by Jaden Skye
From her taut, angry manner, it was easy for Olivia to see that Nellie knew a great deal. She was hiding whatever she knew, though. Hiding it in plain sight.
“What else can you tell me about Megan’s life, Nellie?” Olivia pressed onward.
“What do you want to know?” Nellie now suddenly acted nonchalant and bored. She was like a chameleon, Olivia thought, changing to suit her needs at the moment. Olivia had to pierce through.
“You must tell me who Megan was seeing on the side.” Olivia tried another tack.
“Megan never said a word to me about seeing anyone,” Nellie said. “If she was, I know nothing about it.”
“You’re lying to me, Nellie.” Olivia suddenly flared up. “It’s common knowledge that Megan was unhappy. And you’re her best friend. I heard that she told you everything.”
Nellie’s nostrils flared. “Who told you that? Tell me immediately!”
“Withholding evidence is a criminal offense,” Olivia warned.
“This isn’t a criminal investigation, though,” Nellie persisted.
“But it’s about to become one shortly.” Olivia remained staunch. “And if you don’t cooperate, then you will be complicit. It won’t go well for you. I hope you realize that.”
“Okay, okay.” Nellie suddenly became nervous. “What do you want from me? What do you want from Megan? Tyron was awful to her for two years. He drove her crazy day by day!”
“How?” Now they were getting somewhere. Olivia was excited.
“Tyron flaunted those stupid girls in front of Megan’s face. He made a public display of himself and made her look ridiculous, like a fool of some kind.”
Olivia breathed loudly. She couldn’t deny that was awful.
“And on top of it”—Nellie’s voice rose—“Tyron threatened Megan every day that he was going to disinherit her. How much can one person take?”
“Why did he hate her so much?” asked Olivia. “What did she do?”
“It wasn’t Megan,” Nellie protested. “It was Tyron’s life, his sickness, all the stupid choices he made.”
“What stupid choices? His marriage to Megan?”
“Maybe.” Nellie shook her head hard. “And the lousy business dealings he was involved with, the shady folks he hung around with. Everyone on the take. And don’t forget the fact that he’d left his daughters in the lurch all these years. Things like that come back to haunt you.”
“Yes, they do,” Olivia agreed. “And was Tyron also upset that Megan was seeing someone else? Someone younger, maybe? Did he sense it somehow? Was she making a fool of him, as well?”
Nellie had had enough. She jumped up and got into Olivia’s face quickly. “Listen, I wouldn’t blame Megan for doing anything she did. She had a right to have a boyfriend, with Tyron and his lousy family treating her the way they did. Including his stupid ex-wife, Alice, who wouldn’t leave Tyron alone. Given the hell Megan was living in, I wouldn’t blame her for finding someone to love. Why do you blame her? Wouldn’t you do the same thing?”
Olivia felt startled and wondered if she would.
“Any woman would, it’s not such a big deal.” Nellie’s face was flushed red. “And I also wouldn’t blame Megan for getting rid of Tyron either, if it came to that! I’m not saying she did kill him. I’m saying I wouldn’t blame her if she did. Why shouldn’t she?”
“She should kill him before he disinherited her, right?” Olivia exclaimed.
“Crazier things have happened,” Nellie murmured. “Look, there was not even one person in that family who gave a damn about Megan. Except Alice’s husband, Clay. Clay saw what was going on and felt badly. When Alice kept coming to visit Tyron, Clay started to get annoyed. Finally, he started to accompany her. Soon Clay and Megan got to know each other and became friends. Go ask Clay if you want more information.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Olivia. “I definitely will.”
Nellie jumped up off her seat then and smoothed out her dress. “Okay, I’ve got to go to work now. I can’t say it was nice meeting you, though! I can say, smarten up!” And she dashed off.
Olivia felt shell-shocked after Nellie left. She was a ruthless character, despite her fancy front. Had Nellie advised Megan to kill Tyron? What was her own life like? Did Nellie carry around a deep desire for revenge?
