by Lois Schmitt
“Good news or bad news?”
“Since nothing I say will convince you to stop investigating, I might as well help you,” Abby said, grabbing a yogurt from the refrigerator and a spoon from the cabinet drawer. “I got the scoop on Linda Sancho. Jason knows an attorney who works for the same law firm as Linda’s husband. You want to hear what he said?”
I smiled. Although Abby’s boyfriend was up to his ears studying for the bar exam, she had him out snooping. “Why not?”
“Linda’s dedication to environmental and humane causes has created problems at the zoo. Supposedly, she’s fanatical. You know the type. The ends justifies the means. She won’t compromise an inch.”
“I’ve only met her briefly, but she does seem the serious sort.”
“She doesn’t get along with people. She’s humorless. It’s her way or not at all.”
“I think she gets along with Saul Mandel and your Uncle Tim.”
“Their concern is the animals. Her problem is with the pencil pushers, the bureaucrats who emphasize the business side of the zoo. People like Arlen McKenzie.”
“But is this enough to move her to murder? And Mei certainly wasn’t a pencil pusher.”
“Who knows what could trigger a violent reaction?” Abby threw the empty yogurt container in the garbage and rinsed off the spoon in the sink.
I flashed back to Linda’s alibi for the night of McKenzie’s death. She attended Ridge River University’s animal behavior conference. But I wondered if she had slipped out and returned to the zoo.
“I better go. I have patients,” Abby said.
Abby returned to work and I went back to the waiting room. Before leaving, I stopped to talk to Katie. “You take classes at Ridge River University on Monday nights, don’t you, Katie? Were you near the animal behavior conference? It was held three weeks ago.”
“Yes. I stopped in after class. I attended the lecture on animal foraging.”
“You could do that? Attend only one session?”
“Sure. Lots of people wandered in and out.”
I glanced at my watch. “Time to go. By the way, I noticed in the parking lot that your car is fixed. Last time I was here, you said you had been in an accident. What happened?”
“Just a fender bender leaving Ridge River. Some lady backed out of her parking space as I was leaving.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Nope. Only dented fenders and a taillight, but it’s costing more than one thousand dollars. Can you believe that? For a dent.”
“What’s your deductible?”
“I didn’t report it. The woman who hit me paid me in cash. She told me to get an estimate and let her know the cost. She had an accident last month and didn’t want the insurance company to know about this one. She gave me the entire amount.”
“That’s a lot of money, but the way these insurance companies raise your rates, I guess it’s worth it, especially if she had a previous accident on record. But weren’t you afraid she wouldn’t pay?”
“Yeah, at first. But she gave me her business card. She works at the zoo. I figured your brother could nudge her if I had a problem.”
“If she works at Rocky Cove, I may have met her. What’s her name?”
“Linda Sancho.”
“Katie, when did the accident occur?”
“Three Mondays ago.”
“The same night as the animal behavior conference?”
“That’s right.”
“Do you remember the time?”
“About eight-fifteen.”
Grabbing my phone, I punched in my brother’s number. No one picked up so I left a message. “Tim, you need to call your attorney. You’re not the only one who lied about an alibi. I’ve proof Linda Sancho left the animal behavior conference the night of Arlen McKenzie’s murder.”
I was about to get ready for bed when the phone trilled. My heart pumped faster. With all that was happening, who knew what news would greet me.
I picked up. Barbara’s voice was on the other end.
“Did Tim get my message about Linda Sancho?” I asked before she had a chance to do anything more than say hello.
“You mean about the hole in her alibi? Yes. He’s contacting his attorney. But that’s not why I’m calling. I wanted to touch base with you about Saturday,” my sister-in-law said.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes. We never set a time. How’s eight? Is that too early for Matt?”
Now I remembered. Barbara and Tim’s wedding anniversary was next week. Barbara had invited us for cocktails this Saturday to celebrate. The invitation had been extended several weeks ago, but with all that was happening, I couldn’t believe Barbara intended to go through with it. One minute she throws my brother out of the house, the next they’re celebrating an anniversary.
