"Good,” she said. “I hoped I'd have a chance to talk to you."
"Another paper?"
She shook her head. “About Gran's plans. How do I convince her that while I love her, I can't live with her and I don't care about her money? All I care about is her. Granted some extra cash would be nice, but it isn't necessary for my survival."
"Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet."
"Then come along. We'll eat left-overs and chat.” She followed me inside. “About your grandmother. I have a feeling Marcus and Sophie have made her believe money is more important than she is."
Jenna sighed. “I'm afraid you're right.” She paced to the living room and back. “Why are people so greedy?"
"I haven't the slightest idea."
When she settled on one of the kitchen chairs, I started water for tea and took a plate of roast beef, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes from the refrigerator. Moments later, I filled two mugs and joined her at the table.
She raised her drink. “Met my cousins yesterday. They arrived not long after you left. They are something else. Said their nanny was waiting in the car. They demanded Gran give them money for the mall. She told them no. Tammy stamped her foot and called Gran mean."
"So what happened?'
"Gran said no again. Tammy said she was going to tell her mother and since Gran wanted to give all her money to that dumb Mark, she could give it to Heather and her. Gran told them to leave."
"Did they?"
Jenna shook her head. “Tammy asked for the key to Gran's house so they could take the money Gran hides in the cookie jar. I thought Gran would explode. She screamed for them to get out and not return. They left. I tried to calm Gran and called for a nurse to help her."
"Good thinking.” I stared at the table. Poor Martha. Was she all right?
"As soon as the nurse came, I kissed her and left. The girls were waiting for the elevator. I told them they'd been rude and should apologize. Heather said servants didn't tell them what to do and as soon as her parents returned I'd be fired."
"Did you tell them who you are?"
"No way. They'd find a way to make trouble between Gran and me."
I busied myself in preparing a sandwich. “I imagine you're right. I wonder why they're allowed to get away with behavior like that."
Jenna reached for the bread and the fixings. “As they got on the elevator, the younger one stuck her tongue out and said her grandmother needed to go home. Mommy says Grandmother Garner is wasting their inheritance."
The comment triggered my memories of Robby's tale and what Martha had heard. “Did your grandmother hear them?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
I told her about the other incidents and how upset Martha had been. I took a bite of my sandwich. Marcus and Sophie had returned from the cruise. They were probably having dinner with Martha. I'm sure the codicil would be mentioned. I wish I had persuaded her to keep silent, but I knew I hadn't.
* * * *
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 3
~
Deadly Infection
-
The next morning, I decided to do what I'd been avoiding. I finished breakfast and reached for the phone. I wanted to speak to Edward Potter before he left for church and became involved in business. Robespierre arrived and begged for food. “Later."
Edward answered on the second ring. “It's Katherine. I need to ask for a favor."
"Ask away."
"Martha Garner gave me the key to her house and asked me to remove four boxes from the attic."
"Why are you telling me this?” he asked.
"I need someone to accompany me. I wouldn't want anyone to accuse me of theft."
"Ask Marcus. He's back from the cruise."
Right, I thought. That wouldn't work. “We're not on the best of terms and Martha wanted me to do this, not him. The boxes are for Jenna. If Marcus finds them first, he'll trash them.” I didn't mention the key in the freezer. Once I persuaded Edward to escort me, I'd find a way to retrieve the key. I would hold it until Martha left Hudson House.
Edward groaned. “Isn't that Jenna Taylor, the one who ran away rather than face what she had done? If she was responsible, I imagine there are charges still pending."
Jenna hadn't attended St. Stephen's but had remained a member of the church her father had attended. Edward hadn't known her. “No matter what Marcus says, she wasn't driving. His son was and he was drunk."
"How would you know? Didn't the accident happen near his house?"
"It did, but I comforted a young police officer who was first on the scene. He knew Mark."
"Pete?” he asked.
"Yes. The real problem with calling Marcus is his attitude. He doesn't want Jenna to have anything. Martha knows how he feels. Will you go with me and help right a wrong?"
"What will you do with these boxes?"
"Give them to her."
"How will you manage that? No one knows where she is. I remember how often Martha added the girl's name to the prayer list. I'm sure she believes her granddaughter is dead."
"Jenna is one of my tenants and a student at the college."
Edward made a noise midway between a groan and a growl. I bit my lip to keep from laughing. “Does Marcus know the girl's living in town?"
"Definitely. He threw her out of her grandmother's room at the hospital. The day before Martha's accident, he stormed onto my property with bluster and threats. Will you go with me or do I make the trip alone?"
"I'll come.” In my imagination, I saw him brace his shoulders and roll his eyes heavenward. “Rather than have to post bail, I'll meet you at her house in a half hour. How do you get yourself in these tangles?"
"Just luck."
He laughed. “Lars would never partner me in bridge if I let you get into trouble."
"I'll let him know how much in demand he is."
After hanging up, I finished the tea, fed the cat and went to the basement for the dolly I use to move large objects. I reached Martha's house, parked in the circular driveway and waited for Edward.
