“She worked and went into labor in my office. Emma didn't waste time getting here. Luckily, we made it to the hospital.”
On the drive to the hospital, Samantha told Fletch about the phone call she received from Wanda Anderson.
“She's a mousy little thing, and I would guess she's had a secret crush on Forrest Wakefield for years.”
“I wonder if Madam First Lady knows that?”
“Perhaps she doesn't care, if she felt threatened by the competition, I'm sure Wanda would have been long gone by now.”
“You mean permanently gone like Richard Delaney? Do you think the woman's ambition for her husband could have been taken to such an extreme?”
“The thought has crossed my mind but murder to further her husband's career seems drastic. My gut feeling is this was a spontaneous crime of passion and not a calculated murder plot requiring a hired gun.”
“You're sounding like a cop. Have you thought of applying to the police academy?”
“If my mystery novel bombs, I might do that,” Samantha laughed.
They arrived at the hospital and walked directly to Robin's room.
The Wells' family made a beautiful picture. Robin holding Emma, Frank with his arm around his wife and the two boys looking in awe at their little sister.
The scene brought tears to Samantha's eyes. She looked closely at the baby. Emma didn't look at all like a prune. She was beautiful, her eyes were open, and she appeared to look directly at Samantha.
Robin looked relaxed and happy, Fletch couldn't believe this was the same woman who was writhing in pain a few hours ago.
“You look terrific, Robin. You're good at this mother thing.”
“I'm not sure how good I am. I fell asleep two minutes after you left and I woke up. I'm sure Emma thinks her mama is a wimp.”
Frank and Fletch took the boys to the cafeteria and left the women alone to talk.
Robin handed Emma to Samantha. She was nervous holding such a tiny baby, but it seemed natural.
“Emma likes you, Samantha. I can hear her asking you when you will marry Fletch and have a baby of your own?”
Samantha laughed. “Did you say that, Emma? Your voice sounded like your mother.”
Samantha was still holding Emma when Fletch and the others returned to the room. He never considered himself a sentimental guy, but he liked the sight of Samantha with a baby in her arms.
“We should let you have family time; thank you for letting me hold Emma, she is precious.”
“I'll be using every day allowed for maternity leave but don't be strangers. We'll have you over for dinner again soon.”
“We'll come, but we'll bring the dinner,” said Fletch. “Benivitto's has great takeout.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Robin looks great and Emma looks nothing like a prune.”
“No, she has improved since I first saw her.”
They walked to the parking lot, Fletch held the door open for her.
“Yes,” Samantha said.
“Yes? Yes, what?”
“Yes, I'll marry you.”
“What?”
“I said yes, I'll marry you, that is if the offer is still on the table.”
“Oh baby, are you serious? When? Tomorrow can't be soon enough.”
“Mom will never forgive me if we aren't married in Ashville.”
“How long will that take? When my sister was married, it was months in the planning stages.”
“Not that long. My mother knows I'm not in favor of big, expensive weddings. I'd like to be married in the chapel in Wedgewood Park. It's a beautiful little church and I mean little. I hope your parents can make the trip.”
“My folks will be there, they never thought I'd find a girl like you. I know, Mom told me that the last time I talked to her, you made an impression on her and Dad when they visited last month.”
“My family likes you too, because you carry a gun undoubtedly influenced my overprotective brothers.”
“What made you change your mind about marrying me?”
“I always wanted to marry you, I didn't want to come into the marriage without a job or a sign I would be a success as an author. When you said I could join the police force, it made me realize there are other things in life I can do besides writing. Megan told me I should snap you up before someone else does. Watching Robin and her family made me realize that is the life I want no matter what profession I choose.”
“The timing is perfect. I've tried to think of a way to tell you this without sounding like I was pressuring you to get married. There is a house in Robin's neighborhood that's for sale. I have an appointment to see it tonight at seven o'clock. Lately, I've thought a house would be a good investment. I've paid rent for several years now and have nothing to show for it. I'd hoped you would go with me to see it.”
“I'd love to. That's a beautiful area.”
Fletch looked at his watch, “We don't have time for more than a hamburger. This isn't the way I expected to celebrate our engagement.”
“We do nothing in the conventional way. Remember how we met?”
Fletch drove to Brookside Burgers where they sat outside enjoying the fresh air and the sound of water softly hitting the boulders as it flowed by.
They ordered their meals and while they waited, Fletch took hold of her hand. Samantha was looking into his eyes and didn't realize, for a moment, that he was slipping a ring on her finger.
She looked down at a sparkling white gold ring with a diamond in the center and enhanced by more diamonds lining the band.
“Fletch, this is the most beautiful ring. I love it, how did you know I would come to my senses and agree to marry you today?”
“It's been in my pocket for months. I always hoped you would marry me and I wanted to be ready. I pictured us being in a little classier setting than this.”
“Are you kidding? It's beautiful here. Listen to the babbling brook and the singing of birds, it's a perfect way to begin our lives together.”