“Eight will be fine. I’m glad you and Tim resolved your differences,” I said, not able to think of a more tactful comment.
“Well, I guess it wasn’t really his fault. That bitchy Ginger Hart is causing all the trouble. I can’t wait until she leaves.”
“Leaves? The zoo? Isn’t that premature? I know she doesn’t get along with Saul Mandel, but he’s only acting director. What if someone other than Saul is appointed permanently?”
“Doesn’t matter. Ginger Hart’s ambitions are for more than her career. Her real goal is to marry money. Big money. The type Arlen McKenzie possessed. He was unusual for a zoo director. Chances are the new director won’t be filthy rich.”
“Do you really think she’d seek a job with a wealthy boss in hopes of marrying him?”
“Absolutely. She tried it in her last place of employment. She was public relations director for a shopping mall and made a similar play for the mall owner. The relationship was hot for a while, but he went back to his wife. I understand Ginger was furious. She really thought he’d divorce his wife and marry her.”
“How do you know this?”
“From one of my colleagues whose husband worked in the mall office. The mall owner was a big real estate developer. You may have heard his name. Jerry Rudolph.”
“I have heard of him. He was a contributor to several animal causes.”
“Jerry was killed in an auto accident about a month before Ginger came to Rocky Cove. I better get back to work. See you Saturday. Hopefully, a pleasant evening together will take the murders off our minds.”
I scratched my head while possible scenarios flashed through my mind. Ginger fought with both Jerry Rudolph and Arlen McKenzie right before their deaths. Car accidents could be set up. Could Ginger be a psycho bent on revenge?
“This is crazy,” I mumbled. I was letting my imagination run wild. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ginger’s previous lover.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
The smell of burning bread permeated the room. Matt wandered into the kitchen where I was leaning over the sink, scrapping off the black top of an English muffin.
“You’re up early for a Saturday,” he said.
“I’m going shopping in Manhattan. I need a gift for Tim and Barbara’s wedding anniversary. I want something special to cheer them up.”
Matt poured coffee into a mug, pulled out a chair, and straddled it. “I don’t think anything will cheer up Tim.”
“You’re probably right, but if it puts Barbara in a good mood, even temporarily, maybe she won’t be so tough on my brother.”
“But I thought they made up.”
“They’re back together, but I’ll bet she’s still giving him a hard time. And if he does get indicted, I’m afraid she’ll leave him permanently.” I gave up on the muffin and palmed it to Archie who never complained about my culinary abilities. “Barbara loves antiques so I thought I’d go into Manhattan and search the shops in Soho and Greenwich Village.”
“Barbara would like something like that. We’re not still invited to their house for drinks tonight, are we?”
“We sure are. Barbara insisted.”
“I doubt it.”
“My thoughts exactly.” I glanced at my watch. “I better go.” But before I had a chance to leave, the phone trilled and Abby’s number popped up.
The phone call from Abby delayed my departure. As the train careened into the station, I skidded into the railroad parking lot, squeezed through the closing doors, and settled back for my trip into Manhattan.
After purchasing antique candlesticks in a small store in Greenwich Village, I spent the rest of the morning wandering in and out of shops and soon realized I was on the block with Booker’s Amazing Pet Emporium. I stopped and stared in the window.
Twice is not an accident.
Tom Booker, the store owner, leaned against an iguana tank while deep in conversation with Linda Sancho.
I weighed my course of action. Did I risk being seen? Would Linda recognize me?
If I wanted to get to the bottom of this, I had to take risks. I slipped into the store and crept to the fish aquarium aisle, across from the iguanas. The cartons of dog food piled high in the middle row hid me from view, but I could clearly hear Linda and the store owner as they raised their voices in anger.
“What will you do?” Linda asked Tom Booker.
“Nothing. It’s not my problem. Manzetti knew the rules.”
