“You could take care of me,” he said and thought better. If she's around all day, she'll get on my nerves. It's best I'm alone in the mornings. “Never mind, you can work for Samantha what's her name? I want you home at night, do you understand?”
“Yes, Jimmy, I understand.”
Samantha heard only one side of the conversation but could imagine what was said by Jimmy. She didn't trust that guy and hoped Megan would see him for who he was before it was too late.
Chapter Five
Fletch drove to Sophia Delaney's home with Robin directing him. The home backed up to the Lancashire Country Club and was an impressive white two-story home surrounded by trees.
“You should run for mayor, Fletch, Samantha might marry you if you offer her a house like this.”
“Do you think that would do it?” he laughed.
Colorful flowers edged the sides of the cobblestone walkway leading to the front door. Fletch pushed the doorbell.
Eloise Kittredge greeted them.
“Hello Detectives, Sophia is expecting you.”
She led them into a beautifully decorated room with a wall of windows overlooking the golf course.
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Delaney,” said Robin.
“Thank you, this is Richard's dream house, not mine. I'd prefer a small cottage away from the city.”
“Mrs. Delaney, are you willing to answer questions this afternoon?”
“Yes, Detective, I'd like to help you find whoever did this to my husband. I know our marriage was unconventional, but I loved him in my way.”
“Do you suspect anyone of the crime, ma'am?”
“I have no one in mind, Richard had enemies, mainly husbands or boyfriends of the blondes who always hung on him in public.
“Richard loved the attention of women. I knew when I married him, he would not be a one-woman man. I never liked the social life, yet I would have accompanied him to any function he attended. However, I cramped his style. I'm not sure why he married me.”
“Are you saying you weren't the least bit jealous of the women? I know, if my husband took someone other than me to a party, he'd live to regret it,” said Robin.
“A little when we were first married. I put up with his behavior, especially after he became mayor. I love performing, but I'm not great at acting or singing. I'm good, but without Richard, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have. My career has advanced since becoming the wife of the mayor. It's the worst-kept secret Richard's ambition meant he would settle for nothing less than the presidency of the United States. If you think I arranged to have him killed; a living Richard was more beneficial than a dead one.”
“Actors are notorious for their inflated egos, you seem to prefer being out of the spotlight.”
“You would be surprised how many actors are introverts. When I'm on stage, I become a different person. I love the glare of the lights and the applause of the audience. I live in two different worlds, and both are delightful in their way.”
After a few more questions, the detectives took their leave.
“Sophia is an interesting woman,” said Robin.
“Also, a better actress than she gives herself credit for. I didn't buy all that garbage about accepting her husband's philandering, I can't believe any woman or man would be that tolerant.”
“You think the murder was a professional job, don't you, Fletch?”
“Either a professional or an expert marksman. Assuming Richard Delaney was the intended victim, it would take an expert to hit his or her target with one bullet, especially in a crowded theater.”
“I'd like to know why Mrs. Wakefield dislikes Sophia Delaney. Do you suppose it's because of Sophia's title of First Lady of Lancashire? It's obvious Mr. Wakefield resented not being mayor while Richard was in office, perhaps Mrs. Wakefield felt the same way about being the first lady.”
“Samantha has been the guest speaker at the country club frequently. I know she doesn't like dealing with Mrs. Wakefield and Samantha gets along well with everyone. I'll ask her about it tonight.”
Samantha was happy with the way Megan took charge in her new job. She was glad she'd hired her but there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind it would have been better to have gone through the proper hiring procedure before giving her a job. Jimmy had too great a hold on her. Perhaps the nagging feeling has more to do with Jimmy than with Megan.
“Samantha, you have so many requests for speaking engagements, I don't know how you get any writing done.”
“It keeps me busy but I'm glad people are still interested in discussing Professor Stonehill. Shouldn't you be heading home? It's almost four o'clock.”
“I want to finish sorting this correspondence for you. I know you like to answer your fan letters yourself, maybe I can make it easier for you by addressing the envelopes. I'll do that tomorrow if you haven't changed your mind about hiring me.”
“Megan, you have only been here a matter of hours and I'm already wondering what I did without you.”
Megan smiled and was grateful for the compliment, she liked Samantha and enjoyed working here. Jimmy would be happy her boss is a woman. She wasn't eager to go home to Jimmy tonight. He wouldn't hurt her physically, he wasn't always kind with his words but that didn't mean he didn't love her. Last night was her fault, she shouldn't have gone to the theater with Mayor Delaney. It wasn't a date, but Jimmy couldn't be blamed for being angry about it. If she hadn't gone, her picture wouldn't have been in the newspaper this morning. She prayed Jimmy hadn't seen it.
There was a knock on the door, it was Detective Fletcher. Megan watched as he kissed Samantha hello, he was smiling at her as though he was happy to see her. Jimmy never showed he was happy to see Megan and he never asked her how her day was the way Detective Fletcher asked Samantha.
“My day was terrific, I now have an assistant,” Samantha said walking toward Megan. “You remember Megan Fairbanks.”
Fletch was glad Samantha's workload would be eased.
