"So did I.” He waved and left.
After feeding Mr. Greene, I went to the lounge for my own dinner. Teresa looked up. “Any problems?"
"None.” Curiosity drove me to ask a question. “Any idea why Dr. Bragg uses a cane."
"I heard he was in an auto accident and his leg was shattered."
"What a shame."
"Especially since he was a surgeon. He can't stand for hours any more."
’ “At least he found a new career."
"It is, and we're lucky to have him. He's an excellent physicians and great during codes."
"That helps."
She nodded. “Especially when Molly's on duty. She panics."
I dug into my food. Did Molly panic because she feared the deaths she'd set in motion would be averted?
* * * *
The next morning, Jenna joined me on my morning walk. She was excited about her summer class schedule. “This way, I'll graduate in four years, take my Boards and be ready to work."
"I know you'll do well, but Chemistry, Statistics and Child Psych seems like a heavy schedule."
"They'll be out of the way and since I won't be working by then, I'll have time to study."
We crossed the street and continued to the river. As we passed Pete's house, I almost expected him to charge out and interrogate me about my murder investigation. A fleeting thought about the knife sitting on the river bottom made me chuckle.
"What's amusing you?” Jenna asked.
"Just a thought about a past event.” We sat on a bench at the river's edge. Jenna skipped stones across the water. “Do you have a problem?” I asked.
"Sort of. Louise wants her boy friend to move in."
"How do you feel about that?"
"Uncomfortable. He creeps me out. She also said the rent's too high for her to handle. She wants me to pay the entire amount. I told her no. She plans to move him in while you're at work."
"Does she think I won't see him around or notice an extra car in the driveway?"
"I don't know what she thinks, but she's always talking about how old you are."
"And how easy it is to take advantage of the elderly. I don't think so."
She grinned. “Me either."
"Remind her that she signed the lease for a year. Moving a third person in would break the lease.” After the fiasco with my former tenant, I made sure my rights were clear. “We'll either have to negotiate a new contract or she'll have to move. Can you handle the rent on your own?"
She giggled. “I don't think that's a problem.” She stared toward the far shore. “How would you feel about Richard assuming Louise's share of the rent."
"Have things progressed that far?"
She shrugged. “We're friends. We enjoy each other's company. He likes the house and the cookies."
I laughed. “So I've noticed, but I think it's more than cookies that brings him to the house almost every evening."
She popped to her feet and held out her hand to help me up. “I hope so."
When we reached the end of the block and paused before crossing the street, I noticed an unfamiliar red car at the curb in front of the house. “Did you expect someone?"
Jenna shook her head. “Don't recognize the car."
Before we reached the house I knew who had arrived. I was tempted to do a U-turn. What did Sophie Garner want? I laughed at myself. I felt sure she wanted to make trouble for Jenna.
As we passed the car, Sophie slid from the driver's seat. Her smile oozed sweetness. “Mrs. Miller, how nice to see you. Could you let me have a few minutes alone with Jenna? I have an important matter to discuss with her."
Jenna caught my arm. “Stay. Mrs. Miller is one of my advisors. Do I have to call the other one, my attorney?"
Sophie laughed. “No need for that. I need a teensy favor. I'm sorry Marcus has been so hard-headed. These days, he tells me nothing. I have no idea what he's planning to do about the diamonds and the bonds, but if you help me, I think he'll come around."
Jenna glanced at me. Since I wanted to hear what Sophie wanted, I nodded.
"What do you want?” Jenna asked.
"To borrow some of the diamonds for a few days. She left you so many and you certainly aren't wearing them."
"Which ones?"
Sophie stared at the porch. “You know the gold collar set with diamonds. Kind of has an Egyptian look. And the cuff bracelet and earrings that complete the set. The gesture would go a long way toward healing the family rift."
Something in her voice alerted me. The pieces were probably the most expensive of the collection.
Jenna frowned. “I'll need to speak to Richard. What if something happened to them?"
"Aren't they insured?” Sophie asked. “I wanted to wear them Saturday for the open house. Maybe you and your young man would like to attend. You could see the marvelous changes I've made. We could go to the bank right now."
Jenna looked at her watch. “I can't. I've a class, then a study group. I'll talk to Richard and call you this evening."
Sophie pouted. “I just hoped you would spare a few minutes today for the sake of the family."
"Sorry. Got to go.” Jenna headed up the walk. “Call this evening and we'll talk."
Sophie blew a kiss. “I've always defended you. I know you'll do the right thing."
Defended Jenna? In a pig's eye. She'd told Marcus Jenna had caused Mark's accident. Was she the one who needed the diamonds or had Marcus sent her?
Jenna paused on the porch. “Do you think she believes her lies?"
"Absolutely. Will you lend her the jewels?"
'Would you?"
"No, but don't tell her that tonight."
"Why not?"
I thought of the coin in my uniform pocket and the ones Mr. Greene's son had carried. “How much is the set she wants worth?"
"Richard's waiting for the assessment, but he thinks about a hundred thousand. I don't think Gran wore them more than once. They're among the ones I want to sell. Why do you ask?"
