The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  “My goodness.”

  “She took two days to find civilization and, by then, it was too late,” Eugenie said. “The rangers looked for weeks, to no avail. They finally found William’s body — he’d toppled over a cliff. But there were no signs that a bear had mauled him.”

  “Ah...”

  “It was horrible! My poor sister was so traumatized. But, of course, nobody cared about that. Back in town, tongues started wagging. People said all sorts of things! They claimed that there had never been a bear, and that Viola had pushed him over a cliff. Why? Nobody knew. But once a rumor spreads, some tiny part of a person will always believe it. You can’t know how Viola suffered. She lost so many friends. She had to endure so much gossip. It really affected her.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “That’s why she never trusts outsiders anymore. Not really,” Eugenie said. “Family is everything to her. The only person she can stand other than family is her best friend, Sophia. Sophia stood by her through everything. Loyalty matters to Viola and, after what she’s been through, I don’t blame her.”

  Nora nodded. “I see.”

  “Do you? The rumors are going to be even more vicious this time around. People are already saying that Bobby was blackmailing Viola, and that she pushed him down the stairs.”

  “The police will put that to rest, surely?” Nora asked. “Hopefully, they’ll declare that it was an accident?”

  “That’s the thing.” Eugenie hesitated. “I don’t want it to be an accident. If the case is closed as an ’accident’, the town will suspect Viola forever. Because here’s the thing — I don’t believe it’s an accident, either. Bobby was a star football player, and then he opened his own dance academy. He was not the kind of man to go tripping on his own feet and falling down a flight of stairs. No. I don’t buy it. I suspect that someone did kill Bobby. And I really need you to find out who that person was.”

  Nora frowned. “It’s one thing to suspect that someone killed Bobby,” she said. “It’s another thing to want one person to be declared the murderer. You’ve made no secret that you dislike Finley, Eugenie. I don’t think much of him, either. But that doesn’t mean...”

  “I didn’t name names,” Eugenie said, but she looked delighted. “I didn’t say a word against Finley. So how come you jumped to the same conclusion I did?”

  “What if it turns out to be Lucas?” Nora asked. “You said yourself that there might be a connection between his party and Bobby being in the house.”

  Eugenie shook her head. “Lucas? A murderer? Never!”

  “Eugenie, if you really want me asking questions, then I’m going to be asking some really tough ones,” Nora said. “And no matter how bitter the truth is, I won’t hesitate from shining a light upon it. So think twice — do you really want me to stay here?”

  Eugenie hesitated a moment then sighed and bowed her head. When she looked up again, her eyes were blazing with purpose. “Yes,” she said. “Whoever did this — they deserve to face their punishment. I couldn’t go the rest of my life suspecting, wondering, always doubtful. No. I’d much rather know — even if the truth hurts.”

  Nora nodded. “Good. I’ll do it, then. I’ll stay here.”

  “It can’t be Lucas, though,” Eugenie said. “My goodness, I’ve known him forever. He’s always been a little scamp but he’s not a bad person. I remember when he was Kaylee’s age and he made a drawing of me and Dave — he made me a lioness and Dave a rabbit. So naughty.” Eugenie shook her head. “I’m sure it’s not Lucas, Nora.”

  “History’s worst killers were loved by their parents at some point,” Nora said. “Lucas might have been a cute kid once, but he’s a grown man now. What do you really know about him? What was his business back in Seattle? Why is he home now?”

  “Well, I can answer that for you, actually,” Eugenie said. “He was trying to start his own gym in Seattle, and it failed. Plus, he had a girlfriend that broke up with him. So he came back home. Nothing suspicious.”

  “No?” Nora asked. “Bobby Black was a blackmailer. Maybe it really isn’t a coincidence that he landed up here now when Lucas returned.”

  “Maybe,” Eugenie said. “But if you’re looking for someone who was being blackmailed, I’d point you in Finley’s direction.” She tapped the side of her nose. “He hasn’t always had the most straightforward life, you know?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He’s sixty five now and he’s settled down a little but, back in the day, he liked a fast life,” Eugenie said. “Plus, he and William weren’t as close as brothers should be. They were always fighting. William was just like Jacob — responsible and hard working. He ran the company while Finley ran around accumulating debts. More than once, William had to dip into the company’s resources to rescue Finley.”

