No Place to Die

by Jaden Skye

  “Another one gone in Key West,” sang a guy in a cowboy hat and boots, strumming a guitar as he strolled along.

  As Olivia walked onto the promenade with her family, she realized she had no idea Todd was so well known down here. Were all the people here for him? Her stomach lurched, as in the distance, she saw Todd’s family walking in her direction. Introducing them to her parents was the last thing she wanted to do right now.

  “Your friend seems to have been quite popular,” Olivia’s father commented, as she watched Todd’s family approach.

  Olivia hadn’t realized it herself and didn’t know what to say. Todd had said very little to her about his time in Key West. She’d just thought he’d come down here to work from time to time.

  “My guess is that these people are mostly curiosity seekers,” Mauve piped up. “Todd’s death has become a big story down here because of the recent food poisonings. Everyone loves a mystery.”

  The promenade seemed to become more and more crowded as Todd’s family finally approached Olivia and stopped. Todd’s mother and father were there, his brothers, Craig and Lance, and a young, striking woman with long, dark, wavy hair. She must be Deanne, Todd’s sister, thought Olivia. Todd had mentioned Deanne in passing a few times.

  “How are you doing?” Olivia directed her question to Todd’s mother and sister.

  His mother looked at Olivia blankly, as if she weren’t there. Deanne took a deep breath.

  “This is totally surreal,” Deanne responded. “I refuse to believe that Todd is gone. Absolutely refuse.”

  “I’m Olivia’s father, Blake Wells.” Blake immediately introduced himself to Todd’s father and held out his hand.

  Todd’s father, George, nodded without taking Blake’s hand. “Unfortunate to meet you under these conditions,” George curtly replied.

  “I’m very sorry for your loss,” Blake offered. “Our entire family is.”

  George stared at him harshly. “I understand that you and your wife never met our son, just as we never met your daughter.”

  “That’s right,” said Blake. “I wish we had.”

  “Too late now,” Todd’s brother Craig intercepted.

  Wisely, Blake paid no attention to Craig, let his words drift off into the rising commotion. “Our daughter tells us she loved Todd very much, and that he loved her as well,” Blake continued speaking. “They were happy together. At least we can take some comfort from that.”

  But George seemed to have no desire to be comforted. “You call that comfort?” he shot back.

  Olivia found it odd that her father would even say that. Why did he think it would bring Todd’s family some sort of consolation? She felt it would only incense them further. Clearly, they were still on the warpath. But of course, her father hadn’t met them before.

  “Many people loved Todd.” George, combative, raised his arm and swept it around grandly. “You see how many have come out to honor him. I recognize many of his college friends and coworkers here.”

  Todd’s brother Lance looked down and bit his lip. “Lots of Todd’s friends have come from home as well,” he added. “There’s an outpouring of concern. It means a lot.”

  “You want to know why so many people are gathering quickly?” George’s face grew darker. “People want to know what happened, that’s why! Nan and I have already spoken to plenty of them. No one had heard that Todd was getting engaged. No one heard anything about Olivia. Frankly, it doesn’t make sense.”

  Blake wasn’t put off for a moment, though. “Doesn’t make sense to our family or friends either,” he replied. “But life doesn’t always make sense, does it?”

  Olivia was proud of her father’s reply. It didn’t hold water with George, though.

  “My life makes sense,” George bitterly retorted, “and so does my family’s. I don’t just throw out a child like that.”

  “I wasn’t suggesting you throw your son away.” Blake stayed dignified and centered.

  Olivia said nothing, just stared straight ahead of her. In the distance she suddenly spotted Wayne and Lorna strolling amidst the crowds. It was jarring to see them, but also reassuring to know that law enforcement was here, monitoring the activities.

  “Some of Todd’s friends are planning to make impromptu speeches about him at the vigil,” Lance said to Olivia then. “Is there something you might like to add?”

  “Not right now, not tonight,” Olivia responded. That was going too far. She didn’t know any of these people and they didn’t know her. Todd’s death wasn’t some kind of public spectacle. There was no way she could stand up and talk about Todd to them.

  Lance seemed to understand, but Craig’s face pursed. “Why won’t you talk? Wasn’t Todd worth it?”

  “Of course he was worth it, he was worth the whole world.” Olivia felt herself shaking. “I just don’t think I can do it.”

  “He didn’t mean that much to you?” Craig retorted.

  Blake took offense. “Now, hold on. It’s perfectly understandable that my daughter wouldn’t want to speak in public a day after such a loss.”

  “It’s not understandable to me, though.” Craig was fuming. “It’s more our loss than it is hers. How long did she know him anyway? Five months.”

  “I would think you’d want to say something,” Mauve echoed in the background.

  Olivia spun around then, trembling.

  “It’s okay, it’s okay, I totally understand,” said Deanne, putting her hand on Olivia’s shoulder. “It is too much. I couldn’t do it either. Everything is so extreme down here, anything goes.”

  “I’m sure Olivia will say a few words at the memorial though,” Lance broke in. “After Todd’s body is returned from the medical examiner, we’re having him cremated. Then there will be a memorial for him down here very soon after. You’ll have time to prepare.”

