by Anne Canadeo
“I know. The funny thing is, I never saw Sam Briggs as Tanya’s type. But opposites do attract.”
“Even if they are having a dalliance, I agree. I don’t see Tanya sticking with a blue collar guy like Briggs for long,” Dana said between gulps of cold water. “I think he’d just be a transitional relationship.”
Lucy laughed. “You would come up with something like that.”
* * *
When they returned to the cottage, everyone was up and getting ready to meet Amy for brunch at her cottage.
Suzanne emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her wet hair. She looked groggy and even a bit grumpy. Definitely a one hundred and eighty degree turn in her mood since last night.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and swallowed some ibuprofen. Dana glanced at Lucy. Lucy could tell that they were both dying to tease Party-Hardy Sue about too many Bikini-tinis. But Lucy didn’t want to rub it in. Suzanne looked like she already regretted her indulgence.
“Look at you two. Out exercising already? How disgustingly virtuous.” Suzanne flopped on the couch with her coffee mug dangling from one hand.
“We went for a bike ride,” Lucy said. “A short one, but I’m feeling it. Must be all the dancing last night.”
“Tell me about it.” Suzanne rolled her eyes and pressed a hand to her forehead. “But it was so much fun. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Right?”
Lucy had never been quite sure that famous line was true, but she agreed anyway. “Yes, definitely. Want an ice pack? Or some ice water? It’s good for a hangover, and a banana wouldn’t hurt either,” Lucy said, offering her universal cure.
“The water sounds good. But I can’t even look at food.” Suzanne stuck her tongue out. “Did you ever hear me say that before?”
Dana and Lucy looked at each other. “Maybe you should skip the brunch and go back to bed,” Dana suggested. “Join us on the beach later?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll rally.” Suzanne took the tall glass of water Lucy offered. “A few pineapple martinis aren’t going to ruin my day.”
Lucy admired her determination, though Suzanne still looked pale, and she had to turn away as Lucy peeled a banana to help soothe her own aches.
“That’s the spirit, Dancing Queen. And remember, what happens on Osprey Island, stays on Osprey Island,” Dana told her.
“I hope so,” Suzanne agreed heartily. She picked up a pair of sunglasses from the coffee table and slipped them on, even though they were indoors. She laid back again and sighed.
* * *
At precisely half past eleven, the group arrived at Amy’s cottage, a short distance down the lane from their own. Suzanne had rallied enough to dress.
As soon as Amy opened the door, Lucy was greeted by tantalizing, buttery breakfast smells.
Their hostess greeted them cheerfully. “How is everyone faring after our wild night?”
Maggie laughed. “One of us is feeling the effects. But she’s marching on bravely.”
Suzanne wandered in at the back of the group, still wearing her sunglasses. Her face was bare of makeup, except for a dash of lipstick, and her long hair was pulled back into a ponytail. “I know I overdid it. But that’s what vacations are for, right?”
“So true. And I have the perfect elixir for you. It’s basically tomato juice and horseradish, but I mix in some other secret ingredients. Come on back to the sunroom. This will cure what ails you,” Amy promised.
Lucy followed her friends through the living room to an adjoining dining room. The cottage was lovely, decorated in muted, neutral colors. She noticed linen-covered chairs and pale yellow couches with colorful pillows, interesting area rugs on a polished wood floor, and original art on the walls.
Amy led them into a large, sunny room next to the kitchen. There were more couches, a huge flat-screen TV hanging over a fireplace, and another dining area. Most of the walls were glass, framing a beautiful view of the grounds and the ocean. Lucy and her friends took seats at a long, farm-style table neatly set with floral cloth napkins and white plates. There were two baskets of warm muffins and croissants.
Lucy helped herself to a carrot muffin and passed the basket to Phoebe, who studied it carefully.
“These look yummy,” Phoebe said. “I’m glad I don’t have a hangover. Looks like Amy’s a great cook.”
“I think so,” Lucy agreed.
Amy slipped into the kitchen and appeared a few moments later with a tray of cold drinks—iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, and the tomato juice hangover elixir. “I made mimosas too. With fresh orange juice. Anyone interested?”