  “And Viola knows this?”

  “She does. But since William died, she’s always kept Finley around. At first, it was so that the boys had a father figure, and then… well, she doesn’t want to admit it, and she can never ever openly date him in this town, but I think she is in love with him.”

  “Eugenie, sweetheart. There you are!” Eugenie’s husband, Dave, came up the stairs, looking worried. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you.”

  “Dave? What is it?”

  “The media. I’ve been trying to push journalists off our lawn all morning, but it’s just not working. Do you think you could go talk to them? Give them a statement, maybe? They’re baying for blood.”

  Eugenie gave a deep sigh. “Alright. I’ll go deal with them.” She paused a moment and kissed Dave on his cheeks. “Thanks, sweetheart. I know you hate crowd control.”

  “Anything for you.” Dave kissed her back. “Don’t stress too much, okay? Things will work out. This will all die down in a day or two.”

  “I hope so,” Eugenie said, giving Nora a look. “I really hope so.”

  *****

  Chapter 13

  Macarena

  It wasn’t long after Eugenie’s talk with Nora that Viola extended Nora an invitation to stay the weekend. Nora had talked over the situation with Harvey already and they’d agreed to stay. Eugenie had persuaded the press to leave, and it was only once they had gone that Nora felt the silence in the house, like a new presence. She hadn’t realized how rattled her brain had felt with the incessant yelling of the press folks outside.

  Heading up to Grace’s room, Nora wondered whether she should tell her daughter about the rumors that were spreading around town. She decided in the end not to tell — not yet, at least. But she did want to check in on how Grace was feeling. They hadn’t gotten a chance to be alone since the body had been discovered.

  Nora paused at the door to Grace’s room, taking a deep breath. Would Grace be upset? She was usually so calm and composed, but the events of the day would have shaken anyone up. She heard a cry of “Come in!” and entered the room, prepared to see Grace morose and upset.

  Instead, Grace and Kaylee were laughing hysterically while a boom-box in the back played Macarena. Nora walked in to both of them shaking their heads in perfect sync and moving their hands to the music.

  “No. no.” Grace laughed. “It’s hands out, then over the elbows, then—” She looked up at Nora and paused the music. “Mom?”

  “Uh, Grace? I just came to see how you were doing.” Nora bit back a smile. “Looks like you’re doing fine.”

  “I was showing Aunt Grace my Fortnite Floss dance, and she showed me her favorite childhood dance,” Kaylee chirped. “Grandma told me I had to stay out of the way while the police are here, so Aunt Grace and I are practicing dance moves.”

  “Oh… that’s lovely,” Nora managed.

  “Kaylee’s an excellent dancer. Aren’t you? Show my mom your ballet moves!”

  Kaylee obliged, and Nora smiled as the adorable little girl hopped and twirled around the room with her ponytail bobbing behind her. “Tada!” She finished with a big toothy smile and her arms spread wide. No
ra gave her a round of applause.

  “Wonderful,” she said. “You’re a natural.”

  “An absolute star,” Grace agreed.

  “You should come to my school’s dance show next week,” Kaylee said. “I’ll be performing.”

  “Oh… I don’t know if we can...” Nora said.

  “You have to! It’ll be so much fun! Please?” Kaylee squealed. “We’ll all be dressing up like Disney princesses. I’m going to be Elsa! And my best friend, Nina, is going to be Cinderella! We’re both wearing blue! I like blue much more than I like pink but my friend, Suzie, says it’s a boy color. But I think Elsa is the best princess and she looks so gorgeous in blue and—”

  Nora’s eyes began to glaze over as Kaylee’s rapid-fire musings on princesses and colors continued. She just didn’t have the time or patience to discuss this now. Thankfully, Grace was there to keep Kaylee company.