“Megan, it's nice to see you again under better circumstances.”
“Hello Detective Fletcher, I'm happy to be here.”
“Call me Fletch. I was planning to take your boss to dinner, would you like to join us to celebrate your new job.”
“Oh, that would be nice, but I have to get home.” She turned to Samantha, “I'll be here at nine o'clock sharp unless you want me earlier.”
“Nine o'clock will be perfect. I'll see you in the morning and thank you for all your help today.”
The door closed behind Megan.
“Do you think I made a mistake in hiring her?”
“No, she seems like a nice girl. It was quick, though, are you having second thoughts?”
“I am, but not because of Megan, it's her boyfriend I worry about. I don't like him, and I don't trust him. If Megan is working for me, I'm bound to see him, and I don't want him in my home. I realized after I'd offered her the job, I should have run a background check on her.”
“You can still do that, I'd like to run one on Jimmy too. I'll order both tomorrow morning. In the meantime, you can tell me all you know about Mrs. Forrest Wakefield while I nibble on that pretty neck of yours.”
“I don't want to talk about the dreary Margaret Wakefield while you nibble. Shall we talk about her later?”
Chapter Six
“Good evening First Lady of Lancashire.”
“Forrest, you are finally home. We have plans to make for your inauguration. Come into my study, I have a preliminary draft ready. I have a call into Antonia Sparazo's agent. I wish he would call me back, I want her to sing the national anthem. I've begun a list of dignitaries we will invite.”
“Margaret dear, there will not be an inauguration with or without a party. I have already been sworn in. I'm acting mayor, nothing more. Why would you contact a famous opera singer to perform the national anthem? The position is the mayor of Lancashire, not President of the United States.”
“What do you mean
you have been sworn in? I wasn't even there. How dare they exclude the first lady of the city?”
“Margaret, it was a formality, you weren't excluded. We can hardly have a celebration so soon after Richard's assassination.”
“He wasn't assassinated, he was murdered. I know Sophia arranged for her husband to be killed and who can blame her? He humiliated the poor woman for years traipsing around with one trollop after another while she pretended to be an actress.”
“I don't understand why you dislike her so, Margaret. The woman never did you any harm.”
“Because, you old fool, I was the one who should have been the first lady. If you'd had an ounce of ambition, you would be in Richard's place now.”
“You mean I would be dead?”
“No, you idiot, you would be a real mayor and I would be the first lady. A role I was born for.”
“I thought no one was born to be the first lady of Lancashire but whatever you say, dear.”
“Don't think you have heard the end of this Forrest Wakefield. I must postpone my plans for an inauguration, but we can still have a celebration. I'll book the country club right away.”
“Margaret, you won't do any such thing. A man is dead, and this is not the time for a party.”
She stomped out of the room and Forrest knew it meant he would make his own dinner. He poured himself a drink and opened the refrigerator, hoping to find a couple slices of cheese. After another bourbon, a grilled cheese sandwich would hit the spot.
“Eloise, do you think I'm a suspect in Richard's murder? I was performing when he was shot but those detectives might think I hired someone to kill Richard. Not that it wouldn't be justifiable homicide.”
“You are not capable of murder when you are yourself. Tell me, Sophia, when was the last time you had an episode?”
“I don't remember but they are coming more often. Maybe I hired someone to kill Richard. Oh, Eloise, how could I do such a thing?”
“I'm sure you didn't my dear. You couldn't hurt a fly.”
Other than her doctor, Eloise was the only person aware that Sophia was experiencing episodes of sleepwalking. Dr. Peters ran several tests and could not find any neurological reason for them. He encouraged Sophia to seek the help of a psychiatrist and she refused. She didn't know much about her family's history, but her mother always said: ‘Uncle Timothy is crazy as a loon.’ He was a family joke but not funny to Sophia because she adored her uncle.
Sophia's episodes always happened in the evening. She would sit on the sofa, reading a script or a book and the next thing she knew it was morning, and she was climbing out of bed. It could be she had fallen asleep but remembered seeing a movie about someone with multiple personality disorder and was afraid that might be what was happening to her.
The pasta was perfect for Fletch's taste. He liked it slightly overcooked.
“Al Dente is for the upper class,” he would say. “I'm a lowly cop who doesn't like my spaghetti crunchy.”
Samantha's dad always liked it that way too, and she was used to it.
“I hope you don't mind staying in tonight, I picked up a bottle of marinara sauce at Benivitto's and I'm eager to try it.”
“It smells terrific and so do you.”
“Don't start that again or we'll never eat.”
Fletch poured the wine while Samantha took the piping hot garlic bread out of the oven.
“You were going to tell me what you know about Margaret Wakefield.”
“Yes, I don't know her well but my experiences with her have been far from pleasant. She is the leader of a woman's group at the Country Club. They meet once a month and usually have a speaker. It normally is someone who has knowledge of the local history. I was invited because of my association with Professor Stonehill.
“Margaret Wakefield is the most condescending woman I have ever known. She resented I'd only known the professor for a few months.