  The memorial? Olivia hadn’t even begun to think about that. “Yes, of course I’ll say something at the memorial,” she offered.

  “Todd always said he wanted to be buried in Key West,” Lance continued. “He wanted his ashes tossed into the water.”

  Olivia began shaking. The thought of Todd’s memorial once again brought the reality of his death to her in a flash. She had to say something at it and she knew it.

  “We’re all waiting for the medical examiner’s report,” Lance continued heatedly. “It’s coming soon, too. Word is we may even have it later tonight or tomorrow.”

  Craig jumped in again. “If Todd didn’t die by food poisoning, and we don’t think he did, everyone has to know immediately. For all we know, a killer’s on the loose, mingling around right here, among all of us.”

  The possibility that a killer was on the loose slit the evening air like a knife, freezing the conversation.

  The two families slowly began backing away from each other, nervously blending into the crowds.

  The vigil for Todd started spontaneously a few minutes later. People gathered together, arms around one another, swaying and singing. Some placed wreaths for Todd at the edge of the promenade. Others left small stuffed animals. A few handfuls of cards and notes were also freely scattered around. The entire gathering was completely makeshift and informal. Olivia decided that it was perfectly okay that she wasn’t speaking at it.

  Olivia and her family stood in the background, watching all that went on. Todd’s family, oddly enough, also stayed in the background, on the other, far side.

  Tremendous grief welled up in Olivia as she heard the soft music grow louder and more fervent, sending Todd off in a wave of love.

  “They all loved him so much,” Olivia whispered to her father, who stood staunchly at her side.

  “The death of a young person is always a tragedy,” her father responded. “You’ve been through too much, Olivia. It’s deeply troubling that you have to go through this again.”

  A young man whom Olivia didn’t recognize stood up in front of the crowd then to speak about Todd. Thankfully, she couldn’t make out e
xactly what he was saying, due to the loud murmurs of the group.

  After he sat down, Todd’s brother Lance walked to the front, held out his hands, and called out something in the dimming light. It seemed as if he was sending his farewell wishes to a beloved brother. To Olivia’s surprise, his brother Craig said nothing, just stayed slumped beside his parents, scowling.

  One after another, different young people stood up, either reading poems, speaking, or singing. The noise, the commotion, and the dying light made it difficult to understand anyone. It was more like a spontaneous love fest with the chance for his friends and family to be together and support one another at this terrible time.

  “We can go now,” Olivia’s father said after a short while. “No one knows we’re here. It doesn’t make a difference.”

  Olivia was relieved to hear him say that. She couldn’t wait to be far away from this strange gathering that was so painful to her and so unruly.

  *

  Olivia and her family returned silently to the hotel, exhausted and famished. They quickly ordered dinner in from a restaurant down the block and then slowly began to unwind.

  “None of this is good,” Blake said as all of them were seated in Olivia’s room. “If you ask me the best plan is for us all to pack up tonight and get out of here.”

  “That’s abrupt, dear,” Olivia’s mom, Della, replied. “And we’re all exhausted. We have rooms reserved and we need to sleep.”

  “Besides, it will look strange if we leave so fast,” Mauve chimed in.

  “It looks strange enough as it is,” Della agreed.

  “I agree,” Blake relented. “So, at the very least Olivia has to pack up and leave with us first thing in the morning.”

  “I can’t do it,” Olivia repeated sullenly.

  “There’s no such thing as I can’t,” her father repeated carefully. “I don’t like Todd’s family one bit, don’t trust a single one of them.”

  “You’re being harsh, dear,” Della said. “You don’t know his family. None of us do.”

  “They’re chomping at the bit, looking for someone to pin the blame on,” Blake continued. “Who better than Olivia?”

  Olivia put her head in her hands. Her temples were throbbing.

  “In fact, I’m even thinking that maybe we should take you on a vacation out of the country.” Blake turned to Olivia fully.

  Olivia’s head shot up. “Leave the country?” She was horrified. “Why? I haven’t done anything.”

  “Of course you haven’t done anything.” Blake’s voice grew more intense. “But people get snarled up in all kinds of tangles for less reason than this. Lady Justice can be complicated. Listen to me, Olivia. You were the last one to see Todd alive.”

  This was way too much for Olivia. “I’m not running away, there’s nothing to run from,” she repeated.

  “There’s plenty to run from,” her father insisted. “Being smart is knowing when to get out while you can.”

  “It will only make things look worse if Olivia runs,” Mauve broke in then.

  “Besides, I have to stay here for Todd’s memorial,” Olivia mused. “I want to give him a proper good-bye.”

  “No,” Blake insisted. “We’re all definitely going to be out of here by then. You can come back down for the memorial if you want to. It won’t be for at least a few days.”

  “You can also bring some of your friends down with you, too,” Olivia’s mother added. “Then you won’t be alone.”

  “Olivia doesn’t need to bring her friends. I’ll be coming down with her,” her father exclaimed.

  Olivia realized that her mother was eager to leave, had no intention of attending the memorial. She’d been through too much already with Olivia and her first fiancé, Paul.

