The Case of the Natty Newfie

by B R Snow

  “Maybe Naylor caught her doing something on film,” I said, glancing out the window at the loft in question. “He would have a great view from here.”

  “I guess it’s possible,” Shirley said. “But I doubt it. Charlotte’s pretty good at covering her tracks. Who’s in the other loft? 6S.”

  “Jennifer Thompson,” Bill said, reading from the resident’s list. “Doesn’t ring a bell.” He glanced at Shirley. “Does that name sound familiar?”

  “No,” Shirley said.

  I grabbed Josie’s phone from my pocket and searched on the name. I waited for the results to come back, then rubbed my forehead when my neurons exploded.

  “I don’t believe it,” I said.

  “What’s the matter?” Shirley said.

  “Jennifer Thompson is her maiden name,” I said, a deep frown etched on my face. “It’s Jennifer Bells.”

  “The ex-Foreign Affairs Minister?” Bill said.

  “Yeah, and she’s my boyfriend’s aunt.”

  “And Naylor has quite a history with her,” Shirley said as she looked at Bill. “Do you think that Naylor might have been trying to blackmail her?”

  “Sure, anything is possible,” he said, glancing out the window. “And he sure would be able to get a good look at what was going on inside her place. But why would he try to do something like that again? His reputation took a major hit for that incident at the club. He’s still trying to dig out from it.”

  “Maybe she just decided it was time for some payback,” Shirley said, then glanced over at me. “What do you think?”

  “I don’t know. But I think the answer to who killed Naylor’s assistant is in one of those six lofts,” I said. “We need to figure out a way to have a little chat with all of them.”

  “We?” Bill said, raising an eyebrow at me.

  “You can’t cut me out now, Bill,” I said, grinning at him.

  “Watch me,” he said, not returning the smile.

  “That’s not fair,” I said, pouting. “And you guys owe me one.”

  “Owe you for what?” Bill said.

  “For solving the Middleton murder, what else?” I said, glaring at him.

  “This case is different,” Bill said, shaking his head.

  “They’ll all different,” I said, my voice rising.

  “No, I’m sorry, Suzy,” Bill said. “You just can’t walk into people’s homes and ask them if you can take a look around. Especially those people.”

  “He’s right, Suzy,” Shirley said. “That building is filled with some very heavy hitters. And they’re all extremely well-connected. I’m not even sure we’d be able to come up with a good enough reason to get into those lofts.”

  “Which means you need my help all the more,” I said, smiling as I glanced back and forth at them.

  “I know I’m going to regret asking this question,” Bill said. “Exactly how do you think you can help?”

  “I thought I’d start by interviewing all of them,” I said, rubbing my forehead.

  Bill snorted and shook his head.

  “I think that’s probably something we should take care of, Suzy,” he said.

  “No, I’m not talking about a cop interview,” I said, grimacing. “I’m talking about a casual conversation. You know, just wander around and ask them a few questions in a social setting. Preferably after everyone has had a couple of cocktails.”

  “Are you okay?” Shirley said.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I just have a bit of a headache.”

  “I’m beginning to feel some pain, too, Bill said. “But mine’s in a different part of the body.”

  “Funny,” I said, making a face at him. “What do you think?”

  “You’re not going to get within a mile of those people,” Bill said. “That’s what I think.”

  “I’ll bet you a hundred bucks I can talk to every one of them by midnight tomorrow,” I said.

  “No, I’d hate to take your money,” Bill said, laughing.

  “Chicken?”

  “Chicken? Me? Okay, you’re on. How about the loser buys dinner?” Bill said, unable to get the grin off his face.

  “Sure. I’ll make sure to come hungry.”

  “Okay, you’re on,” Bill said. “How do you plan on talking to all of them?”

  “By going to the resident’s Christmas party,” I said.

  “Resident’s Christmas party?” Bill said, frowning.

  “It’s an annual event,” I said. “And it’s scheduled for tomorrow night.”

