The Milburn Big Box Set

by Nancy McGovern

  “Well, ma’am. You’ll have to wait till the sheriff’s done questioning him,” the deputy replied.

  “Im-mediately,” Dana repeated, rather imperiously. “I didn’t fly all the way from New York just to sit around waiting. The sheriff can spare my child for five minutes. Hop to it now. Tell the sheriff to be sensitive! A boy needs his mother in times like this. Poor baby.”

  “You’re quite close to Rowan,” Nora remarked.

  “But of course,” Dana said. “It broke my heart to be separated from him. Broke his heart, too. Of course, he was already twenty when his father and I split and he had to help his father with work. He wanted to move out of Milburn with me, but I knew it was important that he work with Fred. After all, Rowan was going to take over Bailey Realty one day. I couldn’t possibly ask him to choose me over his father. Still, seeing your boy once a month isn’t the same as living in the same house, is it now?” Dana’s voice was high, shrill and more than a little insincere. Nora wondered whether Dana had, in fact, encouraged Rowan to stay with his father and help him because Fred had threatened to spill her secrets otherwise. Or perhaps Dana had known that, one day, Rowan would inherit Fred’s wealth, and he’d be more than willing to share it with his mother.

  Indeed, there was a ghoulish sort of pleasure lighting up Dana’s eyes as she talked about Fred. “Such a pity. He was so young and so fit. To die in his prime like that! What a shame!” She was wringing her hands as she talked and Nora got the impression that she was seeing a rather finely-acted performance.

  “You were married to Fred for many years, weren’t you?” Nora asked.

  “More than twenty,” Dana confirmed. “And when he wanted me gone? Poof, just like that, it was over. I couldn’t believe it! I wanted to fight for our marriage, but Fred wouldn’t hear of it. One day he cared for me, the next day I was a nobody. Broke my heart, really. Broke Rowan’s heart, too. I think he’d have disowned his own father if I hadn’t stepped in and made peace. I told Rowan, ‘No. You must be the bigger man. I must be the bigger woman. We must forgive. Your father will surely suffer in his own time. But you must not cut him out. A man’s bond with his son is sacred. Sacred. Even if I must sacrifice you, I will.’” Dana’s eyes filled with tears as she recited this and her chest puffed like a pigeon’s. She looked as though she was ready to belt out an opera any second. Of course, rather conveniently, she’d forgotten to mention her little affair with the pool boy. In her version of events, she was the victim. Nora had a feeling Rowan would never learn the truth of it now.

  “Hmm,” was all Nora said. “And Lillian said…never mind.”

  “What did Lillian say?” All pomposity and play were lost in an instant. Like a snake coiled to attack, Dana gathered herself up.

  “No, no. Nothing.” Nora smiled.

  “Lillian is a cat.” Dana scowled. “She’s always been jealous of me. Why wouldn’t she be? Her own husband and son are wastes of space. And she’s certainly nothing special in the looks department - or any other department for that matter. No wonder she couldn’t do better than Billy.”

  “Well…they will be celebrating their thirtieth anniversary soon, won’t they? That must mean something.”

  Dana’s eyes were fiery. “I see. So she’s been crowing over being married while I’m divorced. I’m the reason she’s got any money or any status. I’m the one who twisted Fred’s arm and forced him to hire her. She’d have been penniless without me. But, instead of gratitude, what did I get? Nothing! When the chips were down, she chose Fred over me! Can you imagine? She didn’t even try to intercede on my behalf when Fred so cruelly left me. Ah, she’s a snake, that one.”

  “A snake? Do you mean...” Nora hesitated. “Do you think she was in love with Fred?”

  “Her! Pshaw!” Dana tossed her head back and laughed maniacally. “Fred would never leave me over a tubby, potato-woman like her.” She traced a hand down her body. “There’s just no comparison.”

  “Maybe he wouldn’t. But people in love can believe all sorts of things. Maybe Lillian just believed he would,” Nora said.

  “No. Lillian’s only ever loved two things. Her son and her career,” Dana explained. “She’d kill anyone who hurt them. Believe that.”

  “Not her husband?” Nora asked.

