Murder and Tainted Tea

by Janet Lane-Walters

  “Mostly from pictures. This is my first visit to the area.”

  “And you ended up in the middle of a mystery.”

  “Seems normal.”

  Before he asked the question I saw in his eyes, and before I could tell him about my suspicions, Lars and Bonnie arrived. Once again she wore the guise of a grieving widow. She looked helpless and beautiful. The officer’s eyes showed his typical-male reaction.

  “Mrs. Grayco, sorry to bother you. We need further information to help with the identification of the body in your husband’s car. I’m afraid he was shot before the car crashed.”

  Bonnie collapsed on the couch. “Nooooo!” Her scream reached ear-shattering heights.

  Lars crossed to her. “Honey, you have to stay calm.” He turned to the officer. “What sort of information do you need? Why didn’t someone ask for it when the body was found?”

  Detective Rodgers shrugged. “Wasn’t my case then. Did Mr. Grayco have any enemies?”

  Bonnie studied her hands. “He was a gambler. Daddy had to pay his debts several times. Carl promised he would quit, but New Year’s Eve, three men showed up at our party. They hadn’t been invited. Carl was afraid of them. One of the other guests said they were from Las Vegas.”

  The detective frowned. “Did you get their names?”

  She shook her head. “Maybe Damon did.”

  “Damon?” he asked.

  “Damon Webster. He’s Daddy’s executive assistant and Carl’s friend.”

  “I’ll check him out. Do you have the name of your husband’s dentist?”

  She frowned. “I’m not sure he had one. He never complained about his teeth.”

  Lars patted her hand. “I’m sure that information is in the health records at the office. I can access it for you.”

  “Fine,” the officer said. “Let’s go.”

  “I’ll go along.” My presence might goad Lars into some action.

  “Aunt Katherine, stop prying. This isn’t your affair. Maybe you should pack your bags and go home. With all this trouble, the visit certainly hasn’t been much fun for you. You know, this could all be your fault.” She glared and strode into the hall.

  The officer looked from Lars to me. “What did she mean by that?”

  “She’s too upset to know what she’s saying.” Lars started after her.

  Detective Rodgers stopped Lars. “Sir, I would appreciate that information.”

  Lars nodded and gave the detective directions to the office. “I’ll meet you there. Tell Betty I sent you and to give you full cooperation.”

  After Detective Rodgers left, Lars and I put on her jackets. He turned to me. “Maybe you should stay. I hate leaving her alone.”

  “My presence will hardly be a comfort.” I followed him to his car.

  * * *

  When we reached the parking garage, I recognized the place from the day I’d followed Bonnie. We walked to another building in the cluster. Lars and I rode the elevator to the third floor.

  Detective Rodgers stood in the small waiting room. He turned to the secretary. “Told you he was on his way.”

  She swiveled in her chair. “Mr. Claybourne, what’s going on? This man barged in here, demanded records and threatened me with a court order. You know no records are allowed to leave here without Mrs. Grayco’s permission. She just called to tell me that.”

  Lars frowned. “I’m still the boss.” He leaned against the desk. “Detective Rodgers needs Carl’s health records including the name of his dentist and doctor.”

  “Right away, Mr. Claybourne.” She rose. “I heard about Mr. Grayco’s accident. What a shame. He was so young.”

  Detective Rodgers shook his head. “Seems you have the magic touch. Is there a reason your daughter wanted the records held?”

  Lars frowned. “Bonnie’s on edge. I think she’s afraid the dead man in her husband’s car is some stranger.”

  Once the detective had his information, he strode to the door. Lars started to follow.

  I blocked the way. “Those records you need.”

  “Kate, not now.”

  “Yes, now. While you give the secretary the list, I’ll look in Carl’s office.”

  He threw up his hands. “Yes, Sherlock.”

  When I reached Carl’s office, I opened the desk drawers. I had no idea what I was looking for and I found nothing, not even a paperclip.

  Lars entered and booted the computer. He did some other things. “Damn.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s nothing here. All the files have been deleted. What now?”

  “Check your daughter’s and your assistant’s computers.”

  “She wouldn’t do anything to harm the company and he has limited access. I wish you would lose your suspicions of Bonnie.”

  “I can’t.” I crossed to the file cabinet. “Give me the names of the files you asked the secretary to pull. There might be more information on them in here.”

  He elbowed me out of the way and began to extract folders. Several times he groaned.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Names I don’t remember. Companies that were turned down. Ones who paid off their loans months ago.” He piled the files on top of the cabinet. “Betty, I’ll need another box. Has Damon arrived yet?”

  She appeared in the doorway. “Not yet and he didn’t call to say he wasn’t coming in.”

  * * *

  An hour later two full boxes sat in the trunk of Lars’ Mercedes. When we reached the house, we carried them to his office. A note from Bonnie lay on his desk. He read, then crumpled the paper. I plucked it from his hand and read.

  Daddy, I refuse to stay in the house with that woman another night.

  I won’t listen to her poison. You shouldn’t either. First she turned Don against me. Now you.

  “I think I should leave.”

  He captured my hand. “Don’t. I need you.”