“Won’t he cause trouble?”
“How? Call Consumer Affairs?” Booker laughed.
A phone trilled.
“I need to answer that.” He vanished into his office.
I scooted out the door, wondering about Linda’s relationship with this shop. Linda had to be up to no good. But was there a connection with the murders of Arlen McKenzie and Mei Lau?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
I glanced at my brother and his wife. The dark heavy bags under Tim’s eyes, obvious even with his thick glasses, contrasted sharply with his pallid complexion. Although makeup hid physical signs of worry on Barbara’s face, she appeared on edge. She fiddled with her napkin, almost dropped a platter of mini quiches, and jumped when the cooking timer sounded.
“Something strange is going on with Linda Sancho,” I said to my brother as the evening progressed. I noticed that Barbara, who had been arranging a small platter of deviled eggs, paused to listen.
“I spotted Linda twice at a pet shop in Manhattan.” While Matt left the room to return a call to his veterinary hospital, I described the two encounters at Booker’s Amazing Pet Emporium, ending with, “This store has a criminal record for the illegal selling of endangered species. I’ll bet this is somehow connected to the zoo murders.”
Tim shrugged. “I don’t know why Linda would deal with that store, but I can’t imagine it relates to the deaths of Arlen McKenzie or Mei Lau. I’ve known Linda for five years. She’s not a murderer.”
“You’re not either, but the police zeroed in on you because you lied about your alibi. She did too.”
As Tim glanced at his feet, I had a troubling thought. “You did tell your attorney about Linda’s early departure from Ridge River’s animal behavior conference? You did tell him, right?”
Tim stared at his scotch.
“Tim?”
“Oh, my God!” exclaimed Barbara. “You haven’t told your lawyer?”
“I’ve been busy. My monitor lizard developed a fungus in his claw. But I’ll call Stan Margolis first thing Monday. I promise.”
I shook my head. “I heard a story about Ginger Hart. Supposedly, her last lover was killed in an auto accident. Is that true, Tim?”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t listen to gossip.”
“Of course you don’t,” I said under my breath.
Matt returned, and I excused myself to use the bathroom. Since I passed Tim’s study and the door was open, I peeked inside. Spread across the desk was a manila folder. Knowing I couldn’t rely on Tim to keep me updated on changes at Rocky Cove, I stepped into the room and opened the folder on the chance it contained information about the zoo.
Inside was a thick report dealing with new projects proposed by Saul Mandel. Under Mandel direction, it appeared that the zoo’s focus would be on research, a departure from Arlen McKenzie’s emphasis on showy projects and public relations gimmicks.
I returned to the living room, where Tim and Matt were discussing reptile fungus infections. If I didn’t change the topic, this could go on all night.
“Are things different with Saul Mandel as acting director?” I asked, interrupting them.
“It’s a lot better.” Tim’s face lit up. “Saul found out about a federal grant available in herpetology. I’m applying. If I get it, I’ll be able to do research on the spade foot toad.”
Barbara smiled. “Only my husband would find such delight in toad research.”
I ignored Barbara’s remark. “What about the others on staff, Tim? How do they feel about Saul Mandel?”
“I know Linda is thrilled with Saul. There’s a possibility that the zoo will sponsor her on an Amazon field study. She’s particularly interested in that geographic area.” Tim sipped his scotch. “Saul’s doing all the right things. He’s conducting a study on our breeding program, too. The birth rate for some species at the zoo is lower than what it should be. Saul wants to find out why. Is it nutrition? Health problems? Does a habitat need a change?”
“When I interviewed Saul he mentioned how difficult it is to breed in captivity. He said every department has its problems. He gave me a few examples for my article.”
“McKenzie didn’t care. As long as we had a few successful births that he could publicize, he was happy.” Tim swirled the ice in his glass. “The zoo is much better off with Saul as director.”
“From what you’re saying, I’d guess the only loser is Ginger Hart.”