  Dana snorted. “Billy’s not much of a partner, you know. It’s hard to love a man when his only hobby is sitting around drinking all day.”

  “You were best friends once, weren’t you?” Nora asked.

  “We sure were. Before Billy lost his job and she had to take up the role of breadwinner,” Dana said. “Then she became too involved in her work. But I understood. I still considered her a close friend. Then Fred left me, and she left me, too. She chose her boss over her friendship. To be fair, perhaps I shouldn’t blame her. Fred could be a vengeful man. He’d probably have fired her if she chose me over him. That wouldn’t have surprised me at all.”

  “Vengeful?” Nora raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said he simply stopped caring about you.”

  Dana flushed. “Did I say that? It was all so long ago anyway. What does it matter? Fred’s gone now.”

  “Have you and Lillian talked recently?” Nora asked.

  “Once.” Dana hesitated. “I called her on her birthday a few months ago. I suppose I was nostalgic. I suppose I was also looking for gossip. She seemed happy to hear from me. She told me all about Fred’s latest gold-digger.”

  “Ah, Adriana.” Nora nodded.

  “Yes.” Dana pursed her lips. “I always thought that Fred would have a few affairs, get it out of his system and then…perhaps one day we could go back to being married.”

  “But Lillian told you that he was serious about Adriana.”

  Dana scowled. “Lillian said Adriana was trying her hardest to pin Fred down. I’m sure it would never have worked. Fred liked to chase, not to be chased.”

  “Lillian told you that about Adriana? Did she sound unhappy about it?”

  “She told me that Adriana was a nuisance. She kept coming to their office and interrupting their meetings. She even dared to poke her nose into their work. I gather Fred went over Lillian’s head and accepted one of Adriana’s ideas. She was livid.” Dana laughed. “I told you, that woman only cares about her kid and her work.”

  “Her kid? As in Derek?”

  “She’s overprotective of him.” Dana nodded. “Me, I believe in giving children space. But Lillian tries to control Derek’s life. That’s her, you know. She’s so used to taking control at work that she tries to control her men, too. But men are never happy like that. She thinks that nothing would get done in her house if it weren’t for her, and that may be true. But the more she pushes her men, the more they react like stubborn mules, digging into the ground and refusing to budge. She tried to push Derek into going to college and majoring in engineering instead of economics like he wanted. Result? He dropped out. She tried to push Billy into getting a job, any job. Result? She nagged him so much he just sat around.” Dana rolled her eyes. “She never understood that the way to get a man to do what you want is a little…softer. You know?”

  “I don’t,” Nora said. “Harvey’s always done what he wanted, when he wanted.”

  Dana winked. “That’s what he likes to think, I’m sure. But you must have planted little ideas in his head now and then. Or massaged his ego a little here and there. Nudged him in the right direction, maybe.”

  “Actually, I just treated him as an equal and respected him,” Nora corrected her.

  Dana frowned.

  They were interrupted as Rowan stepped out of the sheriff’s office. He looked downcast at first, a little lost. Then, as he caught sight of his mother, a happy look spread over his surprised face.

  “Rowan sweetie!” Dana stepped forward and embraced him.

  “Mom! I’m so glad you’re here!” Rowan hugged her. It was a long minute before he raised his head out of her embrace. “I’ve been fighting alone all this time, but now I’ve got some
one to support me.”

  “Of course, I’ll support you, sweetie. You know I’m always going to be there for you. Especially now that it’s just us.”

  “That’s true.” Rowan sighed. “Dad’s gone forever. It’s just you and me against the world.”

  He hugged his mother again and Nora was the only one who caught the satisfied smile that spread across Dana’s calculating face.

  *****

  Chapter 13

  The Deal

  Rowan refused to make eye contact with Nora as he left the building with his mother. The sheriff came out of his office and watched them go. Turning to Nora, he motioned to her to come inside.

  “We need to talk. Alone,” he said.

  “At your service,” Nora said. “What can I do for you?”

  The sheriff led her inside his office, a small room mostly filled with filing cabinets and a mini-fridge. Leaning down, he opened up a can of soda and handed it to her. He took one out for himself, too, and took a long swig. Wiping his mouth with his hand, he sat down in his chair and leaned back with a sigh.