“I’d like one,” Dana said. “I can never resist a good mimosa.”
Suzanne pressed her hand to her head and closed her eyes a moment. “I’ll have to pass on that treat today. But I will try your potion.” She took a glass from the tray. “Any port in a storm.”
“I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And back on dry land very soon.” Amy headed back to the kitchen. “Help yourself to the muffins. I’m just going to grab the food.”
“Need any help?” Lucy was sitting closest to the kitchen. She rose and followed Amy, who was removing a large casserole from the oven.
“I made some baked French toast with blueberries, and two different omelets. And there’s a fruit salad in the fridge. Could you bring that out, Lucy?”
“No problem. Happy to help. The menu sounds wonderful.” Lucy pulled open the state-of-the-art chrome fridge and quickly found the salad. As she carried it into the sunroom, she saw Rob saying hello to her friends. He had on shorts and a polo shirt, a wad of newspaper under one arm.
“Hi honey. Want to sit with us?” Amy set down the pan of French toast in the middle of the table, along with a pitcher of syrup. “There’s plenty of room. Just pull up a chair.”
“That’s all right. You ladies will have more fun without me.” He grinned. “I’m going outside to read the newspaper.” With a little wave, Rob headed out the French doors to their patio.
Amy brought in two large omelets, one with cheddar and mushrooms inside and tomato bits on top. The other held a creamy combination of roasted asparagus and goat cheese, with dill mixed into the eggs and more sprinkled on the platter.
“Everything looks delicious,” Maggie said. “I don’t know where to start.”
Amy looked pleased by the compliment. “Start anywhere. I’ll pass the omelets around,” she added, picking up a platter.
Lucy eagerly took portions from every dish. The bike ride had whet her appetite. She felt bad for Suzanne, who loved good food but only took small spoonfuls due to her queasy stomach.
Still, Suzanne had lavish praise for the cook. “You shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble, Amy. You must have gotten up at the crack of dawn to cook all this delicious stuff.”
“It didn’t take long. I fixed the French toast last night and left it in the fridge. It comes out even better if it soaks a while. I’m sort of an early bird by nature anyway.”
“We have some early birds among us as well.” Suzanne glanced at Lucy and Dana. “Those two were out on a bike ride while the rest of us were still in dreamland.”
Amy smiled at Lucy. “That is ambitious after last night’s partying. Where did you ride?”
“On the cliff walk mainly,” Dana said. “We didn’t go far.”
“We stopped at the crime scene. We were speculating on how Dr. Morton fell, and if someone had helped him,” Lucy admitted.
“Do the police know anything more?” Maggie asked Amy. “I was wondering if there was any inside gossip.”
Amy shrugged and pushed a bit of omelet around her plate. “Not too much. But I did hear something about Derek Pullman.”
Before she could go into the details, the doorbell rang. Amy wiped her mouth on a napkin. “Excuse me while I get the door. We’re not expecting anyone.”
Amy rose and headed for the foyer. Lucy and her friends began to eat. With no one talking, it was easy to overh
ear Amy and her unexpected guest.
“Hello. Can I help you?” Amy said.
“Detective Rose Dunbar. We met yesterday, at the pool?”
“Yes. I remember.” Amy’s tone was lower, a little shaky.
“Is your husband in, Mrs. Cutler? I’d like to speak to him.”
“He’s out on the patio. Reading the newspaper. What is this about?”
“It’s about Dr. Morton.”
“But we told you everything we know yesterday. There’s really nothing more to say.”
“We have more questions for your husband. May I come in?” Detective Dunbar’s tone was firm.
“Yes . . . yes, of course,” Lucy heard Amy say.
Lucy and her friends had all put their forks down. They glanced at each other, exchanging worried looks. Detective Dunbar’s visit didn’t bode well. It seemed more than routine.
Amy hurried through the sunroom. She glanced at her guests and gave a careless shrug, though her expression was grim. She looked upset. Anybody would be. She stepped outside to the patio and a few moments later, she followed Rob into the house.