Exactly thirty minutes after he'd hung up, Edward pulled his car behind mine. His timing always stuns me. I wondered if he had some kind of internal clock. He got out and walked to my car. I opened the door. Ever the gentleman, he helped me out. Edward excels at church politics, cajoling the older members and tolerating the younger ones. Even in old clothes, he looks fashionable. I'm sure some of my ideas for projects at the church have contributed to his receding hairline. Over the years, we've settled into friendship.
"You're right on time.” I strode up the walk.
"Always. Are you sure you want to do this?” His furtive glances made me wonder if he expected Marcus to leap from behind the giant rhododendron bushes lining the walk.
"Of course I am. Jenna will appreciate the things her grandmother saved for her. In this case, Marcus would never honor his mother's wishes.” I slid the key into the lock and entered the house.
Just inside the door, I switched on the lights. The crystal chandelier gleamed and dispelled the gloom. The musty odor made my nose wrinkle. Since we wouldn't be long, I resisted the temptation to open windows to air the house.
Edward followed me up the broad staircase to the second floor where I opened the door leading to the attic. Martha and I had often gone there to carry down some item she'd donated to the church for the bazaar. A narrow set of stairs led to the spacious area that had been divided into rooms for the servants in the days when the Garners had a full-time live-in-staff.
In the first room, just as Martha had said, I found the boxes with Jenna's name scrawled in Martha's spidery handwriting. Three were large and one small. Edward and I slid them to the second floor, then managed to wrestle one to the foyer.
I slumped against the newel post to catch my breath. “I should have brought the dolly in."
Edward sank on the steps. “Katherine, for pity's sake, go get it. I'm not moving until y
ou do."
"I need a glass of water."
"Sounds wonderful. Iced, I hope.” He looked up. “Do you think there are bricks in those boxes?"
"We may never know.” I left him and walked to the kitchen. A shiver of pleasure filled me. Since he wasn't going to follow, I had the perfect opportunity to retrieve the key Martha had hidden in the freezer. I took two glasses from the cupboard and opened the refrigerator. Among the boxes of frozen vegetables, I found the plastic bag and slipped it into the pocket of my slacks, then dropped cubes in the tumblers.
After Edward finished his drink, I returned the empties and put them in the sink. “Now for the dolly."
Edward started upstairs. “I'll wait for you up here."
"Five minutes."
He reached the head of the steps. “I'll time you."
As he vanished around the corner, I figured he was watching the second hand on his watch. I reached for the knob. The door opened. I gasped.
Marcus glared. “What are you doing here?"
"Your mother gave me a key and this note authorizing me to remove some boxes from the attic."
"I don't believe you."
I dangled the house key on the holder embossed with Martha's initials. “How do you explain this.” I handed him the paper.
He fisted his hands. “Who owns the other car? My niece?"
"No."
"What did my mother ask you to take?"
"Some boxes she packed for Jenna.” I met his glare with my own. “She knows how you feel about your niece. She's afraid you'll toss them in the dump."
His cheeks turned scarlet. Embarrassment or anger? Perhaps both. “That's what I'll do after I learn what's in the boxes. Should I call the police?"
"Go ahead. You're the one who will look foolish."
He pushed past me and ripped the sealing tape free. “Let's see what my mother's giving the girl who killed my son."
"Jenna wasn't driving. Why continue to believe a lie? The police records show what really happened."
"There was a witness who says the records are wrong."
"Katherine, I thought you said five minutes. It's been eight. Where's the dolly?"
Marcus straightened. “What's he doing here?"
I smiled. “Why would I come alone. If I hadn't brought Edward, you would accuse me of theft."
"You win.” He opened the top of the box. “Old toys, dolls. Take all this junk with my blessing."
"Edward, Marcus is here. Maybe he can help you while I fetch the dolly."
A short time later, we loaded two of the boxes on the dolly and wheeled them to my car. When all four were stowed, I handed the house key to Marcus. “Your mother would like to see a reconciliation. Don't you think the time to forgive and forget has come?"
"Why? Mother knows what went down."
"I believe she does. She mentioned speaking to an old friend who has retired from the force. She knows Jenna wasn't lying."
"My witness...Maybe Jenna wasn't driving, but she grabbed the wheel. Otherwise the story makes no sense."
"Maybe your witness was lying.” I opened my car door.
"Sophie was there. She saw the whole thing from our front window."
My brow furrowed. “Then why didn't she come forward?"
He put his hands on the door. “She was in shock. She was pregnant and after the funeral, she collapsed and miscarried. She spent weeks in a rest home."
"I'm sorry to hear that.” I slid into the car. I had to speak to Jenna about the accident. “Why would your wife blame Jenna?"
"Because my niece hated her cousin. Mother was making him her sole heir."
I frowned. “Did Martha tell you that?"
"Sophie knew and she felt awful about me being disinherited."
I shook my head. “Would your mother have done that?"
He scowled. “Mother doesn't like Sophie. Never approved of my divorce and second marriage. Mother believes Sophie only married me for money and position. Mother's always accusing Sophie of trying to make trouble."
I could understand Martha's fears about her daughter-in-law. Sophie was beautiful and shallow. She'd been Marcus’ secretary before their marriages. If the stories I'd heard were true, she had pursued him like a cat after prey. “I doubt your mother's dislike of your wife would cause her to cut you off. Martha believes in family. That's why she wants to see Jenna."