  “And you think you can get invited?” Shirley said.

  “Well, the party is for residents and their guests,” I said. “And between Victor Rollins and Max’s aunt, I’m pretty sure we can manage to finagle an invite.”

  “You set me up,” Bill said.

  “Yeah, I guess I did. We’ll let you know which restaurant we want to go to.”

  “We?”

  “Sure. Max and me. Josie and Chef Claire. I can’t very well go to dinner without them.”

  “You’re bringing Josie? That’s gonna cost me a fortune,” Bill said.

  “Hey, you should have taken the bet for the hundred bucks,” I said, laughing. “You want me to see if I can get you two invited to the party?”

  “Absolutely,” Shirley said, vigorously nodding her head.

  “I don’t know about that,” Bill said, frowning as he looked at Shirley. “Why would two cops be invited to a party like that?”

  “Because you’re a friend of one of the residents, why else?” I said.

  “Which one?” he said, frowning.

  “Victor Rollins.”

  “But I don’t know Victor Rollins,” Bill said.

  “Sure you do,” I said. “You interviewed him a couple of times during the Middleton investigation, remember?”

  “Yeah, when I thought he might have killed the guy.”

  “Don’t nitpick, Bill. C’mon, it’ll be fun. Just think of all the celebrities you’re going to meet.”

  “I’m in,” Shirley said, glancing at Bill. “What is wrong with you?”

  “It just seems weird to go to a party like that,” Bill said. “We’ll be off the clock and have to keep things social. What would I talk to them about?”

  “That’s easy. Just get them talking about themselves and nod your head a lot while you listen. Toss in the occasional fabulous, and you’ll be fine,” I said. “And if there’s a lull in the conversation, talk hockey.”

  “Now, that he can handle,” Shirley said, laughing.

  “Gee, I don’t know,” Bill said, frowning.

  “Paradis is going to be there,” I said coyly as I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “The supermodel?”

  “I think you just said the magic word,” Shirley said, grinning at her fiancé.

  “Well, I suppose it couldn’t hurt,” Bill said. “What would we wear?”

  “I’ll find out the dress code and let you know,” I said.

  “Okay,” Bill said. “But you have to promise to keep your snooping to a minimum.”

  “Sure, sure.”

  Chapter 10

  After unsuccessfully trying to get into my party dress in the bedroom, I playfully swatted Max’s hands away for the third time and headed for Josie’s bedroom. She and Chef Claire glanced at me when I entered and grinned at each other.

  “Let me guess,” Josie said. “Somebody wanted to help you get dressed?”

  “Yeah, let’s go with that,” I said. “He tried to follow me into the changing room at the dress store earlier.”

  “We noticed,” Chef Claire said. “He’s got it bad.”

  “Yeah, me too,” I said, stepping into my dress.

  “Well, I, for one, approve wholeheartedly,” Chef Claire said.

  “Yeah, I guess he’s okay,” Josie deadpanned.

  “Funny.”

  “What did Victor say when you mentioned the party?” Josie said, sliding into the cocktail dress she’d bought this afternoon when the three
of us had gone shopping.

  “I didn’t actually have to even mention the party,” I said, turning around to look at myself in the full-length mirror.

  “You merely steered the conversation in that direction, right?” Chef Claire said, also checking out how she looked in the mirror.

  “Nothing gets past you,” I said, grinning at her. “I just happened to mention that we had decided to stick around for an extra couple of days and that we were jonesing for a party.”

  “And then he just invited us all?” Josie said, turning around so Chef Claire could zip up the back of her dress.

  “Not only did he invite us,” I said, admiring the look of her new dress. “He apologized for not thinking of it himself. You look fantastic.”

  “Thanks,” Josie said. “Is it too short? It feels short.”

  “Just be very careful when you sit down, and you should be fine,” I said, laughing.

  “I can’t believe Paradis and Claudine Gilbert are going to be there,” Chef Claire said.