As Olivia sat there musing, to her surprise Wayne walked into the cocktail lounge. He looked wonderful, dressed in a linen summer jacket and open shirt, and happy to see her.
“How did you find me here?” Olivia jumped up. She thought they were meeting in the front of the club.
“I got here a little early.” Wayne smiled. “I just walked into the place and asked where you were. The hostess happened to know you and said you were waiting here in the cocktail lounge.”
“The hostess is Nellie, Megan’s best friend. She’s the woman I came here to interview,” breathed Olivia.
“She seems lovely,” Wayne remarked.
“Just the opposite,” Olivia declared. “She’s a tough, tight-lipped customer. I could hardly get anything from her except that I should go speak to Alice’s husband, Clay.”
Wayne looked surprised. “Clay?”
“Yes, Nellie said that he and Megan were friends, and he was the only one in the family who cared about her at all.”
“It’s not a bad suggestion then,” Wayne concurred.
Olivia looked at Wayne gratefully. Being with him calmed her down instantly. His steady, careful, caring manner was a welcome break from the chaos that was spinning around. Olivia was especially glad Wayne was here now as there was so much to discuss.
“Seems like we have a lot to fill each other in on,” Wayne started. “Let’s go get a table and have dinner and talk.”
They left the cocktail lounge immediately and oddly enough had to wait up front for a few minutes for Nellie to seat them at a table for dinner.
“Just follow me,” Nellie said when it was time to be seated. She spoke entirely to Wayne, not even giving Olivia a glance. “There happens to be a lovely table for two in a spot I’m sure you’ll enjoy.”
“Thanks so much.” Wayne smiled appreciatively as they followed Nellie to the side of the club and were seated at a lovely table beside a small, indoor waterfall.
“The waiter will be with you two in a moment,” Nellie said before pausing to look at them with curiosity.
“This is my partner, Wayne,” Olivia explained. “Wells and Darrington Investigations.”
“Oh, I see,” said Nellie as she quickly backed off.
The waiter soon arrived and took their orders, and Olivia and Wayne were finally left alone.
“You go first,” Olivia said, taking a sip of the glass of ice water on the table. “What did you learn from the escort you were lucky enough to have time alone with?”
Wayne grinned. “You actually sound miffed by it,” he mentioned, not letting Olivia’s comment pass by.
Olivia smiled as well. “No, I’m just teasing. I mean, it’s natural. All guys love spending time with these escorts, don’t they?”
“Not all of us,” Wayne replied quickly. “As for me, I’d much rather be here, spending time with you.”
Wayne’s comment took Olivia aback. He seemed to truly mean it and she didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t what she’d expected to hear.
“Thanks for that,” said Olivia, brushing the comment off.
“I mean it, Olivia.” Wayne was intent upon making his point, startling her once again.
“Why?” Olivia couldn’t help ask. “What’s so good about spending time with me?”
Wayne grew silent. “I hope you don’t really mean that?” he murmured.
Olivia grew uneasy. Obviously what happened with Todd had taken a bigger toll on her than she’d realized. It had become hard now to trust.
“I don’t really feel that way about myself,” Olivia spoke up lightly. “I’m just flummoxed with all that’s been going on.” Actually, Olivia felt deeply touched and reassured by Wa
yne’s comment. She hadn’t expected to care this much about it either.
“I would never have asked to be your partner if I didn’t think you were special in every way,” Wayne went on firmly. “It’s an honor to work with you, Olivia, and to be with you now, at your side.”
Olivia suddenly felt sad. “Thank you,” she whispered, as the waiter quickly appeared with glasses of wine for them before dinner.
A moment of silence fell between Olivia and Wayne as they picked up their wine glasses. She wanted to quickly break into the intimacy that was starting to form. It was too unexpected.
“Okay, really now, let me know what you found out from the escort service.” Olivia returned to professional mode. “Then I have tons to tell you as well.”
“Unfortunately, I didn’t come up with much.” Wayne complied instantly. “The head of the escort service, Salty, let me know that Tyron had been seeing these girls for a long while. Everyone knew about it, too. Seems like it was no big deal. And thankfully, the service was not the one that Megan had worked for, so that was good.”