He turned away. “Jenna is like her mother. Selfish. Needy. No sense of responsibility. She's looking for someone to take care of her."
My mouth gaped. His view of his niece showed someone totally unlike the young woman I knew. Those rigid views were so entrenched it would take dynamite to dislodge them. I closed my car door and drove away. I touched the plastic bag. What would be in the box when the key was used? Would I ever learn?
* * * *
That afternoon when I arrived at Hudson House, I nearly collided with the woman who had been my lab partner at the community college. Pauline Morgan had been a good deal younger, but she'd become more than an acquaintance. During one of her many moves, I'd lost track of her. “Pauline, I didn't know you worked here."
"Kate Miller. This is a surprise.” She clasped my hand. “You look wonderful. What are you up to these days?"
"Today I'm visiting a patient. How long have you been back in the area?” During our student days, she'd lived with her parents in a town on the other side of the county.
"Six months. Do you have a few minutes to play catch up?” She stepped into a small deserted sitting room.
"I've plenty of time. So tell me what you've been doing. I lost track of you somewhere between Chicago and California."
She laughed. “I did bounce around a bit but I was young and looking for adventure. Chicago was my BS. Then a short stop in Denver. Went to California for my MA in Nursing Administration. I spent several years in Hawaii. When my father died, I returned to live with my mother. And you?"
"Stayed here. Worked at the local hospital until I retired."
"Still have a mint garden? I remember drinking gallons of various blends while cramming for exams or working on group projects. Could have used some of the tea when I went back to school. The kind they sell in stores never did the trick."
"Garden's flourishing. You'll have to stop by one of these days and see how I've expanded operations."
'And your son?"
"Andrew's a psychiatrist, married and has one daughter."
She smiled. “His becoming a doctor doesn't surprise me. He spent so much time listening to us cramming for tests, he must have had a good start."
A woman appeared in the doorway. “Ms. Morgan, don't forget you have an appointment with Mr. Jakes in fifteen minutes."
"I'll be in the office in ten.” Pauline made a face. “Can't get away for long."
"Sounds like you're busy."
"Always. I'm Director of Nursing."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks.” She paused. “Would you be interested in some part-time work? Hudson House could use someone with your experience several evenings a week. The nursing shortage strikes everywhere."
"Let me think about it.” My answer surprised me. Why hadn't I told her no? I have no trouble keeping busy, yet some quality in her voice struck a cord. Was she having problems with the staff? I strode down the hall beside her.
"Is your license current?"
I nodded. “I haven't the slightest idea why I didn't retire it, too."
"Think about my offer. If you decide you want a job, we'll talk. Remember Chem and Micro labs. We were the best."
Her remark added fuel to my curiosity. What wasn't she saying? We had taken honors in both classes by being the first to identify mystery elements and microbes. “I will and I'll stop by with some mint tea one day soon.” I paused at the foot of the stairs.
"Who are you visiting?"
"Martha Garner."
"She's a delightful woman, though sometimes a bit outspoken. Can't say the same for her son and daughter-in-l
aw. He complains about the expense of her care and she's only interested in the pedigree of every patient.” Pauline put her fingers to her lips. “Shouldn't carp. They are paying the bill."
"Actually, they're not. Martha controls her own money."
Pauline frowned. “I must have misunderstood the younger Mrs. Garner when she demanded her mother-in-law be moved to a larger room."
I grasped the rail. “Believe me it's true. How is Martha?"
"She seems weak and tired today. I had Dr. Bragg order bloodwork."
"She is close to eighty.” The thought of her age didn't reassure me. Martha had always been active physically and mentally. Who knows what damage the long period of inactivity had done?
Pauline leaned closer. “Between you and me, I think there are family problems. The nurses reported a loud discussion last evening. The younger Mrs. Garner stormed out and yelled that something wasn't fair."
"Did they hear anything else?"
"Unfortunately, the door was closed. One of the nurses thought they were discussing her care when she goes home."
Had Martha told them her idea of inviting Jenna to stay with her? Or had the trigger for the argument been the codicil to her will?
Pauline shook her head. “Why do people act this way? I would have been happy if my dad had been a patient here."
I started up the stairs. “I don't know the answer. One can never tell how other people think."
"You always were the voice of reason."
I strode upstairs and paused outside Martha's room. My visits have always been in the morning. Today, moments after Edward and I had stored the boxes in the storage shed, my cleaning lady had appeared. Seems she had a few hours for me. I really don't need her, but I had helped her nephew when the police had believed he was part of a thieving duo. Periodically, I tell her she doesn't have to come but she refuses to stay fired.
Since I had no desire to encounter Marcus or Sophie, I listened for voices. Hearing no sounds, I entered. Martha waved to me. When I reached the bedside, I struggled to hide my shock. She looked ill. Her face was flushed and puffy. Had she developed an infection? I clasped her hand. She didn't feel hot. Actually, her skin was cool and clammy. What was going on? Had the nurses notified the doctor?
Hudson House Murders [Book 4 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] Page 4