  “It’s quite a resident’s list,” I said, brushing my hair back from my face. “And they’re all rich and famous.”

  “Not the briar patch,” Josie said, sliding a pair of heels onto her feet. “And you think one of them might have killed Melinda?”

  “I think it’s a real possibility,” I said, glancing at the door when I heard the soft knock.

  “Is everyone decent in there?” Max said, from the other side of the door.

  “Come on in,” I said, then gave him a quick kiss when he entered.

  “Wow,” he said, nodding. “You look fantastic.”

  “Thanks.”

  “All three of you look great,” he said, glancing around. “Nice dress, Josie.”

  “It’s too short, isn’t it?” she said, frowning in the mirror.

  “Not for me, it’s not,” he said, shrugging.

  “Why doesn’t that make me feel better?” Josie said, shaking her head. “But it is what it is.”

  “I just talked to my Aunt Jennifer.”

  “And?”

  “And she’s very excited about meeting you,” Max said. “She wasn’t even planning on going until I told her we’d be there.”

  “I can’t believe she lives across the street from Naylor,” I said. “Did she even know that?”

  “She said she’s been pretty much a hermit since moving in,” Max said. “But the news about him being her neighbor didn’t seem to faze her.”

  “I wonder if he’s going to be at the party,” I said.

  “Who would invite him?” Chef Claire said.

  “Maybe the model,” I said, shrugging. “He does photograph a lot of them.”

  “Are the cops going to arrest him?” Chef Claire said.

  “I don’t think so,” I said, shaking my head. “They’re almost positive he was the intended victim. But they’re definitely keeping a close eye on him. Did you take the dogs outside yet?” I said to Max as I slid an earring on then secured the back post.

  “I did, and they are all now resting comfortably downstairs,” he said. “I’m going to go change.” Then he grinned at me. “You want to help me?”

  “Go,” I said, playfully shoving him out of the room.

  Josie waited until I closed the door then spoke.

  “You don’t think his aunt is involved, do you?”

  “Geez, I hope not,” I said, frowning. “But her loft is right across the street from Naylor’s.”

  “If we find out that he has been spying on his neighbors,” Josie said. “I don’t want him anywhere near Wags. Or us for that matter. That’s creepy.”

  “I was going to go with perverted,” Chef Claire said, brushing her hair.

  “I agree,” I said, nodding. “I guess there’s only one way to find out, right?”

  “How about you just try to relax and enjoy the party?” Josie said.

  “Oh, don’t worry. I’m definitely going to enjoy the party,” I said. “And I’ll be very calm.”

  “Because snooping relaxes you?”

  “Exactly,” I said, beaming at her. “Let’s go.”

  We went downstairs to say goodbye to the dogs, then headed outside and walked down the driveway. Max was already waiting next to the SUV and enjoying the winter scenery. He was wearing a sport coat over a light sweater.

  “You look nice,” I said, kissing his cheek.

  “Well, you said smart casual,” he said, frowning. “Funny, but I don’t feel any smarter.”

  “No, but you look smarter,” I said, laughing. “And that’s what matters tonight. Let’s go. It’s freezing out here.”

  I climbed into the driver seat, and Max hopped into the passenger seat.

  “Do you have any idea what they’re serving tonight?” Josie said.

  “No,” I said, backing out of the driveway onto the street. “But Victor said to come hungry.”

  “Like I have a choice,” Josie said.

  We made the short drive in relative silence, and I came to a stop under the covered entrance where several uniformed valets were waiting. I climbed out, stuffed the parking ticket into my bag, then locked arms with Max and headed inside. Another group of uniformed staff was waiting to take our coats, and I removed mine and handed it to Max. A woman holding an iPad approached.

  “Good evening,” she said, pleasantly. “Could I have your name, please?”

  “Well, I’m sort of using it at the moment,” I deadpanned.

  The woman flashed me a weak smile and waited patiently.

  “Maybe I better save that one for later,” I said, laughing. “You know after everyone has had a couple of drinks.”