My thoughts churned. How much were the coins worth? I needed to learn. “I think they're needed for a payment."
"For Gran's death?"
"I'm afraid so."
"If the killer isn't paid, she can't go to the police without incriminating herself."
"There are other ways to force payment. Threats against family members. Anonymous letters or phone calls. If you received a letter stating payment had been made by someone to cause your grandmother's death, what would you do?"
'Go to the police."
I nodded. “There's something I have to do. Be careful when you talk to Sophie.” I dashed upstairs.
Jenna followed me to the landing. “What are you up to?"
"Nothing dangerous. I need so see a man about a coin."
* * * *
At the coin shop, I learned several things. The coin I'd found was worth several hundred dollars. And the owner recognized it as part of a set he'd sold to Mr. Greene.
"How much is his collection worth?"
He frowned. “He hasn't been at this for long. I've sold him about twenty-five thousand dollars worth of coins. He bought from several others. Maybe fifty thousand."
"Do you have a list of the coins?"
"Only of the ones I sold him, but I'm sure he has complete records at his house."
"Would you buy the collection of someone offered them to you?"
He shook his head. “From him or his estate. There are dealers in the city who would buy, especially if they had the authentication's and a bill of sale."
"Thank you. If I have more questions, I'll call.” As I walked home, I considered my next move. There might be a way to involve the police. At the apartment, I called Pauline and asked for Mrs. Lewis’ phone number.
'Why?” Pauline asked.
"I found something valuable in her father's room and I'd like to give it to her."
"Kate, what?"
I explained about the coins, the son's visit and how we mig
ht get the police involved. She gave me the number. I hung up and dialed. After ten rings with no response or answering machine, I decided to try later.
As I started dinner preparations, Robespierre bounded through his door. I fed him, then opened the door. Jenna led the way. Louise and a young man with a scraggly beard and tattooed arms followed. Louise's face was flushed.
"Looks like there's a problem,” I said.
Louise pushed past Jenna. “I demand a new lease."
"Excuse me.” I stepped into the living room and sat on the window seat with my hand on the phone.
The young man glared. “You heard what she said.
"Why do you want a new lease?” I asked.
"Kev's moving in and you won't be raising the rent the way Jenna says you will.” Louise grasped the young man's hand.
"You're wrong about that,” I said.
Jenna looked at the pair. “You know I don't want to share the apartment with Kevin."
Louise fisted her hands. “Why would you want to stay in this dump? With all the money you have, you could rent one of those cool condos on the river. I would."
"I like living here and I'm not moving."
Kev laughed. “A threesome might be fun."
"You're presuming a lot,” I said. “There will be no new lease and no new tenant. The rent is reasonable because Jenna's grandmother was my friend. If Jenna chooses to move, any new tenant will have the rent set at market value. For a first floor apartment with two bedrooms in this area, I'd say that would be three or four times what you're paying."
"I'm out of here.” Kev glared at Louise. “You said she was old and dumb.” He strode to the door.
Louise followed and turned. “Jenna, you're out a roommate. And Mrs. Miller, you can forget my share of the rent. I'm not giving you another cent.” She slammed the door.
Once they left, I looked at Jenna. “Looks like you're living alone."
"Are you serious about how much you could charge?"
"Yes, but I'm not in this for the money."
"I could pay more."
"But you won't. Want to stay for dinner?"
"Need you ask?” She laughed. “I'm becoming as much a sponge as Richard, but I do like more than your cookies."
"So does he."
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 11
~
Drastic Measures
-
While Jenna and I were organizing dinner, someone pounded at the door. We looked at each other. Were Louise and Kev back and determined to make trouble? Jenna grabbed the phone.
"Who's there?” I asked.
"Richard. Please let me in."
When I opened the door, I covered my mouth to muffle laughter. The usually neat young man looked a wreck. His tie was askew. His hair looked like he hadn't combed it for days. “Good grief, what happened to you?"
"Were you in an accident?” Jenna went to his side.
I frowned. “Have you murdered someone?"
He slumped on a chair. “Not yet, but I'm tempted.” He rubbed his hands on his thighs. “She's back. Answered our ad for a receptionist. Bob nearly hired her."
I filled a mug with tea and added honey. “Drink. By her, I guess you mean your stalker."
He gulped the tea. “She told Bob she wanted to work at the office to help me so we could afford to get married. He knew I was seeing someone so he bought her story. That's when I walked in. I lost it. Yelled at Bob. Told her she was insane and came here."
This seemed to be the day for people seeing life in their own way.
Jenna giggled. “That's what you get for being hard to resist."
"Marry me,” he said.
She sat on a chair. “I'm not ready for marriage."
He looked up. “I don't mean right now. Just wear this.” He pulled a small jeweler's box from his pocket and flipped the lid. The ring was beautiful, a large ruby flanked by two smaller ones. “This was my grandmother's."
"Why do you want to do this?” Jenna asked.
"Because in the future, I want to be your husband. And to help me rid myself of this woman. She followed me here. I'm surprised she hasn't knocked on the door."