Rob seemed nervous, his mouth set in a tight line. He didn’t glance at anyone as he headed to see Detective Dunbar in the living room. Amy followed, then suddenly looked back at Lucy and her friends.
“Sorry for the interruption. We have no idea what this is about.”
“That’s all right, Amy. You do what you need to do,” Suzanne said.
“I’ll be right back,” she promised.
Lucy and her friends sat in silence again, picking at their food.
“Why do the police need to talk to Rob again?” Suzanne asked in a hushed tone. “Amy and Rob hardly knew Morton.”
“There must be some reason,” Phoebe whispered back.
“There must. Let’s listen,” Maggie said.
“At the station? Why can’t we just talk here?” Lucy heard Rob say.
“I’d like to do a more formal interview. You intentionally misled us yesterday, Mr. Cutler, when we asked if you had any relationship with Dr. Morton,” Detective Dunbar said.
“I had nothing to do with him. We didn’t speak. Didn’t even say hello. Ask anyone around here.”
“But you and Dr. Morton had a prior relationship. You both worked at Newquest Labs, in Burlington, at the same time. Why weren’t you forthcoming with that information?”
“I don’t know. It didn’t seem important, I guess. I thought you wanted to know if we were friendly with him now. Besides, I had little to do with Morton at Newquest. I was very low on the food chain back then, and he was a big fish. I’m sure he didn’t even know I existed.”
“I’m not so sure,” the detective replied. “We have more questions. It will be easier if you come now. Willingly.”
Willingly? That word set off Lucy’s silent alarms. Did that mean that, otherwise, they would bring him in with a warrant?
“Of course, I’ll come, Detective. I have nothing to hide. But I want my attorney present. I have a right to that, don’t I?”
“You do,” Detective Dunbar said.
“Oh, Rob . . . what’s going on? I don’t understand.” Amy sounded upset.
“Call Walter Addison. Tell him to meet me at the police station. Don’t worry. It will be fine.”
“I’ll call him right away.” Amy sounded like she was trying her best not to panic. “I’ll follow you in my car and wait at the station until you’re finished.”
“If you like, Mrs. Cutler. But this may take a while,” Detective Dunbar said.
“You wait here, honey. I’ll call when I’m done. I’m sure Addison will drive me back.”
Before Amy could reply, Lucy heard Rob and Detective Dunbar go out the door. Lucy and her friends couldn’t sit still any longer. They trailed into the living room, and stood by as Amy watched Rob walk down the path to the waiting police car.
Amy took out her cell phone and quickly dialed. Calling their attorney, as Rob had requested, Lucy assumed. Lucy could tell from Amy’s side of the conversation that the lawyer was surprised by this news, but he would head to the police station immediately. That was some relief, Lucy thought.
Through the big bay window in the living room, Lucy saw a uniformed officer help Rob into the backseat of the cruiser. Detective Dunbar sat up front in the passenger seat and the uniformed officer sat behind the wheel. The cruiser started up and drove away.
They didn’t have the lights or sirens going, but it was bad enough. Several neighbors had come out and stood on their lawns to watch. Others peeked behind curtains and shades, or stood in their doorways.
Amy turned to Lucy and her friends, looking pale and bereft.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m so afraid. What’s going to happen? What are they going to do to Rob?”
“He’ll be fine, Amy,” Suzanne promised. “The police will question him about his prior connection to Morton, and then they’ll let him go. It sounds as if there’s not much to tell, but they have to investigate every lead. His lawyer will make sure he’s not in there a minute more than he has to be,” she insisted, sounding like her usual brassy self again.
Amy nodded, but didn’t look assured by Suzanne’s prediction. “He did lie to them about working with Morton. He only told them he had nothing to do with Morton, as a neighbor. Which was true. The Mortons moved in about six months after we did. It was such a strange coincidence, and we even considered moving. But Rob vowed he would keep his distance and act as if Morton didn’t exist,” Amy continued.
“Really? Why was that?” Dana asked.
