He nodded, saying, “She quit because she thought she’d just inherited a lot of money.”
Deena stood up. “And she had to beg for her job back when she found out he was still alive.”
Kitty jumped up. “Do you think she poisoned him because she was tired of waiting for him to die?”
Deena and the detective both looked at her sympathetically.
Kitty balled her fists. “Wait until I get my hands on her! I’ll strangle her!”
Hitchcock opened the door just then, took one look at the scene in the room, and backed out.
“Hold on now,” Guttman said. “This is all just a theory. We can’t go jumping to conclusions.”
Deena coughed into her fist and mumbled, “Pot . . . black.”
He avoided eye contact. “I still want to talk to Clay Brooks and see what he has to say. And remember, young lady, you aren’t out of the woods yet. There’s still the matter of mishandling of a corpse.” He walked around the desk and opened the door. “Why don’t you go home and relax. I’ll get back in touch with you as soon as our investigation is concluded and I’ve talked to the DA.”
Deena started to follow Kitty out.
Guttman held up his hand. “You. Stay.” Pointing to a chair, he added, “We still have work to do.”
She picked up the coffee and took a big gulp.
It turned out to be a long night.
Chapter 27
“How can you eat at a time like this?” Gary paced the floor of the dining room.
Deena swallowed a bite of her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. “I skipped lunch and now I’m jacked up on caffeine. You should sit down and relax.”
“Relax?” He shook his head. “This is me you’re talking to.”
“You and everyone else,” Deena said with a twinkle in her eye.
Gary checked his watch for the umpteenth time. “It’s a little early, but maybe we should go now.”
Deena held up her sandwich. “I’m still eating. Sit down.”
Gary pulled out a chair and plopped down, his leg bouncing like a piston in an engine.
She understood his anxiety but thought he’d be a little more cool-headed than this. “Do you have the flashlights?”
“Flashlights. Check.”
“Do you have the whistle?”
He patted his pants pocket. “Whistle. Check.”
“Do you have the map?”
“Map?” He looked at Deena through squinting eyes.
“Just kidding,” she said. “We’re just taking a walk around the block. It’s just an ordinary neighborhood watch night. Nothing to worry about. It will all be over in twenty minutes. Thirty tops.”
He looked at her and pointed. “You have crumbs.”
Deena brushed off the front of her blouse and then carried her plate to the kitchen. She looked down at Hurley. “You have to stay here, boy. We’ll take you next time. If there is a next time.”
“Very funny,” Gary said. He held up her jacket so she could slip it on. “It’s such a warm night, aren’t you going to be hot in that thing?”
“Yeah, but—”
The doorbell rang just then and sent Hurley to barking.
Gary looked at Deena. “Who could that be?”
She walked over and opened the front door. “Marcie. Hi.” She glanced back at Gary. “Look, Gary. It’s Marcie.”
He walked into the foyer. “Hi. I thought we were meeting at your house.”
“I was just anxious to get started and came on over.” She had her hair up in a bun with the usual ivory sticks, but this time she’d added in a few flowers.
“Well, then, let’s go.” Deena pulled on Gary’s arm and led him outside. “Be sure to lock the door. There’s no such thing as too much safety.”
Marcie flipped on her flashlight and Gary gave Deena hers. It was dusk, but there was still a bit of light out.
Making a face at Deena, Marcie said, “Won’t you be too hot in that jacket?”
“No. I’m one of those people who’s always cold.” In reality, though, she was just the opposite. She still had hot flashes and always slept with a fan on.
“You’re lucky,” Marcie said. “I’m menopausal and would walk around naked if it weren’t against the law.”
“You should never break the law,” Gary said gruffly.
Deena shot him “the look” and he fell in line behind the two women.
“Shall we go this way in front of Edwin’s house?” Marcie motioned to the right.
“No!” Deena said a little too anxiously. “I mean, there are more houses this way.” Even she knew that didn’t make a lot of sense, but Marcie and Gary followed her anyway.