  “So,” he said. “Word around town is that you talked to Lillian yesterday, then went to The Purple Fox and asked about Eddie Shaw.”

  Nora tried to look coy. “Me?”

  “Don’t play games with me, Nora.” The sheriff leaned forward. “I talked to the bartender yesterday and he said you were just full of questions about Eddie’s job at the chemical factory.”

  Nora shrugged. “What can I say? I was curious.”

  “Sure. I also went and talked to Joey, the coroner, you know.” Sheriff Ellerton tipped his hat forward so it nearly covered his eyes. “Well?”

  “Well?” Nora challenged him. “Well, what?”

  “You know about the poison,” Sheriff Ellerton said.

  “Did Joey say that?”

  “Joey didn’t admit to anything. Why would he? He could lose his job. But I can tell. I can sniff it out when someone’s lying. What do you know?”

  Nora shrugged and avoided giving a direct answer. “I’m just trying to get Harvey out as fast as possible, Sheriff. You know that.”

  “He’ll be out on bail tomorrow morning,” the sheriff said. “If. If you cooperate.”

  “What do you mean?” Nora stilled.

  “I mean that you do what I tell you to do. Especially when it comes to this investigation,” Sheriff Ellerton explained.

  “I’m still not sure what you mean.” Nora shrugged.

  “Come on, Nora. We’ve been through this before. Last time, I even asked you for help, remember? I needed it then. But now…” Sheriff Ellerton paused and considered his words. “I’m going to be blunt with you. Rowan Bailey accused me of favoring Harvey and you just because we’ve…well…we’ve been friends for some time now.”

  “Why, Sheriff. I’m touched. I never knew you considered me a friend.” Nora smiled.

  “A friendly nuisance is what I consider you,” Sheriff Ellerton said. “Bu, look, I take accusations that threaten my job very seriously. Let’s say, in a totally hypothetical scenario, that you’ve been talking to the coroner and somehow getting information out of him. Let’s say that I use that compromised information to prosecute the killer. The whole case could go south if a jury found out what you’d done. The lawyers would have a field day. The killer would go scott-free if there was any indication that the chain of custody of evidence had been breached. A lawyer’s job is to jump on loopholes, and this is a big one. Ok? This is serious stuff.”

  “Right.” Nora nodded.

  “Now, if I even suspected that Joey had talked to someone, it would be my duty to call internal affairs. Of course, the problem with doing that is that the case would go cold in the meantime and Harvey would remain behind bars.”

  “I get it,” Nora said, shaken. “I really do.”

  “Good,” the sheriff said. “So let’s just say that I want a promise out of you that you won’t get in my way this time. Okay?”

  “Sheriff, I’ll make any deal you like,” Nora said, “if it means that Harvey gets out of jail.”

  “Is that a promise?” Sheriff Ellerton looked suddenly alert.

  “Absolutely,” Nora agreed.

  “Good. I’ve got an election coming up soon and I can’t afford any scandals. If you’re around, my rival is going to have plenty of material with which to paint me black,” Sheriff Ellerton said. “Promise me that, once Harvey is released and word gets out about the poison, the two of you will get out of town and stay out of town and let me catch the real killer without any interference from you.”

  Nora stared at him. “You know I can’t promise that. Milburn is my life! My girls are here. My friends are here. My home is right here in this little town.”

  “I know, I know.” Sheriff Ellerton rolled his eyes. “Look, not forever. Let’s say one year, until the elections are over. Take a long, long vacation somewhere. Is that so bad? Wouldn’t you say Harvey needs it? And your absence will make it difficult for anyone to say you and I are in cahoots, either now or ever.”

  Nora hesitated. It seemed like a terrible deal. And yet...and yet she remembered the look in Harvey’s eyes the night before as he spoke of all the things he hadn’t done. He’d talked about his desire to travel the world. He’d talked about wanting to paint. Being in jail always carried a stigma - there would be talk, lots of talk, about what Harvey had done. It would humiliate him. Worse, it would sadden him. Was it really such a bad idea to take time off and go explore the world? Then again, it felt like she was rationalizing things. Maybe Harvey would feel like leaving Milburn was like running away. He wasn’t the type to do that.