“At least one thing lines up on her side,” Olivia muttered.
“The escort I interviewed, Fillippa, was one of Tyron’s favorites,” Wayne went on. “Naturally, she can’t stand Megan. She said she was upset by how Megan treated Tyron and the fact that Megan was away a lot.”
“What business was it of hers?” Olivia was annoyed.
“Lots of escorts can’t stand their customers’ wives, I imagine,” Wayne replied. “I’m sure they get an earful about them. And they must also get attached to these guys, in their way. Of course, Fillippa claimed that it was purely business for her, that’s all.”
Olivia shuddered. “Impossible,” she agreed.
“You’ve got to feel bad for them too, though,” Wayne added then. “What drives them to this kind of life? Fillippa said she was hoping to save up money and leave the business one day.”
Olivia nodded. “I hope she does.”
“How about you?” Wayne drank all of the wine in his glass quickly. “What have you got for me?”
“I found out a lot,” Olivia started slowly. “I’m not sure it’s all true, but we’ve got to look into it fast. I spoke to two of Megan’s friends and checked in with Tyron’s daughter Kayle, too.”
“Good work.” Wayne looked impressed.
“One of Megan’s friends, Andrea, thinks Megan recently had an abortion,” Olivia finally declared.
“An abortion?” Wayne looked startled.
“Yes, and she thinks Megan was involved with someone on the side.”
Wayne tapped his hands on the table. “Unfortunately, it all adds up. It makes sense, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, it does,” Olivia was sad to say. “And Megan’s other friend, the hostess you just met, Nellie, wouldn’t give me the time of day. Said she didn’t know if Megan had a boyfriend and knew nothing about an abortion either. I didn’t believe anything about her. She was defending Megan from the get-to. Nellie did say that Tyron treated Megan horribly, though, and she wouldn’t blame Megan for anything at all. Including killing him.”
“Whew! Quite a comment. How did Tyron treat Megan horribly?” Wayne was transfixed.
“Nellie said that not only did Tyron flaunt his girls around, he also threatened to disinherit Megan.”
“Wait a minute, now. Hold it there. That’s a huge claim.” Wayne’s jaw clenched. “All of these claims are. If any of them are true, it could be that Megan’s days as a free woman are numbered.”
Olivia couldn’t help but agree. “Who isn’t against Megan?” she asked.
“No one, except for Alice’s husband, Clay,” Wayne commented. “Didn’t Nellie say that he was the only one in the family who cared at all about her?”
“That’s right,” said Olivia.
“I think we need to hear more of the other side of the picture,” Wayne went on. “Let’s get in touch with Clay right away and go talk to him.”
Olivia loved the suggestion. “Let’s do it.”
“In fact, I’ll call him right now,” said Wayne as the waiter approached with large platters of baked salmon, sliced potatoes, and salad.
As the waiter placed the delicious plates on the table, Wayne quickly got Clay’s number and dialed it immediately.
“Clay lives in Key Largo,” Wayne announced, as he waited for him to pick up the phone.
Olivia slowly took a bite of dinner, as Wayne spoke into the phone.
“Hi, Clay, thanks for picking up,” Wayne said after a few minutes. “This is Wayne Darrington, private investigator.” Then he paused a moment. “My partner, Olivia, and I really need to see you badly,” Wayne continued, a sense of urgency growing in his tone.
Olivia wondered how Clay was responding on the other side. Would he end up being just another one in the lineup against Megan?
“Sounds great,” Wayne suddenly said, excitedly. “We’ll leave first thing in the morning, and should get there about ten o’clock.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
First thing the next morning Olivia and Wayne were on their way to Key Largo. They decided to take the short flight down there, rather than drive. All in all the flight would only take about an hour.