Fletch smiled as he thought of Rachel. She wouldn't have heard the water or the birds, she only wanted the glitz and glamor that money could bring. He said a silent prayer of gratitude that she dumped him for a man who could give her all the luxuries she wanted. He looked up and watched as Samantha stood and walked over to him planting a kiss on his lips.
The other diners clapped for the couple. Samantha held her hand in the air and shouted louder than she'd intended, “We're engaged.”
Several of the women approached their table to admire her new ring that fit perfectly on her finger.
“When's the wedding?” someone asked.
“As soon as possible,” said Fletch. “I don't want to risk the bride changing her mind.”
“Not a chance,” replied Samantha as the waitress arrived with their burgers and fries.
Samantha was still admiring her ring when Fletch pulled in front of the house. It was far from the starter home Samantha had envisioned. The exterior was brick with light gray siding and inviting traditional grill patterned windows trimmed in white. Tall trees towered over the back of the house with two shade trees in the front yard. Low-growing shrubs lined the walkway leading to the large front porch.
The real estate agent, Ginny Slade, met them at the door and introduced herself to Samantha.
“The owners have been transferred to the Midwest and are eager to sell. As I told you on the phone, Detective Fletcher, we can get a good price on the property.”
Samantha tried to keep the excitement out of her voice as she examined every inch of the house.
“Fletch, this house has four bedrooms, will we need that many?” she looked at him skeptically.
“Twins run in my family,” he laughed. “It seems like a lot but we can use one as your office and another as mine. That only leaves one bedroom to fill. Perhaps four bedrooms won't be enough.”
She gave him a friendly punch on the arm. “I love it but can we afford it? My book is selli
ng now but we don't know when that well will run dry.”
“You forget until I met you, I lived like a monk. I have been able to save enough money to make a sizable down payment that will bring the monthly mortgage to a reasonable level. I want you to concentrate on your writing and not worry about finances. I'm capable of supporting both of us and six or seven children in the future,” he winked at her.
“Nobody has six or seven children these days, how about one or two?”
“It's a start. Do you want to look at more places?”
“I'll be happy to look but I know I'll come back to this one. I've already decided where the Christmas tree will stand in the family room.”
“You plan ahead, don't you?”
Fletch told Ginny to make an offer on the home.
Chapter Fifteen
Samantha woke up the next morning to the smell of coffee and bacon. She would weigh two hundred pounds if Fletch continued to make breakfast for her after they were married. She looked at her ring for the thousandth time since the moment he slipped it on her finger. Yesterday had been a day to remember, she was engaged and helped choose the house she and Fletch would share as husband and wife. There were so many things to do. First, she would call her parents. She would ask her mother to find out when the chapel in Wedgewood Park will be available. The sooner the better. Now that she and Fletch were engaged, she didn't want to wait to be his wife.
“Good morning husband-to-be. It smells wonderful in here.”
“I know you want me to cut down on the bacon but we are celebrating this morning. I had a call from Ginny, the owners of the house accepted our offer. She’ll work out the details and get back to me. Congratulations, homeowner.”
“Oh Fletch, I couldn't be happier. I don't know why I didn't say yes to you months ago.”
“I don't know why either, I'm a catch, you know.”
“I know, I'd better call my mother before she and Dad go off to play a round of golf.”
“Our parents will get along well, mine like golf too.”
“You were going to tell me about your conversations with Wanda Anderson and Cindy Matthews, we had other things on our mind last night,” he winked.
“They are as different as night and day. Wanda is an insecure, vindictive woman who insists Cindy Matthews killed Richard Delaney because he was replacing her as his executive assistant. I called Cindy to set up a meeting. She invited me to stop by and couldn't have been more gracious. She admitted she had thoughts of murdering him after he told her he wouldn't need her services when he became governor. She thought she loved him, but nothing happened between them. I believe her and I don't think she killed him or had him killed.”
“His Honor was a real gem, wasn't he? This case has me baffled, there are several suspects, and it doesn't look like any have the stomach for murder. What about Wanda Anderson? Do you think she was trying to divert your attention away from her as the murderer?”
“I got the feeling from the woman that, if she'd killed Richard, she would brag about it to the world. She practically said she would do anything for her boss.”
“Forrest Wakefield has my sincere sympathy, I don't know how he deals with his snob of a wife and his ill-tempered executive assistant.”
“I'd better get to the station; the work will pile up without Robin. They're sending a rookie over to help this afternoon. The last time Robin had a kid I was stuck with some knucklehead who didn't know what he was doing.”
“You should tell Robin how much you miss her when she isn't there.”
“What, and give her a swelled head?” Fletch laughed as he kissed Samantha goodbye.
It was too early to call Sophia, but she wanted to speak to her. She'd read in the local paper that the presentation of The Music Man had received rave reviews. No mention was made of the murder that took place that night.
Megan came bouncing through the door. Samantha couldn't believe the change in her since Jimmy Lee Butler was no longer in her life.
“Good morning Samantha, isn't it a beautiful day?”
“It looks beautiful, I haven't been outside yet. Your face is flushed, are you all right?”