“Because Rob did know him years ago at Newquest Labs. They were very distant on the corporate ladder, like Rob said, but Rob worked on a project for Morton—an invention that was really Rob’s idea. But he didn’t have the stature to get funds to develop it.
“He showed the design to Morton, believing he would help. Instead, Morton stole his idea and claimed it was his own. He cut Rob out of all the credit, and the profits. Which were considerable.”
Dana gasped. “That’s awful. When did this happen?”
“Let’s see . . . Rob had just finished his doctorate. I guess it was over twenty years ago.”
“Didn’t Rob call him on it? Didn’t he complain to someone higher up in the company?” Suzanne asked.
“He tried. But Morton knew all the angles. And he had the power on his side. Rob was just a bench scientist, easy to brush off or replace. Rob hadn’t patented his idea before bringing it to Morton, so it was hard to make a case in court. Morton claimed he’d had the same idea and had been working it, too. He said he had perfected it faster.”
“What was the invention?” Lucy asked.
“A super-miniaturized camera for non-invasive surgery. Rob mentioned it last night, the camera able to view in all directions, like a fly’s eye, so the surgeon can get a complete view within a blocked artery. Or inside the heart’s different chambers.”
“Yes, I remember Rob talking about it at dinner,” Lucy recalled. “Very ingenious. Having that idea stolen was a deep betrayal and must have been very upsetting.”
“Upsetting isn’t the word for it. Traumatic would be closer. We were so young, and this was Rob’s first breakthrough. He didn’t realize there were many more great ideas to come,” Amy said. “He’d trusted Morton. He respected him. Morton’s lies and deception were a shock. It cut very deep.”
“It sounds shattering,” Dana said. “How did Rob cope at work after that?”
“Not well. He couldn’t hide his anger or contempt for Morton. He had several blowups with him and wouldn’t give up, trying to get Morton to make things right. Morton had him fired. That was the last straw. Rob couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t believe he’d been so naïve and trusting. And he couldn’t believe that Morton could lie to so many people with such a straight face. Morton was a horrible man without any conscience or morals.”
“So it seems,” Dana said. “And Rob never got any justice or satisfaction?
From the laboratory or the court?”
“None at all. We pursued it in court for over two years, but Morton had bigger lawyers and much more money. And there was no patent. We finally gave up.” Amy sighed. She looked pale, Lucy noticed. Watching Rob taken away by the police had been distressing enough. Recalling this sad history had added to that distress.
“Rob was so upset at one point,” she continued, “he went to Morton’s house to confront him. When Morton wouldn’t come out, Rob threw a rock through his front window. Morton finally did come out, and Rob said some awful things. I knew he was just blowing off steam. After all he’d been through, it wasn’t surprising. I knew he’d never hurt anyone, not even Morton. But Morton went to court and got an order of protection. The police must have found a record of that.”
“That must be how they made the connection. And why they suspect Rob now,” Maggie agreed. “But it’s still not enough for the police to detain Rob for very long. Especially with his attorney there. It all happened long ago and there’s no evidence to tie Rob to Morton’s death.”
“And he has a good alibi for the time of Morton’s death, right?” Suzanne asked.
“He was on the beach, fishing. I’m sure other fishermen saw him there. And Rob had no intention of digging up the past. He may not have forgiven Julian Morton, but he would never seek revenge. He’d certainly never kill him.”
Lucy hoped not. To be on the beach at that hour placed Rob at the crime scene from Detective Dunbar’s perspective, but Lucy didn’t want to point that out and upset Amy further. “I know it seems like Rob’s incident with Dr. Morton is a strong motive. But it was a long time ago, and Rob never had any contact with Morton in all those years,” Lucy reminded Amy. “Meanwhile, there’s a long list of people who have good reason to want Dr. Morton out of the way. With more immediate concerns, you might say.”
Amy nodded, still looking shaky and worried. “That’s true, I suppose.”
Suzanne stepped close to her old college friend and rubbed her shoulder. “Oh, Amy. What can we do to help?”
Amy forced a smile. “Just having you here is a help,” she said. “Let’s finish our meal. You must be starving by now.”