  Grace was smiling and giving Kaylee a fond look. Nora felt a sudden twinge in her heart. It felt like just yesterday that Grace had been this young. Of course, she’d preferred softball to dance as a child, but Grace had been just as cute and as full of energy and passion about her hobbies. Nora felt a sudden rush of tears come to her eyes. Grace was going to get married. Actually married. She’d known it before, but it hit her with sudden emotional force that her little girl — who had cried when she skinned her knees and had not known how to ride her bicycle without training wheels till she was nine — her little girl was all grown up and going to have a family of her own. Nora felt happy for Grace, really she did. But she also felt like her own heart was going to break into tiny little pieces as she realized how quickly time had flown by.

  “Mom?” Grace gave her a concerned look. “Are you okay?”

  “Just a little… emotional. Sorry. It’s been a crazy day.” Nora sniffed and turned away to discreetly wipe her face.

  “Right…” Grace considered. To Kaylee she said, “Alright, kiddo. You better go to your room and start working on that homework of yours. I’ll see you later, ok?”

  “Aw… can’t we dance some more?”

  “Later,” Grace said, holding the door open. “Chop chop. Off to work with you.”

  “Aw, no. I haven’t even shown Aunt Nora my new phone!” Kaylee said. “See? It’s pink with unicorns.” She showed off a bright pink phone with unicorn stickers all over it. “Grandma gave it to me today. She said I needed it for safety after what happened.” Kaylee made a face.

  “She’s just worried about you, dear,” Nora said. “It’s hard for her. Something happened here and I think she just doesn’t feel very safe at the moment.”

  “Ok, champ. Off with you,” Grace said firmly. “And hand over that phone! Otherwise, I know you’ll ignore homework and just keep playing on it.”

  “Do I have to?” Kaylee walked slowly, her shoulders drooping exaggeratedly. She looked behind her once to check if her dramatics had changed Grace’s mind and, when Grace shook her head, Kaylee straightened her shoulders, laughed and tossed her phone onto Grace’s bed. Then she ran off to her own room.

  “She’s such a sweet kid.” Grace smiled, then shut her door. “Ok, Mom, what’s up with you?” She sat down on the bed next to her mother and leaned her head on Nora’s shoulder.

  “Oh, honey, I’m just being silly. Seeing you with Kaylee…it reminded me of when you were a kid.”

  Grace smiled down at her mother. “I don’t know how you managed to run a diner and take care of me and Hazel all at once. You remember how we used to drive you nuts when we fought? I remember she and I fought so hard once over the remote control that people on the next block could hear us screaming. You grounded us for a week for behaving like savages.”

  Nora threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, I remember.”

  “Boy, I bet you’re glad those days are over, right?” Grace asked.

  Nora looked at her seriously. “I’d do it over in a heartbeat.”

  Grace got a little teary, too. “Aw, Mom. Nothing’s changing. Marriage is just… marriage. Jacob and I have been dating for years now. We’re just… signing a piece of paper. We’ll be legal roommates, basically.”

  “You really think that’s all marriage is?” Nora shook her head. “Well, you’re going to learn. It’s all kinds of good and, if I’m honest, all kinds of bad. Your life is going to change forever in many ways. And your success is based on how you handle and respond to those changes.”

  “Don’t scare me like that!” Grace flopped down with her head on Nora’s lap. “I don’t know, Mom. I keep getting scared. I keep telling myself the legal roommate thing so I don’t freak out and run far away. I’m doing the right thing, aren’t I?”

  Nora blinked. “That’s not for me to answer. What do you think? Do you believe you’re doing the right thing?”

  “I know I love Jacob, and we both know we want kids sooner or later… so this seemed like the logical next step,” Grace said. “But I look at you and Dad and I don’t know if I’m ready to be so… grown up. It’s a huge deal. I don’t feel grown up at all! I feel like a teenager still. So does Jacob, sometimes. You’re right that we aren’t just going to be roommates… I mean, Jacob and I are already having disagreements on so many things.”

  “Like what?” Nora was concerned.

  “Well, he just doesn’t seem to care about the wedding. I keep trying to interest him in flowers and decorations and food but he just shrugs and says ‘whatever you like’. He just doesn’t care!”