The two women fell into a nice, steady rhythm, although Gary, with his long man-legs, kept creeping up behind them. “Why don’t you walk ahead of us,” Deena suggested, “and try to slow down.”
Gary moved into place in front of them.
“What are we supposed to be doing anyway?” Deena aimed her flashlight at Mr. Hadley’s car and bent down to see under it. “Looking for cat burglars?”
“No,” Gary said. “We are making our presence known so people know the neighborhood is being watched. It’s just a deterrent.”
“That seems boring.” Deena looked over at Christy Ann’s house, worried she might be looking out the window and want to come over to talk. But the house looked dark.
“I’ll tell you something that’s boring,” Marcie said. “Working in a bank all day. Smiling and pretending you care about other people’s business. I’m so tired of it. I want to travel and see new places. Have new experiences.”
Deena aimed her flashlight at Gary’s back, making little figure eights. “If you could pick one place in the world to visit, where would it be?”
Marcie pointed to her head. “Three guesses.”
Deena thought a minute. “A Chinese food buffet?”
“No, silly. Japan.”
They had reached the corner. Gary turned and said flatly, “Let’s go this way so Deena can see where you live.”
“Good idea, hon.” Deena waved her flashlight in that direction. They passed the houses at the end of the block and made their way back up the next street over. Deena hadn’t realized how much of a slant the street had taken and began to feel her calves burn as she headed up what felt like a mountain. Beads of sweat dripped down her back, and she was dying to pull the jacket off. Although her mouth was dry, she managed to ask, “What got you so interested in Japan?”
Marcie seemed to have no trouble with the walk. “Back a hundred years ago when I was still married, my husband and I got into community theater—I had a double major in theater and voice in college. We tried out for The Mikado. I got the role of Peep-Bo and my husband was Pooh-Bah. It was so much fun. Of course, who knew years later he would run off with Yum-Yum.”
“In the musical or in real life?”
“Real life.”
Hmm. That could explain the woman’s performance at the bank. She really was an actress. Deena could see a white van parked near the end of the block and knew they were getting close.
“That’s me,” Marcie said and pointed to a red brick colonial-style house. “That’s my humble abode. I’d ask you in, but the place is a mess.”
Deena smacked her forehead. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Why don’t you let Gary take a look at the lawn mower while we’re here? He’s super handy with machinery, right, dear?”
“Yes, I’d be glad to.” Gary couldn’t have sounded any less enthusiastic if he’d tried.
“No, that’s okay. I’m probably getting a new one anyway.”
“Oh?” Deena said and put her hand on her hip. “Really?” She tried to sound suspicious, like when she used to question her students who had copied another kid’s homework. Hopefully, Marcie would figure out she was referencing Edwin’s will.
Marcie’s eyes fluttered. “Oh well, I guess it couldn’t hurt. Maybe I can donate this one to the thrift shop.” She punched in nu
mbers on the code box, the garage door went up, and she turned on the light.
Inside were the usuals: her car, gardening tools, bins, boxes, and the lawn mower. Gary set down his flashlight, walked over to it, and kicked a tire. “This one is pretty old.”
Deena walked up behind him. “Why don’t you check the fluid and the spark plugs, dear?”
“Good idea. You never want your mower to get low on anti—I mean, oil.”
Deena turned and looked at Marcie. “Marcie, dear, could I trouble you for some ice water? My mouth is just so dry. Oh, and maybe an old rag for Gary to clean his hands with?”
“Sure,” she said. She sounded a little put out but went inside anyway.
“Quick!” Deena whispered. “Look for the antifreeze.”
They scrambled around, pushing aside boxes and plastic tubs. Why were there so many boxes? Was she planning on moving? Deena bent down to examine a large trash barrel filled with newspapers and an old blanket. “Bingo,” she yelled and pulled the oily bottle out of the trash. They heard footsteps and she quickly buried it again. Glancing at Gary, she mouthed, “Your hands,” and held hers up.
Gary got the message and reached down to wipe his palm across the outside of the filthy mower. Deena knew it killed him to do so and was proud of him.
