you liked it with the yellow skirt she got at the mall and she wanted to look pretty for you today.”

  “Lita, she isn’t here. Could she have stopped anywhere?”

  “I don’t think so. Not unless she stopped to see Dora?”

  Connor got a long breath. “Maybe she did that. I hope she did.”

  “Want me to call Dora and see?”

  “Never mind, Lita. I’m coming up there. I’ll stop at Dora’s house then I’ll see you shortly.” He dropped the phone and looked at Paul. “She left at her usual time. I’m going to trace her route. Call my cell if she shows up.”

  Paul nodded as Connor raced from the office.

  * * * *

  Martin came through the door and walked to Paul’s office. “Where was Connor going in such a rush? He almost knocked me down then said sorry and kept going. I couldn’t stop him and I wanted to talk to him.”

  “Nicole’s missing, Dad. He went to see if something happened to her on her way to work this morning.”

  “Oh, my. You don’t suppose she got hit by a car or something?”

  “Oh, Lord. I didn’t think of that. Connor was thinking maybe she stopped to visit Dora Hildebrand.”

  “She would have called, wouldn’t she?”

  Paul nodded. “I think she would.”

  “Connor likes her, doesn’t he, Paul?”

  “I think he loves her, Dad. Go look at that picture of her he put on his desk.”

  Martin went into Connor’s office and came back with the picture in his hand. “This was made at the coast.”

  “Made at Tybee on Tuesday.”

  “Wonder how he got it back so fast?”

  “Probably took the film to one of those one-hour things.”

  Martin nodded and looked at the picture. He smiled. “She sure is a pretty little thing, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “I told Nancy I thought Connor might be falling for her.” He chuckled. “Of course, she’s tickled to death and wants to have her over as soon as possible. She wants to get to know her.”

  “Knowing Mother, she probably wants to see if Nicole is a suitable woman to bear her more grandchildren.”

  “That too.” He frowned when Paul didn’t answer the ringing phone. “Since Nicole’s not here, we can’t just let the phones go unanswered. How about getting it?”

  “Hi honey,” Paul said when he heard his wife’s voice. “What’s up?”

  “I’m not sure, but I wanted to tell you to warn Nicole.”

  “Warn Nicole about what?”

  “Elsie left happy as she could be this morning. When I asked her what was up, she said she was getting her revenge on Nicole today for trying to take Connor away from her.”

  “Oh, my God. What did she say she was going to do?”

  “She was out the door before I could ask. I was afraid she came to the office and caused a stir.”

  “No, honey, she hasn’t been here.”

  “Then I have no idea where she could be, but I felt I had to let you know what she said so you could warn Nicole. I think she’s up to something and you know Elsie. She could cause real trouble.”

  Paul took a deep breath. “Erline, Nicole hasn’t come in today. Connor has gone to look for her. We’re afraid something happened to her on the way to work.”

  “Oh, my Lord. I hope she’s okay.”

  “So do I, honey. If you hear from Elsie, please have her call or come by here.”

  “I will.”

  “I love you, Erline. I’m so glad you’re not like your sister.”

  When he hung up he turned back to his father. “I guess you heard most of that.”

  Martin nodded. “What did she say about Nicole?”

  “She said Elsie was going to get her revenge on Nicole today.”

  “You don’t suppose,” his voice trailed off.

  “I hope not, Dad. I really hope not.”

  * * * *

  “Lita, while we’re waiting for the police to get here, do you mind if I look around in Nicole’s room? She might have left a clue or something.”

  “Go ahead, Connor. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

  Connor took the stairs two at a time. When he entered Nicole’s room, the first thing he noticed was the little stuffed bear he’d given her. It sat next to her pillow on the made-up bed. He couldn’t help smiling. He opened her closet. The clothes she’d bought for the trip were all laundered and hanging neatly with the few she had before. The sandals she’d worn at Tybee Island sat on the closet floor. He touched the green broom-stick skirt she’d worn that day. Closin
g the closet, he turned to the bathroom. She’d left some of her make-up and her comb and brush on the counter beside the sink. He touched the towel she’d hung over the towel rod. It was still damp from her morning shower. He pictured her naked body stepping out of the tub and his heart felt like crying. Where was she? What had happened to her?

  When he left the bathroom, he saw her robe and nightgown hanging on the door. It was an outfit she hadn’t taken to Savannah. Probably one she’d only wear when he wasn’t with her.

  Back in her room, he opened the chest of drawers slowly. One held her bras and panties. He saw the green outfit and remembered how she’d looked in it while they were in Savannah. He looked for the yellow set, but remembered Lita had said she wore the yellow skirt today. She’d wear the yellow underwear to match. That was part of her style.

  He opened the next drawer and saw the pink nightgown he bought her. She’d folded it neatly and put tissue paper around it. Oh, how he wanted to see her in that nightgown again.

  He was about to leave the room when he saw the blue spiral composition book and picked it up. He skimmed some of the pages because he didn’t want to pry into her private journal. He noticed she did write about her grandmother then he saw his name. He couldn’t help himself. He read what she’d written a few days after she came to work for them.

  Connor stood close to me at my desk today. I could smell his cologne and his manly odor at the same time. It was all I could do to keep my hands on the computer keys. I wanted to reach out and grab him. I wanted to explore his manhood with my hands and I wanted him to take me. I couldn’t have refused if he’d wanted to throw everything off my desk and make love to me right there in the front office.

  He couldn’t help smiling. So she had been attracted to him, too. He flipped to another page. Again he couldn’t resist the temptation to read when he saw his name.

  Connor and I made love tonight. I know I shouldn’t have let it go that far, but I couldn’t help myself. I know he’ll probably toss me aside someday, but tonight I was with him completely. He needs me and God knows I need him. It was wonderful. He knows where and how to touch me to make me weak inside. The feel of his kisses and the taste of his lips are heaven. When he possessed me everything in me seemed to have been waiting for that moment. I know after being with Connor there will never be another man. Even when he leaves me, I’ll always have this memory.