  The pleading in his eyes made me suck in a breath. “All right, I’ll stay a few more days, but her resentment of me is stronger than ever. I can’t marry you.”

  He put his arms around me. “We’ll get through this.”

  Though I wished I could believe him, I couldn’t see how matters would change. As long as his daughter refused to accept me, there was no hope of a future with Lars.

  * * *

  Just as we were about to leave for dinner, Bonnie stormed into the house. “Daddy, the body wasn’t Carl’s. Now what am I going to do? Will I be in limbo forever? They want me to come in for questioning. What am I going to tell them?”

  “The truth,” Lars said.

  “Will you come with me? I’m scared.”

  He shook his head. “Time for you to stop depending on me for so much.”

  She whirled toward me. “She told you to say that. Why won’t you listen to me?”

  “Kate has nothing to do with this. All your life, I’ve protected and catered to your tantrums. It’s time for you to grow up.”

  “But Carl’s not dead. He must have killed the man in his car. What if he comes after me? Don’t you care? Jaime said...”

  I reached for my cape. “Was he the man I heard with you last night?”

  “There was no man. You must have heard the radio.”

  “I heard a man, too,” Lars said.

  “Daddy.”

  “Honey, you have to tell the truth. So do I.”

  “What do you mean?” Her eyes narrowed.

  “Exactly what I said. Kate and I brought records from the office. I’ve spent the afternoon examining them. Someone has been stealing.”

  “Carl.”

  “Maybe,” I said.

  Anger contorted her perfect features. “Shut your mouth.” She ran to the door and slammed it as she left.

  Lars put his hand on my shoulders. “What if she’s the one?”

  “That will be your decision.”

  Chapter 10

  The next morning I woke to gray skies and an ache in my leg,
the one I’d broken nearly two years ago. Before dressing I took a hot bath, but that did little to soothe the ache. We were due some weather. I said as much to Lars when he entered the kitchen.

  “I fear you’re right,” he said.

  “Don’t tell me you have bones that give you storm warnings?”

  He chuckled. “Actually I heard the weather report. We’ll have snow by this afternoon.”

  “What do you have planned for today?” I cracked eggs in a bowl and broke the yolks.

  “More of the same as yesterday.” He groaned. “I’ve been such a blind idiot.”

  “Blind, yes. Idiot, no.” I poured the eggs into a skillet and scrambled them. “Put the toast in.”

  “Are you making tea?” He popped bread in the toaster and prepared the coffee-maker.

  I shook my head. “I’ll have coffee this morning.” I scooped eggs onto the plates he handed me.

  “We work well together.” He poured juice and coffee. “I feel bad about being tied up with those files. We should go somewhere and do things instead of you amusing yourself while I work.”

  His words brought a longing for the few days we’d spent away from the house. I pushed them aside. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure something to do.”

  He covered my hand with his. “You’re such a good sport.”

  After we finished breakfast, Lars offered to help with the dishes, but I sent him on his way. When the kitchen was in order, I wandered to the living room and glanced through several magazines. Then, feeling restless, I put on my jacket and left by the sunroom door.

  The brisk wind forced me to stop and tie my hood more securely. I tramped across the lawn to the drive. Clouds hid the sun and the air carried the scent of snow. I walked toward the house on the rise. Beneath the overcast skies the adobe house looked as though the gold had been leached away, leaving a sullen mud structure behind.

  As I neared the house I looked up. Had the curtains on one of the upper floor windows moved? Was someone watching? If Bonnie was at home, there were things I wanted to say to her, things I would probably regret. In her selfish quest for power, she was tearing her father to shreds. She needed to know this.

  When I reached the carport, there was no sign of the gold sedan. Had the observer been the maid or someone more sinister?

  A chill crept along my spine. Could Carl be hiding in the house? I’d believed, even hoped, he was on his way to Florida to take the money he’d stolen and not lurking here for another purpose.

  My determination to get away from the estate jelled. Could I persuade Lars to leave the house and take refuge in a hotel where we’d be surrounded by people?

  As I turned to walk back to the house, the gate opened. A dark sedan drove inside and parked in front of Lars’ house. Rafe got out. Instead of striding up the walk to the door, he waved and headed to meet me.

  “Kate, I was hoping I’d see you.”

  “Not Lars?”

  “I’ve done all I can for him. What he does with the information is his call.”

  I sighed. “He’s carrying a heavy burden, but he’ll do the right thing.”

  He frowned. “Do you really believe he’ll act against his daughter? He never has.”

  “If she’s guilty, yes.”

  “I hope you’re right.” He strolled down the drive with me.

  “What bad news did you bring Lars the other evening?”

  His groan was clearly audible. “I hoped he would tell you, but it was about the financial dealings that have drained his assets. They were orchestrated by his daughter. I fear his empire has fallen.”

  Repelled by the anger in his voice, I stepped away. “He’s never considered his business an empire. For him finding new enterprises has been more like a game.”

  “And he doesn’t care who gets hurt.”

  “Not true. How did you form that picture of him?”

  “From digging into his past and his present.” Rafe reached for my hand. “Kate, you’re a loyal friend. He’ll need you and I hope he appreciates you.”