It was good to get out of Naples for a while and also have uninterrupted time alone with Wayne. As the plane took off, Olivia couldn’t help but think of her flight down to Florida with Todd. It was hard to realize that things had changed so drastically in a relatively short while. Todd was gone and Olivia was actually coming to terms with his horrible death. It was Wayne at her side now. In so many ways Todd and Wayne were very different. In others, the same. Both Todd and Wayne loved adventure and were always uplifting and inspiring. Unlike Todd, thankfully, it didn’t seem as though Wayne was drawn to shady women. Wayne was tremendously independent as well. Olivia had been wondering if he missed working on the police force. It hadn’t seemed so.
Wayne now sat beside Olivia riffling through an in-flight magazine.
“You really enjoy working independently as a detective, don’t you?” Olivia asked Wayne lightly.
“Yes, it’s great to have the freedom to come and go,” Wayne replied. “I like making my own decisions, too, not having to answer to a boss.”
Olivia enjoyed that aspect of the work as well.
Wayne put the magazine down on his lap, turned to her, and smiled. “And, as I said before, I really enjoy working with you, too.” He was being playful now.
Olivia smiled. “I enjoy it, too,” she replied, feeling much easier about it all now.
“Great,” Wayne remarked. “It bothered me last night when you asked what was so good about being with you. That’s a crazy question.”
Olivia took his comment in stride. “I guess it was,” she agreed. “I was overtired last night, had too much to process on the case.”
“Of course, I get it,” Wayne answered, putting his hand on hers briefly and then quickly pulling it away. “I’ve been there too. It’s part of the job, times of total overload. But they inevitably pass and things become clear.”
Olivia turned and looked out the window at the light, billowy clouds they were flying through. Right now, the overload was behind her, and she felt good flying through the sky with Wayne.
*
As soon as Olivia and Wayne landed they took a cab straight to Clay and Alice’s residence, which was located right on the water, not far from the airport at all.
The home was located down below a small hill which was bordered by a wooden fence, tall bushes, and wild dune grass. It was natural, beautiful, and isolated down here. The cab had to let them out at the top of the hill, and they walked carefully down the hill to get to the front door.
As they walked, the sound of waves, coupled with the strong ocean breezes, washed over Olivia, invigorating her deeply. “What a wonderful place to live,” she murmured.
“Clay’s a lucky guy,” Wayne commented.
“How do you know?” Olivia was surprise
d by his comment.
“If you wake up every morning in a place like this, you’re definitely lucky,” Wayne added.
They got to the bottom of the hill and walked a few steps further to the front door. It had been left open for them, but Wayne reached over and rang the bell anyway.
“The door’s open, come in!” Clay called from inside. “I’m coming. I’ll be right there.”
Olivia and Wayne stepped in gingerly. The place was as beautiful inside as it was outdoors. Huge glass windows overlooked the ocean and the wooden plank floors were uncovered by rugs. A few handmade wooden pieces of furniture stood here and there.
“Good to see you.” Clay came loping into the room, wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a huge smile. He could have been a poster child for a surfer, thought Olivia, all toned and suntanned.
“Good to see you, too.” Wayne extended his hand to him. “You’ve got a fantastic place here! Gorgeous.”
Clay liked that. “Thanks so much. I love it. My studio is here too, right down the hall.”
“What kind of studio?” asked Wayne, swept up in Clay’s excitement.
“I’m a sculptor,” said Clay as he pointed around. “And all of this is thanks to Alice, too. She set me up in my studio and helped me get the word out about my work.”
“Alice is funding you?” Olivia joined in.
“Yes, she is.” Clay smiled at Olivia exuberantly. “But she’s made a great investment and getting wonderful returns. “My work is really selling now. Soon I’ll be able to pay back every penny back she’s laid out.” Clay looked proud of his accomplishment.
“Fortunate,” Wayne remarked, looking around “Is Alice here too, now?”
Clay ran his hands through his long hair. “Not right now,” he said. “She’s actually been away for a day or so. It seems that after Tyron’s funeral, she desperately needed time alone. I expect her back this evening, or early tomorrow at the latest.”
“I can understand her needing time alone,” Olivia chimed in.
“Yeah, me too.” Clay smiled at Olivia again. “I can understand everything. I give Alice all the space she needs and she does the same for me.”