Marcie opened the door and came out with three bottles of water and a cloth.
Deena took two of the waters and the rag. “Thanks.” She tossed the rag over the top of the car to Gary, who started smearing the grease onto both hands.
Marcie walked around and gave him the bottle of water. “What do you think, doc? Can you save her?”
“Um, yeah, sure.” He opened the bottle and chugged the whole thing.
“But you’ll need your tools and daylight, right, dear?” Deena stared at her husband.
“Right.”
“Oh, I wasn’t expecting you to do it now,” Marcie said as she walked out of the garage. “We still have four more blocks to cover.”
Deena and Gary joined her outside of the garage, and she pushed the buttons to lower the door.
Not only was it time for her to put on a show, Deena couldn’t even imagine their part of the watch covered six entire blocks. She took a few steps into the grass while Marcie’s back was still turned and then did a drop and roll like Officer Santos had taught her. The roll was fine. The drop . . . not so much. “Ow! My ankle.” She grabbed at her leg.
Gary bent down and just stared at her foot.
Marcie rushed over. “Are you okay?”
Deena used her best acting skills, conjuring up the feeling of having to walk four more blocks as a way to convincingly cringe in pain. “It really hurts.” She rocked back and forth and then pressed the cold bottle of water against it for good measure.
Gary stood back up. “I can carry you home.”
“Don’t be silly,” Marcie said. “I’ll drive you.” She headed back toward the garage door opener.
Deena locked eyes on Gary. They hadn’t expected her to say that. She reached out for Gary to help her up. “It’s okay. I can hobble home.” She paused, then added, “I just wish there was a shortcut. Our house is just right over there.” She pointed a few houses down and over her backyard neighbor’s home.
Marcie hesitated. Then she said, “There is. Pick her up, Gary, and follow me.”
Gary looked at Deena with more fright on his face than she’d seen since they’d concocted this plan. She didn’t want to put either of them through the embarrassment of him trying to lift her. “That’s okay, dear. I can lean on your shoulder.”
Marcie led the way through her backyard and then out a back gate. They cut through a neighbor’s yard to a gate connecting it to Edwin’s backyard.
Deena limped along until they were finally in the front yard between Edwin’s house and hers.
Goose bumps rose on Deena’s arms as she realized their plan had gone through without a hitch. They’d found the antifreeze and gotten Marcie to prove she knew a back way into Edwin’s home. Then she said the magic words. “That was a great shortcut, Marcie.”
Just then, headlights zoomed toward them.
Easy boys, Deena thought.
Tires squealed as the car stopped right in front of Edwin’s house. The streetlight lit up the vehicle. It wasn’t the white van.
It was Kitty Cooper’s red car. She jumped out and slammed the door. “Marcie Phillips. At last I come face to face with my grandfather’s killer.” She marched toward Marcie with her claws out.
Gary leaned down and buried his head in Deena’s chest, yelling, “Abort! Abort!” into the hidden microphone.
Deena pushed him away and threw herself between Marcie and the rampaging girl. “Stop, Kitty! You don’t know that for sure.” She grabbed Kitty’s arms and held her back.
Marcie ran to stand behind Gary. “What do you mean, ‘for sure’? Do you think I might have killed Edwin? He was my friend!”
“Friends don’t poison their friends!” Kitty started forward, but Deena pulled her away toward the sidewalk.
Gary stood frozen like a statue as Marcie stuck her head around him again. “I cared about him more than you did, you ungrateful waste of air. That’s why he left his money to me.”
Gary came to life then. “But you forged his signature. Deena can prove it.”
Thanks for throwing me under the bus, she thought.
Marcie stepped out of Gary’s shadow and moved slowly toward Edwin’s house. “I see what this is now. It’s a setup. There’s nothing wrong with your foot. And there’s nothing wrong with me getting what I deserve. I’ll challenge you in court, Miss Pitty Kitty. Since I reported you for elder abuse, I can’t imagine a judge taking your side over mine. And none of you will be able to prove anything. It’ll be your word against mine.”