  “Then, right after the memorial, I suggest we take a vacation in France,” her father repeated. “You love it there. I’ll go with you.”

  “What’s gotten into you, Blake?” Olivia’s mother was flustered. “There’s no reason at all that Olivia has to run off to France. After the memorial she should come back to Boston and settle back down near us.”

  “Leave my life and my job?” Olivia was startled.

  “You’ve been through another horror, dear,” her mother continued. “You don’t realize it yet. One never does. But you’re vulnerable. It’s wise to come home and be near your family. It will take time for you to process this as well.”

  To Olivia’s surprise, the thought of being near her family was not at all appealing. And yes, she’d been through another horror and did full well realize it. Why was this devastation happening again? she wondered. Was it true that, as Mauve said, she’d been cursed?

  “Will you come back with us tomorrow? Will you listen to me?” Olivia’s father turned to her mournfully. He looked so troubled, it gripped Olivia’s heart. “Please listen to me on this one,” he repeated. “Just come back for now, not your whole life.”

  Olivia was torn. Her father had been through so much with her already, she couldn’t bear to add to his upset now. On the other hand, it felt much too early to leave.

  “Just come back with us for a couple of nights,” he said. “I promise I’ll come back with you for the memorial.”

  Olivia took a moment to consider what he said. If she went back for a couple of nights, not only would it soothe her family, it would give her a chance to get her bearings and a new perspective on everything. There was also no point in staying down here near Todd’s family when their anger and grief were still so raw. They clearly did not wish her well. She needed to get some distance from them and give them time to calm down.

  “I’ll do it,” Olivia quickly agreed. “I’ll go back with you tomorrow, but I’m returning for the memorial immediately.”

  Olivia’s father sighed deeply. “Of course you are,” he agreed, “and I’ll come right back with you. Thank you, I truly appreciate it. Something’s tremendously wrong here, I feel it, and you can’t stay down here alone.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  First thing the next morning, Olivia and her family were at the airport, waiting for their flight home. They all sat on a long bench near the runway and waited for their plane to arrive. The small airport, which had mostly connecting flights, was practically empty at this hour and the early morning sky was open, clear, and beautiful.

  “I’m sure you’ll come to your senses shortly and choose to move back home from New York,” her mother said as the soft breeze blew over them all.

  Olivia was planning to go home with her family for a short while and then return to Key West for Todd’s memorial. She didn’t want her mother to build expectations she couldn’t fulfill.

  “I like my job in the city and am doing well at it,” she replied. “After I return to Key West for the memorial, I’m going back to work.”

  “Olivia has many new friends in New York as well,” Mauve chimed in. “Although we have no idea who they may be.”

  Olivia was about to say something when she heard a small commotion behind her and the sound of footsteps approaching. She turned quickly and to her amazement, three law enforcement officers stood in a row, including Wayne and Doug.

  “Olivia Wells?” One of the officers said her name in a resonant tone.

  “Yes?” said Olivia, startled.

  Wayne stepped forward then, taking charge. “No need for alarm,” he said. “We’ve just had unexpected news and have been instructed to ask you not to leave Key West just yet.”

  “You’re detaining my daughter?” Olivia’s father was alarmed.

  “This is just routine, I assure you.” Wayne had a calming manner about him and her father responded well to it.

  “The medical examiner’s report has just come in,” Wayne announced officially as the entire family grew silent.

  “What did they find? Tell me, please.” Olivia was shaken.

  “Significant amounts of arsenic have been found in Todd’s body,” Wayne declared.

  “Arsenic?” Her mother was a
ghast.

  “What does that mean?” asked Olivia as her entire body clenched.

  “The case has now been officially declared a homicide,” Wayne continued. “There’s no question about it. The symptoms the victim experienced entirely correlate with arsenic poisoning as well.”

  “Arsenic?” Olivia felt her knees buckle beneath her.

  “Large doses,” Wayne added. “This was not a case of gradual poisoning.”

  “A homicide?” Olivia could barely get the words out. “How is it possible?”

  “That’s what everyone is asking,” Wayne continued, “especially Todd’s family.”

  “They’re blaming me, aren’t they?” Olivia could barely breathe.

  “Yes, they are,” Doug now reported.

  “We clearly need all the information we can get,” Wayne interrupted.

  “And, beyond that,” Doug continued, “why are you leaving Key West so soon after your fiancé’s death? Aren’t you going to attend the memorial? Todd’s family will be there, of course.”

  “I insisted that my daughter depart.” Olivia’s father broke in and took full responsibility. “I didn’t want her staying down here alone at a time when she needs family support.”

  Although his words made sense they rang hollow.

  “If you have to stay, you should ask Allison to come down immediately.” Olivia’s mother turned to her. “She’s been texting me continually and is worried to death.”

  Olivia realized she hadn’t texted with Allison in a while. She felt bad about it and would do it soon.

  “Exactly why do you need to keep my daughter down here?” Olivia’s father took over. “Explain it to me thoroughly.”

  “There are many factors that must be looked into immediately,” Wayne responded. “A person of interest, Tomas, has been taken in for questioning. And we also need Olivia down here both as a possible witness and for further questioning.”