  “I’m sure that would help,” she said, again flashing the smile.

  “Suzy Chandler,” I said. “Party of six and guests of Victor Rollins.”

  “There you are,” she said, tapping the device. “The other two in your party have already arrived.”

  “Thanks,” I said, squeezing Max’s hand.

  “Just follow the red carpet past the elevators. That will take you right into the ballroom. Have a nice evening.”

  She flashed me the smile for a third time then turned around to greet the people standing behind us. We slowly walked down the carpet taking everything in. The lobby area had been transformed since I was here yesterday, and I heard the sound of piano music ahead of us. At the end of the carpet, the noise level increased dramatically, and we stepped into a large room where over two hundred people were already in party-mode.

  “This is nice,” Max said, glancing around the room. “I’m glad we came.”

  “Me too,” I said, squeezing his hand again. Then I spotted the security guard I’d met yesterday standing a few feet off to one side wearing a tuxedo. “Hey, how are you doing?”

  “Oh, hi,” he said, frowning as he tried to remember me then nodding. “5W, right?”

  “Good memory,” I said. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks,” he said, tugging at his lapels. “I thought I should look sharp. Just in case.” Then he got his first look at Josie. “Whoa,” he blurted as if he’d been kicked.

  “You thought you’d dress up just in case you happen to cross paths with Paradis, right?”

  “Who?” he said, barely glancing at me before resuming his stare at Josie.

  “The supermodel?” I said, laughing.

  “Oh, yeah,” he said, nodding in Josie’s direction. “Is she a friend of yours?”

  “She’s my best friend,” I said, glancing over at Josie who was chatting and laughing with Chef Claire.

  “She’s amazing,” he said. “You think she might be interested in going out with a security guard?”

  “Are you a dog lover?”

  “No, not really,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Then I don’t like your chances,” I said, waving. “Don’t work too hard.” I looked at Max who continued to glance around the room. “Let’s go grab a glass of champagne.” I motioned to Josie and Chef Claire who followed
us to one of the bars that had been set up around the room.

  “Is that who I think it is?” Chef Claire said, pointing surreptitiously at someone on the other side of the room.

  The rest of us followed her eyes and landed on a famous actor who was holding court with a small group of people.

  “It is,” Josie said. “He’s shorter than he looks in the movies.”

  “I think most of them are,” Chef Claire said. “Is he Canadian?”

  “Who cares?” Josie said, laughing.

  “Yeah, good point,” Chef Claire said.

  I grabbed four glasses of champagne and passed them around. I took a sip and surveyed the scene in front of me.

  “Do you see your aunt?” I said.

  “No, not yet,” Max said. “You feel like mingling?”

  “Actually, I feel like snogging,” I said, laughing. “But I don’t think we’d be able to pull that off without being seen.”

  “You’re bad,” he said, draping an arm around my waist.

  “There you are.”

  I looked to my right where the voice had come from and saw Bill and Shirley headed toward us. I gave her a hug and shook hands with Bill.

  “You guys look great,” I said, giving both of them the once-over. “Bill and Shirley. I’d like you meet Max.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Max said, shaking hands with both of them.

  “And you remember Josie, right?”

  “Sure,” Bill said. “We had lunch at the Chinese buffet place.”

  “That was a good lunch,” Josie said, nodding. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  “And this is Chef Claire,” I said.

  “We’ve heard so much about you,” Shirley said. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “You’re the ex-girlfriend of the guy we put away for Middleton’s murder, right?” Bill said to Chef Claire.

  “Geez, not tonight, Bill,” Shirley said, shaking her head at her fiancé. She turned to Chef Claire. “Don’t mind him. He has a lot of trouble turning his cop-switch off.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Chef Claire said, waving it off. “He’s just a bad, distant memory.”

  “This party is amazing,” Shirley said. “You’ll never guess who we just talked to.”

  “I’m gonna go with a famous Canadian for a thousand, Alex,” I said, laughing.