  I smiled. “He does. We’ve had years of experience with each other.”

  “That’s good. If anyone can help him face what he must, I believe it’s you.”

  “I’ve a question. Did you discover who had the binder on that house?”

  “Jaime Verdigras.”

  That news didn’t completely take me by surprise, but made me sad for Lars. “Then Bonnie was involved in Lars’ kidnapping.”

  “Who else could it have been? Do you have any idea why?”

  “To drive me away. Bonnie often does things out of spite and she believes everyone is like her. If she’d arrived to find an empty house, she would have stormed away.”

  He laughed. “She sure doesn’t know you. Bonnie Grayco is not a very nice person, though she gives those who don’t know her a different impression. If you’re smart you’ll avoid her.”

  “How? She’s Lars’ daughter.”

  “Stay as far from her as possible. Go home.”

  I started across the lawn. The tone of his voice puzzled me and heightened my determination to get Lars out of the house and into a safe place. Did Rafe feel the same subtle sense of danger as I did?

  I turned. “I imagine you’ve heard the body in the Jaguar wasn’t Carl’s.”

  “A buddy told me and also mentioned that whoever it was had been shot.”

  “I wonder if he was headed to or from Albuquerque.”

  “Not sure that matters.” He caught up with me and clasped my hand.

  “But it does. If the car had been returning, that would mean Carl is in Florida and he’ll get away. If only Lars would tell the police the whole story.”

  “Maybe he can’t. Kate, if you’re determined to stay in the area, at least go to a hotel.”

  “What are you trying to say?”

  “I don’t believe this is finished and I believe Lars’ daughter is dangerous. I wish I’d met you at another time and in another place.” He released my hand. “Take care. You’re a fine person.”

  The subtle sound of warning in his voice raised prickles in my thoughts. I stood at the door until Rafe’s car left the estate. Then, determined to persuade Lars to leave, I went inside.

  He has to listen, I thought. We have to leave as soon as we can. “Lars,” I called.

  “Here.” He strode into the kitchen holding a mug. “Where were you?”

  “Out for a walk.” I crossed to his side. “Rafe was here. He seemed...odd.”

  “What do you mean by odd?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Lars put his arms around my waist. “He admires you. Maybe he’s attracted.”

  “I don’t think that’s it.”

  “What did he say?”

  “That I should go to a hotel. Maybe that’s a good idea for both of us.”

  “That’s a switch. A week ago you protested our hotel stay because the house was so close.”

  “This time my reasons are different. I don’t think this house is safe.”

  He shook his head. “You can leave. I’m staying here,”

  “I can’t go without you.”

  “Maybe Rafe is right. If something happened to you, I would never forgive myself.”

  I stepped away. “I’m not in danger. You’re the one with the problems. Who would want to harm me?”

  He heaved a sigh. “Bonnie for one. She’s an angry young woman.”

  Did he really believe Bonnie would hurt me? She was possessive of her father, but would she use more than her tongue against me?

  “He gave me some unwelcome news. Jaime Verdigras had the binder on the house.”

  Lars nodded. “That doesn’t surprise me. Presumably the young man was acting on Bonnie’s orders. I’m afraid she’d guilty of more than a failed kidnapping.” His shoulders slumped. “You raise children and think you know them. Then you discover you don’t. Most of the company’s assets have been diverted into accounts in her name.”

  “H
ow and why?”

  “Because I wasn’t paying attention. I have no idea what possessed her. Where did I go wrong?” He pressed his fingers against my lips. “Don’t say it. This is my punishment for caving in every time she threw a tantrum.”

  I put my arms around him. “You did your best. Yes, you spoiled her and continued to give Bonnie her way long after you should have stopped. She never moved beyond childish behavior. That was her choice, not yours.”

  His arms tightened. “No, Kate, I kept her from growing up. I gave her the opportunity to become what she has. She knew the business would be hers. She had no reason to steal.”

  “Maybe she knew she wouldn’t succeed and that she doesn’t have your touch.”

  “And that’s my fault for not acknowledging her failures.”

  The full-blown guilt in his voice made my teeth ache. “Listen to yourself. Just keep beating your breast and wallowing in self-pity. You may have ignored the problems and her lacks, but you didn’t cause her to act the way she has.”

  “What would you do if Andrew had done something this dreadful?”

  I held his gaze. “There was a time when I thought he’d done worse. I was afraid he’d murdered Rachel. If he had I would have supported him while he faced punishment for his actions, but I wouldn’t have blamed myself. He’s an adult. So is Bonnie.”

  “Then I need to hand this mess over to the police.” He reached for the portable phone on the kitchen counter. “First I have to talk to her.”

  “Don’t let her sway you.” I stepped away.

  * * *

  When Bonnie arrived, anger radiated from her eyes. Her glare made me swallow. I turned to leave.

  Lars caught my hand. “I want you here.” He drew me to the couch. “Bonnie, sit down.”

  “Does she have to stay?”

  “Yes.”

  “Daddy.” The childish whine of her voice didn’t change the fury in her eyes.

  “Did you tell the police the truth?” Lars asked.

  She shrugged. “I answered their questions about Carl.”