“I've never been better. Mike stopped by earlier and asked me to have breakfast with him at Rudy's. We sat outside on the patio, it's so pretty with the fountains and ponds. The birds were singing in the trees. Mike says it’s his favorite place during the summer and asked me to have dinner with him.”
“I hope he's not rushing you. Not too long ago you were planning your life with Jimmy.”
“I always knew it wouldn’t work out with Jimmy. I'm sorry he's in trouble and that he's paralyzed but I refuse to feel guilty about his circumstances. He brought everything on himself.”
“I don't want Mike to be hurt, he's a good guy, and a good friend.”
“Samantha, I won't hurt him, I promise.”
“It's none of my business, I want both of you to be happy. If you can be happy together, that's wonderful.”
“Samantha!” Megan shouted. “Your ring, Fletch gave you a ring. Does that mean a wedding soon?”
Megan examined the ring sparkling as the sun hit it.
“It's beautiful,” she cried, “you and Fletch are perfect for each other. Will he be moving in here? Will I be in the way? When's the wedding?”
“No, you won't be in the way. I'll be giving up the apartment when the lease runs out, but in the meantime, we will continue to work out of here. Fletch and I are buying a house. There will be plenty of room for an office there. It's not too far from here, so it will be a short drive for you. The wedding will be in Ashville as soon as possible. I don't want to wait any longer to begin my life with Fletch.”
The morning progressed quickly. Fletch called to say he missed his soon to be wife. After a forty-five-minute discussion with her mom and dad telling them the news of her engagement, her mother called another five times to make plans for the wedding. Samantha didn't mind the interruptions, she knew her mother was excited that her daughter was ready to settle down. The principal of Lancashire High School called to ask if she would consider teaching a writing class. Samantha promised to give it serious consideration. Her agent called to say her mystery was on its way to the publishers and arrange times for book signings.
Samantha's head was spinning when her cell phone rang.
“Samantha, it's Sophia Delaney, did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, Sophia,” she lied. “what's up?”
“If you aren't busy, I thought you might like to stop by for lunch. Eloise is out for the day and I thought we could have a nice visit, I so enjoy your company.”
Samantha had planned to work through the lunch hour but sensed Sophia needed a friend to talk to.
“That would be lovely, Sophia. I'll see you at twelve thirty.”
Samantha drove out of the parking garage into the bright sunshine. Megan was right, it was a beautiful day. She turned off the air conditioning and rolled down the windows to let in the fresh air.
The home Sophia shared with Richard was exquisite. It wasn't nearly as large as Stonehill Manor, but impressive with its white pillars and fountain in the center of the perfectly manicured lawn. It hadn't occurred to Samantha before but this home was a smaller version of The White House in Washington, DC.
Sophia greeted her at the door.
“Come in Samantha, thank you for accepting my invitation. I so enjoyed our talk the other day and hope I'm not imposing on you.”
“Don't be silly, I'm happy to be here.”
“I thought we could dine out back by the pool, it's such a beautiful day.”
The two women talked like old friends. Sophia noticed Samantha's ring and was happy to hear about the upcoming marriage. Samantha mentioned the article she'd read praising Sophia's performance in The Music Man. The production was still being played in several cities near Lancashire with Sophia's understudy playing Marian.
“You should try again; you were so good in the part.”
“I'd like to but I'm not sleeping well and I'm not sure I have the energy for it.”
“Are you still sleepwalking?”
“I don't know, the nightmares are so bad, I never know what's real and what isn't. I keep dreaming of being in the theater and seeing a man with a black hood over his head. He points a gun at Richard and slowly pulls the trigger. I try to tell him to stop but I have no voice and my feet won't move. Richard falls over and I scream. That's when the man lifts off his hood and it's Tony Horton telling me he did what I'd asked. I hate going to bed at night. If it weren't for the pills, I'd never fall asleep at all.”
“What pills are you taking? Are they prescribed by a doctor?”
“Oh no, nothing like that, they are an herbal supplement. Eloise gave me some months ago when I couldn't fall asleep. They are wonderfully soothing.”
Samantha had read articles in magazines about the danger of some herbal medications. She didn't want to pressure Sophia, but she wanted to know more about these pills.
“Sophia, what is the name of this medication?”
“Do you need something to help you sleep? I'm sure you have a lot on your mind with all that's going on in your life. I make sure I have an ample supply, I'll give you a bottle to try.”
Sophia disappeared into the house and returned with a bottle marked Valerian Root, an herbal supplement. Samantha thanked her for them and put the bottle in her purse.
After Samantha left the Delaney home, she called Fletch at the station.
“I'd like to stop by if you have a minute to see me.”
“It sounds serious. Does it have anything to do with your visit to Sophia?”
“I don't know, I'll be there in ten minutes, I need your advice about something.”
Samantha always got a chill up her spine when she walked into the police station. The memory of the time Professor Stonehill was murdered, and she was arrested came back to her. She shook off the feeling and secured her visitors pass from the front desk. The entire staff knew her and knew of her relationship with Fletch. Even the surliest of officers greeted her with a friendly smile.
Murder in Lancashire Page 8