“The cops know about the poison. They have your fingerprints.” Deena glanced down the street, hoping the police van was on its way. She could feel the muscles tighten in Kitty’s arm and was afraid the girl was about to go ballistic.
“You’re bluffing,” Marcie said. “I wore gloves.” She crossed her arms defiantly.
That was all it took. Kitty wrenched her arm from Deena’s grasp and charged toward Marcie, sending her sailing to the ground. “Someone should draw a chalk outline around you!” Then she jumped on top of Marcie and soon there were voices screeching, arms waving, and hair flying.
Deena ran up to Gary. “Should we do something?”
He pointed down the street as the white police van came roaring around the corner. “Cavalry’s here,” he said. Then he reached out and caught one of the hair sticks as it came sailing through the air. “Now, that’s what I call a catfight.”
Chapter 28
As soon as the police took Marcie away in handcuffs, Gary hurried back inside the house to wash his hands. Various neighbors stood on their lawns most likely speculating about what had happened.
Christy Ann rushed across the street just as Officer Santos was following Deena into the house. “Deena! What on earth is going on? Did you kill someone? I know I’ve joked about it, but did you really do it this time?”
“Where’s the baby monitor?” Deena asked calmly.
“He’s inside with the kids. Parker, that is.” She brushed her blond hair from her face. “Now quit stalling and tell me what’s going on.”
Deena raised her blouse and Officer Santos carefully pulled off the tape used to attach the wiring to her chest.
“She’s not a killer,” Gary said as he came out of the kitchen, drying his freshly washed hands on a towel. “But she did catch one. Marcie Phillips is the person who killed Edwin.”
“We caught one,” Deena said, trying not to wince as the tape came off.
“Well, all I know is that I had just gotten the baby to sleep when all of a sudden I heard tires squealing and women screaming—I thought there was a real live slasher movie being filmed on our street.” She put her hands on her hips. “The baby thinks it’s morning now and will
never get back to sleep.”
“Sorry about that,” Deena said. “Kitty’s arrival wasn’t part of the plan.”
“But it worked.” Guttman stood in the doorway. “When Marcie said she wore gloves, we knew we had her dead to rights. It was the last piece of the puzzle we needed to nail her.”
“Hmm,” Christy Ann said to Deena. “Come over for lunch tomorrow and I expect to hear every last detail. I’ll make chicken salad sandwiches.”
As Christy Ann left, Gary walked over and shook Guttman’s hand. “Great job, detective.”
“But you,” he said to Gary, “not so much. I thought you were going to blow it when you almost mentioned antifreeze in the garage.” Guttman turned to Deena. “But you, Mrs. Sharpe, you were a star.” He walked over and patted her on the back. “You had me believing you really had hurt your leg.”
Deena grinned at the rare compliment. “Aw, shucks. I guess Marcie isn’t the only actress in the neighborhood.”
Gary folded his arms and a frown replaced his smile. “I thought I did pretty well, all things considered. If I’d had a little more time to memorize my lines, I’d have had the role down pat.”
Guttman shook his head. “Don’t quit your day job.”
Deena took her husband’s arm. “Don’t worry about that. That’s my modus operandi. Gary is the stable one in the family.”
Gary leaned down to kiss the top of her head. “Maybe so, but from now on, you do your thing and I’ll do mine. I can’t imagine what I was thinking. This murder investigating is way too stressful for me.”
“Well, thanks again, you two. I’ve got a crime scene to process.” Guttman headed toward the door. He pointed at Deena. “Come by the station tomorrow and we’ll talk.”
After he left, Gary turned to his wife. “What did he mean by that? He’s not talking about a job for you with the police, is he?”
Deena held up her hands. “Absolutely not. I’m retired and proud of it. From now on, I’m just the sleuth next door.”
THE END
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Were you surprised at Gary’s business decision? Do you think Deena will stick with this same job for a while? Stay tuned to find out!
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