I walked to the living room and peered into the street. “Does she drive a white coupe?"
"Yes,” Richard said.
"She's parked at the curb.” I returned to the kitchen. “Now what?"
Jenna plucked the ring from the box, slid it on her finger and headed to the door.
"What are you doing?” Richard asked.
"I'm off to settle a stalker,” Jenna said. “Then we'll be back to help with dinner."
"And cookies,” Richard said.
"Always.” I scurried to the living room and knelt on the window seat. This action I wanted to see.
Moments later, Jenna and Richard reached the car parked at the curb. She opened the passenger's door. I wonder what she said and hoped they would tell me. When she slammed the door, the car sped away. Richard caught Jenna in his arms and spun her around. I returned to the kitchen to figure how to stretch a meal for two into one for three.
Cookies. I dug into the freezer. I hadn't baked since the bazaar and supplies were low. In the bottom, I found some chocolate chip, pecan blondies and two flavors of ice cream.
The laughing pair returned. “I wish you could have seen her face when I flashed the ring,” Jenna said.
"Guess you succeeded in driving her away."
Richard laughed. “I think what got her attention was when Jenna told her to get lost or she'd peal off her face."
"Learned that line from Kev.” Jenna started to remove the ring.
Richard put his hand over hers. “I'll buy you a chain to wear when you work. Never know when or where she might turn up."
Jenna looked into his eyes. “And if she doesn't?"
He kissed her. “That's not the real reason."
When the kiss grew more passionate, I cleared my throat. “Don't get carried away. You have an audience.” They broke apart and I pointed to Robespierre. The cat sat in his Sphinx position and stared. They laughed.
"Dinner,” Jenna said.
I handed her a large tomato, cucumber and green pepper. Richard got scallions, celery and lettuce. I took a bowl of cooked green beans. two cans of tuna fish along with dressing. Before long, we enjoyed the salad with hot rolls and finished off the meal with blondies and ice cream.
After helping clear the table, they left. I went to the living room and dialed Mrs. Lewis’ number. She answered on the second ring. “Who's calling?"
'Katherine Miller, one of the nurses from Hudson House."
"Dad! Is he worse?"
"Nothing like that. Last evening after your brother left, I found a gold coin in the bed. I slipped it in my pocket and forgot about it until this afternoon. I wasn't sure if it was valuable so I took it to the coin shop in town. The owner said it was part of your father's collection. I'd like to return it to you."
She made a strangled sound. “Would you meet me at Dad's house?” She gave me directions. “If they're gone, I want a witness."
"I'll be there in ten minutes."
While I gathered my purse and a light jacket, I tried to think of a way to keep her from calling her brother and accusing him of theft. I would rather have her speak to the police.
Mrs. Lewis waited in her car outside the stone cottage. She opened the door and ushered me into a house larger inside that it appeared from the outside. Stairs led to a second floor. We entered the room across from the living room, a wood paneled den.
I handed her the coin and she took a large binder from a book-filled shelf. She flipped the pages, pausing several times to compare the coin to a picture.
"Here is it.” She crossed the room and opened the safe. “They're gone. Come and look. Wait until I get my hands on him. He's gone too far this time.” She reached for the phone.
"Don't call your brother.” I placed my hand on hers.
"I wasn't going to. He
's out of town until tomorrow evening and he didn't leave me a number. It's the police I want to call."
"First, I'd like to tell you something."
She turned. “I'm listening."
"I believe your brother took the coins for a specific reason."
Her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?"
How much should I tell her? She needed enough information so she would agree to my plan. Unless the killer was caught in the act, I had no concrete proof. “I'm looking into a series of suspicious deaths at Hudson House.” I gave her an abbreviated version of how I'd stumbled into the plot. “I need to discover who is doing this."
She gasped. “And you're worried about my father."
"He could be the next victim. In most of the cases, there's been a family quarrel over the patient's stay at Hudson House. I have to be sure of the killer and prevent this person from acting again. That's why it's important not to let your brother know. He could warn the person and they could vanish."
She nodded. “So what can I do?"
"Report the theft to the police. You can tell them your brother had access to the house. Could he have known the combination to the safe?"
"I'm sure he could figure it out. It's our mother's birth date."
"Do you have a complete list of the coins. The owner of the shop in town mentioned there were places in the city where they could be sold."
She slid a paper from the last page of the binder. “Here."
"The police will need that. If my suspect has sold the coins, the police might learn who it was."
"Are you sure Dad will be safe?"
"I intend to hide in his room to prevent a tragedy."
"What about tonight?"
"My prime suspect is off duty."
She met my gaze. “You're a brave woman."
"This isn't the first time I've encountered a killer."
She studied me carefully. “Be careful. Let me call the police and report the missing coins."
A short time after telling the police how I discovered the coin and how I'd gone to the coin shop before calling Mrs. Lewis, I left. I hadn't told them how Mr. Greene's son had asked for Molly's phone number. I drove home and made plans for the next day when I intended to be on the scene to prevent a murder attempt.
Hudson House Murders [Book 4 of the Katherine Miller Mysteries] Page 14