“Ginger will never be a loser. She’s expert at manipulating people, and Saul doesn’t know how to deal with that.”
“Saul doesn’t know how to deal with public relations either,” Barbara said. “Remember, the last time we had dinner with the Mandels? Saul started ranting about how Ginger wanted him to judge entries in that contest.”
“Right. The poster contest for kindergarten students, where they had to draw their favorite animals.” Tim chuckled. “Saul complained, but he did serve as a judge. He always does the right thing.”
Barbara shrugged, looking as if she wasn’t sure she agreed. I realized my brother and sister-in-law socialized with the Mandels, and I wondered if Barbara’s opinion of the curator was different than Tim’s.
“Enough shop talk. Is everyone ready for dessert?” Barbara rose from her chair. “If so, I’ll set it up in the dining room. But let me first clear away the hors d’oeuvres.”
“I’ll help.” I grabbed a cheese platter and trailed Barbara into the kitchen. Once we were alone, I asked, “Barbara, do you think Saul is capable of murder?”
“I believe everyone is capable of murder. It’s like an allergy. Some people just have a higher tolerance level.”
“What’s Saul’s tolerance level?”
“It’s not that high. He has anger management issues. And he can get violent. He almost lost his job about eight years ago because of his temper.”
“What happened?”
“Saul spotted three teenagers throwing bottle caps at a pregnant giraffe. He grabbed one of the kids and slammed him against the wall. It took two security guards to pull Saul away.”
“That’s not true,” said a voice from behind.
I spun around and saw my brother standing in the doorway and glaring at Barbara.
“Saul had grabbed the boy’s arm to prevent him from throwing more caps at the giraffe,” Tim said. “Saul never hurt that boy. He was only protecting the giraffe.”
Once we seated ourselves around the dining room table, Barbara brought in the coffee service along with individual servings of Peach
Melba and a large fruit platter.
I sighed, having hoped our dessert would involve chocolate. I’ve always been convinced that chocolate was a universal favorite, and anyone who thought otherwise should watch the brownies disappear from a dessert buffet.
“I’ve a surprise to show you,” Barbara said. “When I left the room, I put on my anniversary gift from Tim.” She held out her right hand, displaying an oval-shaped emerald and diamond cocktail ring. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
Right now, I wanted to smack my brother on top of his head.
Matt broke the silence. “Congratulations. It’s a beautiful ring.”
“Yes, it is beautiful.” I gritted my teeth, thinking it’s not my money and it’s not my business.
“Thank you.” Barbara poured the coffee. “I want Tim to take up sailing, so my gift to him was a certificate for ten lessons at a local sailing school. Would you like to see the brochure? Let me get it.” She vanished into another room.
“I didn’t know sailing interested you, Tim,” Matt said.
Tim smiled. “I didn’t either. The most athletic activity I’ve ever engaged in is a game of chess. But Barbara wants to join a sailing club. She learned to sail as a teenager.”
Dollar signs appeared in front of my eyes. In my mind, Tim and Barbara lived in a fantasy world. “Sailing club membership is pretty expensive. Can you afford it? I guess you can, judging by your gift to Barbara.”
“Don’t worry. Despite Barbara’s wishes, with the murder suspicions hanging over my head, no one’s proposing me for immediate membership. That’s for sure.”
“Where do you suppose Tim found the money for the ring?” I asked Matt as we drove home.
“I know where. Tim told me before we left.”
“Are you keeping it a secret?”
“You won’t like it. He got an equity loan on his house to consolidate their bills and pay Stan Margolis, who is probably the most expensive lawyer in this region. Tim took a portion of the money from the equity to buy the ring.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Back home, Matt fell asleep immediately, but I tossed and turned. Not only did my brother’s out-of-control spending bother me, but the murders of Arlen McKenzie and Mei Lau weighed heavily on my mind. Of course, I also worried about my job at Animal Advocate, as well as the future of Matt’s veterinary hospital. It was after three o’clock by the time I fell asleep.