  “Ah,” Nora said.

  “And then…” Grace took a deep breath. “Jacob wants to move back here. Into his mom’s house. He wants to work for the family business. He keeps saying it’s a great decision. That we’ll be closer to you guys, we’ll be in Kaylee’s life a lot more, we’ll be able to put more money into savings...”

  “But?”

  “But I think it’s a terrible idea. I mean, I love Kaylee, and I’d love to be around her more. But the rest of it? Working for the family business? Moving back to this house? I feel like it would be a disaster. Not to mention that odious Ramona is always hanging about. She’d be working with him.”

  “Ah,” Nora said. “Ramona.”

  “She’s so fake, have you seen her face? It’s got more layers of makeup than a deck has cards. She hasn’t really tried anything with him…but a girl can tell, you know?”

  “You think she likes Jacob?”

  “I think she more than likes Jacob! And she absolutely loves the idea of being Mrs. Giordano,” Grace said. “What’s worse is, I know Viola would love to have her as a daughter-in-law. I’m just an outsider to her. Even after three years of dating Jacob!”

  “Well, parents can be like that about their kids sometimes,” Nora said. “Viola’s nice to you, isn’t she?”

  “On the surface, yes… but she’s so superficial with me. She’s genuinely warm with Ramona. I mean, I know she’s known Ramona all her life, so I shouldn’t feel bad. But still…I’m her future daughter-in-law and she hasn’t made any effort to get to know me.”

  “Well, look, I’m not defending her, but I think she’s the type to be a little frosty at first but then she warms up once she gets to know you. Give her a little more time.”

  “Look at how nice you are to Jacob. I just wish she was like that with me.”

  “Ah, but look at your Dad.” Nora grinned. “Or haven’t you noticed that he’s always suspicious of Jacob, even three years later?”

  “He is?” Grace stared at Nora. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Well, then I’ve said too much!” Nora said, miming a zip over her lips.

  “No. Tell me more! Does Dad dislike Jacob? Does he think…does he think Jacob isn’t a good match for me?”

  “Nothing like that, dearest. He likes Jacob just fine,” Nora said. “But you’re his little princess, aren’t you? Always have been. He’s going to take time to warm up to any guy. But none of that should worry you right now. You’ve got a bright future with Jacob, and the only opinion
s you should care about are his and yours.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Grace sighed. “But do you think we should move back here, Mom?”

  “I think you both should talk to each other and make a decision together,” Nora said. “Do what’s best for the two of you.”

  Grace rolled her eyes. “Well, yeesh. You should have been a diplomat.”

  “What makes you think I’m not?” Nora laughed. “Now listen, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “It’s about this man, Bobby Black.”

  Grace shuddered. “Poor Jacob. He was downright traumatized. He’s the one who found the body.”

  “Yes. About that…why was he downstairs in the kitchen so late at night?” Nora asked.

  Grace shrugged. “Getting a drink of water, I guess? I don’t know. Like I said, I was fast asleep in my own room.”

  Nora hesitated. “Do you believe Jacob? That he was getting a drink of water, I mean?”

  “Of course, I do.” Grace stared at her. “Mom! You don’t seriously think Jacob pushed the man down the stairs, do you?”

  “No dear, of course not,” Nora said. “But I just thought it was a pretty big coincidence that he should be downstairs.”

  “I won’t hear a word against Jacob,” Grace said. “He’s everything Bobby Black was not. He’s honest and kind and hard working and loyal. There’s no way he was involved in any of this.”

  “So you’re very sure that Jacob didn’t know Bobby Black?” Nora asked.

  “Of course!”

  “Find out for me, will you? Ask him how come he didn’t recognize his old friend. Just like that.”

  “Mom…” Grace paused. “Are you really saying Jacob might be involved? This was all an accident. Wasn’t it?”

  “I just want to clear him from my list completely,” Nora said. “Just for my peace of mind.”

  “I know Jacob,” Grace said. “I’m sure he’ll give me an explanation. But Mom, trust me. It’s ridiculous to even think he might be involved.”