“I talked about my book and answered questions. Everyone in the room seemed interested in what I had to say, that is, except Margaret Wakefield. She interrupted me several times with her interpretation of the professor's words.
“Most of the women in the audience seemed reluctant to speak up, except Agatha Cromwell. Agatha finally looked at Margaret and said: ‘Sit down and listen, you might learn something, Maggie.’
“Margaret never uttered a peep after that, she glared at me until the end of my presentation. It was uncomfortable.
“Several of the women approached me later and apologized for Margaret's behavior. While I was gathering my materials, I noticed she was downright nasty to the people who were cleaning and straightening the room after everyone left. Perhaps she was having a bad day, yet my instincts tell me she is always difficult.”
Megan Fairbanks was keeping dinner warm in the oven while waiting for Jimmy to come home. She was nervous about his reaction to the picture in The Globe that morning. Her only hope was he hadn't seen it at the newsstand around the corner. She was tempted to call her mother, but Jimmy didn't like her talking to her family unless he was in the room.
She thought back to being in Samantha's apartment when Fletch came in, they looked at each other with such love in their eyes. Jimmy never looked at her in that way, he never seemed to look at her at all anymore. When she met him, it was love at first sight. He was exciting with an edge; unlike any boy she'd known. Her parents didn't approve of him and that made him even more irresistible to her.
Her mother and father begged her to break it off with him.
“He’ll break your heart, Megan, we don't want you to be hurt.”
After telling Jimmy what they said, he informed her he was moving to Lancashire.
“You can come with me or stay in this rinky-dink town with mommy and daddy.”
She packed a bag and left a note for her parents. She was afraid they would talk her out of going with Jimmy if she faced them.
She hadn't seen her family in six months and missed them. Jimmy was out almost every night, she never knew where he was or who he was with.
Jimmy was at his favorite watering hole that evening. He didn't drink often but needed a couple beers to take the edge off. His boss was coming down hard on him. It wasn't fair, he worked harder than the others, but he wasn't getting the respect he deserved. What he did wasn't always legal, but Jimmy didn't care. If some dopey kid got hooked on drugs, what did he care? As long as there was money in selling them, his services would be needed. He pictured himself as the boss someday. That way he could sit back and rake it in. He'd keep Megan around; she was a good cook and he liked to eat.
He didn't like that she was with that guy who was killed the night before. He had to admit, he wasn't listening closely when she told him about it. If he'd given any serious thought to Megan going out with some guy, he'd have put a stop to it.
His buddy, Butch Edgar sat down beside him.
“Hey Jimmy, that was a nice picture of your old lady in the paper. How come you let her go out with the mayor. I should say, the dead mayor.”
“What are you talking about, Butch?”
“It's in The Globe, your woman as big as life with the mayor's hands all over her.”
Jimmy threw money on the bar and drank the rest of his beer in one swallow. He slammed the bottle down and slammed the door behind him. He stopped at the drugstore across the street. They still had a copy of The Globe in front of the counter. There was Megan, looking like a tramp. He grabbed the paper and walked out. The clerk didn't notice him until she saw his backside in the doorway. She let him leave, it was only a newspaper, and he was too big to risk trying to stop him for a one-dollar item.
Megan heard him open the door. She jumped up to greet him as he slammed the paper on the coffee table.
“What's this; you said that jerk didn't try anything. You two look cozy to me.”
“I don't know how they got that picture, but it's not real. Haven't you heard of photoshop, Jimmy?”
“It looks real to me. When were
you going to tell me your picture is all over the front page? You humiliated me, Megan.”
He made a fist and she backed up, falling, and hitting her side on the edge of the coffee table. She cried out in pain, but he ignored her.
Chapter Seven
The next morning, Megan arrived at Samantha's apartment promptly at nine o'clock.
“Are you feeling all right Megan? You look tired this morning.”
“I'm fine, I didn't sleep well last night,” she winced taking off her sweater.
“I'd say it was more than a lack of sleep, are you hurt?”
“I fell last night and hit my side on the coffee table, it doesn't hurt that much.”
“Did you fall or were you pushed?” Samantha asked.
“I fell,” she said emphatically. “I'd better get to work and finish what I started yesterday.”
Samantha wanted to pursue the matter further but sensed that Megan had nothing more she wanted to say. She was certain, Jimmy had something to do with her fall.
There was a knock on the door, “Samantha, it's Mike.”
“Mike, welcome home, I didn't expect to see you until next week.”
“I got in late last night. It was a successful trip; the company liked my ideas and I will do the job for them. I wanted to thank Fletch for the heads up, his friend, Arnie was most helpful.”
“I'm happy it worked out for you. Come in and meet my new assistant, Megan Fairbanks. Megan this is my neighbor and good friend, Mike Thompson, he just got back from Chicago.”
“Hello Megan, I'm happy to meet you. Samantha has needed an assistant for months now, I'm glad she has someone to help her out.”
“It's nice to meet you too, Mike, did you say you will work in Chicago?”
“No, I'm an architect and designed a building for a friend Fletch put me in contact with. I'll be going back and forth but I'm a lifelong resident of Lancashire and don't plan to move.”
Murder in Lancashire Page 3