  “I’m not promising anything,” Nora said. “I can’t.”

  “Then I guess I have to prove to Milburn once and for all that I have absolutely no favoritism towards you,” Sheriff Ellerton said, an edge creeping into his voice. “I’ll have to keep Harvey in jail, even if it means derailing Fred’s investigation. I’ll call internal affairs on Joey.”

  “You wouldn’t do that!” Nora exclaimed.

  “Wouldn’t I?” Sheriff Ellerton was grim. “Rowan’s rich, Nora. With his father gone, Rowan’s really rich. He’s also a tragic hero around town right now. People feel sympathy for him. They’re going to listen to what he says. If he says ‘Vote Ellerton’ they will. If he says I’m showing you favoritism, they won’t. Simple as that.”

  “You’re the sheriff!” Nora exclaimed. “Solving Fred’s murder should be your highest priority. Not playing politics.”

  “Solving Fred’s murder is my highest priority. But the only way I can solve it is if I have the job,” the sheriff said, looking frustrated. “Why can’t you understand that? You’re the one who stuck your nose where it didn’t belong. Now, I’m only human. I’m no saint. I have a badge that I’d like very much to keep on me. I’m making you a great offer. Accept it.”

  Nora hesitated. Then, her head bowed, she capitulated. There was no other choice to make, really. For Harvey’s sake, she’d give up Milburn forever if she needed to. What was a year away?

  The sheriff looked relieved. “So you agree? You’ll go away?”

  “Harvey does want to travel.” Nora shrugged. “Yes. We’ll leave town. Do you want us to leave immediately?”

  “Well...” The sheriff rubbed his chin. “That’s a bit tricky. You can’t leave until Harvey’s been completely proven innocent.”

  Nora looked up at him, surprised. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, until the case is solved and the true killer has been brought to justice, you and Harvey must stay in town,” the sheriff explained. “And, of course, I have to be the one to catch the killer. The town has to see me as the one that keeps law and order.”

  Nora laughed. She threw back her head and let out a peal of laughter. “Amazing.” She shook her head. “Just amazing.”

  The sheriff looked offended.

  “I have to hand it to you, Sheriff. You’re a far smarter man than I ever suspected,�
�� Nora said. “You certainly know how to spin a situation to your advantage. If I understand right, what you want me to promise you is that I’ll secretly aid in your investigation, help you find the killer as quickly as possible and then get out of town with Harvey so that the credit all goes to you? Just in time for you to get elected?”

  The sheriff grinned. “Something like that. Not that I don’t have confidence in my own team. It’s just that you’ve been helpful to me in the past. You have a way of finding out the little things - things I may consider unimportant - and letting them lead you to the true killer. You’re not smarter than me, see. You’ve just got a different method. One that works well in its own way.”

  “Alright,” Nora said. “With pleasure. I’ll help you find the killer and I’ll keep my own involvement in the case absolutely secret. If anyone asks, I’ll say I’ve left it all up to you. While, in the background, I’ll be trying to find out whatever I can. So, there will be no hint of a scandal and you’ll remain happy.”

  “Great!” The sheriff rubbed his hands together. “We’ve got a deal then.”

  “Not so fast,” Nora said. “I have one last condition of my own.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You find a way to tell Harvey he’s innocent and that he’ll be free soon. Without anyone else knowing,” Nora said. “Get it? I don’t want my husband to suffer for one more second thinking he’s a murderer. I couldn’t tell him what I’d found out, but you can.”

  Sheriff Ellerton nodded somberly. “I understand. I’ll let him know.”

  “Good,” Nora said. She felt relief flood through her at the thought that Harvey would finally feel free of guilt. Yesterday, she could tell it was taking a huge toll on him. “Poor Harvey got caught up in something bigger than him just by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  “That’s true, Nora. Look, I know you don’t like me very much. But I do feel bad about what Harvey’s going through. I never wanted to arrest him. I had to. I hope you can see that.”